SSR Truly Cheapest?

[Belle & Ariel]

I read on here often that SSR is the cheapest resort to own if you don't care about where you stay.
I own at AKL and BWV and usually stay at one of them in the value/standard studios. It frustrates me when they are booked and SSR is only thing available. It costs more points to stay at what I see as a less desirable resort.

I think AKL value is actually the cheapest and here is why:

One week Adventure Season at AKL standard studio is 69 points, SSR is 90. If you multiply points by their respective dues, that week costs $412 at AKL and $442 at SSR.

One week Premier Season AKL is 118 points and 159 SSR. Dues to cover those points would be $704 and $781.

Resale list pricing is about the same in the low 80s. You would have to buy more points to stay at SSR. Even with a huge difference in MFs, the weeks cost less at AKL.

I know if you stay concierge or Savannah view at AKL your points would be higher. This option is not available at SSR so I did not calculate points. I just looked at cheapest option at both and AKL seems to be the cheapest.

What do you think? Am I missing something? Or is this a secret I shouldn't spill???

 

[MattMo]

I read on here often that SSR is the cheapest resort to own if you don't care about where you stay. I own at AKL and BWV and usually stay at one of them in the value/standard studios. It frustrates me when they are booked and SSR is only thing available. It costs more points to stay at what I see as a less desirable resort. I think AKL value is actually the cheapest and here is why: One week Adventure Season at AKL standard studio is 69 points, SSR is 90. If you multiply points by their respective dues, that week costs $412 at AKL and $442 at SSR. One week Premier Season AKL is 118 points and 159 SSR. Dues to cover those points would be $704 and $781. Resale list pricing is about the same in the low 80s. You would have to buy more points to stay at SSR. Even with a huge difference in MFs, the weeks cost less at AKL. I know if you stay concierge or Savannah view at AKL your points would be higher. This option is not available at SSR so I did not calculate points. I just looked at cheapest option at both and AKL seems to be the cheapest. What do you think? Am I missing something? Or is this a secret I shouldn't spill???

The only problem I see with this comparison is that your comparing a value studio at AKV to a standard studio at SSR. There isn't a value option at SSR. The value is smaller and more like a hotel room. So it would be $483.57 calculating dues x 81 points. High season would be $871.62 using 146 points.

 

[DizBub]

The reason people say SSR is the cheapest resort is a combination of low buy-in cost, almost the lowest MFs and long contract life.

MFs over the course of ownership can end up costing more than your initial buy-in.

Of course, AKV value and BWV standard are probably the best deal in DVC but the MFs are high and the amount of value/standard units are limited. You need to be prepared to book those villas at 11 months.

 

[supersnoop]

You are correct to a point. If all you'll ever book is a value room, then AKV is the least expensive option. But standard and savanna view rooms are usually available at 7 months. So, if that's the room you'd book, SSR is the better deal. And I think BLT is a close second.

 

[Dean]

You are correct to a point. If all you'll ever book is a value room, then AKV is the least expensive option. But standard and savanna view rooms are usually available at 7 months. So, if that's the room you'd book, SSR is the better deal. And I think BLT is a close second.

Buying SSR and booking standard view AKV is roughly the same as buying AKV and booking value EVERY TIME. It's also fairly close comparing SSR used for preferred to buying BWV and booking standard view every time. For BWV if one wanted to stay there most of the time in standard view options almost exclusively or in 3 BR, best to own there. And that assumes it's every time. For every time you book under 7 months or something other than the specialty item, you shift value to SSR and away from the other options. Of course every time you book something you couldn't get otherwise, you do the opposite (concierge, BW view, etc).

As supersnoop notes, getting AKV for standard and even savannah views is not that difficult at 7 months out. BWV can be more though usually you can get preferred so but the heading was cheapest. I consider RTU, purchase price and dues as well as a judgement of long term risk. Just using the hard current numbers SSR wins out plus it's my opinion that the resort and building set up are prime for lower long term dues and that the gap will widen.

 

[DaveRH]

We're looking at buying into DVC in the next year or so. Been looking at our AKV as our home resort, as we absolutely love animals, so while we might stay elsewhere occasionally for the experience, AKV will be the norm.

For the foreseeable future (I understand this might change) we travel early May (anniversary), and stay in a studio. Is there ever club level availability 7 months out? We certainly won't stay club every trip, but would like to some times.

We would be fine with value, but if buying SSR instead of AKV and staying in standard would be the most cost effective, maybe we should consider that.

Any feedback is welcome!

 

[Dean]

We're looking at buying into DVC in the next year or so. Been looking at our AKV as our home resort, as we absolutely love animals, so while we might stay elsewhere occasionally for the experience, AKV will be the norm.

For the foreseeable future (I understand this might change) we travel early May (anniversary), and stay in a studio. Is there ever club level availability 7 months out? We certainly won't stay club every trip, but would like to some times.

We would be fine with value, but if buying SSR instead of AKV and staying in standard would be the most cost effective, maybe we should consider that.

Any feedback is welcome!

It is not realistic to expect to get Club level unless you book minute one at 11 months out and even then it may be elusive. Some have lucked out at 7 months usually short notice and off season, but VGF will be easier than Club level. Remember there are only five 2 BR L/O. If MOST of your usage will be club level or value then the higher long term cost of AKV is likely worth it for you assuming DVC makes sense otherwise. You'll also have to book value minute one 11 months out most of the time. Sometimes we talk about eliminating the stress by having a preferred home resort, this will not be true owning AKV for Club level or value because every reservation is going to be tenuous. One thing you might consider is comparing AKV to SSR for your planned visits and using cash for an occasional concierge stay. Since you'd have to buy more AKV points to use for concierge at a clip of about 20 if using concierge a week a year in a studio and less SSR if paying cash. The numbers might look like this assuming magic season, studio, value at AKV 3/4 of the time and only concierge the rest.

AKV 106 points with a buy in of around $9000 plus 10 yrs of dues in todays dollars of $6300.

SSR if you could get the exact same thing buy in around $7500 and 10 yrs of dues $5200.

Or SSR if you bought just for the non concierge and paid cash for concierge (ignoring price differences on contract sizes since it's the relationship I'm trying to establish). 87 points (getting standard view not value) at $6100 and 10 yrs dues of $4300. So you could pay $2000 toward a concierge stay every 4 years assuming these were the only variables. You can double those numbers for a 1 BR and basically triple for a 2 BR.

I didn't adjust for the TMV or inflation in this example because they would be proportional. Then for every option you used the points for that was not concierge or value for the AKV contract or AKV standard for SSR would alter the set point. So if you use AKV for anything else your costs went up comparative to the SSR contract. And if you get value or concierge using SSR, the value just went up for the SSR contract.

 

[disneynutz]

We're looking at buying into DVC in the next year or so. Been looking at our AKV as our home resort, as we absolutely love animals, so while we might stay elsewhere occasionally for the experience, AKV will be the norm.

For the foreseeable future (I understand this might change) we travel early May (anniversary), and stay in a studio. Is there ever club level availability 7 months out? We certainly won't stay club every trip, but would like to some times.

We would be fine with value, but if buying SSR instead of AKV and staying in standard would be the most cost effective, maybe we should consider that.

Any feedback is welcome!

The problem with being a newbie is that lack of resort and DVC experience can lead you in the wrong direction. We also love animals but for us AKV gets boring after a few stays. The resort and rooms are dark, the animals few and club level the worse room views on property.

Many new owners are just happy to be at WDW starting out but soon develop a different mindset and the resort becomes as important as the parks. Lack of resort experience makes it difficult to choose a home resort.

If I was starting new, I would take my best resort guess or buy SSR knowing that it a few years I will probably be buying our truly favorite resort after we have experienced each resort a couple of times.

Bill

 

[DaveRH]

Thanks for all the advice!

It's more my wife, than me, but I can guarantee we won't get tired of AKV, it's more about the animals than the resort. When I say she loves animals, I mean, more than most people and for the last 20+ years...so pretty sure it isn't a phase, nor will she grow tired of waking up and seeing animals every morning (hopefully out of the balcony much of the time).

For me, as long as it's somewhere to rest my head, I'm good. Not terribly picky.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks for all the advice!

It's more my wife, than me, but I can guarantee we won't get tired of AKV, it's more about the animals than the resort. When I say she loves animals, I mean, more than most people and for the last 20+ years...so pretty sure it isn't a phase, nor will she grow tired of waking up and seeing animals every morning (hopefully out of the balcony much of the time).

For me, as long as it's somewhere to rest my head, I'm good. Not terribly picky.

Not trying to pop your bubble but the place isn't full of animals IMO just enough so Disney can say that they have them. They tend to hang out where Disney has placed feeders to attract them, they walk around but mostly just eat. You may get a room by a feeder, you may not. They place several feeders by the lobby to put on a show. In addition, animals are not guaranteed in the future according to the DVC legal docs, not that Disney would take them away.

One other thing AK and AKL/AKV always seems warmer than the other resorts/parks to us. It may be the lack of lakes, so much dirt, or the location but it defiantly feels warmer.

Bill

 

[HarvardAce]

For the foreseeable future (I understand this might change) we travel early May (anniversary), and stay in a studio. Is there ever club level availability 7 months out? We certainly won't stay club every trip, but would like to some times.

Highly unlikely. I just looked now, and it's still not even 7 months out but the club-level studios are fully booked all of May and June, and most of July is already booked as well.

I suppose you may get lucky and get someone switching from AKV to another resort at 7 months that frees up a CL room, but as others have said, you're not even guaranteed CL if you own at AKV and book at 11 months out.

 

[MagicJourney]

Don't understand why people are still saying SSR is cheaper to buy in. Looking at the ROFR thread, the price of SSR is on par with AKV, and getting close to VWL and BWV. Although SSR still has lower MFs, personally, I'd like to pay a little more per year to get home advantage at AKV, VWL and BWV. IMO, SSR is no longer a bargain in current resale market. Just buy wherever you wanna stay most.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Don't understand why people are still saying SSR is cheaper to buy in. Looking at the ROFR thread, the price of SSR is on par with AKV, and getting close to VWL and BWV. Although SSR still has lower MFs, personally, I'd like to pay a little more per year to get home advantage at AKV, VWL and BWV. IMO, SSR is no longer a bargain in current resale market. Just buy wherever you wanna stay most.

That is what I am seeing. Prices are the same at SSR and AKL.

 

[supersnoop]

Don't understand why people are still saying SSR is cheaper to buy in. Looking at the ROFR thread, the price of SSR is on par with AKV, and getting close to VWL and BWV. Although SSR still has lower MFs, personally, I'd like to pay a little more per year to get home advantage at AKV, VWL and BWV. IMO, SSR is no longer a bargain in current resale market. Just buy wherever you wanna stay most.

You kind of answered your own question in there. If you want home resort priority, then you aren't interested in the "cheapest." AKV does come with 3 years more on the contract, but I think the higher maintenance fees balance out that value.

Dean mentioned that buying SSR and booking AKV standard comes out ahead. I think it use to, when AKV was selling at a $15/point premium. Since that gap has narrowed, I do believe you should buy at AKV if you'll only ever book "Value" rooms, but SSR still comes out ahead.

At the same time, BLT has 6 years more than SSR, and currently lower maintenance fees. If those fees stay reasonable, I think the value of a monorail resort + six years almost overcomes the SSR value threshold. I think, based on those numbers, that BLT is worth $25/point more than SSR. So, if you can get in lower than that, I think BLT is "cheaper" than SSR.

 

[disneynutz]

At the same time, BLT has 6 years more than SSR, and currently lower maintenance fees. If those fees stay reasonable, I think the value of a monorail resort + six years almost overcomes the SSR value threshold. I think, based on those numbers, that BLT is worth $25/point more than SSR. So, if you can get in lower than that, I think BLT is "cheaper" than SSR.

BLT has had 6% plus dues increases the last 2 years since it "sold out". I am waiting to see what next year is like.

Bill

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Another caution on BLT is the (apparent) materials issue. It is not wearing well, and may require continuous upkeep (via MF increases) until everything is refreshed.

Buy where you want to stay. If you haven't stayed there, make it your next trip.

Consider the MF history. I frequently see people wanting to buy VB without considering the MF -- not sure that AKV won't see something similar for animal support.

I know it can be challenging, but DVC needs to be a head decision as much as a heart.

 

[Msmithmd]

That is what I am seeing. Prices are the same at SSR and AKL.

You're correct on buy-in price. But it cannot be overstated that buy-in isn't all, or even the most important component, of the purchase equation.

Over the life of a contract with current residuals, the maintenance fees will be more than 2/3 of your total net investment cost in DVC. Thus SSR and AKV are not anywhere near "the same price."

This is essential data for any prospective buyer to understand, in order to make an informed decision.

 

[skier_pete]

The OP is not wrong. Certainly the fact that you can rent for less points at AKL could be a factor. This is based on the premise that you will only want to stay AKL in a value, which mostly requires booking at or near 11 months out. It doesn't seem particularly realistic.

I think it's hard to argue that big picture SSR is cheaper. However, I bought at AKL. It was because we liked it. But the value options did factor in. We mostly plan on studios, but i could see a time when we may travel with another family and get a two bedroom. At that point, it would be great to have the value option.

 

[Dean]

Don't understand why people are still saying SSR is cheaper to buy in. Looking at the ROFR thread, the price of SSR is on par with AKV, and getting close to VWL and BWV. Although SSR still has lower MFs, personally, I'd like to pay a little more per year to get home advantage at AKV, VWL and BWV. IMO, SSR is no longer a bargain in current resale market. Just buy wherever you wanna stay most.

There's still a spread but I feel it's unrealistic to expect them to come together completely. But as pointed out it's still more expensive to own for the same number of points. Often when I've made statements about the cheapest I've made it generically stating the cheapest resort overall. Almost always that has been SSR when you factor in price, dues, dues risk & usage. But I've seen deals come through that would certainly turn the equation around and I've seen some pass ROFR that didn't get posted formally that would beg the question. However, I think anyone is fooling themselves if they think AKV will end up being about the same long term cost as SSR even if they use value and buy a few less points. Whether the added cost adds appropriate value is far more subjective and variable. As I stated previously, if one wants to stay there in concierge or value routinely, or would be crushed if they couldn't get in for a given trip, it's reasonable to own there. Just to get cheap points alone, it is not IMO.

 

[DenLo]

BWV has had the highest annual dues of resorts at WDW for number of years. However, AKV will probably get that title next year, since the dues for AKV have been increasing at a higher pace that BWV.

Here is the ranking of the WDW resorts for 2014. See the DVC Resource Center here on the Disboards to see the history of these resorts and the other DVC resorts.

• BWV - $6.07
• AKV - $5.97
• VWL - $5.93
• BCV - $5.79
• OKW - $5.54
• VGF - $5.41
• SSR - $4.91
• BLT - $4.78

As you can see SSR is only higher than BLT, but costs less to purchase points. That is why people think it is the better value. Even when purchasing SSR points you can stay at other resorts. You might not always be able to get value rooms at AKV or BWV, but OKW has some of the cheapest points per night with larger rooms than anywhere at WDW.