Resale Purchase Idea--Advice Needed

[sillyguys]

I'm considering taking the plunge and going DVC. If I were to go the resale route, wouldn't it make more sense to buy HH points because they are cheaper? I realize that I would only have a 7 month window for booking at WDW, but I could put up with the inconvenience considering that I could afford to buy more points because HH resale points are less expensive than BCV or BWV points. Am I missing something? In theory, this seems like it would be a good way to get into DVC for less money. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Slakk]

I'm considering taking the plunge and going DVC. If I were to go the resale route, wouldn't it make more sense to buy HH points because they are cheaper? I realize that I would only have a 7 month window for booking at WDW, but I could put up with the inconvenience considering that I could afford to buy more points because HH resale points are less expensive than BCV or BWV points. Am I missing something? In theory, this seems like it would be a good way to get into DVC for less money. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

As long as you are flexible on where you stay and have no issues waiting until 7 months then it is no issue. I think MF are a little more at HHI but it is a great resort!

 

[rigsby25]

We have been tempted also, but I think the maintenance fees are higher. Over the years it adds up.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The fees at Vero are huge, but I'm not sure about HH.

If you don't mind being very flexible on dates & resorts, and possibly getting shut out of WDW, than HH may be a good idea.

It would also be nice to have HH points, as the summer season is very hard to get at the 7 month window.

MG

 

[Dman67]

The fees at Vero are huge, but I'm not sure about HH.

The MF at HHI is currently $4.98/pt. My guide told that the reason VB & HH are high is because they are close to the ocean and take a beatin' from the wind, sun and rain. It made sense to me. I guess the low price per point kinda offsets the high MF dues.

 

[disneynutz]

I'm considering taking the plunge and going DVC. If I were to go the resale route, wouldn't it make more sense to buy HH points because they are cheaper? I realize that I would only have a 7 month window for booking at WDW, but I could put up with the inconvenience considering that I could afford to buy more points because HH resale points are less expensive than BCV or BWV points. Am I missing something? In theory, this seems like it would be a good way to get into DVC for less money. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

My thoughts are buy at the resort you will use the most. Even at the 11th month booking window it is sometimes difficult to get a reservation. As more people join the DVC I think it will become even more difficult. The most popular vacation periods seem to be increasing in number and we don't know what changes Disney may make in the future. A period that may be slow today may become very popular tomorrow.

 

[mikesmom]

No, No, NO!!!

While "buy where you want to stay" is not always absolutely necessary, at least getting on property may be. At least if you buy in at OKW or SSR and you want BCV for a vacation, it may not be a complete disaster - you are, after all, at WDW. However, if you get shut out of WDW and end up spending your vacation in the Carolinas it is a whole different vacation.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE HHI and would love to own there, BUT, it is totally possible to get shut out of the other resorts at the 7 month window. As more and more members are added, you will be competing with more and more people at that 7 month window. The likelihood of getting shut out at 7 months is increasing. Read these boards. We constantly see folks saying "why couldn't I get that resort at 7 months, that is a slow season". Slow season for DVC is entirely different (and a lot narrower time frame) than slow season at WDW.

 

[Dean]

I'm considering taking the plunge and going DVC. If I were to go the resale route, wouldn't it make more sense to buy HH points because they are cheaper? I realize that I would only have a 7 month window for booking at WDW, but I could put up with the inconvenience considering that I could afford to buy more points because HH resale points are less expensive than BCV or BWV points. Am I missing something? In theory, this seems like it would be a good way to get into DVC for less money. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would not go this route. The meager savings are not worth the hassle. If price is the big issue, I'd also recommend getting something on property such as OKW or SSR. Personally I think the long term benefits and value for BCV, BWV, VWL and AKV are worth the difference for most people who want to stay at those resorts and for most who want to "play the field". Exceptions would be for those that want a 3 BR at OKW for on property options and those that know the system and would prefer OKW or SSR routinely. I'd only buy HH or as a new single purchase if I planned to use a significant portion of my points at the home resort over the years. And given the $$$ specifics, I think those that will buy at least the minimum DVC requires will get the best long term value out of AKV.

 

[jeremys111]

I'm considering taking the plunge and going DVC. If I were to go the resale route, wouldn't it make more sense to buy HH points because they are cheaper? I realize that I would only have a 7 month window for booking at WDW, but I could put up with the inconvenience considering that I could afford to buy more points because HH resale points are less expensive than BCV or BWV points. Am I missing something? In theory, this seems like it would be a good way to get into DVC for less money. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

We took the plunge and bought HH and got more points for the money. But we had some other reasons for doing it also.
We live 2 hour from disney, and do alot of last min trips. so were not too picky on were we stay. As my 5DD says " you get what you get so dont get upset"
Also the 11 month booking for HH came in to play for us. We will not go the parks during spring break and like the options of going to HH instead. That was a big part for us, as we just came home yesterday from our 1st HH trip and counting down the days for 11m window to book next year spring break trip.
hope this helps

 

[Dano2007]

As more people join the DVC I think it will become even more difficult.

Can someone please explain this concept? I thought the capacity at the resorts is limited by the number of points sold for each resort. Also, if more members choose to go during a specific time period than space allows, that seems like a recipe for DVC to do a point re-balancing at some point in the future. I don't see how it will necessarily get harder to book some sort of vacation, though.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Can someone please explain this concept? I thought the capacity at the resorts is limited by the number of points sold for each resort. Also, if more members choose to go during a specific time period than space allows, that seems like a recipe for DVC to do a point re-balancing at some point in the future. I don't see how it will necessarily get harder to book some sort of vacation, though.

True, to a point. The more popular resorts will have more competition at the 7 month mark, the less popular resorts will have less.

In the case of HH and VB, as DVC grows there will be more and more Members trying to reserve those resorts at 7 months.
Unlike the on site resorts that keep expanding, there will likely never be another DVC Resort built in HH or VB.

More Members + same amount of resorts = more competition at the 7 month window.
Of course, competition at the 11 month window will never increase.

MG

 

[Caskbill]

Can someone please explain this concept? I thought the capacity at the resorts is limited by the number of points sold for each resort. Also, if more members choose to go during a specific time period than space allows, that seems like a recipe for DVC to do a point re-balancing at some point in the future. I don't see how it will necessarily get harder to book some sort of vacation, though.

Actually you're correct. The quote you posted isn't really true. The only real impact is if DVC builds more resorts outside of WDW.

Within WDW it's a wash. While competition for various resorts at 7-months may increase, it only means more availability somewhere else. Suppose at 7-months a large number of SSR owners book all the available rooms at BCV. OK, so you can't get into BCV, but that now leaves a vacuum at SSR. All those SSR owners who got into BCV will not be using points at SSR, so you would be able to get into SSR at 7-months.

The only real issue is when non-WDW resort owners book within WDW resorts. If a HH or VB owner user uses their points at a WDW DVC resort, that leaves vacancies at HH or VB. If there isn't an equivalent number of WDW DVC-owners using their points to book back into HH or VB, then an imbalance could occur.

In reality, this is probably a non-issue.

As to buying into HH instead of SSR, for example, the dues will make a subtle difference. If for example HH is $0.70/point more than SSR, and you can save $10/point by buying HH instead of SSR, then in 14 years the extra dues have eaten up all the savings you originally made.

There's also the chance SSR dues won't increase as much as HH dues. As more of the resort is sold out, there are more members to contribute to the 'communal' costs of running the resort. Thus some of those fixed costs are shared by more members. Dues could even go down once or twice (This actually happened at OKW as the resort sold out. Dues went down as more members joined and fixed costs were spread out over more people. After it completely sold out, dues then started going up again, basically at the rate of inflation.

Finally, albeit a very small chance, if you purchased HH, and it was comnpletely destroyed by a hurricane, you would not be able to use your points at any other DVC resort. (Because the other DVC resort owners would not have the ability to book at HH, thus no 'exchange' is possible). HH owners would probably get some sort of insurance benefit for their loss, and the HH resort would be removed from the DVC 'family' of resorts.

 

[disneynutz]

Let me put it a different way. If you buy where you want to stay you might have a better chance at getting something. The Guides make it seem like getting your preferred accommodations at your favorite time is a piece of cake. That's not the way we have found it. I have been told on these boards that I am requesting the wrong type of room at the wrong time of year.

What I have learned is to not have any favorites and be able to vacation when rooms are available. Don't plan on holidays, the Adventure dates, school holidays, or special dates such as Food and Wine and Flower & Garden Festival. You might also try calling every day at the 11th month mark for a day to day reservation.

In other words don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Let me put it a different way. If you buy where you want to stay you might have a better chance at getting something. The Guides make it seem like getting your preferred accommodations at your favorite time is a piece of cake. That's not the way we have found it. I have been told on these boards that I am requesting the wrong type of room at the wrong time of year.

What I have learned is to not have any favorites and be able to vacation when rooms are available. Don't plan on holidays, the Adventure dates, school holidays, or special dates such as Food and Wine and Flower & Garden Festival. You might also try calling every day at the 11th month mark for a day to day reservation.

In other words don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed.

Wow. You don't sound like a very happy Member. Perhaps other options would be better for you??

I think you are exagerating a bit, and it should be noted that you will likely get any reservation you want if you book your home resort at the 11 month window.

MG

 

[CarolMN]

Let me put it a different way. If you buy where you want to stay you might have a better chance at getting something. The Guides make it seem like getting your preferred accommodations at your favorite time is a piece of cake. ...(snip)...

If you own at the resort that has your "preferred accomodations" and book your favorite time at 11 months, it is a "piece of cake".

But if you're trying to book the same thing as everyone else at the 7 month mark, you very well may be disappointed more often than not.

 

[Slakk]

If you own at the resort that has your "preferred accomodations" and book your favorite time at 11 months, it is a "piece of cake".

But if you're trying to book the same thing as everyone else at the 7 month mark, you very well may be disappointed more often than not.

And even worse if you want a specific room type at a specific resort at 60 days out.

 

[disneynutz]

Wow. You don't sound like a very happy Member. Perhaps other options would be better for you??

I think you are exagerating a bit, and it should be noted that you will likely get any reservation you want if you book your home resort at the 11 month window.

MG

I'm not exaggerating. My post was based upon information obtained from other DVC members who post on this board. Are you telling me that you have always been able to book where and when you want? Please share your secrets.

 

[rinkwide]

...Are you telling me that you have always been able to book where and when you want? Please share your secrets.

That's right, and you can too. Just call (407) 939-7429.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Are you telling me that you have always been able to book where and when you want? Please share your secrets.

Yes. I have always got exactly what I wanted, as long as I called 11 months out.
I have also called on short notice and sometimes have, and sometimes have not gotten what I wanted.

I purchased at VWL, VB, and now AKV because those are the places I want to stay (along with some Disney Collection options).

If I ever have the urge to book a non home resort at 7 months, I'll let you know how it turns out.

MG

 

[Starr W.]

I'm not exaggerating. My post was based upon information obtained from other DVC members who post on this board. Are you telling me that you have always been able to book where and when you want? Please share your secrets.

Okay I'm a new owner and I have booked my WDW home resort(yes that big monster over by DTD) at Thanksgiving and MLK weekend. Was told by the CM when calling for MLK right at the 11 month mark, "Boy you are calling early!"

We did buy VB points(enough to cover Spring Break week) as we want either 2br or a beach cottage for the week. We plan on using VB points exclusively for VB.

I booked SSR for 5/5-5/8 2br on 12/14/06, I forget when we went on the waitlist for VWL or BCV, but VWL came through on 1/27/07.

I think the real tough one will be trying to get HHI, I am going to try for right after school is out in June of next year. We get out I think 6/6, so avoiding the weekends(oh that's another thread) I'll be on the phone day by day for them.