SARATOGA SPRINGS OR OLD KEY WEST AS AN ADD ON CONTRACT?!

[The Jackal]

I own both OKW and SSR. If you’re looking for 1 or 2 bedroom, buy SSR points. The fees are cheaper and 1 and 2 bedrooms at OKW are alway available at 7 months if you want a larger footprint. If you want the grand villa at OKW, you’ll need to buy there. The points needed for one is the lowest and a fantastic value. I own points at OKW just for the GV. DVC changed the points a little a few years ago so I need another small contract there. I am not getting one anytime soon, until Disney is more friendly to DVC owners. SSR rooms are nice, a bit smaller than OKW. Points for studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom are very close between the 2 resorts. SSR has the better sofa bed with the new Murphy bed. I haven’t slept in the sofa bed at OKW. SSR the rooms are more quiet, OKW you can get bus and golf cart noise if your villa is along the roads.

 

[Jwaire]

The maintenance fee creep on OKW would keep me from owning there unless I wanted the 11 month window.

 

[Jenna Caron]

I haven't stayed at Old Key West, but I have stayed at Saratoga Springs. I dislike how sprawling it is, but I did like the proximity of my Congress Park room to Earl of Sandwich. I do like how relaxing the grounds are.

You're likely already aware of this, but keep in mind that since you own Riviera that any resale points you buy will not "play nicely" with your Riviera points. You'll be able to use your direct points at any resort, but your resale points will not be able to be used at Riviera unless you buy Riviera resale. However, Riviera resale points can only be used at Riviera. You could even get more Riviera direct so all your points work well together, and then switch out at 7 months to Old Key West or Saratoga, which are often (but not always) available. This strategy may not work if Grand Villas are your goal.

Whatever you do, good luck with your decision!

I actually was not aware of one point - I just want to clarify...

I can use my 200 direct Riviera points at any resort....but let's say I buy 100 resale points at SSR. I wouldn't be able to combine my 200 direct Riviera points and 100 resale SSR resort points to use all at the Riviera? Am I not allowed to use ANY RESALE points at the Riviera?

That meaning...I can only use direct points or resale Riviera points at Riviera? I was under the impression that my resale points at another resort could be used at the Riviera. If not - I really need to reconsider purchasing at another resort.

 

[Sandisw]

I actually was not aware of one point - I just want to clarify...

I can use my 200 direct Riviera points at any resort....but let's say I buy 100 resale points at SSR. I wouldn't be able to combine my 200 direct Riviera points and 100 resale SSR resort points to use all at the Riviera? Am I not allowed to use ANY RESALE points at the Riviera?

That meaning...I can only use direct points or resale Riviera points at Riviera? I was under the impression that my resale points at another resort could be used at the Riviera. If not - I really need to reconsider purchasing at another resort.

The only points bought now that are good at RIV are direct points, or resale RIV..

It doesn’t matter that you own direct points. It is the points that carry that restriction.

So, buying resale today locks you out of thst and future resorts.

 

[Jenna Caron]

The only points bought now that are good at RIV are direct points, or resale RIV..

It doesn’t matter that you own direct points. It is the points that carry that restriction.

So, buying resale today locks you out of thst and future resorts.

Okay - so - If I bought resale SSR for 100 points - I could stay at SSR with the 100 resale points and my 200 direct points from the Riviera, though? But I COULD NOT use the 100 SSR points at the Riviera?

Thanks for bearing with me. Just need to make the smartest decision!

 

[eticketplease]

As Sandy stated the points are what carry the restrictions.

Only direct points (or grandfathered points) can be used at RIV unless they are RIV Resale

Okay - so - If I bought resale SSR for 100 points - I could stay at SSR with the 100 resale points and my 200 direct points from the Riviera, though? But I COULD NOT use the 100 SSR points at the Riviera?

Thanks for bearing with me. Just need to make the smartest decision!

Yes that is correct you could use all 300 at once at SSR or at any of the original 14 resorts.

Keep in mind that you would only be able to do this at 7 months out.

If you need the 11 month window you could book the 100 SSR or what ever contract you purchase at that resort and then the 200 point contract at RIV.

 

[eticketplease]

Okay - so - If I bought resale SSR for 100 points - I COULD NOT use the 100 SSR points at the Riviera?

Correct

 

[Jenna Caron]

Correct

Thank you for confirming! This would work out okay - my wife and I love the Riviera when it's just us (tower studio)....but want to be able to stay for longer in a larger room for less points when family comes.

So as long as I can use the resale points AND my direct points at ANOTHER resort other than the Riviera....I think we are good LOL!

 

[eticketplease]

Thank you for confirming! This would work out okay - my wife and I love the Riviera when it's just us (tower studio)....but want to be able to stay for longer in a larger room for less points when family comes.

So as long as I can use the resale points AND my direct points at ANOTHER resort other than the Riviera....I think we are good LOL!

Yup I think the biggest bang for your buck would be at AKL-Kidani as you will receive an extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 bedroom units and points stretch far there as well. Depending on the time of year it may actually be less points than OKW or SSR plus that extra bathroom is a game changer!!

 

[Jenna Caron]

Yup I think the biggest bang for your buck would be at AKL-Kidani as you will receive an extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 bedroom units and points stretch far there as well. Depending on the time of year it may actually be less points than OKW or SSR plus that extra bathroom is a game changer!!

This is a good point!! I love AKL! Such a vibe. Thank you for your insight

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you for confirming! This would work out okay - my wife and I love the Riviera when it's just us (tower studio)....but want to be able to stay for longer in a larger room for less points when family comes.

So as long as I can use the resale points AND my direct points at ANOTHER resort other than the Riviera....I think we are good LOL!

Just remember, you can't combine them until 7 months because they are different resorts. So, SSR is good at SSR during the home resort period, and RIV is good at RIV during the home resorts period.

Assuming the same UY and same owners, you can then use all 300 together to book the original L14 resorts at 7 months. If you get a different UY, then you have more than one membership and you would need to use transfers to get one large reservations.

 

[Jenna Caron]

Just remember, you can't combine them until 7 months because they are different resorts. So, SSR is good at SSR during the home resort period, and RIV is good at RIV during the home resorts period.

Assuming the same UY and same owners, you can then use all 300 together to book the original L14 resorts at 7 months. If you get a different UY, then you have more than one membership and you would need to use transfers to get one large reservations.

I will be keeping the same use year - that is non-negotiable for me just to keep things organized. It will also be same owners

What do you mean by the original L14 resorts? I think the plan would be to book at 7 months so I can book the trip all in one go - and I will purposely choose a resort that typically has 7 month out availability.

Just another note - we don't often travel outside of the summer months (in Canada that is July/August) as my wife is a teacher.

 

[Sandisw]

I will be keeping the same use year - that is non-negotiable for me just to keep things organized. It will also be same owners

What do you mean by the original L14 resorts? I think the plan would be to book at 7 months so I can book the trip all in one go - and I will purposely choose a resort that typically has 7 month out availability.

Just another note - we don't often travel outside of the summer months (in Canada that is July/August) as my wife is a teacher.

The current rules say resale is not good for RIV and the language supports future resorts as well.

So, based in that it’s likely that resale won’t be good for VDH and potentially the new Poly tower and any others built.

In 2042, when those resorts expire, it’s possible there will be less for resale points to trade into depending on how things go.

 

[Jenna Caron]

As Sandy stated the points are what carry the restrictions.

Only direct points (or grandfathered points) can be used at RIV unless they are RIV Resale

Yes that is correct you could use all 300 at once at SSR or at any of the original 14 resorts.

Keep in mind that you would only be able to do this at 7 months out.

If you need the 11 month window you could book the 100 SSR or what ever contract you purchase at that resort and then the 200 point contract at RIV.

I understand now!! Thanks so much for all of your help.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

@Jenna Caron You’ve gotten a lot of good clarifications already. The restrictions really complicate things in some ways!

L14 is a DIS abbreviation for Legacy 14, the 14 DVC resorts prior to Riviera that have resale points that work amongst themselves, but not Riviera.

I would be wary about waiting until the 7 month mark to book with combined points. In general, I would book what you can at each home resort, then modify one to match the other, if possible. MS could then merge the two reservations so it becomes one. Waiting to 7 months could leave you with nothing, but if you’ve booked home resorts, you’d at least have something and a split stay.

 

[Jenna Caron]

@Jenna Caron You’ve gotten a lot of good clarifications already. The restrictions really complicate things in some ways!

L14 is a DIS abbreviation for Legacy 14, the 14 DVC resorts prior to Riviera that have resale points that work amongst themselves, but not Riviera.

I would be wary about waiting until the 7 month mark to book with combined points. In general, I would book what you can at each home resort, then modify one to match the other, if possible. MS could then merge the two reservations so it becomes one. Waiting to 7 months could leave you with nothing, but if you’ve booked home resorts, you’d at least have something and a split stay.

Yes for sure - I would likely book the split stay just in case thankfully I usually go when it's not "peak season" so I am USUALLY able to snag things at 7 months....but we all know how quickly things can change.