Resale: AKV or SSR?

[ercrbc]

We are looking at resale contracts, I have been researching the resorts and DVC in general for months. We have the time (and patience ) to go resale instead of through Disney, and don't need to finance.

I am totally torn between AKV and SSR though! SSR for the obvious resale value, seems like a no brainer. 44-45 yrs of points, low maintenance and the crazy good deals you can get through resale.

However, I continue going back to the AKV listings!!!! We stayed in a 1br value last Fall (rented) and LOVED this resort. Swam at Kidani and loved it too! I also like the fact that most the 1brs sleep 5 and there are 2 baths at Kidani. The point chart is hands down the best value in DVC, so we could buy 150-160 vs 180-200pts at SSR.

BUT, it also seems (through this board anyway) as though AKV has pretty great availability at the 7mo window. So we could always try to get a ressie at AKV and end up banking points for a bigger ressie the next year.

I have never stayed at SSR, but have looked through all the pics, maps, ect. We will always drive and have a car, so I don't see the bus system being an issue. The pool looks great and the new proposed Paddock pool too! Plus I love the idea of the THV!

Ideally I would love to buy 100pts at SSR and 75pts at AKV, but DH said no way to 2 contacts and 2 closings. I worked hard to get him on board at all

Any details I haven't considered? What would you choose and why? Thanks!

 

[Crystal_27]

If you would be happy staying at SSR (although you obviously prefer AKV and would opt to get that at the 7 month mark), I say to go ahead and get the extra points (and enjoy the lower maintenance fees), and go with SSR.

 

[robertdangelo]

I think you can't go wrong either way. If you prefer AKV and will tend to book at busy times, you may want the 11 month booking(HOME) advantage there.
Good Luck!
Bob

 

[dreaming4disney]

I am a family of 5, so I like the 1br that sleep 5. If you don't mind staying at eiter one, then pick the cheaper resort( point cost/maintenance fees)
If you're a family of 4, you can stay in any size villa, but if your family grows to 5 or more, then you move into a 2 bedroom villa(except AKV,BLT)
The point difference between a 1 and 2 b/r is pretty big.

 

[Vickis3js]

We own at AKV and we are having the same problem with deciding SSR or SKV for an add on. I know for us we LOVE AKV. So much to do and see in the resort itself. My kids loved exploring the resort. We visited SSR and it was gorgeous just not as exciting to them. The reason we are trying to decide SSR and AKV is they want the THV. Only way to get in there is 11 mo booking and even then you need lots of luck. But we would be happy anywhere at 7months really so I think we will lean towards SSR since there is a large enough price difference resale to make it appealing. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We already own at AKV, and some others.and when we went to add on recently, we went with SSR because of the value, given the points are very reasonably priced at resale, the maintenance fees are good, the points can be used for the treehouse at 11 months, and at 7 months we can use the points at our other resorts.

We've used the SSR points to get a treehouse, and also for upcoming VB and BCV stays. I think we got a great deal.

We also went walking around SSR, now that we're owners there, and truly were impressed with the beauty of the resort, and can't wait until we try the Turf Club for dinner.

BUT, if we didn't already own at the other resorts, we would not have bought at SSR. It is not our first love, and so, I don't really know what to tell you....sorry. When I began typing this, I was already to tell you to buy at SSR, but really, I can't, not for your first home!

So, if this is a strictly financial decision, go with SSR. You do seem to have an emotional attachment to AKV, I don't blame you. Does your DH have any opinion at all? I would give him some say in the final decision!!!

I'm not going to vote...I'm also torn!

Bobbi

 

[Disneycouple99]

Just to make sure, you are looking at the new 2011 point chart for AKV?http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...eyVacationClub_DisneysAnimalKingdomVillas.pdf
The value rooms are only at Jambo house and are 10 2-bedroom lockoffs and 8 dedicated studios. Another question is when do you plan tp travel. If it in a hard to book time of the year, then buy the one you want to stay at the most.

 

[DizGirl20]

Hi - We just joined at AKV so my heart says join there b/c it is such an amazing resort. But my head says go with SSR for the cost benefit/more points. Hmmm, as I write this my final answer is... AKV! You can always add-on later. That's what we plan to do! Good Luck!

 

[parrotheadmom]

That was a hard poll! I went with AKV because that's where my heart is at but if you just want the best value and don't care which resort you stay at then I would pick SSR.... I feel like we have not been much help!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Buy where you want to stay. Although a remote possibility, remember membership rules are governed by the POS and there are somethings in the POS that could impact your ability to book outside your home resort if Disney ever felt like it needed to enact those rules.

 

[bnk1120]

I voted for SSR because of the number of points. I think the THV's look awesome and you also mentioned that you'd like to stay there. The busses are not an issue because you will have a car, so that also makes SSR appealing. As you said, you could still try to get into AKV and you will have the extra points to play around with.

We bought at VWL because we absolutely love it there, but are really excited to try other places and hopefully do an add-on somewhere else (I LOVE BWV!). We got an amazing deal on our resale contract at VWL, but were considering OKW or SSR. With so many great resorts it's tough to pick just one!! Like everyone always says, if you will be disappointed having to stay at SSR, then buy at AKV.

 

[thelionqueen]

I would pick SSR hands down for many reasons. Personally for us, we prefer SSR far and above AKV, not to mention the value and the treehouses.

That said, my first home was the resort I had been waiting for for 3 years (BLT) and I am SOOOOOOOOO happy it was my first DVC purchase. So if your heart is really @ AKV, I would say buy there. Half of the excitement I have in owning DVC is owning where my heart TRULY feels like home. The extra years, MF's and etc are a distant 2nd and 3rd reasons we bought where we did. Just my .02

 

[DenLo]

Both would be a great choice. However, if you still are enamored with AKV, make AKV your home resort. Buy where you want to stay.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I like your idea of buying at both! If not, then buy where you really want to stay. Good luck.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

1) If you typically make reservations more than 7 months in advance and you prefer AKV over SSR than AKV is the way to go.

2) If you typically make reservations less than 7 months in advance then SSR is the way to go.

Jason

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I If not, then buy where you really want to stay.

In my opinion you only buy where you want to stay if you make your reservations more than 7 months in advance.

More than 7 months in advance = only 1 place you can stay (your home resort) and reservations still based on availability

Less than 7 months in advance = all resorts are open to you and reservations still based on availability

Jason

 

[cayman01]

I think Jason hit the nail on the head. Normally I would say SSR and be done with it. The value in resale there is very good. However, you do love AKV.

If you do not book more than 7 months in advance then SSR is the way to go. You can still get a great choice of rooms at AKV at 7 months, but might have trouble with value and concierge. And you will be saving money using cheaper SSR points. You also have the option of THV at 11 months. You won't get that with AKV.

On the other hand, if Value and/or Concierge are key for you at AKV then buy at AKV or prepare to waitlist.

 

[JenSop]

I voted for AKV. That is our home resort and we just love it. It's a wonderful place. So much to see and do - without even leaving to go to a park! I know that we personally would not buy at SSR - just doesn't interest us. We LOVE AKV!!!

 

[disneynutz]

I vote and will always vote Buy Where You Love To Stay. My second recommendation is to take the time to find out where that is.

We don't know what rules Disney may change in the next several years. Owning points at a resort other than your favorite may lock you in to having to stay there more than you would like.

The more we stay at the various resorts, the more we see behind the curtain and our favorites have changed. All or the resorts are wonderful in there own way and each has something different to offer. The secret is to find out which one has the most to offer your family and the only way to find that out is to try them all.

Bill

 

[mikeandkarla]

AKV will give you 11 mos. home resort booking for the Values at Jambo, you may not get this reservation at 7 mos.
SSR gives you 11 mos home resort booking for the Tree houses. They are very popular as well.

I voted for AKV. Along with BWV std. view, the Values at AKV are the best DVC bargain by far.