Recommendations on how to split contracts

[ebirrane]

Hi!

My wife and I are looking to purchase DVC resale. We tend to go down to Disney for 5-7 nights sometime during the first 2 weeks of December to help kick off the Christmas season. We've gone down 7 out of 8 years, and with a 2 and 5 year old we will be going down a lot over the next decade. We are pretty low maintenance, don't mind some waits, don't mind some walks, generally just happy to be there.

Our initial thought was to get 300 points at SSR because they were relatively inexpensive, we thought the tree-house villas were interesting, and most people have told us that getting into other DVC resorts at WDW during that timeframe has not, historically, been a problem.

After reading through these forums, I started thinking about the MK view from BLT and how it would be highly unlikely to get that unless you were thinking of 11 months in advance.

So, our thought now is to get 150 points at SSR and 150 points at BLT, same UY, and do the borrow-ahead thing to get 300 BLT points one year and 300 SSR points the next year. On the years we want MK view at BLT we can get that. On years when we want to try a different place we can pool them all together at the 7 month mark.

But that got me thinking...

Are there other unique views at other DVC resorts that we should be aware of and likely unavailable at the 7 month mark? We consciously avoid Disney during the peak times (NYE, mid-summer, etc...).

How hard is it to get into the wilderness lodge villas? Some of the BWV/BCV views?

Also, for those with multiple contracts, is what we are proposing sane?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Ed

 

[disneynutz]

You are off to a good start but you have a long way to go.

IMO the TP View at BLT is over stated. Your really need to buy your first contract where you know for sure that you will love to stay. Then start booking other possible resorts and experience first hand the resorts and views.

We own at 5 resorts because we want to guarantee availability by booking at 11 months. Booking at 7 months will not get any easier, it has to get more difficult as members are added. December is the busiest time of year for the DVC so take that into consideration.

VWL is difficult due to it's size, BWV Boardwalk View for the same reason. AKV Concierge same reason. BCV doesn't have a view but it is still a very popular resort. SSR, Kidani and Jambo, and OKW usually have availability.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

and most people have told us that getting into other DVC resorts at WDW during that timeframe has not, historically, been a problem.

First, this is erroneous and not something I've heard expressed on the DIS often, if ever. The first 2 weeks of Dec are one of the peak times for DVC due to the low point cost and the Christmas holiday celebrations being in full swing. If you plan on going then and have specific locations you want to stay you do need to purchase where you want to stay.

Any time during F&W can be difficult to get certain locations as well as Christmas, New Years and marathon time. Thanksgiving itself isn't all that easy either. And I agree that 7 months isn't going to get any easier.

Your proposal to get two resorts is one that is used by many members and can be a good way to best ensure you stay where you want to - assuming you like where you have bought.

 

[ebirrane]

Thank you so much for your quick replies!

I *do* have an image in my head of using DVC as a way of bouncing through the villas at different places each year. If that isn't a practical or realistic expectation, or at least not during the first 2 weeks of Dec, it would be very nice to know that!

Regardless of the resort, I think I would be disappointed to stay at the same place each time. The past 7 times we have gone down, we have stayed at different places (poly, ak, wilderness, Caribbean, all-stars, etc...) and enjoy diversity. Never say never, and maybe after villa hopping for a few years we'll just settle in someplace, but I'm really hoping for ways to preserve that diversity.

In terms of "historical availability", we only know 4 or 5 DVC members, and know 2 who go down during that early Dec time of year. Those two have relatively large point allocations (300 and 400) and save them up for one big splurge instead of going down multiple times in the year. I think their point is that while the studios fill up very fast, at the 7 month mark they tend to see inventory in the 1br, 2br, and 3 br villas. With no guarantees for a particular room at a particular resort, but that across WDW there is always some inventory.

Again, if that is too optimistic, or maybe becoming less the case as there are more DVC members, it would be good to know.

Have been scouring this board and trying my best to soak up the info. Really appreciate the depth of experience and generosity of time on these forums.

-Ed

 

[Deb & Bill]

...In terms of "historical availability", we only know 4 or 5 DVC members, and know 2 who go down during that early Dec time of year. Those two have relatively large point allocations (300 and 400) and save them up for one big splurge instead of going down multiple times in the year. I think their point is that while the studios fill up very fast, at the 7 month mark they tend to see inventory in the 1br, 2br, and 3 br villas. With no guarantees for a particular room at a particular resort, but that across WDW there is always some inventory.

Again, if that is too optimistic, or maybe becoming less the case as there are more DVC members, it would be good to know....-Ed

That is very optimistic. Most members who go the first week of December book their stay 11 months out. You might find something available, but it won't be at BCV, BWV, BLT, VWL. And even if you find something available at the other resorts, it might be a few days here in this type of accomodation and the few days there in another type of accomodation.

Three bedroom villas go the fastest during that time partly because of the limited number available and partly because there are larger groups going at that time. Getting a Grand Villa at seven months out doesn't usually happen except for a day or two, but seldom an entire week.

My guess is one bedroom villas are the last to go because they require twice the points of a studio, yet sleep about the same number (except for the three resorts that have one bedroom villas that sleep five).

 

[lions1995]

If you are not too concerned over what resort you get into but want to try them all, I would suggest getting on a wait list at 7 months each time you use the SSR points. You could waitlist at a "good chance" (AKV or OKW) and also at a harder to get one (BWV, BC, VWL). If any come through, that is great for you, if not, a SSR stay is pretty nice.

There are some better chances to get some of the harder to get resorts. If going for BWV, you are better to ask for pool / garden view. Also, you can try a slit stay. Call at 7 months to see if a few days at the front or back end are available elsewhere. If they are book them and try waitlisting for the rest. It comes down to be flexible and creative.

Lastly, if you primrialy vacation in December, you should be looking for a end of year UY (October, November, December). That allows you to cancel your trip if needed and before 31 days, and still have time to bank / use them before your banking / use window closes.

 

[chainkid]

I have been a member since 1998-99 at BWV and it has become more and more difficult to book a room there for certain times of the year. This year for example most of the rooms are already gone for right after Thanksgiving and thanksgiving week. Food and wine festival was impossible for me to get at 7 months because i decided last minute to try and get a room. When ever I decide on a last minute trip, the only resort ever available is SSR or OKW. I don't mind staying there at all but i would be really upset if I could never get BWV because i didin't own there. some feel the same way about BLT although i find it as unappealing as the contemporary itself. I will probably wait for resale and buy GF Villas as I would like that and know it being a small resort will be near impossible to book. I would sell my AK if I though I could but i hear they aren't moving that well now. Everyone always gives the same advice, buy where you want to stay most. Only you will know what resort calls to you. BC has everything that BWV does but I hate it there and it i had listened to the boards only i would have been tempted to buy. I got caught up in the AK hype and wish I never bought it but live and learn. If you can try out a few resorts by renting points first you might be surprised at what resort has your name on it..one you may not have considered.

 

[Dean]

Hi!

My wife and I are looking to purchase DVC resale. We tend to go down to Disney for 5-7 nights sometime during the first 2 weeks of December to help kick off the Christmas season. We've gone down 7 out of 8 years, and with a 2 and 5 year old we will be going down a lot over the next decade. We are pretty low maintenance, don't mind some waits, don't mind some walks, generally just happy to be there.

Our initial thought was to get 300 points at SSR because they were relatively inexpensive, we thought the tree-house villas were interesting, and most people have told us that getting into other DVC resorts at WDW during that timeframe has not, historically, been a problem.

After reading through these forums, I started thinking about the MK view from BLT and how it would be highly unlikely to get that unless you were thinking of 11 months in advance.

So, our thought now is to get 150 points at SSR and 150 points at BLT, same UY, and do the borrow-ahead thing to get 300 BLT points one year and 300 SSR points the next year. On the years we want MK view at BLT we can get that. On years when we want to try a different place we can pool them all together at the 7 month mark.

But that got me thinking...

Are there other unique views at other DVC resorts that we should be aware of and likely unavailable at the 7 month mark? We consciously avoid Disney during the peak times (NYE, mid-summer, etc...).

How hard is it to get into the wilderness lodge villas? Some of the BWV/BCV views?

Also, for those with multiple contracts, is what we are proposing sane?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Ed

If you're happy anywhere but want to try all resorts over time, it likely doesn't matter where you own in your situation as long as it's at WDW. You'll need to plan for the 11 mo window and may need the wait list at times, but you should be successful. That doesn't mean you'll get a specific choice every time. You should spend more time getting familiar with the option so you can decide what you're comfortable with.