Still on the fence...what is it really like?

[Dean]

Originally posted by Mickmse2002
I am still not convinced that you must "buy where you plan to stay". My first home resort is BWV and I have never stayed there. We have stayed at OKW three times and BCV once, going down again this week for the second stay at BCV. We have never had a problem booking at the 7-month window, always got the dates and unit size we wanted. For the stay coming up this next week at BCV we did have to waitlist but that was mainly because it was a spur of the moment trip, made the plans about 45 days out, but the waitlist did come through.

Actually it's very possible to own points at one resort and stay at another. The issue is whether it's reasonable to buy at one resort with the idea of staying at another. There's no doubt it's getting harder to make short term reservations and some things are impossible at the 7 month window. OKW will be the easiest to get using this strategy but it's also the cheapest to buy resale and to own (lowest dues). I'm to the point of thinking it may not be worth someone buying in if they can't plan more than 7 months out if they have pretty restrictive schedules like kids in school.

There's no doubt that at 7 months out a point is a point other than the underlying cost and yearly fees associated. The problem with VB is that the dues as basically a full $1 pp more making the dues almost $300 a year more on 300 points compared to OKW. The price is still somewhat cheaper to buy OKW resale than VB, even with the MB, as long as you're buying at least 100 points. Of course you must chose you're resale contract wisely, but that's always been the case.

I see this much like a stock. I might not buy it at this price and situation but I might hold it and use it to my advantage if I already own it. Whether DVC is a buy, hold or sell depends on the individuals situation and goals.

 

[Merilyn]

I would buy at the resort you plan to stay most. The 11 month window is important if you want the larger unit, like a GV. We own most of our points at OKW and some at VB. We have stayed at most of the resorts and have had no problem getting what we want unless it is a GV. We bought points at VB this last year with that in mind. We now have the 11 month window there also. We usually go in March, May or Sept because of the weather. We stayed once in Dec. We have gotten what we wanted each and everytime, sometimes even as late as 2 months. Good luck with your decision.

 

[missyndda]

We are close to closing on 350 points at BWV through Jaki at atimeshare.com. The significant discount: 350 points at what it would cost for 270 at BCV through Disney was the selling point for us. So far we have had no issues and Disney has already approved our purchase. Good Luck!