Vero Beach owner, availability in WDW villas...

[Metsoskil]

It seems that Disney is becoming a regular trip for us in mid-late august (Myself, DW, DD5, and DS2). We are looking at possibly picking up a DVC resale for somewhere in the 65-80 point range (that would easily cover a studio for Sun-Fri during the time we go in any resort). We're not really picky about where we'll be staying. Because we are both teachers we're a bit flexible, we regularly stay for about 5 nights, and staying a Sun-Fri each year in a studio would be fine, making a DVC membership seem reasonable compared to the Moderates we usually stay at. (Last year we stayed at OKW for a few days in a studio and really liked it, although we really like trying new resorts).

My question is this: Is it worth it for us to buy at a WDW DVC as opposed to Vero Beach or Hilton Head? We're the kind of people that would book 7 mo. to the day of our vacation. Would we be able to land a studio for a Sun-Fri in late August in that time frame if we were not picky about resort? Or should we spend about $10 more per point to have our home resort be in the World?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Two things here.

First your maintenance fees at VB are much higher than the wdw resorts. I don't have the chart, but I'm sure someone will post it. Still they are maybe $1 per point per year more. So you may not be saving money in the long run, but you do tend get more room/time for the points, so you really to weigh these offsets.

Second, It is much easier to book VB at the 7 month mark than wdw resorts. If you are planning to visit wdw regularly then you need to have a home resort at wdw. IMHO.

 

[Dean]

Unless you want the points to use at VB or HH, I'd get something you can book at WDW 11 months. Personally I'd recommend AKV or the CRV assuming they actually happen as it appears they will or DL if you get that option. You will likely not save enough money on a resale to justify the purchase that route when you include closing costs.

 

[kellyf2626]

We are VB owners, and have never had a problem in the last 7 years booking at WDW. I am now a stay-at-home mom, but prior to that worked in the schools. We always vacationed in the summer months (usually June or August), and have stayed in studios, 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms and have even secured boardwalk views at the BWV's at 7-months out.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If a grand villa is important to you, if AKV Concierge is important to you, if BCV dedicated two bedroom with two queens in the second bedroom is important to you, if BW view is important to you, if booking BWV Standard view (saves points) is important to you, if you want to stay at VWL for Christmas or Thanksgiving, you need to own at a resort that will allow you to do this at 11 months. If it doesn't matter where you stay, a two bedroom is the most you will ever need and you will always book at 7 months, then buy anywhere you want.

Lots of people say buy where you want to stay. Others say, buy where you won't mind staying the most.