Should I get AKV or VDH?

[nlenguyen]

I have posted before that I have a desire to use my points at the new VDH, I live in Arizona. I frequent both WDW and DLR but no annual pass. I typically do a trip or two a year. I bought 150 direct points at SSR last year for full benefits and for the ability to use at the newer resorts. I am seeing that I could get another 200 direct points at AKV for $165 pp and that the incentives will end May 1. I know that I may not make plans to DLR as far in advance as I would a WDW trip because I would be going on long weekends or when I get vacation days. I see that AKV dues are one of the highest. Even though I see AKV as a 2057 resort, I most likely be okay with that closing date. With the resale points for AKV at their low point, I see some hesitancy in buying but know resale most likely will not get me into the VDH.
If I get these AKV points for SAP at the newer resorts I feel it is a good deal because the ppp is much lower than the currently sold resorts.
For those that own at AKV, are the higher dues worth it being able to choose rooms there 7-11 months? Should I hold out until they release more information on the VDH? I am starting to get a sense of what I have heard many times on the DVCfan show where too many choices is a bad thing.

 

[intamin]

IMO I would opt to wait for VDH. I love AKV (obviously since I own there) but if the purpose of my points were to use at both VDH and AKV, I imagine VDH would be the one harder to get at 7 months due to limited DVC availability in Disneyland compared to WDW. AKV since it includes both Jambo House and Kidani makes it pretty simple to get at 7 months. I originally was going to wait for VDH but ultimately decided I would rather own resale VGC than VDH. However, if you don't care if you own VGC or VDH then VDH would be the smarter option just on a price per point basis and no restrictions in terms of using at RIV and newer resorts. Of course, we don't know how bad VDH's point charts will be so that's still up in the air but from just a home booking priority I'd opt for VDH over AKV.

Edit: woops just saw you don't plan to book more than 7 months out, if that's the case then AKV may be the pick so you can pick up more points upfront? Honestly though, if you're waiting until 7 months to book VDH, you may not be able to book it consistently with your direct points by the time VDH sells out.

 

[Royal Consort]

I bought 150 direct points at SSR last year for full benefits and for the ability to use at the newer resorts. I am seeing that I could get another 200 direct points at AKV for $165 pp and that the incentives will end May 1. I know that I may not make plans to DLR as far in advance as I would a WDW trip because I would be going on long weekends or when I get vacation days.

Can you change your behaviour so you book VDH 11 months in advance in anticipation of long weekends? If you decide not to go you can cancel 30 days prior.

Since you have WDW points already, I would lean towards DL points. If I were you, I would want that precious home resort advantage at DL. Will VDH have availability at 7 months? Probably for a while but I wouldn't personally buy at WDW and take that risk. You would also need to book VDH right on the 7 month window. If that's the case are you saying that you could book at 7 months out but not at 11? Are those four months really going to make a substantive difference? If you are thinking of booking < 7 months than you're not going to find availability at Disneyland at all.

You stated that you have direct SSR points. You can use these at DL for a chance at VDH at 7 months already. If you wanted AKV, I'd buy them resale for use at WDW and save the $13,000. I just can't see how buying them direct helps at DL and it's needlessly going to cost you a small fortune for no guarantees.

So in essence, I would not buy AKV wanting to use it at DL. I would not expect availability if I were not prepared to book at the 7 month mark (and even then it may be dicey). If I wanted more WDW points I'd buy them resale.

 

[nlenguyen]

IMO I would opt to wait for VDH. I love AKV (obviously since I own there) but if the purpose of my points were to use at both VDH and AKV, I imagine VDH would be the one harder to get at 7 months due to limited DVC availability in Disneyland compared to WDW. AKV since it includes both Jambo House and Kidani makes it pretty simple to get at 7 months. I originally was going to wait for VDH but ultimately decided I would rather own resale VGC than VDH. However, if you don't care if you own VGC or VDH then VDH would be the smarter option just on a price per point basis and no restrictions in terms of using at RIV and newer resorts. Of course, we don't know how bad VDH's point charts will be so that's still up in the air but from just a home booking priority I'd opt for VDH over AKV.

Thank you! That makes sense. We are actually able to stay one night in a 1 bedroom at VGC in May and hope to see how it is there.

 

[nlenguyen]

Can you change your behaviour so you book VDH 11 months in advance in anticipation of long weekends? If you decide not to go you can cancel 30 days prior.

I for sure can change to booking at 11 or hopefully even right before the 7 months.

Since you have WDW points already, I would lean towards DL points. If I were you, I would want that precious home resort advantage at DL. Will VDH have availability at 7 months? Probably for a while but I wouldn't personally buy at WDW and take that risk. You would also need to book VDH right on the 7 month window. If that's the case are you saying that you could book at 7 months out but not at 11? Are those four months really going to make a substantive difference? If you are thinkibg of booking < 7 months than you're not going to find availability at Disneyland at all.

You stated that you have direct SSR points. You can use these at DL for a chance at VDH at 7 months already. If you wanted AKV, I'd buy them resale for use at WDW and save the $13,000. I just can't see how buying them direct helps at DL and it's needlessly going to cost you a small fortune for no guarantees.

We usually just plan last minute trips, but I can see that in the future VDH will hold its value as a resort more than AKV. Although I hope to never sell my points, I can see a higher demand for them at VDH.
The one downside for me is at the moment is the fact that I would probably get less points at the VDH. If they only will release the point charts to help me see how much I need to get.

 

[Sunnyore]

Another vote for VDH. I am not a AKV owner and resort was not on my radar due to their almost wide availabilities at <7mos for booking. The only rooms that disappear are probably the value and club level rooms. Even with resale restrictions I can see ppl buying VDH for higher value than what AKV will hold. There should be incentives too for VDH if you're buying >150 points so I think you should wait, especially if you're hoping to be using those points mostly at VDH. That $7000ish saving for buying AKV divided over 50 years really isn't that huge if you have a preferred resort.

 

[Great3]

If you aren't going to book > 7 months out, you might as well get more SSR points, because you are only using as SAP points, and all DVC points are equal < 7 months out, though some pay more, some pay less in MF dues.

Now, if you willing to book > 7 months out, and you are going to buy direct anyways, then I would wait for VDH since you get the full 50 years even though you will be paying more upfront than AKV, and my prediction is it will hold value better than AKV (but no guarantees ). Now, if you willing to consider resale as well, then I would get AKV, because there won't be any resale VDH for a while. Yes, there are many choices, but I think logically, there is only a few choices depending on what you are really trying to accomplish / wanting to do.

Great3