Retirement at OKW

[tvwalsh]

Am I the only person who has realized what a wonderful winter home a one bedroom at OKW is? We are Wisconsin snowbirds who plans on spending more and more of January and February at OKW rather than at some winter rental (another story or two). 12 days in January is only 240 points. With my 450 points (if I had no friends or relatives who help use my points!) I could stay for 25 days. I am on the wait list to buy more OKW points. The very large, fully equipped accomodations, the parking at the door, the beautiful walkways and golf courses, activity when and only when you want it, The peace and quiet, Papa's Den, the free boat to DD, laundry in room, trash and tidy and room service every 8 days, etc. It's perfect! Does anyone agree? Disagree? Why?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree completely! I had this same conversation with my DH about HH, the only place, so far, where we've been fortunate enough to stay in a 1 BR. Real Estate prices are so high, yet I told him, thinking about retirement, "Forget looking at Real Estate-this would be a perfect retirement place!" I strongly suspect I'll feel the same way in a one bedroom at OKW.

 

[tvwalsh]

Hi. HH, while not as warm in January and February, would sure be a great change of pace for my dear wife (DW) and me. Like OKW, it has easy access, beautiful grounds, low points, great golf courses near, roomy accomodations etc, Thanks for the reply.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

would they allow you to stay that long??? If so, what a cheaper allternative to buying a vacation home!

 

[Beth]

ClarabelleCow,

You can stay as long as your points will allow. The limitations lie, rather, on the total points they will allow an individual to actually purchase. This, in effect, will then affect how long you can stay.

I believe their intentions are to prevent anyone from actually having enough points to enable them to stay long enough to establish residency.

What a dream THAT would be!!

 

[PADVCmember@OKW]

I thought that I once read on this board that the most consecutive days permitted as per our agreement is 30.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Sounds good, but

1) The maintenance fees could get a bit much.
2) I think there is a max continuous occupancy period.
3) What if you can't get the days you want - wait list?
4) Other than that, count me in, too.

 

[Candace]

I would like to know also IF there is a limit to the length of time you can stay.

 

[PamOKW]

There is no limit as to how long you can stay. There is a limit on the number of points and there is an agreement that it will not be your permanent residence.

That said ---TVwalsh, you gave away the secret plan.

At the time I bought DVC, I was looking at buying a place in Florida. I was concerned about having to pay for the furnishings and who would be taking care of it as I would not be able to be there very often. When I saw a ready made home, decorated in the style I would have, that I could come and go to as I pleased....well that's how I became a member! It would be an ideal winter home and that is in the back of my mind for the future.

There have been reports on the boards from time to time about meeting people who are spending winter months at OKW. I could also see breaking things up with some time at Vero or at the different resorts around WDW, possibly switching to studios from time to time.

 

[Pa@okw95]

My wife and I are starting just that in Jan of 2005. I don't ever plan on seeing another January up here in Connecticut starting in 2005. We will not be going to WDW in the year 2004 just so we can bank plenty of points so we can stay on through the winter.

 

[MdmMim]

I've been doing this for several years now at the BWV. Each year it seems that I stay a little longer. Next January, I'll be there from Jan. 15 through Feb. 17. In addition, I usually visit WDW for a few weeks in Dec., but I am thinking that I should save those points for the dead of winter and head south right after New Year's. (Something to ponder...)

 

[tvwalsh]

I am interested to see whether you had a one bedroom or a studio at BWV. It is the one bedroom that makes it work for my DW and me. Perhaps a single traveler would be ok in a studio for an extended stay. Just so that person would not be me! The space as well as all the amennities are great in the 1BR.

 

[MdmMim]

For some strange reason, my DH prefers a studio to a 1-bedroom. When I'm solo or when DH is "visiting," I book a studio, per his request. If I have friends/other family who will be joining me, I'll reserve either a 1 or 2-bedroom, depending on the number of guests. I do a lot of creative planning with my points to stretch them 'til they scream in order to enjoy a longer vacation.

When I book a 1-bedroom, I don't cook nor do I use the jacuzzi. The washer and dryer are great, but I don't mind using the laundry room. (When DH is with me, he's off and running at 5a.m. or so. He does the laundry for me.)

 

[tvwalsh]

My wife thinks that sharing a bathroom is roughing it enough! She says no to the studio! Thanks for the response!

 

[Nanajo1]

This is our plan. January through March. Divided between OKW and BWV 1BR. I wonder how to book it. Shall I call everyday? Shall I book one week at a time? Oh how I love to mull over these dilemmas.

 

[disneyberry]

so what is the limit on total # of points an individual can own?

can you get around that by buying that max# of points, and then having your spouse buy another lot of max# of points?
or is the limit applied to each household, not individual?

and are we sure that there is no maximum number of consecutive days you can stay at a DVC resort?


(heh, i just did some point calcuations and actually this idea really would get ridiculously expensive!!!)

 

[tvwalsh]

I figured, using the points calculator above, that 724 points would be needed for a stay of 32 nights in a one bedroom from January 4 to February 5. If my cost per point averages 70 dollars, (most of us own some points that were bought at lower prices) that would be a total purchase price of $50,000. The taxes and upkeep would be about $2500 per year.
It's not cheap but neither is a second home or the price on a nice Florida rental. (and the taxes are deductable.) I also like the fact that there may be some increase in value and I have all the flexibility of the points for alternative uses.

 

[Beth]

disneyberry,

There IS no maximum to the number of consecutive days you may stay at a DVC resort. I'm sure of it. We've heard of a couple on this board that spent much longer than a month at OKW during the winter...

I seem to recall 2,000 as a magic number but, as someone else questioned, I never can recall if that was limited to one individual, one resort, one household, etc.

It seems like there was a limit to each resort, then also a limit overall.

Anyone know?

 

[CGregoryJr]

As much as I enjoy DVC, I don't think it's realistic to view the program as a "retirement home" alternative. It's one thing to reach the conclusion that your family will likely spend a significant amount of time at the Disney resorts and compare the costs of such stays to the DVC program. It's quite another to compare the DVC program to the countless central Florida extended stay alternatives. You can rent a "luxury" home (3-4 BR) with a pool in a golfing community during January for $2,500 to $3,000 per month. Naturally, this option will not have the same Disney magic feel to it but keep in mind that the accommodations are a 2,000-3,000 sq. ft. residence. Many such rental opportunities come with golfing privileges at the nearby club. See vrbo.com as ONE example site. And, no $50K investment to get access. All in all, a pretty attractive alternative.