Reservations at non-home property

[MinnesotaChill]

I am just getting ready to buy into DVC and am looking at resale. I noticed that Vero is much cheaper per point, but because we have preschoolers, we probably wouldn't actually stay there for quite a few years.

How hard will it be for me to make reservations for WDW properties if my home property is Vero? We wouldn't be traveling during peak times, probably early Nov or January. As a former castmember, I got used to having the park to myself and don't like to share with throngs of people!

I am so tempted to go with the cheaper price, and then experiement with the different properties at WDW, but we want to be able to use the membership at least every other year, or back to back years to take advantage of the annual pass.

Thanks for your help!

 

[natt]

Just some feedback I've learned from this board - I'm sure the seasoned experts can elaborate;
(1) Vero Beach annual dues are higher than other DVC properties
(2) Low season at WDW is usually high season at DVC resorts - Oct/Nov gets booked up for F&W fest.
(3) Buy where you want to stay the most!
Good luck with your decision. Natt

 

[CarolMN]

Believe it or not, reservations at the WDW DVC resorts are easier to get in the summer time than they are during what is usually considered "slow" or "non-peak" times. Busy times at the DVC resorts are not necessarily busy times in the parks.

In my experience, you may have trouble making reservations for November at the 7 month window. (November brings EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival, Veteran's Day and is also the time of the year that the NJ schools have several days off for teachers' meetings. All of those make November a popular time for DVC members to visit. However, if you are willing to stay at any of the WDW resorts, use the waitlist or can be at least somewhat flexible with your vacation dates, you will almost always be able to get something.

January is easier to get - probably one of the easiest times.

Keep in mind that even though VB may be less expensive to purchase, it has the highest annual dues. Because it is more expensive to keep up ocean front properties, that is unlikely to change. It also seems to be the property that takes the longest to sell (if you need to, but hopefully not) and the one that sells for the lowest price per point. Most people seem to want a WDW on site property.

VB is a gorgeous place - we love to go for a few days before or after our WDW visits. You'll need to own there if you ever want to stay in one of the fabulous Beach Cottages. They are virtually never available to anyone who doesn't have the ability to book at the 11 month window.

The most common advice given to prospective members by those who post here is to "BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY THE MOST". IMHO, it's very good advice. If you want to stay mostly at WDW, you may be sorry if you don't buy there. Remember, your vacation habits may change over the next 39 years.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[ripleysmom]

Yeah what they said!

 

[ncligs]

With the age of your children, I would reccomend to buy at WDW so you can have the 11 month window when you need it. If you are flexible and don't need the Beach Cottage at VB you shouldn't have a problem getting in at VB at the 7 month window.

P.S. "Welcome to the DIS"!!

 

[Dean]

With VB having much higher dues, there is not enough savings to justify complicating your life this way. Buy VB only if you intend to stay ther a significant portion of the time OR must have a Beach House part of the time.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Okay, so where do I want to buy? I have three preschoolers. We do lots of pool time right now, and I am partial to short transport times to the MK in particular, since that is where we will be most often when the kids are young and impatient.

 

[Melrosgirl]

If you want to be close to MK, VWL is your best bet.

Our home resort is BCV. I have stayed at VWL and only gave them 5 days' notice! (March) No problem in getting a studio there. I wanted to stay at VB in May and gave them one weeks' notice. No problem getting an ocean front inn room. (loved it).

We are going again in December and we wanted to be by MK this time, so we are staying at VWL. I called at the 7 month window and no problem for mid December.

(Of course, I have stayed at my home resort, BCV, too and plan on going again next Octoberish!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by MinnesotaChill
Okay, so where do I want to buy? I have three preschoolers. We do lots of pool time right now, and I am partial to short transport times to the MK in particular, since that is where we will be most often when the kids are young and impatient.

VWL might be best but any of the WDW resorts would be a good choice. If you won't have a car and the commute is really an issue, I'd drop OKW from the equation.