Trying to figure it all out... Help

[MrCheesy]

I've been reading all the info about DVC and it's really appealing. This message board has been great in getting a lot of good information. On to my question(s). I've been looking mostly at SSR but the $90 per point from Disney and $80's on resale is making me cringe a bit. I see the Vero Beach and Hilton Head resorts are usually in the $60's per point on resale. I wouldn't normally stay at either of these two resorts but I'm wondering if I purchase points at these resorts but use the points at SSR or other on-site resorts is there problems with that? I'm sure I'm not thinking of something.

 

[CarolMN]

There's not a problem - as long as there is availability at the 7 month mark for the resort you want to stay at. That could be a problem, depending on what time of the year you plan to travel. The busy times for the DVC resorts are not necessarily the same time that the parks are busy. As the number of DVC members continues to increase, so will the difficulty of getting into a non-home resort at the 7 month mark.

All that said, many do buy a resort that they never plan to stay at - the risk is theirs. SSR is going to be the largest (in terms of units) DVC resort. IMHO, it will be relatively easy to get in there at the 7 month mark. If you don't mind staying there if other choices aren't available, your plan is quite reasonable (IMHO).

Keep in mind that the dues at VB are the highest of the DVC resorts. Your savings up front may eventually be eaten up in annual dues. Do the math before you purchase.

If your aim is to stay mostly at one of the WDW DVC resorts, seriously consider buying one of those. At least you know you will be able to stay on site.

If you cannot book more than 7 months in advance, the resort doesn't matter. But DVC really does work best for those who can plan at least 7 months in advance.

Feel free to ask more questions.

Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've been reading all the info about DVC and it's really appealing. This message board has been great in getting a lot of good information. On to my question(s). I've been looking mostly at SSR but the $90 per point from Disney and $80's on resale is making me cringe a bit. I see the Vero Beach and Hilton Head resorts are usually in the $60's per point on resale. I wouldn't normally stay at either of these two resorts but I'm wondering if I purchase points at these resorts but use the points at SSR or other on-site resorts is there problems with that? I'm sure I'm not thinking of something.

Well that would depend a bit on where you want to stay and what season. Some resorts and accommodations fill up quickly at certain times of the year, so you might have to be open to what's available when you make your ressie at the 7 month mark (assuming you bought Vero or HH). As for cost...While Vero usually has the lowest per point cost, their maintenance fees are by far the highest. This is probably due to being in the path of hurricanes. If you are mostly wanting to stay on site and don't NEED the extra 12 years that SSR gives you, then you might look for an OKW resale.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OOPS! Looks like Carol and I were typing at the same time!

 

[CarolMN]

OOPS! Looks like Carol and I were typing at the same time!

Happens all the time - OK with me, especially if people agree with me, LOL

Besides, I think the OP probably wants lots of opinions (especially if they aren't all the same) - none of us has all the answers!

Best wishes -

 

[MrCheesy]

We have no problems planning ahead, we really don't care what on-site DVC resort we stay at (at least not yet), and we would usually go during either the Adventure and Choice seasons. With that said, do you think we still would run into problems getting a week at a on-site resort seven months in advance? I really have no clue how hard it is to book seven months in advance.

 

[MrCheesy]

Oh, one other thing. I've never stayed at any of the DVC resorts that's why I have no preference. What's your preference (favorite)? Also, do you know what are the annual fees for VB and HH are? You suggestion to look at OKW is also a good one. The extra years and SSR is also valuable. As you can see, I have a million things going through my head. Thanks for your help.

 

[keys2kingdom]

2006 annual dues for VB are $5.27 per point. For HH they are $4.34.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you look through lots of posts on this board, you will see that we all have our favorites, and what makes one resort the favorite for one person, might make it the least favorite for another. I might suggest that you first go to the Disney.com web site and look at all the on-site DVC resorts there. That way you wont be getting any of our predjudices standing in the way of what you see.

I'll try to give you as unbiased a quick synopsis as I can...
The majority of DVC resorts are "hotel" style with interior hallways and are attached to other Disney hotels and have some hotel type amenities like room service, valet parking, etc. At those resorts, you will have more of a "in the heart of the action" type of experience. Some will be within 10-20 minute walking distance of some of the parks. These resorts are BWV, BCV, and VWL. BWV and BCV are just out the back side of Epcot, so you could walk to the back entrance there.

THere are two larger DVC resorts that are built more like traditional timeshares with either no hallways or only exterior ones. At these, you will be more away from the hustle and bustle and will have a bit more of a "vacation home" type of experience than a hotel one. You will be able to park close to your villa, and it will be self parking. You wont have room service, but all other hotel type services are available (bell services etc). These would be OKW and SSR. In the case of SSR, if you own there, you would get 12 years additional of DVC time.

Now for a little bit of information that could be construed as "predjudicial". If you like to "get away" and relax at the end of a long day of fun in the theme parks, OKW, SSR, and VWL will give you a bit more of that than BWV or BCV.

If you like wildlife, OKW is the place to be. If you like upscale decor for a theme, SSR is the place to be. VWL is a rustic type decor and theme, BCV is an east coast beach theme, BWV is a Jersey boardwalk theme, SSR is themed to the horse racing area of Saratoga NY, and OKW is themed like early 1900's Key West. Disney has done an EXCELLENT job of themeing ALL the DVC resorts, and you need to know that the "shabby chic" of BCV, rustic of VWL, and OLD Key West decor of OKW may look dated, but they are true to their theme. Also, OKW has a different room layout than the other DVC resorts. THe rooms are quite a bit larger, and because they were Disney's first attempt at timeshare, are a bit more like traditional timeshares in focus.

I personally like to "get away" and enjoy some quiet, so my preference is OKW. I like parking right outside my villa, and I like the huge balcony, the wildlife, and the feeling that I am in FLORIDA. No need for me to stay at VWL, even though I like it a lot, it is what I live in at home. SSR is nice and quiet, but seems a bit "stuffy" to me. I do not care much for just about anything about BWV, but the location. I like the proximaty to the two parks, but it is the least important aspect of a DVC resort for me, and I HATE the long hallways and the busy Boardwalk. BCV is a good gobetween from the BWV to the more remote sites. I have not stayed there, so I can't give any real opinions. I also do NOT like to have to valet park. When you stay at BWV, BCV, and VWL, parking is by valet and a long way from the villas. I have had transportation issues from the Boardwalk area, but have had great bus service from both OKW and SSR.

I hope this helps. My first paragraphs I tried to be "open minded", and tried not to give you any opinions until the last 2 paragraphs.