Resale or thru Disney?? and which Resort??

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

I have been looking to purchase a small contract (50pts) DVC as an anniversary gift for my dh since he has always wanted DVC. Now here is the dilemma:

I stopped at the DVC Doorway to Dreams store yesterday and they have 50 pts available at almost all the dvc resorts. They are priced much higher than resale but I wonder if it is a better option since there are no restrictions on usage.

I also am having a hard time deciding which resort to purchase at. My dh likes the boardwalk area so BWV and BCV would be ideal for him....I like the magic kingdom area, but only VWL is an option since BLT is very expensive.

I am nervous that since the BWV are the earlier DVC resort that the rooms are dated and showing wear....anyone know if this is true??

I am under the impression that we should buy where we want to stay so that is why I haven't considered OKW, AKL, SSR etc.

Help!!

 

[ToddyLu]

You are definitely headed in the right direction by asking questions first. For a small contract of 50 points, I would by resale. 50 points direct is not going to be enough points to use outside of DVC for cruises and other locations. One night in a non-DVC resort in Asheville NC was going to cost us 70 points when we visited Biltmore. Cruises are very expensive points wise. So with resale you would just stick to the DVC resorts and bank and borrow.

They refurb the rooms regularly. OKW, SSR have just had them. If he likes the Epcot resorts then stay there. If you can only book 7 months out your home resort doesnt matter at all. At 7 months points are points and if that is the case then I would go cheap---but then you are not going to get BC in the Summer or for F&W. You want to own there and book at 11 months for those.

There is a great sticky on picking a home resort. You can also downlod a guide from Pass porter on DVC that is good. I would also pick a good UY, too for when you travel. You want your UY to be just before your usually travel pattern.

Once you purchase your contract---start saving again becasue you will want to add on.

 

[Sandisw]

First, I would not spend more,to buy through Disney for the perks as those are always subject to change, even for direct buyers. You will certainly save via resale providing you are not buying a lot more points than you want and need. While the upfront cost will be less and you can get more points for the same initial buy in, it's the MF's that are the bulk of cost in DVC ownership. For example, 50 points might run you $6000 via Disney but you can get 100 via resale. However, those 100 points will also come with double the MF's. If you really don't want all those points and fees, I'd probably go through Disney.

In terms of wear and tear, the BWV was renovated in the last two years and I thought the rooms were nice.

Good luck!!

 

[chalee94]

I stopped at the DVC Doorway to Dreams store yesterday and they have 50 pts available at almost all the dvc resorts. They are priced much higher than resale but I wonder if it is a better option since there are no restrictions on usage.

as the other poster said, having only 50 pts will restrict your usage as much or more than whether you buy direct or resale. the options for trading out tend to cost a lot more than that...(and they are not generally a good deal anyway.)

i'd vote resale also.

I am nervous that since the BWV are the earlier DVC resort that the rooms are dated and showing wear....anyone know if this is true??

BWV was recently renovated a year or so ago. it's possible for any resort to have a "tired" room...but i'd worry more about BLT due to the furnishing choices the designers made.

I am under the impression that we should buy where we want to stay so that is why I haven't considered OKW, AKL, SSR etc.

i think that's a good call so long as you are able to plan and book 10-11 months out. if you can't book more than 6-7 months out at most, it doesn't matter where you own.

keep in mind that whether you buy direct or resale, the resort contracts expire at the same time.

most expire on jan 31, 2042. SSR goes to 2054. AKV (and some OKW contracts) go to 2057. BLT goes to 2060.

that can also be a factor for some.

 

[ToddyLu]

We picked AKV like this....

We live on the MS Gulf Coast so OKW was too much like home. BCV, BW didnt appeal to DH. We rarely go to the boardwalk on any vacation. VWL reminded DH of the days his spent fighting forrest fires for the Gov't--national parks and all. BLT-didn't care for the decor, although the building is good for location. On our last trip I walked DH out tot he sky bridge for a look at the expansive parking lot view. SSR is tumbleweeds quiet and huge. We prefer the hotel, indoor corridor vibe. We may only make 1-2 trips to DL in our lifetime and becasue we live on water and DH doesn't do the beach--VB and HH are out. If I ever get him to HI it will be a small miracle.

Seems like we each secretly have always loved the idea of staying at AKL. DH loves photography, animals and I love the dark, cool decor and relaxing vibe. We had never stepped foot on the property (which I would never recommend) but always longed to stay there. So he looked at me like I was crazy when I offered to go with a "cheaper" more centrally located resort. He never once considered any other resort than AKV. He is a purist and that is where we will probably alwasy stay. We are both so happy just driving up to that property and feel the "away" location is perfect after a busy day at a park. Good luck with your decision---they are all lovely in their own way. It is to much time and money not to enjoy your resort in IMHO.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Thanks for all the advice....I am thinking that BWV or BCV are the way to go considering how much my dh (and I) like the area, especially since BLT is too expensive.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for all the advice....I am thinking that BWV or BCV are the way to go considering how much my dh (and I) like the area, especially since BLT is too expensive.

If you buy resale then BLT becomes much more affordable. It also has some of the lowest mainbtenance fees.

 

[ELMC]

One thing to consider is that when buying resale, unless you negotiate otherwise, you will be paying a closing cost somewhere around $325-$450. Combine that with the fact that 50 point contracts come with premium pricing, and you may find yourself paying upwards of $20 more per point on a 50 pointer than on a 100 pointer. I would run the numbers and compare the actual cost of a 50 and a 100 point contract. I would bet that the 100 is nowhere near double the cost, but it is double the points. Yes, I know it comes with more maintenance fees, but we're talking less than $25 a month and you could always rent out some extra points to cover the costs.

Run the numbers and you'll have the answer that makes sense for you. Good luck!

 

[DannysMom]

We are in the process of buying resale at BCV. We really liked the Epcot resort area and SAB. We thought about the "limitations" on resale points and decided they were options that were expensive (point-wise) and unlikely that we would take advantage of anyway. I agree with the poster who said that having a small number of points will limit your usage far more than having resale points.

When they (DVC) were running the buy 100 get 20 free (which has since been reduced to buy 100 get 10) I priced out how much it would cost to buy direct. For what it would have cost to buy 120 AKV points (100 +20 free) direct I ended up buying 200 resale BCV points. Since BCV is where we ultimately want to stay, I am sure we got the better deal. GL making your own decision.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Thanks again......we r still looking into resale for the cost saving factor, but to be able to get our membership right away with closing costs of under $200 is a big temptation!

 

[DisneyBill]

I always thought there was a minimum direct transaction initial point purchase to join DVC. Back when we originally bought I think it was 150, but somehow I thought it was now 160 for BWV specifically. Can one purchase a 50 point initial contract direct, perhaps at Doorways...?

 

[DannysMom]

I always thought there was a minimum direct transaction initial point purchase to join DVC. Back when we originally bought I think it was 150, but somehow I thought it was now 160 for BWV specifically. Can one purchase a 50 point initial contract direct, perhaps at Doorways...?

Yup you can now buy in direct with as few as 50 points. Result of the tanked economy is my guess. Or maybe they were having to forclose on too many 160 pt contracts........

If I had been able to buy in direct with 50 pts way back when we first talked to a guide (probably 2007) I would have. It was the huge pricetag, about 16K at the time, to buy in that gave us pause.

I'm kinda glad we waited & went resale though.