Update: Pull the trigger?

[Magnod]

I appreciate all the info I've gotten in my first thread and now that I am more aware of the process and information I was looking for some final advice.

Here's a recap:
I live in Hawaii and was initially going to buy at Aulani. BUT our family (one young son and possibly another one next year if we try hard enough) will most likely start traveling to Disney Land every other year or so. After reading the board and getting insight from fellow members, I've discovered that getting rooms at DGC can be challenging, so I've decided to shift away from Aulani and focus on finding a good resale at DGC.

This is our plan:
We are looking for a DGC resale with around 200 points. Then we could bank some of the points and use it to travel to Dland or WDW every other year and stay for a week. The left over points could be used for a few weekends at Aulani since it is a 20 minute drive from our house, is not selling like hot cakes, and requires a good chunk of change in airfare for most people, we felt that getting DGC as our home resort is a better buy than Aulani. Also, if we ever decide to try a cruise or a stay at a non-Disney resort we can always try renting the points. I have been in contact with Robert from the Timeshare Store and have been watching for good DGC offers.



Is this a good plan for us? Or are there still wrinkles that I have not learned about?

Thanks

 

[Sandisw]

I think it sounds like a good plan. VGC is small and if you see yourself wanting to go there, owning there is a good thing.

Right now, no one knows what is up with Aulani and when they may start selling again. Plus, no one knows what the new MF's will look like either.

Good luck!

 

[com_op_2000]

Sound like a plan to me.

 

[disneynutz]

A couple of thoughts.

Are you sure that VGC and DL is your favorite or is WDW a better fit, more resorts, more parks, more to do with a family. The extra flight time and cost is only once a year or so.

Last I heard, Disney was buying back all of the VGC contracts that went resale. Finding a contract there may be a challenge.

Bill

 

[slowly]

I appreciate all the info I've gotten in my first thread and now that I am more aware of the process and information I was looking for some final advice.

Here's a recap:
I live in Hawaii and was initially going to buy at Aulani. BUT our family (one young son and possibly another one next year if we try hard enough) will most likely start traveling to Disney Land every other year or so. After reading the board and getting insight from fellow members, I've discovered that getting rooms at DGC can be challenging, so I've decided to shift away from Aulani and focus on finding a good resale at DGC.

This is our plan:
We are looking for a DGC resale with around 200 points. Then we could bank some of the points and use it to travel to Dland or WDW every other year and stay for a week. The left over points could be used for a few weekends at Aulani since it is a 20 minute drive from our house, is not selling like hot cakes, and requires a good chunk of change in airfare for most people, we felt that getting DGC as our home resort is a better buy than Aulani. Also, if we ever decide to try a cruise or a stay at a non-Disney resort we can always try renting the points. I have been in contact with Robert from the Timeshare Store and have been watching for good DGC offers.



Is this a good plan for us? Or are there still wrinkles that I have not learned about?

Thanks

I am glad you took my advice! LOL! Actually, after staying at Aulani over the Labor Day weekend we are looking at resales just for points. We own VCG(DGC) and this is the best way to use our home since we will likely go to CA more than FL. In FL there are so many to choose from the 7 month window is fine for us.

For the resale points we are looking at Sarasota(SSR) because of the price per pt. You have to becareful of the monthly/annual dues. Good example is Vero Beach has low price per pt HOWEVER they have the highest amount of dues. Just looking at the VCG inventory, 125 pts won't take you too far especially if you want to use them at Aulani also. VCG is very difficult to come by but keep looking at the list.

Good Luck!

 

[nunzia]

I agree you should buy at VGC. It is much easier to get a resort..if you aren't picky..at WDW at 7 months than it is at DLR. Since VGC is the only DVC at DLR it's important to have the 11 month advantage there IMO, especially since VGC is the smallest of all DVCs. If you can buy resale, that's great, but do remember you would not be able to use resale points for other DLR properties such as DLH or PP (although if the DLH DVC rumor comes true, then that would be great for all). I don't know if they are buying up ALL VGC contracts, but there is quite a waiting list for direct from Disney so they are certainly making a move to buy some back.

 

[Magnod]

We have a contract pending so I have my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[nunzia]

We have a contract pending so I have my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the feedback.

Good Luck! and keep us posted

 

[DISNEYHAWAII]

We have a contract pending so I have my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the feedback.

Looks like you snapped up the TSS GCV contract I was looking at yesterday. Very similar to the one we just got, but a lot more buyer favorable conditions (price and mf's). Good luck and nice to see some other Hawaii Disney people.

 

[Greysword]

Congrats on finding one you like! I agree with the others, as VGC is difficult to get into without the 11-month window.

As you mentioned, it is MUCH easier to get into a WDW Resort at 7-months or less than VGC. About traveling to Florida, would it be quicker to hop a plane to Australia instead ?

 

[Presley]

You have made a very smart decision. Good luck with your purchase!

 

[slowly]

Awesome! Since our stay at Aulani during Labor Day wknd we are actually thinking about getting more pts. We currently have 320 at GCV where we are actually staying next month for 3 mights in a one bdrm Villa! We booked it 9 months ago and our friends tried to add on to their 3 nights a month later and they were on the waiting list for the 2 additional nights. Very tough to get in the 7 month window.

You will love Aulani! I think I may have said that everyday since Labor Day wknd! I really mean it. We booked for Jan & Feb. This was during the 7 month window. When I tried to switch to a studio I was able to for Jan but waitlisted for Feb just last week. Aulani is becoming very popular among the locals!

 

[Magnod]

Awesome! Since our stay at Aulani during Labor Day wknd we are actually thinking about getting more pts. We currently have 320 at GCV where we are actually staying next month for 3 mights in a one bdrm Villa! We booked it 9 months ago and our friends tried to add on to their 3 nights a month later and they were on the waiting list for the 2 additional nights. Very tough to get in the 7 month window.

You will love Aulani! I think I may have said that everyday since Labor Day wknd! I really mean it. We booked for Jan & Feb. This was during the 7 month window. When I tried to switch to a studio I was able to for Jan but waitlisted for Feb just last week. Aulani is becoming very popular among the locals!

Don't they still have two wings to open? That should ease reservations at least. They really need to focus on the kamaaina side of business. Hard enough to get people to fly over with out any attractions (other than the beach ).

We're staying at Aulani as hotel guest in November. My parents booked our family a room when they had their opening specials, it will be in place of our annual Ko'olina Marriott weekend. I can't wait.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't they still have two wings to open? That should ease reservations at least. They really need to focus on the kamaaina side of business. Hard enough to get people to fly over with out any attractions (other than the beach ).

We're staying at Aulani as hotel guest in November. My parents booked our family a room when they had their opening specials, it will be in place of our annual Ko'olina Marriott weekend. I can't wait.

They may have two wings still to open, but they probably haven't sold those points anyway. Inventory for points comes from inventory that is sold.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you to get your contract.

 

[frank808]

Nice buy for VGC. Is this the 210 point contract from TSS June UY? The price is right and you get banked 2010 points.

If you plan on traveling in june or july for your annual vacation you might have to be careful with a june uy. If you have a trip planned for june and you cancel your reservations, your points will have to be used by the end of june as you are past your banking window. That is the main reason I would go with a Dec UY.