SSR and it's effect on OKW?

[cruise-o-matic]

With the growth of SSR, the common feeling is that the smaller resorts BCV/BWV/VWL will be harder to book inside the 7 month window. Not only from more competition from SSR owners but also those who are now buying the smaller resorts to "secure" the 11 month advantage.

Has there been a discussion on the impact of SSR on OKW? Since OKW villas have a lower point costs, has there been an influx of "defensive" buying of OKW points for those who want to secure the cheaper accomodations?

 

[Cruelladeville]

I just bought 270 pts at OKW, but not for the cheaper room cost. I wanted the 11 month window, and a grand villa!

 

[MELSMICE]

You won't get any competition from me in trying to book at the 7 month window. I love staying at OKW & while I enjoy the other resorts, don't have a burning desire to stay in them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't know if it is because of SSR or not, but this past year, we have encountered a lot of folks staying at OKW who are not owners. I like to strike up conversations everywhere I go, and it seems this past year there were fewer OKW owners than usual at OKW, and quite a few other DVC owners and renters.

 

[CharlesTD]

I know I won't be buying up any OKW points our next add on is at BWV we want atleast 100 points there. We originally wanted 50 but have changed our minds.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think the increased competition will come from renting moreso than SSR owners. The rental activity has really increased due to the lack of discounts on resorts. Most people like to plan a little further in advance than the current release schedule.

As people rent, many will want the lowest cost available and still get all the perks. With the change in AP discounts, if you want reduced accomodations, you will have to book 120 or more days out. DVC will have the advantage of fixed cost rentals whether you book at 11 months or 119 days a niche the discounts will not cover.

We purchased OKW for the GV access too which has always been a tough ressie at 7 months, even before SSR was in pre-sale.

 

[Beca]

I think the size of SSR will have an impact on the availability of OKW. I think that lower room costs and bigger rooms have some to do with that, but I also think that whatever is the "largest" resort becomes the last one on people's list because they think they will always be able to stay there. I know that is true of myself and my friends. When I call MS to see what is available, I ask for BC (always) then BWV, then VWL (all the smaller resorts) and then go to OKW and SSR. I have read many posts where people say they had planned to stay at one resort, but when they called MS they found one of the smaller ones had availability and they decided to take it because, "I'll always be able to stay at the bigger one, but the smaller resorts are getting harder and harder to get". OKW is now NOT the biggest resort. I think that subconciously adds to it's appeal.

I have seen a couple of posts lately that BCV or BWV had availability, but OKW did not. I know it used to be that you had to have 210 points to buy into DVC, and now it is only 150...stretching those points at OKW is important when you have limited points.

But, I do also agree with LIFERBABE that renting is going to have a HUGE effect on this. OKW is the "bargain" of the DVC world (along with the standard views at BWV), and I think as more and more AP holders begin turing to DVC rentals to stay on site ( and, I think unless WDW changes its new policy this will definitely happen), OKW will become more popular with the rental crowd because of its low costs.

JMHO...don't know if it is really worth much..but, you asked!!



Beca

 

[MELSMICE]

I know it used to be that you had to have 210 points to buy into DVC, and now it is only 150...stretching those points at OKW is important when you have limited points.

I thought the minimum point buy in was always 150 points.

 

[JudithM]

I thought the minimum point buy in was always 150 points.

I believe early on the mininum number of points to purchase from Disney was 230. It was reduced to 190. That was the minimum when we purchased in 1993.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

I know it used to be that you had to have 210 points to buy into DVC, and now it is only 150...stretching those points at OKW is important when you have limited points.

Good point.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I know it used to be that you had to have 210 points to buy into DVC, and now it is only 150...stretching those points at OKW is important when you have limited points.

This is me exactly.

I just bought 150 points at SSR and in order to strech them, I booked OKW in January for our first trip "home". Since we would like to try all the resorts, this seemed like a good place to begin.

I am definitely planning on adding points in the future which will make the higher "priced" resorts, i.e. point-wise, more affordable. Until then, I'm looking for value to strech the points by booking low season, choosing smaller accomodations in resorts requiring fewer points.

 

[Megangel31]

I've encountered two different families that bought at SSR through Disney for ease of purchasing and plan to use those points only at OKW, pending availability. They prefer the larger accommodations and laid-back atmosphere of the resort and have no desire to stay nearer to the parks.

 

[Pa@okw95]

OKW was busy when I was down there for January this past year. I believe the low points needed to rent a unit at OKW had turned January into a busy month at OKW. Like the MS said to me when I checked in it is always busy at OKW. It wasn't always that way, now how much is from SSR and how much is from other DVC members I do not know. One thing is for sure it will probably always be that way that is working at near capacity because of the points all 12 months.

 

[Beca]

I believe early on the mininum number of points to purchase from Disney was 230. It was reduced to 190. That was the minimum when we purchased in 1993.

Wow!! I guess I was wrong. I thought it was 210, and that was why there are so many 210 BWV contracts out there....I learn something new everyday!!



Beca

 

[JudithM]

Wow!! I guess I was wrong. I thought it was 210, and that was why there are so many 210 BWV contracts out there....I learn something new everyday!!Beca

You aren't necessarily wrong ... 210 might have been the minimum at some point. I know the minimum changed a few times over the years.

 

[JimMIA]

I hear a lot of speculation about SSR having an impact on various resorts, and a lot of people saying "...in the last few months/this year, I've had problems" etc.

Frankly, I think the recent tightness in ressies -- if, in fact, there is a tightness (and I am too new to know) -- is probably more due to the improvement in the economy and the modest rebound in vacation travel than to any internal DVC factors.

I do know that, in the last couple of days, there have been a flood of reservations and pool-hopping requests for BWV -- but that was due to Beca's mom's post "Now I've seen everything!"

I think every resort has things to offer and reasons to visit, and SSR is not without it's benefits. One of my daughters just visited and loved a) the resort, b) the convenience to Downtown Disney, and c) the convenience to off-site.

I don't think SSR will be the ruination of DVC...any more than the huge BWV has been. Owners of the smaller resorts will book in the 11-month window - just like they always have. Members who do not own smaller resorts will have difficulty getting certain accommodations at the smaller resorts - just like they always have. But we'll all be able to get something - just like we always have.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

I just booked 7 nights in an OKW 2BR starting Dec. 8th. So that's about 5+ months out in a busy DVC time. I did have to give MS three dates 6th, 7th, 8th in order to get a block of 7 days. So it looks like OKW is just about booked for that time period.

We have friends who stayed in OKW on our points 2 yrs ago and bought SSR while they were there. Their first trip home to SSR was in April. They both stated that they liked OKW better for roominess and laid back feel. I bet they'll book OKW next trip.

It looks like there may be something to this. I'm glad I've got my 11 mo. window.

 

[beccasmom]

230 points was the minimum back in 1992 when we purchased DVC. I’ve met a fair number of folks who purchased at SSR, but pretty much plan to stay at OKW. We have not added to our points, as they are adequate for our family and travel needs.

We were at OKW in February (have never visited at that time before) and the resort was fairly quiet early in the week. We were given our choice of rooms to choose from, which rarely occurs. As the weekend approached, the resort filled was more crowded, but not “hectic” crowded. We are returning for a quick trip in early December and it will be interesting to see how it is at that time.

We’ve stayed at a number of the DVC properties (BCV, BWV, SSR) and although all of them have their good points and are lovely in their own way, we are pretty spoiled with the extra space at OKW and don’t anticipate DVC-hopping again anytime soon, with the exception of Vero Beach and HH.

 

[MELSMICE]

I’ve met a fair number of folks who purchased at SSR, but pretty much plan to stay at OKW.

I think I'm confused as to why someone wouldn't buy a resale at OKW if they wanted to stay at OKW I don't just mean your friends - I mean anyone in general.

We loved OKW when we went there. Love the space, love the quietness of the resort, love the atmosphere, so we purchased a resale at OKW. We have since added 2 more small resales, all at OKW. I wanted the 11-month booking window at OKW.

 

[CarolMN]

I think I'm confused as to why someone wouldn't buy a resale at OKW if they wanted to stay at OKW I don't just mean your friends - I mean anyone in general. ....(snip)....

I can think of several reasons.

1. Don't know about the resale market and the salesguide told them the other DVC resorts are already sold out.

2. Want Disney financing. (I think this is a big one).

3. Want something right now and/or want a specific use year and specific number of points. Resale takes time and effort. It can be intimidating to those unfamilar with it - kind of like buying a used car.

4. Seldom book more than 7 months in advance so home resort doesn't matter. Sales guide told them most people don't book more than 6 months in advance and that they'd almost cetainly be able to stay at OKW whenever they want.

I'm sure there are others.

Best wishes -