Weighing options - where to buy - HELP!

[cg1200]

Uhh, I would say you are in very good company. I change my mind on this issue about every 10 minutes!!

Well, I think it's over. Wife signed the contract and I faxed it in a little while ago. Even as I was typing the numbers on the fax machine I was questioning my decision. But I pressed send so it's done. I'm relieved. I think I made the right choice. 12 extra years would have been nice but I think I will actually feel a greater sense of pride and satisfaction knowing I own at BWV. Nothing against SSR, but it just makes me feel better knowing I own a piece of the Boardwalk.

Can't wait to start planning our next trip. Unfortunately it probably won't be until 2008 (we just got back a few weeks ago).

 

[JimMIA]

Here's an old thread that may help. It starts with a discussion of home resort, and discusses a number of DVC issues over the course of the thread.

The most important thing with home resort (IMHO) is whether you can consistently book vacations more than 7 months in advance. If you can't, home resort doesn't matter one bit.

The other thing I want to add is that if you want to vacation in Sept/Oct or early December, be aware that they are the busiest times of the year for DVC and getting ressies other than your home resort will be difficult.

As you read this thread, remember that it was started almost a year ago, so all of the prices, promotions, etc. are out of date. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634

 

[First Wave]

In the year 2042, your children will be 36 & 39 years old. They'll be able to buy their own DVC contract if they want to!!!

If you are "drawn" to the BCV/BWV area, then buy there. Right now, you have no problem taking your kids out of school for a Disney vacation, but that may change. What if doing so would result in your child failing that grade? I'm playing devil's advocate here, but you get my drift. What you "don't mind" doing now may become something you absolutely cannot do when the kids are actually in school. Other circumstances may arise that are beyond your control. If you like the BCV/BWV area, buy there. It's apopular area, and having the 11 month window is an advantage during busy times, should you need, in the future, to go during busy times.

Buy where you want to stay.

Disney Doll is absolutely right! You MIGHT be able to get into the resort you want within 7 months (if you don't own there) but the numbers are against that possibility unless you vacation in the slower seasons.

We own at a couple of resorts and I know for sure that the smaller the resort (Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk Villas - in regard to the number of DVC villas), are probably not going to be available at the 7 month window. Simple math says that everyone that owns at Saratoga won't be able to use their points at those resorts if they don't have the "home resort" advantage.

Good grief! Is the ratio about 100 to 1 owners at those particular resorts? What are the odds? Owners are smart enough to book ahead so that someone who owns at a really BIG resort (and doesn't want to stay where they own but that's the only place they could buy) won't to be able to make reservations at the smaller, more desirable locations. I own at Beach Club. I book ahead somewhere between 8 and 11 months to make sure that an owner at Saratoga Springs doesn't get my spot. That may sound selfish, but - Hey! That's where I bought and that's where I want to stay!

I've posted it before and I stand by my convictions...location, location, location. If you buy at Saratoga Springs, you should be able to get into THAT resort whenever you want. It's SO big. But if you would prefer to stay at Beach Club. Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge (or for that matter Hilton Head and Vero Beach in high season), you better OWN where you want to stay.

Just MHO but I've been a member for a very long time and I think I know what I'm talking about. (Of course, I could be wrong.)

First Wave

 

[cg1200]

Disney Doll is absolutely right! You MIGHT be able to get into the resort you want within 7 months (if you don't own there) but the numbers are against that possibility unless you vacation in the slower seasons.

I've posted it before and I stand by my convictions...location, location, location. If you buy at Saratoga Springs, you should be able to get into THAT resort whenever you want. It's SO big. But if you would prefer to stay at Beach Club. Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge (or for that matter Hilton Head and Vero Beach in high season), you better OWN where you want to stay.

First Wave

Well stated. This was exactly my thought process and the reason I feel so much better about deciding to buy at BWV vs SSR. If worse comes to worse over the years, I should still be able to stay at BWV using the 11 month window which is our preferred spot. No sense in having an advantage to book a room at a place I don't want to stay.