SSR v. AKV for add-on, how did you decide?

[global_mom]

Hi everyone: we are hoping to do an add-on for about 100-150 points. We currently own at SSR and HH with a Dec. UY. We want to do the add-on while we can get developer points as that will cover one of our upcoming vacations.

Although we own at SSR we have yet to stay there. If we do an add-on at SSR then we would get our 2006 points PLUS the developer points and then we would have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1st. We would bank the 2006 points which would put us "ahead" for next year.

If we add-on at AKV we would get the developer points but we would NOT get 2006 points b/c those dont exist. We would of course have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1.

We love AKV and have 3 kids under 11 years old. But we would get the 2006 points with SSR. If we bought 150 points, those 2006 points can really make a difference in terms of number of vacations. Is AKV worth "loosing" those 2006 points????

How did you make your decisions?

 

[DVC Grammy]

Hi everyone: we are hoping to do an add-on for about 100-150 points. We currently own at SSR and HH with a Dec. UY. We want to do the add-on while we can get developer points as that will cover one of our upcoming vacations.

Although we own at SSR we have yet to stay there. If we do an add-on at SSR then we would get our 2006 points PLUS the developer points and then we would have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1st. We would bank the 2006 points which would put us "ahead" for next year.

If we add-on at AKV we would get the developer points but we would NOT get 2006 points b/c those dont exist. We would of course have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1.

We love AKV and have 3 kids under 11 years old. But we would get the 2006 points with SSR. If we bought 150 points, those 2006 points can really make a difference in terms of number of vacations. Is AKV worth "loosing" those 2006 points????

How did you make your decisions?

One of the reasons we chose to add AKV was because it offers multiple categories for the villas. More options for planning: different views, degrees of luxury, and size of rooms appeals to us, and since both the CL and value villas are so limited, the chances of them being available at 7 months is slim.
The fact that we love the restaurants there, the savannas, and the decor, is all icing!

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

I always buy where the deal is the best (taking into consideration dollars, points, and length of ownership) -- you can stay anywhere with your points, and I have never had a problem getting a reservation at 7 months anywhere we wanted to stay (and we have stayed everywhere!). Good luck!

 

[ScottakaMickey]

I am actually the opposite, own at AKV, and thinking of adding at SSR to get the deal you just mentioned. Yes, I just bought into AKV and already thinking of adding, but the double developer point is very appealing.

 

[spaddy]

AKV has 5 more years at the end. So you can get an extra year now or 5 down the road. That said I might do SSR because of MF.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We own points at three DVC resorts- VWL, AKV, and VB.
We chose VWL and AKV for one reason only... We love the theme, and attention to detail of the theme.

Deals, developer points, extra years, annual fees, yada yada yada, played absolutely no role in where we purchased.

MG

 

[DiznyDi]

We own at SSR and just did an add-on at SSR. We discussed briefly doing the add-on at AKV, but ultimately decided to go with the 2006 points plus double developers points. The lower MF also came into play in our decision. AKV should be large enough upon completion that I don't think we wiill have a problem booking at the 7 month mark. If we were to travel at high season, I'd book at SSR. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That would be and was the easiest choice in the world for me! I added on at AKV and neve once considered an add-on at SSR. I don't wish to have an 11 month booking window at SSR, so there was no reason to do that. Since you already own at SSR, there MIGHT be a good reason for you to do that, but if you love the theme etc of AVK, why not add on where you will have another 11 month booking window?

 

[nderh2o]

I chose AKV for several reasons. Some of which are here:
1. With me, the wife, and 3 small kids, AKV is designed to give all of us a place to sleep - including linens, etc. I would think this will soon change at the other resorts but there is no guarantee
2. My kids are 7 years or younger and they saw the Savannah when we visited in June and they never stopped talking about 'living with the animals.'
3. I like the conveience and luxury of having interior corridors so that you can walk (even if it is a long way) under cover to the different recreation activities.
4. Maybe its just me, but when we toured SSR in June, it was BIG - really big and we only saw a small portion of the complex. I know that AKV will be large as well but since it is 'hotel-like' setup, I believe it won't feel as big.
5. Despite what some folks said here, my experience in attempting to book at 7 months out for June means having to settle for what is available verses getting what you want. Not always but quite frequently.
6. AKV is new and as such has many 1st time items - flat screen TVs, large shower stalls, 2nd bathroom in 1 BR units, etc.
7. The avaiability of Concierge services through DVC reservations.
8. Multiple restaurants and primo counter service dining options right at the hotel vs. having to go across to Downtown Disney.

 

[El&Asmom]

We own at HH and decided to add on at SSR for the exact reasons you mention. We also have a Dec UY. The dev pts and 06 pts really keep us ahead for the next few years for vacations.

I'm in the club that thinks that AKV will not be a terribly difficult resort to book as long as you want SV. For us, I wouldn't stay at AKV if I wasn't in a SV, so booking categories mean nothing to me.

The extra few years are also non issues for us. In 50 years, we'll be in our 80s. The kids will have had enough Disney vacations on us, so I don't mind loosing a couple of years.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I agree that AKV will be large enough where it will not be hard to book at 7 months... but you may have to take whatevers left over.
If you specifically want a GV, concierge, standard, value, Jambo, Kidani, and so forth, you will need the 11 month window in my opinion.

MG

 

[global_mom]

Every point mentioned is so valid. We are still torn. I wish that we could jet down to FLA and stay in both properties before making our decision but thats not possible. We really want those 2006 points but we would just love to have our points spread around a bit. Well we will take a day or 2 to ponder it a little more and then we must make the final decision.

One last question for anyone with a recent add-on: if we take the $10 discount at SSR do we still get 2006 points (Dec. UY)?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[mikeandkarla]

Hi everyone: we are hoping to do an add-on for about 100-150 points. We currently own at SSR and HH with a Dec. UY. We want to do the add-on while we can get developer points as that will cover one of our upcoming vacations.

Although we own at SSR we have yet to stay there. If we do an add-on at SSR then we would get our 2006 points PLUS the developer points and then we would have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1st. We would bank the 2006 points which would put us "ahead" for next year.

If we add-on at AKV we would get the developer points but we would NOT get 2006 points b/c those dont exist. We would of course have our 2007 points coming on Dec. 1.

We love AKV and have 3 kids under 11 years old. But we would get the 2006 points with SSR. If we bought 150 points, those 2006 points can really make a difference in terms of number of vacations. Is AKV worth "loosing" those 2006 points????

How did you make your decisions?

We had the same choices. We chose AKV, giving up the 2006 points from SSR. The Value category is very appealing to us having 3 young boys. Our plan is to stay at AKV every other christmas in a value. I've read that 50% of the value rooms have a savanna view, and with their cheap point cost, I think the only way to reserve it was to own it and book at 11 mos. Good luck.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Every point mentioned is so valid. We are still torn. I wish that we could jet down to FLA and stay in both properties before making our decision but thats not possible. We really want those 2006 points but we would just love to have our points spread around a bit. Well we will take a day or 2 to ponder it a little more and then we must make the final decision.

One last question for anyone with a recent add-on: if we take the $10 discount at SSR do we still get 2006 points (Dec. UY)?

Thanks everyone!!!

Yes

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Every point mentioned is so valid. We are still torn. I wish that we could jet down to FLA and stay in both properties before making our decision but thats not possible. We really want those 2006 points but we would just love to have our points spread around a bit. Well we will take a day or 2 to ponder it a little more and then we must make the final decision.

One last question for anyone with a recent add-on: if we take the $10 discount at SSR do we still get 2006 points (Dec. UY)?

Thanks everyone!!!

Just remember that saving a few bucks per point may sound great, but it's truly pennies on the dollar when looking at the life of a DVC contract.
Also, developer points are nice, but after the first year they are gone forever.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't be concerned about the pennies on the dollar.
I also wouldn't want one year of extra points, followed by 49 years of owning at my second choice resort.

I think you should purchase at whatever resort you like best, but that's only my opinion.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with MG. If you want the developer points, that deal is a good one, and the small per point savings means nothing in the long run.

 

[magicmommy]

Just remember that saving a few bucks per point may sound great, but it's truly pennies on the dollar when looking at the life of a DVC contract.
Also, developer points are nice, but after the first year they are gone forever.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't be concerned about the pennies on the dollar.
I also wouldn't want one year of extra points, followed by 49 years of owning at my second choice resort.

I think you should purchase at whatever resort you like best, but that's only my opinion.

MG

I agree MG..Buy where you want to stay! We own the majority of our points at SSR and did an AKV add-on. We plan to stay CL at AKV for a few nights each year. We have used our SSR points to stay at all the WDW DVC resorts except OKW. We have stayed at VWL in December. BCV's during F&W but please don't buy a resort assuming you can use the 7th month window. If I could only stay at the resorts I own I would not be dissapointed but I hate reading about folks who bought at a resort they don't want to stay at! Good luck on your decision!

 

[shazen]

It was an easy decision for us. We've stayed at SSR and AKL and thought AKL was a LOT more fun. The activities, theming, and animal watching were wonderful...

SSR was nice, and the offer was VERY attractive (we have a Dec. use year as well), but the bottom line was that we wanted to own at a place that appealed to us now (kids activities, animal viewing) and down the road (fine dining, concierge level rooms).

BTW - We did have our add-on split into four contracts, just in case we ever tired of AKV and wanted to sell some points off!

 

[ebenmax]

Although the savings upfront are a fleeting thing, the MF are for the life of the contract. More than likely SSR's MF will continue to be lower than AKV's.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Although the savings upfront are a fleeting thing, the MF are for the life of the contract. More than likely SSR's MF will continue to be lower than AKV's.

Very true, however global_mom stated she was looking for an additional 100-150 points. If AKV fees are 50 cents higher than SSR, we're talking a little more than $5 a month.
Again just my opinion, but that's not enough for me to purchase at my second choice.

That said, SSR may be global_mom's first choice, in which case that's all the better!

MG