What are we waiting for?

[sara74]

Another crazed/dazed/eyes glazed fan here who is seriously considering DVC. I have read the posts, pored over the charts and I think DH is convinced.

So, please, tell me what I am missing????

We are a family of 5 with children ages 4, 2 and 6 months. Our plans (currently but subject to change...) are that we would vacation at WDW every other year. We would need a 2 bedroom, except at AKV where we could fit into some of the one bedrooms, but we are thinking ahead to the kids bringing friends, or perhaps a cousin here or there so we need the points for a 2 bedroom. We would like the possibility of a grand villa for a VERY occasional trip with another family. We are not married to the theming of any one resort. We did love WL, but we also like island themes and loved the AK park and visiting the resort, so I think we would be happy anywhere. I do like the thought of spa access as the kids get older and I could duck away for an afternoon. Cost is a factor, as much so in dues as in purchase price.

Based on the above, I am leaning toward SSR. I am wondering if there is info about the pool at AKV out there yet? What is the general feeling about how hard the AKV 1 bedrooms will be to get at the 7 month window?
What am I missing? What am I waiting for? Twist my arm and make me call tomorrow - I dare you!!
All help is appreciated!

 

[Marshay]

I am a new DVC owner who bought sight unseen at SSR. Prices are suppose to increase to $104/point on March 5th, so if you are considering buying, you may want to do it now. If you wait for AKV, you'll have to pay the higher price.

The article at this site really helped my husband and I decide that DVC was right for us. http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html

My best reasons to buy DVC:
1) You love Disney, want to vacation there often and are excited about owning a piece of the magic (i.e., no one is going to say, must we go to WDW again?)

2) You want deluxe room(s) with kitchen, w/d and all the extras like pool hopping, discounts on AP, DDP option, chance to experience different resorts w/o waiting for a discount code, etc (i.e, AS/Pop just don't cut it with your family)

3) You have the money now to pay for vacations in your future and the annual mtce dues won't bother you to pay them (i.e., no one is going to say, we can't buy shoes this year b/c we have to pay for our timeshare dues)

As for AKV availability at 7 months, in the beginning these ressies will be harder to get as everyone wants to check out the new resort. Give it a year or two and the hype will die down.

You can always buy into SSR for minimal points and then do an add-on to AKV so you'll have at least a few nights at AKV reserved at the 11 months...

Best of luck in your decision!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you EVER think you might want one of the huge GVs at OKW which are also the lowest point cost GV's, then you might want to buy a resale there. OKW traditionally has lower maintenance fees than many of the other DVC resorts, and it will give you the 11 month window necessary to get the GVs there. You will still be close enough to SSR (a quick boat ride, bus ride or walk away), to frequent the spa there. SSR will always be easy to get into at the 7 month window (as will OKW) because of its size. The most difficult resorts to get at 7 months will be the smallest (BCV and VWL). AKV is an unknown entity at the 7 month window, since it will be a long time until all 5 phases are completed. SO...here's my summary...
For GV access at 11 month window, reasonable maintenance, large units low point requirement, ease of getting around ANYWHERE...OKW
For 11 month window during food and wine festival, Holiday time or just Epcot access....BCV..It is small and will be difficult at 7 months during the mentioned time periods.
For 11 month access to VWL at Holiday time, close access to MK, and beautiful lodge ambiance....VWL...It is the smallest and thus more difficult to get into at those times.
For close proximatey to the spa and the lowest dues as well as being "across the canal" from DDT...SSR
For Boardwalk View...BWV
For viewing animals and great African embiance...AKV...For now, its maintenance is on the low side.

I expect that OKW and SSR will always be easy to trade into. BWV is not difficult to trade into as long as you are married to the Boardwalk view or standard view. VWL and BCV are the most difficult to trade into at the 7 month mark because of their smaller size.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Really, the only thing you're missing are the points. If you think suite size will be an ongoing issue with a larger family & friends then go with OKW. If you are a young couple and want the extra years on the contract go with SSR.

You are waiting for validation You have just been validated. Go do what you must.

 

[BroganMc]

So, please, tell me what I am missing????

Your points and all those signatures next to mouse ears and palm trees.

We would need a 2 bedroom, except at AKV where we could fit into some of the one bedrooms, but we are thinking ahead to the kids bringing friends, or perhaps a cousin here or there so we need the points for a 2 bedroom. We would like the possibility of a grand villa for a VERY occasional trip with another family. We are not married to the theming of any one resort. We did love WL, but we also like island themes and loved the AK park and visiting the resort, so I think we would be happy anywhere. I do like the thought of spa access as the kids get older and I could duck away for an afternoon. Cost is a factor, as much so in dues as in purchase price.

Based on the above, I am leaning toward SSR.

Well I am partial to the DTD area myself. As the kiddies get older you can send them off to DisneyQuest, the pool or community hall and go off to the spa or shopping.

It is possible to do that from OKW but a bit farther away. You can take a ferry to DTD and walk over or take another ferry to SSR. And there's a walking path to SSR from OKW, though it's not the shortest.

I am wondering if there is info about the pool at AKV out there yet?

There are plans filed with the state in another thread in the Mouscellaneous area. Basically it will be a large, zero entry pool, African themed like the one at the Lodge, with a big slide and a separate water play park. Looks very nice.

What is the general feeling about how hard the AKV 1 bedrooms will be to get at the 7 month window?

Most expect availability to be tight until the second and main DVC building opens in Spring '09. Before then, the only units available for booking will be the converted ones in the Lodge. About 130 rooms, making it a small resort on the level of VWL and BCV. It'll probably be hard to book this year and next unless you own. But after the project's finished, the resort will have 458 rooms (250 1bed and 140 dedicated 2beds with more as lockoff units).

In the meantime, your 6 month old has a pac-n-play crib waiting at SSR. (I believe OKW and the other resorts as well.) Kids who can sleep in a crib (under age 2) can be the 5th person in a Studio or 1 bedroom.

What am I missing? What am I waiting for? Twist my arm and make me call tomorrow - I dare you!!
All help is appreciated!

I'll make it simple:

Door # 1: Call today, request SSR and pay $91 per point. ($101 - $10 promo). Pay $4.12 per point in Annual Dues. Good until your kids are 51, 49 and 47 1/2 years old. (Good for 47 years.) Spring/Summer in a 2 bedroom for one week is 316 points. Buy in cost: $28,756.

Door # 2: Wait till next week (Monday), request AKV and pay $104 per point. Pay 50 cents more in Annual Dues. Good until your kids are 54, 52 and 50 1/2 years old. (Good for 50 years.) Spring/Summer in a 2 bedroom Savannah view for one week is 360 points. Buy in cost: $37,440.

Door # 3: Call the TimeShare Store (or click on DVC Resales above), look for OKW and pay between $71-$88 per point. Pay $4.40 per point in Annual Dues. Good until your kids are 39, 37 and 35 1/2 years old. (Good for 35 years.) Spring/Summer in a 2 bedroom for one week is 296 points. Buy in cost: $21,016 - $26,048 average (there is a 310 pt contract listed now at $24,180 or $78 per point, April use year).

Door # 4: Do nothing. Rent from members, wait for possible future resorts at higher prices, or just pay cash and stay at other hotels.

 

[simpilotswife]

OP I have to agree that SSR might be your best bet right now. While OKW does have the lowest point requirements for a GV, the additional 12 years at SSR trumps that IMO.

 

[HockeyKat]

Well I am partial to the DTD area myself. As the kiddies get older you can send them off to DisneyQuest, the pool or community hall and go off to the spa or shopping.

DQ is slated to close in Jan 2008.

I agree with the above posters. SSR direct or OKW resale, depending on how you feel about initial cost vs. contract length. Resale will take 6-8 weeks to pass ROFR and close, SSR will take a week or so.

I would do a 150-175 point contract and bank/borrow for an every other year trip.

 

[sara74]

Thanks for the replies! I love that current DVC owners are so enthusiastic that they share the love with those of us on the fence!!!

I am really leaning SSR direct from Disney. We are not planning a trip until next spring (2008) and I would be able to bank this years points to use with 2008's - although I guess I will need a spreadsheet to keep track of all this stuff. (Another plus - I love spreadsheets!!! )

Daydreamer - you are right! I am seeking validation/blessings - and I knew right where to come to get it!!!

I really think this is going to happen...

 

[vandy]

You will most likely be getting 2006 points right now at SSR. You will get a use year, let's just say September, and those points/year started in 2006. Other months may still be available as well. There is one great DVC program from our moderator, Caskbill. I will PM you with that info.

Sounds like you really are a go for DVC. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[sara74]

Thank you friends!

We took the plunge today and bought 175 points at SSR. I am so very excited. I didn't realize how excited I was until it was done and I felt like I was walking on a cloud.

DH is very hard working and hard to talk into a vacation, so as much as anything else I am happy at the guarantee of many happy vacations for years to come.

Ok, gotta go watch the slideshow of pictures from last year's vacation.

Thank you for the support, encouragement and answers to my questions and those of many others! You have made this for me!

 

[Marshay]

Congratulations and Welcome Home!

 

[Slakk]

Thank you friends!

We took the plunge today and bought 175 points at SSR. I am so very excited. I didn't realize how excited I was until it was done and I felt like I was walking on a cloud.

DH is very hard working and hard to talk into a vacation, so as much as anything else I am happy at the guarantee of many happy vacations for years to come.

Ok, gotta go watch the slideshow of pictures from last year's vacation.

Thank you for the support, encouragement and answers to my questions and those of many others! You have made this for me!

Congratulations! We are neighbors as our main points are at SSR...I love the resort so much - heck how can ANY place be bad when DISNEY is in the name!!!

 

[summergolf]

Congratulations!!!!! Welcome Home

 

[Didney Daddy]

Welcome Home!!!!!!!!!

 

[lumiere13]

You did good!!

Welcome home!