Thinking about buying.... ?????

[Laurabearz]

My husband and I just got back from WDW. We stayed at OKW 2 bedroom. LOVED IT! We have been toying with the idea of becoming DVCers and I have several questions our guide cant answer.....
First anyone know if the new BCV will have a 3 bedroom Grand Villa? If not...... just how hard is it to book a GV (at OKW or BWV) at the 7 months mark? Esp around Christmas or other major holidays?
We loved OKW and would like that to be our home resort.... has anyone bought resale? Any disavantages to buying resale? DO we loose any options? (I dont think so but need to check! LOL)
And lastly...... If your vacation falls between two pricing plans do you get the cheaper one for your stay (like if you pay cash) or does the first couple of nights cost X point and the rest Y points?

Oh and can anyone tell us how many point to buy! Is it to our advantage to own fewer points at sevearl locations or more points at one? We really liked OKW, but never toured VWL...... which is what they are selling now (or at least until Feb 2nd) I am soooooooo confused!!!

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

 

[PamOKW]

I'll try to tackle two of the easy ones....

The BCV will not have any Grand Villas. The VWL also does not have GV. If and when they build Eagle Pines that is the next DVC slated to include GVs. (They also have them at HHI and Vero -- at Vero they are actually free-standing beach houses).

The point cost is figured per day. They literally match every day of the year to a point cost. There is nothing comparable to getting a "rate" that lasts your stay. Fri-Sat stays "cost" more points.

Okay, one more. I would plan to buy enough points to cover your vacation at your choice of resort. If you think you might want to split stays between resorts on a regular basis then you might want to see about getting points at that resort as well. Some people have mentioned it is easier to resell smaller contracts so if you are planning on buying a very large amount, you might want to consider splitting it up. To figure how many to buy, think about what time of year you'll usually go, how often and what size accomodation. This will give you a starting point.

 

[EROS]

Laura, we've purchased 3 resales and have experienced NO disadvantage compared to dealing directly with Disney. In all 3 instances we saved considerably over the posted DVC price AND acquired banked points in addition. Once you become a member, you are treated the same way as if you purchased through Disney.

If you purchase an OKW resale it is doubtful that you could use the 7 month window at BWV for a GV. If you wanted a GV at OKW over the holidays, I would start calling day-by-day exactly 11 months ahead of time.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by EROS

If you purchase an OKW resale it is doubtful that you could use the 7 month window at BWV for a GV. If you wanted a GV at OKW over the holidays, I would start calling day-by-day exactly 11 months ahead of time.

So getting a GV over the holidays is like trying for breakfast at Cindy's Royal Table? Hmmmmmmmmm

Thanks for the info!

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I'll try to tackle two of the easy ones....

Some people have mentioned it is easier to resell smaller contracts so if you are planning on buying a very large amount, you might want to consider splitting it up.

ahhhhhhh Thanks for the tip. We are considering 400 points. Dont know if that is a "very large amount" but I do like the idea of two sets of 200 as long as they have the same use year. I hear it can get confusing with multiple use years. And I do confuse easily!

Thanks again Pam for all the info! I am truly grateful!

 

[SINK]

400 pts (WOW)

 

[Richyams]

Getting a GV at OKW is nothing like Cindy's breakfast reservations.

It used to be more difficult, but the last two years or so, you could even call at the last day and make the whole reservation. I am not as sure about the period actually between christmas and New Year's Day, but any other time of year has become much easier to reserve the GVs. I have never gone during that period...actually, I would never dream of it, the parks are WAY toooo crowded.

Personally, I wouldn't own anywhere but OKW. The BWV units are WAY too small, the walk to you room is WAY too far, the dues are Way too high and the points required per night are also WAY too high.

VWL and BCV have similar problems. They are both even more points per night than BWV, they both have higher dues, they both have the same tiny units as BWV, and to top it off....neither has the views or location of BWV, especially VWL.

I think its a no-brainer, if you want palatial units, the ability to park in front of your unit, reasonable dues and point schedule, OKW is the only choice for home resort.

We have 430 points, all at OKW, split between two contracts, one 230 and one 200, all Sept use year. I think you are looking at the right number of points.

 

[EROS]

LOL, Rich .

Of course, one could also say that OKW is WAY toooooooo out of the way, WAY tooooooooo placid, WAY tooooooooo dependent upon WDW bus "service", WAY toooooooooooo uninspiring for kids who enjoy an adventuresome pool, and WAY toooooooooo lacking in restaurant selections.

Each to his own

 

[ncligs]

Laurabearz,

If you can afford the 400 pts, thats a "very good" above avg initial purchase. We have nevr had a problem at OKW booking a GV at the 11 month window. We have never tried at the 7 month window.
Eros ands Richyams, thanks for the good laugh!!

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Richyams

I think its a no-brainer, if you want palatial units, the ability to park in front of your unit, reasonable dues and point schedule, OKW is the only choice for home resort.

We have 430 points, all at OKW, split between two contracts, one 230 and one 200, all Sept use year. I think you are looking at the right number of points.

Welp..... I made the big leap..... we too are purchasing 2 contracts for a total of 430 points!!! Woooo Hooooo!!!! We really loved OKW and am glad I went resale for them. It will be nice to visit other resorts but OKW won us over!