?'s about buying at resort you don't want to stay at...

[Rellim]

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find what I was looking for. What is the general opinion of buying resale at a "cheaper" resort, with the goal to get a more "expensive" resort at the 7 month window? We usually travel in September, so I think the 7 mo. timeframe would still work. Is this considered cheating the system or is it done??

Just for example, buy at OKW or VB, but make ressies at WLV or BCV.

Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

yes - but remember that DVC is different from WDW.

the most favorite time for DVc member is Dec 1-18 plus the food/wine festavial - both very off season for WDW.

I would not buy at VB - there might be a time or two when you can't trade into WDW - so buy at OKW so at least you will be at WDW.

with Sept you shouldn't have a problem - but people's vacation planning is changing. Who knows in a few years Sept might be as hard to get as Oct.... especially if WDW kepts making the food/wine festavial longer.....

 

[CNMooner]

Why not buy at Saratoga Springs? You'll get an extra 12 years and the friends and family discount really brings the price down: $83.30 a point, one year's worth of points free, and the lowest dues in the network!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy where you want to stay. Things are starting to get tighter for shorter term reservations. Just look at all the people on the Rent/Trade Board who want to rent reservations from members. I love OKW, so it wouldn't be a problem to me to buy points there. But if you don't think you'd ever stay there, reconsider. If you want a GV, buy OKW or SSR or BWV, but BW has the fewest number of GV, so if that's a priority, think about where you would want to be.

 

[Daitcher]

Why not buy at Saratoga Springs? You'll get an extra 12 years and the friends and family discount really brings the price down: $83.30 a point, one year's worth of points free, and the lowest dues in the network!

I agree with this totally. Also you are not "cheating the system" by booking other resorts at 7 months. Owners have the 4 month priority at there home resort. At 7 months it is anybodys for the taking. September is the slowest month at WDW and DVC. 7 months would be a piece of cake anywhere. I've booked BCV at 3 months out for September. Buy where you want to stay only applies if you will book at 8 months or more in advance and/or must travel during peak DVC times. Many on these boards simply recommend the "buy where you want to stay" advice for there own selfish reasons. They don't want people to book there favorite resort at 7 months thus limiting there availabilty if they need to book later. I suspect there is a whole group out there that wishes other DVC owners could not book there "home". Good luck with the decision.

DAVE

 

[crisi]

My own selfish reason is I don't want to see you unhappy five years from now if your vacation plans change and if DVC has built another 1000+ room resort.

The resorts are sold to operate at 97% occupancy. Which means owners booking eleven to eight months out have enough points to fill up the resort. Fortunately for all those people who don't want to stay at "home," they don't. Some don't book that early, some want to stay somewhere else, some don't use their points. At seven months "points is points" but "members is members" There are 90,000+ DVC members and growing. And less than 250 rooms at BCVs. Now, obviously, not all 90,000 members will want BCVs in September, but some will.

If I had the option of calling for Cindy's Breakfast two years ago a month before everyone else, I think that would have been a significant advantage. Even if I was traveling in September when the parks aren't crowded and the reservation easier to get. Now, is that advantage worth the difference in dues/contract length and purchase price. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. To me it is.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You have to keep in mind that more and more DVC owners create more competition for highly sought after resorts at the 7-mo window like BCV & BWV. Chances are good that you will be able to stay onsite using a Vero Beach contract...but your only choices might be OKW or SSR due to the size of the resorts and more availability. If you can live with that...I'd say go for it and plan on calling exactly at the 7mo window (possibly even day-by-day) to get your #1 resort.

Daitcher -- I think for the most part the people that respond to these threads truly do read the info. given and try to post what they feel is in the best interest of the OP. I know I always do, and find your statement about "selfish reasons" to be a bit offensive. If it wasn't intended that way...then accept my apology.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Many on these boards simply recommend the "buy where you want to stay" advice for there own selfish reasons. They don't want people to book there favorite resort at 7 months thus limiting there availabilty if they need to book later. I suspect there is a whole group out there that wishes other DVC owners could not book there "home". Good luck with the decision.

I love a good conspiracy theory.

I'd suggest that you buy where you want to stay unless you don't care where you stay. If you don't care, then buy at any WDW property.

HBC

 

[Beca]

I think right now you can probably get most any DVC resort in Sept at the 7 month window. But, the problem is that you cannot plan the next 37 years based on "right now". Already, we are seeing problems in that people who own at BWV and are trying to get BW view rooms in early Dec need to call the right at the 11 month window because those rooms are lasting less than a day.

Crisi is right (isn't she always??!!). Basing your availability for the next 37 years on what is available today is not a good system. A LOT can happen in the next 37 years, schools can go to a "year-round" approach, leaving many families with vacations in Sept, WDW can start some really great "event" thru the month of Sept to "beef" up the time when attendance is the lowest, hurricanes can become such a risk that you are no longer willing to plan your vacation during that time due to the high possibility that you might have to cancel, or your life circumstances could change and you find that you need to go at a more popular time. When I am investing my money, I tend to be conservative....I think that is why the "buy where you want to stay" theory is so popular...it is the safe and conservative bet.

But, the other possibility mentioned by Crisi is DVC's expansion. If DVC can find a way to make timeshares off-property work, they most certainly will. I would definitely say that DL is going to happen, and maybe Colorado and Hawaii. That would be a LOT of members who regularly trade into WDW. That could also really "skew" things.

I can foresee a time when "trading" points between members becomes a reality for those wanting to book outside their home resort...esp. between some of the smaller resorts.

Also, as much as DVC seems a big expense initially, the biggest cost of DVC comes with the annual dues. Even though VB goes for much less on the resale market, the difference in dues will make it much more expensive in the long run. It is also much harder to sell if you decided to sell at a later date. And, if the meteorologists are right, Fla will see many more hurricanes in the next 20 years. I think VB owners might see assessments in the future.

It's your money...do what makes you happy....but, I wanted to offer another opinion.



Beca

 

[vascubaguy]

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find what I was looking for. What is the general opinion of buying resale at a "cheaper" resort, with the goal to get a more "expensive" resort at the 7 month window? We usually travel in September, so I think the 7 mo. timeframe would still work. Is this considered cheating the system or is it done??

Just for example, buy at OKW or VB, but make ressies at WLV or BCV.

Thanks!

As others have indicated, if have a specific resort you want to stay at all of the time, the only way you can ensure the ability to always stay were you want is to have that 11 month booking window.

Also, buying at VB isn't necessarily cheaper. The upfront cost may seem less, but in the long run, you would be paying more than for most on-site properties.

Lastly, I wouldn't really think of any of the DVC's as being more "expensive" than any of the others. All of them are deluxe accommodations; however, there are those that are smaller and tend to be more popular (BCV, VWL, etc). DVC gives these owners priority by allowing them to book at 11 months, and at the 7 month mark it's fair game. BCV owners can take advantage of staying at the lower point costs of OKW, and OKW owners can stay at the "more popular" BCV, etc.

 

[crisi]

Crisi is right (isn't she always??!!).

If I were always right, there would have never been a first marriage.

 

[Doctor P]

And September has its pockets of high demand already--Labor Day Weekend (but not Labor Day itself), Tom Joyner family reunion weekend(s), Nights of Joy. It is getting increasingly difficult to make any reservation at the seven month mark, as several people have said, just simply because of the growing number of members. Bottom line: in September, you will probably be able to get something and maybe even have a choice of resorts at the 7 month mark, but it may not be any of the resorts you want to stay at.

 

[Beca]

If I were always right, there would have never been a first marriage.

Beca

 

[spiceycat]

I think Disney already has something. the food/wine festavial - last year it started Sept 30 - this year what Sept 25.....

I can see them moving this back until it touches the Night of Joy.

My nephew and niece already have a fall break in Sept - although most fall breaks are in Oct.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find what I was looking for. What is the general opinion of buying resale at a "cheaper" resort, with the goal to get a more "expensive" resort at the 7 month window? We usually travel in September, so I think the 7 mo. timeframe would still work. Is this considered cheating the system or is it done??

Just for example, buy at OKW or VB, but make ressies at WLV or BCV.

Thanks!

By the way, VWL and BCV are the two smallest DVC resorts at WDW. If that is where you really want to stay, you should buy your points at those resorts. That's what we did. We have 100 points at each of these two resorts (plus 300 at OKW, where we love to stay). I've made Thanksgiving reservations for seven nights using my 100 points (borrowed next year's points to do this). Course I only have a stuido for three nights and a one bedroom for four nights. I'll try to change this 7 months out.

 

[Ed T]

With 95,000 members and growing it is going to get harder to get reservations at 11 month windows. I bought through Disney and resale and own at OKW. Was the only resort available when we joined in 1994. We have had good success in booking at BWV which is our favorite resort but like others had said it will get harder in the future. Saratoga Springs doesn't excite me but that is my own opinion. Resale can be a little of a savings but if you get in with the 15% discount and closing cost it may be a wash. You have until Feb 1 with the 15 % discount. Need a member referral to get the discount. I just like everyone else would be happy to sponor you.

 

[PinkTink63]

I'm sure this has been covered but I couldn't find what I was looking for. What is the general opinion of buying resale at a "cheaper" resort, with the goal to get a more "expensive" resort at the 7 month window? We usually travel in September, so I think the 7 mo. timeframe would still work. Is this considered cheating the system or is it done??

Just for example, buy at OKW or VB, but make ressies at WLV or BCV.

Thanks!

My question to you is... Do you only want to stay at BWV or OKW? If that is the case, then maybe you should buy there.
We bought SSR with the "F & F" deal going on. We thought the deal was just too good to pass up! We bought with the intentions of staying at various resorts. Lets face it! Disney resorts are great! If I don't get my first choice at the time of booking, oh well!
The only reasons I wouldn't take advantage of the offer at SSR would be
1. If I absolutely hated SSR and never wanted to stay there.
2. If I weren't going to buy at least 150 pts.
Other than that, why wouldn't you want to get the extra years and points?
You have to figure out what is best for your family.
Stephanie

 

[Daitcher]

You have to keep in mind that more and more DVC owners create more competition for highly sought after resorts at the 7-mo window like BCV & BWV. Chances are good that you will be able to stay onsite using a Vero Beach contract...but your only choices might be OKW or SSR due to the size of the resorts and more availability. If you can live with that...I'd say go for it and plan on calling exactly at the 7mo window (possibly even day-by-day) to get your #1 resort.

Daitcher -- I think for the most part the people that respond to these threads truly do read the info. given and try to post what they feel is in the best interest of the OP. I know I always do, and find your statement about "selfish reasons" to be a bit offensive. If it wasn't intended that way...then accept my apology.

Not meant to be offensive. I agree, most of the people on these boards provide good factual info. There are others that seem to have a problem with people like me who own SSR and book other resorts at 7 months. Many posts I've read have discussed SSR owners doing this. Rather than call me and others out publicly on the boards it is far easier to recommend the "buy where you want to stay" theory. Other posters have made some valid cases about what might happen in say 30 years or so. I don't see it changing other than for the better. As resorts are added to the program options expand for everyone. The program works folks and will continue to do so. When someone wants to try another resort it frees up space at there "home". I've booked the following trips at 7 months or less: 1) Beach Cottage at VB(evryone said it can't be done and I got it for a week) 2) 3 visits to BCV 3) BWV twice 3) OKW stay 4) VWL 5) one stay at our home SSR. I have always gotten my first choice in resorts and room type. Granted this is only 9 stays but it hasn't been a problem. With an ounce of flexibility it is easily done. Most of these were booked at around 5 months out. One of the BWV stays in September I booked at about 3 months out. As long as you travel in off peak weeks home resort is meaningless. Home resort is also meaningless to those that can't or don't want to plan at least 8 months in advance. Only time will tell how it plays out in the future but I'm not worried about avavilability. As the membership grows so does the amount of rooms. There is room for us all. Sorry if you took offense to my post. It was directed at a minority on these boards and certainly not you.

DAVE

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Dave: Thanks for the explanation...all is well!!!

I'm afraid the "Freshman" members that bought into SSR have been subject to a bit of hazing from the "Senior" members that own at other resorts.

You are correct -- any member that plans carefully should have no problem getting their preferred DVC resort during non-peak seasons. But it's important to keep in mind that the seasons you travel in now may be drastically different than when you travel five or ten years from now. I think that's where the whole "buy where you want to stay" rule comes in. Maybe we should change it to "buy where you wouldn't have a problem staying". (In other words, don't buy lower-priced points at Vero Beach for the sole purpose of staying at WDW -- there may be times where that won't be possible.)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Daitcher: If you read back at some of the ancient threads, you'll still see the "buy where you want to stay" idea. It has nothing to do with SSR. DVC members were saying that long before SSR was even a concept. Personally, I think SSR is a lovely resort and will only get more beautiful. We've stayed there twice.

But if a GV is a must for you, you really need to buy at a resort with GV.

If an Epcot location is a must for you, you really need to buy at BWV or BCV.

We really, really love OKW, but when they started selling VWL points, I convinced my husband that we should get some there. Just to be able to stay there when we wanted to. Same with our BCV points, those were my husband's idea.