Questions before we buy

[nlenguyen]

We are currently staying on rented points at the Animal Kingdom. My family loves the resorts and while we were here, we took many of the open house tours. We are started to get very interested into buying a DVC contract but have some questions that I hope you might have the answers to.
The first couple are in regards to perks and I know and am well aware that these perks can always change. When there was dining plans, did you have to be a blue card member to have the ability in adding that to the reservation? Also, is getting the gold pass pricing only if you are a blue card member?

The next group of questions is about the use year. We usually travel either in December, January or May. Would there be a certain use year that you would recommend us get? I was looking at a banking window chart to see when we have to bank the points by to use the following year, but was confused by one point. If you forget to book by that date, is there any chance to bank your points?

The last question is in regards to home resorts. The three of us on this trip each liked a different resort. I know all of the resorts are cheaper through resale, but some resorts are more expensive per point. Would you recommend us getting the overall cheaper contract or would getting the resort that we will stay at more be better even though it might cost more per point?

I thank you for your help. I have been getting so much information from this site and the ability to make a wise decision.

 

[havoc315]

We are currently staying on rented points at the Animal Kingdom. My family loves the resorts and while we were here, we took many of the open house tours. We are started to get very interested into buying a DVC contract but have some questions that I hope you might have the answers to.
The first couple are in regards to perks and I know and am well aware that these perks can always change. When there was dining plans, did you have to be a blue card member to have the ability in adding that to the reservation? Also, is getting the gold pass pricing only if you are a blue card member?

The next group of questions is about the use year. We usually travel either in December, January or May. Would there be a certain use year that you would recommend us get? I was looking at a banking window chart to see when we have to bank the points by to use the following year, but was confused by one point. If you forget to book by that date, is there any chance to bank your points?

The last question is in regards to home resorts. The three of us on this trip each liked a different resort. I know all of the resorts are cheaper through resale, but some resorts are more expensive per point. Would you recommend us getting the overall cheaper contract or would getting the resort that we will stay at more be better even though it might cost more per point?

I thank you for your help. I have been getting so much information from this site and the ability to make a wise decision.

1. You don’t need blue card to add the dining plan, but it’s not discounted. Blue card members are eligible to buy a discounted Tables in Wonderland card, which can save most people more than buying the dining plan. (Assuming this returns after covid)
2. Yes, you need a blue card in order to get a discounted Gold Pass. (And if you’re not a FL resident, then you can’t get a gold pass at all without blue card). Assuming returns after Covid.
3. You want a December use year if possible. Then you can get your typical trips in prior to your June banking deadline.
4. Three factors should go into picking your home resort: book where you want to stay. Depending on room type and dates, you may find little flexibility at 7 months. So make sure your “guaranteed” room is the place you’d want to stay most often. Then consider length of contract and price. (For example, while I love Beach Club, the direct pricing makes no sense for a 21 year contract. Even the re-sale is an iffy proposition for only 21 years).

 

[crisi]

Although if you will be miserable if you aren't staying at the BCV - and you have the ability to be price insensitive - buy BCV. One thing a lot of people are disappointed to discover is how difficult booking popular resorts can be - especially studios. Animal Kingdom is easy to book with BCV points - its a huge resort and a little off the beaten path. BCV will be hard with VAKL points - BCV is a small resort, and walking distance to two parks. And (although I don't understand it myself) SAB seems to be a much bigger draw than animals. The two biggest factors on if a resort is hard to book are proximity to parks and size of resort. The two biggest factors in play unrelated to resort are time of year and room size. And as DVC adds rooms - BCV doesn't get bigger, but more people buy with the intent to use points at least once in a while at BCV.

 

[heynowirv]

We are currently staying on rented points at the Animal Kingdom. My family loves the resorts and while we were here, we took many of the open house tours. We are started to get very interested into buying a DVC contract but have some questions that I hope you might have the answers to.
The first couple are in regards to perks and I know and am well aware that these perks can always change. When there was dining plans, did you have to be a blue card member to have the ability in adding that to the reservation? Also, is getting the gold pass pricing only if you are a blue card member?

The next group of questions is about the use year. We usually travel either in December, January or May. Would there be a certain use year that you would recommend us get? I was looking at a banking window chart to see when we have to bank the points by to use the following year, but was confused by one point. If you forget to book by that date, is there any chance to bank your points?

The last question is in regards to home resorts. The three of us on this trip each liked a different resort. I know all of the resorts are cheaper through resale, but some resorts are more expensive per point. Would you recommend us getting the overall cheaper contract or would getting the resort that we will stay at more be better even though it might cost more per point?

I thank you for your help. I have been getting so much information from this site and the ability to make a wise decision.

I'll quote the mantra that many of us use, buy where you really want to stay ,or wouldn't be disappointed if you had to stay.If you truly hate SSR ,don't buy SSR. Just an example,I like SSR.

 

[crisi]

I'll quote the mantra that many of us use, buy where you really want to stay ,or wouldn't be disappointed if you had to stay.If you truly hate SSR ,don't buy SSR. Just an example,I like SSR.

Whereas I would be disappointed to end up at SSR and am a poor candidate to own that resort.

 

[heynowirv]

Whereas I would be disappointed to end up at SSR and am a poor candidate to own that resort.

See you're the perfect example

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And if you really must own BCV or BWV, be aware that there is basically no scenario with APs, when the ability to buy a new one returns, that buying 125 direct for the AP discount is economically favorable. The resale and direct gap and contract lengths just make the math fail. If you buy either direct, it is emotional. Own that and don't lie to yourself about discounts.

 

[havoc315]

I completely agree with the “but where you want to stay” mantra, but with caveats.
-If you primarily book 1 bedrooms and/or go at off peak times, the home resort can matter a little less. Still would pick a resort I like staying at, but doesn’t have to be stressful about getting your absolute favorite.
-I’d still always factor in price and contract. If, for example, I was torn between my favorite resort being BCV or BLT, I’d go with the much longer contract at BLT. If I was torn between GFV and RIV(and was buying direct), I’d get the much cheaper points at Riviera.

But if I had my heart set on spending holidays at a particular resort, that would take precedence over price and contract.

 

[havoc315]

And if you really must own BCV or BWV, be aware that there is basically no scenario with APs, when the ability to buy a new one returns, that buying 125 direct for the AP discount is economically favorable. The resale and direct gap and contract lengths just make the math fail. If you buy either direct, it is emotional. Own that and don't lie to yourself about discounts.

Clear case where renting points is cheaper than buying direct. And depending on a few factors, renting points could be cheaper than buying resale too. (Or even paying cash rooms can be cheaper )

 

[RoseGold]

Would you recommend us getting the overall cheaper contract or would getting the resort that we will stay at more be better even though it might cost more per point?

It depends on what you mean by "cheaper." Some of the Boardwalk charts can make staying there actually work out well mathematically. Depends on if you want an Epcot resort and would make use of the good value Boardwalk bookings. Or, if to you cheaper means less cash upfront.

Also depends on your exit strategy. If you plan to pass this down to your kids, I would have a different answer than if you plan to use it for 10 years and move on (my strategy).

I think this chart is a good place to start to value points. I have SSR because I book at 7 month anyway, and VGF because I think it has the most room to grow an be worth money, and I get the most bang for the buck out of it. For many people, I think BLT is a good combination of good chart value, room variety, and long contract -- and the location can't be beat.

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resort-to-purchase-fall-2020/

 

[Stargazer65]

I recommend you buy points at the BEST resort. If you don't know which one that is, just ask here. It's all pretty objective, and everyone will agree on it.

 

[sndral]

For travel in December you really need to own where you want to stay, especially for early December stays when even booking at 11 months on the dot is challenging.
What size villa would you normally stay in? 1 br.s are far easier to get than studios, for example, so buying where you want to stay is less important if you want 1 br.s.
Which 3 resorts are you considering buying & how many points? If your heart is set on a studio at VGF in early Dec. you’ll need to own there to get that reservation. If you want a 1 br. at BWV in the spring, it may be less of a challenge to book at 7 months w/ non home resort points. If you want to stay at Riviera don’t buy resale points because you can’t book Riviera w/ those.
Also, if we’re talking a lot of points you might consider getting points at a couple of resorts. In my case I own at 2 resorts - VGF & AKV and alternate staying at them. One year I use banked + current AKV points to stay there in Dec., the next year I use banked + current VGF points to stay there in Dec.. My first contract I bought cheaper AKV resale points to test the waters, I added the far more expensive VGF points later.
Here’s a link that explains use year https://www.disboards.com/threads/understanding-use-year-updated-february-10-2021.1942668/. The biggest concern with use year arises when you have to cancel a vacation. If you have to cancel a vacation in the last 4 months of your use year you cannot ‘save’ your current years points by banking them into next year & any banked/borrowed points will expire at the end of your use year, thus you must use those points for a vacation in the next 4 months, when availability of villas to book may be challenging.

 

[Spinster Travel]

Choosing a home resort is a decision that took me a few months and I changed my mind several times before I pulled the trigger on a Polynesian contract. I knew the resorts I didn't want to own (for me was SSR, BLT and VGF), but I kept going back and forth between what was cheaper vs what I really wanted (Poly). My attitude at first was to buy a contract with the cheapest price/point at a resort I was willing to be "stuck" at staying if I couldn't change at the 7 month mark. For me, that was Boulder Ridge. It was as close to the monorail as I could get without paying the price commanded by PVB, BLT or VGF. Then the fact that BRV expires in 2042 got me rethinking and then I was considering OKW direct for the lower direct price and the 2057 expiration. Finally one morning I saw a great contract at the Poly and I realized that was what I really wanted. I'm single so that lack of a 1BR wasn't a factor. After closing; I added on a small direct contact at OKW for extra points and admit that even though it expires in 2042; I've been toying with the idea of a small contract at the Boardwalk to be able to book for the Food & Wine Festival. So really, there are a lot of options you can think about and many of them could be a fit for your family.

 

[CarolMN]

If you want to stay in a studio during early December (especially at any of the near park resorts - VGF, CCV BLT, Poly, BCV, BWV), my advice is to get an August, September or October use year, and NOT December. There is a good chance that you will have to "walk" those reservations. Because you cannot walk across use years, you are at a competitive disadvantage to book those rooms.

 

[The Jackal]

It is not surprising that the three easiest resorts to get at 7 months are the 3 largest WDW DVC resorts SSR, OKW and AKV. Even at these 3 largest resorts there are types of rooms at certain times of the year that are gone before 10 months. The first 2 weeks in December studios are gone quickly. Grand Villas at OKW, especially the 2 hospitality house ones go at 11 months all year, the others. The OKW GV’s are probably one of the best values in DVC for what you get. The basic rule is, if you want a studio, buy where you want to stay. If you want a 1 bedroom, buy the most economical place you don’t mind staying at, odds are something else is open at other resorts at 7 months, CCV is pretty tough though due to all those cabin points out there.
This is a useful thread, but could be off a little bit due to all the extra points from the closure.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-bd-charts-september-2019-2-bd-added.3689931/

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

If you want to stay at Riviera don’t buy resale points because you can’t book Riviera w/ those.

Unless you buy Riviera resale points.

 

[sndral]

Unless you buy Riviera resale points.

Good point - I didn’t even think about that option, perhaps because I personally wouldn’t want to own points that limited me to only staying at one resort @ WDW, although when DVC started there was only one resort -OKW, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for a lot of folks then.

 

[heynowirv]

If you want to stay in a studio during early December (especially at any of the near park resorts - VGF, CCV BLT, Poly, BCV, BWV), my advice is to get an August, September or October use year, and NOT December. There is a good chance that you will have to "walk" those reservations. Because you cannot walk across use years, you are at a competitive disadvantage to book those rooms.

That is exactly why we have an August UY.

 

[CarolMN]

That is exactly why we have an August UY.

Our August use year was just a happy accident. Back in 1999, we took what they were offering and had no understanding of why it even mattered. It works very well for the times we travel: fall, February, and late April-early May.

 

[nlenguyen]

When looking at places to buy resale, are most of them reputable?