UPDATE - What would you do? Help! VWL or SSR?

[lenshanem]

Ok, I'm driving myself crazy...
Just when I think I have it all figured out I start worrying again...
So, I'm doing a poll! LOL I've already had a couple tell me go with VWL, others go with SSR. Here's my situation:

Own 150 at BCV already, want to add on. I'm on the waitlist for VWL, 70 points enough to cover a 5 day week in a studio in the summer. (Our schedules are limited to the school calendar.) WL is my hubby's fav and he wanted us to buy at VWL in the first place, but I choose BCV due to SAB. But I love WL very much, too. Drawback is no possibility of going with 100 instead and getting to use the MB option at this resort. So price per point is higher and possibly higher down payment? (10% or 20% without MB?)

We have 2 small kids, one just started Kindergarten. Both of us are in our early 30s. So SSR incentives seem appealing, longer contract date for our future grandkids, etc. The pool looks like it might be a winner (Theme pools are a big draw to us.) and I like the food court. Don't like the location as much as VWL (We are big MK fans even before the kids.) or the parking in front of your building. I like the hotel resort feel where you don't see your car for like a week.

If we go with VWL, which hubby has already agreed to we'll only go with 70 right now. I'm actually encouraging the add on, hubby would be happy with our original 150. But if I talked him into SSR we'd go ahead with 100 for the incentives. We have a December use year which works even more to our advantage.

I feel like I really need to make a decision cause I was told waitlist could possibly come through in a couple weeks and I don't want to lose the December use year for SSR or the incentives. I thought my gut told me to go with VWL, but then I start worrying again. Resales I thought about, but we plan on adding it to our financing. We have enough for the down payment, but not to pay in full for the add on.

Once again opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Granny]

This is a tough one. Normally, I'd say go with VWL if that's your DH's favorite, because he deserves to buy where he wants to stay the most too!

But given your age, that 50 year thing is pretty attractive at SSR. And of course, anytime you can get 100 points instead of 70 is a pretty good thing.

I guess it really comes down to this....are you considering SSR only for the financial reasons? Or do you think you'll love to stay there a lot?

Even though your children are small now, they won't be around forever .....and being sure of being able to book VWL at say, Christmas time, might be a pretty big deal down the road.

By the way, I "voted" to buy at BCV, since I don't like small contracts at different resorts. If you were buying 150 points, then another resort would be great...you could alternate the reservations through banking and borrowing. Just another opportunity to throw some confusion in your decision!

Good luck....either way you'll own more DVC points and that's never a bad thing!

 

[dianeschlicht]

After reading all your demographics, I voted VWL, because I think that is where you REALLY want to be. I think you may know this, but you are trying to have an "open mind" about it. Go with your gut and go where you really know you like. The extra 12 years are probably not an issue for you, and if it is, you can always do another add on or resale down the road.

 

[lenshanem]

True granny, we will probably like to travel during Christmas time to VWL for at least a few nights as this works with the school calendar. I'm sure the 11 month booking window would help at this time. This is hard!

 

[floridafam]

I don't know what to vote. I've been keeping an eye on your situation and I just don't know.

We are also in our early thirties with 2 small children. SSR seemed attractive to me because of the pool, we love DTD, the spa and the extra years.

The down payment wouldn't be that much different between SSR and VWL. SSR would be $890 and VWL would be about $1176. Only about $300 difference.

It's obvious that you love VWL and want to be close to MK. That is why we own there.

It's a toss up between VWL and SSR. I wouldn't do more at BCV because you are either 1. Giving up getting pts at a place you really love-VWL or 2. Giving up the extra 12 yrs you would get if you buy SSR.

I would lean toward getting the VWL pts asap. SSR is going to be available for quite some time. VWL pts may be few and far between.

Most importantly-I encourage you to call your guide and find out where these VWL pts may be coming from. From ROFR or from people who have cancelled their contracts? Ask your guide if you would be able to use MB if you purchased 100 at VWL. Who knows, there may still be some of these pts left at VWL. If you could do MB on 100 at VWL then I would definately do that.

 

[JimC]

I voted VWL for your situation. But I would buy resale and save some bucks or get more points.

My second choice was SSR because of the financing, incentives and longer contract. I discounted the themed pool as WL is quite nice and SAB is the top pool on property in my opinion.

Good luck.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by lenshanem
True granny, we will probably like to travel during Christmas time to VWL for at least a few nights as this works with the school calendar. I'm sure the 11 month booking window would help at this time. This is hard!

This seems to be a tug-of-war between your brain (SSR) and your heart (VWL).

To me, DVC is mostly a choice of the heart. We could all do better financially by staying off-site in nice accommodations. But we chose to stay on-site, and to upgrade to nicer accommodations. Both of these were driven by the desire to make vacations a very special time.

I can't change my vote, but I'd think you would want to be leaning towards VWL. And don't forget, there's nothing to prevent DVD from stopping us from making reservations at non-home resorts. That's a privilege they could take away if they thought it would be to their advantage (for instance, if they stopped selling new resorts).

50 years is a long time to be kicking oneself!

 

[floridafam]

We purchased BCV now because I know that there is a possibility that once I get DH to see SSR in person he may actually want to add on there.

You know your DH loves VWL. Is there a possibility for a SSR add on for you down the road or is it now or never?

I asked my DH what he wanted to do on our trip next year becasue we aren't doing much on our October trip-he has a race that will take up a lot of time-and he said he wanted to golf and maybe watch the kids while I had some spa treatments. I then asked our son what he wanted to do and he said he wanted to go to the Lego store at DTD. So, where do you think we'll stay-SSR!

I also sent you a PM

 

[Disney Doll]

VWL. Your kids are small, you have quite a few years left of needing to spend a fair amount of time at the MK,SSR isn'yt going anywhere, and even if it does, there are always reslaes and newer resorts down the road if you want to add on or buy another contract.

 

[timC]

Rule #1 Buy where you want to stay the most.

Although it would be good to combine your add-on with your existing BCV contract, if VWL is a favorite, go for VWL. It'll guarantee you a studio at all time of year. And, at the 7month window, you might be able to combine your points with your BCV points, to lengthen your stay.

Honestly, if VWL calls your name... you gotta respond. It's a very special resort.

 

[spiceycat]

VWL - it is where you and your husband seem to love - just think how romantic in 18 years or so when your kids are GONE!!!

I have doubts that DVC will ever built another DVC resort that close to the MK. so if you want a MK resort for your DVC home then VWL is it.

besides VWL is a beautiful resort all on its on - no extras are needed!

 

[lenshanem]

Originally posted by spiceycat
VWL - it is where you and your husband seem to love - just think how romantic in 18 years or so when your kids are GONE!!!

I think this is part of our love for the place. We stayed there shortly after it opened, we were very young and newly engaged! We had so much fun, no stress of everyday life had come to us yet!

I'm going to call my guide later today, I gotta run a few errands right now.

This is a decision between my brain and heart for sure. Hearst says go with VWL, but finically it just makes more sense for SSR. Very tough call.

Thanks for all the replies! This really helps.

 

[sgtpet]

I think VWL fits your wants much more than SSR. VWL is a small resort and might be difficult to get 7 months out many years from now.

Most of us purchase at Disney not for financial gains but because it touches your heart and soul. Since VWL is in your heart it truly appears to be a no brainer in your case.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jaysue]

Wow, such a clear vote

I voted for SSR - the extra years, lower costs and being close to DTD (when the kids are gone!) is enough to park my vote

thanks
jaysue

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Go with your heart. You don't want to be sitting at another resort wishing you really purchased at WLV. Who knows what teh next 35+ years will bring, get what you want now and build those family memories. SSR will be pretty big and will probably have availability when you want it.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Its a tough call for me! My mom & I are fairly new. But I voted for WLV because of its location close to MK. I would also consider an add on to BCV. Just my thoughts. Good luck!

Allison an associate
Offically DVC 7/23/03
Home: BCV

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'd go with VWL. It's what you really want. Enjoy!

 

[Snowgod]

You are young, take the 50 years and enjoy it. You can always stay at VWL if you want and I thought SSR was a good place to be as you get older and the kids are grown.

 

[ncligs]

Hi Shannon ............I voted for VWL. But I also would consider BCV's if your waitlist doesn't come through, to keep it simple.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Q: What would happen if you did NOT buy at VWL?

A: Next visit you will go to WL/VWL to have lunch, then you will remember how much you really love WL/VWL, then you will kick yourself for not buying there...

Bottom Line: Buy VWL. That is really where you want to own...

Good luck....