What is the benefit of buying a more expensive home resort?

[Sandisw]

We were ones who bought BLT and paid more to do so. We wanted to be there each and every trip and did not want to rely on having to wait until the 7 month window and hope what we wanted was still there.

We did consider SSR, a less expensive option, but in the end, figured we would rather pay a premium to ensure we could book those SV rooms when we wanted them. And, because we bought prior to BLT opening, we did not have data of how easy or hard it would be at the 7 month mark for any stays.

We are now in the process of buying BWV resale (just waiting to close). We were able this summer to get a BW view 2 bedroom for 2 nights at the 7 month mark and just came back. Having a BW view room was incredible and I can say am so glad that I will be an owner so I can book those rooms all the time when taking family with me.

So, where we stay is extremely important and went with home resorts that would allow us to always have those resorts.

 

[downontheBW]

We lucked out - back when we purchased, we had the choice of OKW or the new BWV. We chose BWV for the location never realizing the benefit of the 11 month window there. We can choose from either the "inexpensive" standard view or wonderful Boardwalk view at 11 months - there's not much of either of those left at 7 months.

Over the years, we've stayed at most of the DVC resorts and love them all but it's nice to know we can book the BWV room we want if we plan ahead. If you have your heart set on a certain resort, purchase there.

 

[kristenrice]

When we finally decided to buy, we knew that we loved OKW. We'd already stayed there twice and loved the huge rooms and low points-per-night. The dues were lower and the expiration date really didn't matter to us. But, we also really liked AKV, despite never having stayed there. We knew we wanted only about 100 points so the point structure at AKV, with the value rooms, was a huge lure. Knowing that we had a better chance of getting a 1BR at OKW at 7 months than getting a 1BR value at AKV at 7 months, we opted to pay more to get AKV. Now, we can still stay at OKW if we want to (going next June as a matter of fact) AND we have the 11 month window for those value rooms at AKV. We also like the standard 1BR's at Kidani which can also be difficult to get at 7 months.

This past January, we also bought an additional 50 points at HHI. We want to guarantee that we can get a 1BR there every third year for spring break. There are only 21 1BR's at HHI so the 11 month window is almost a necessity around Easter and in the summer. If we luck out like we did this year and can get a 1BR at 7 months, then we may go more often.

 

[JWG]

11-month booking window and home resort status.

That's it (really). One could argue that with BLT, the lower per point maintenance fees, such that if you book at OKW consistently you're paying less in the long run because you're not using the high point value rooms at BLT.

We bought at BWV and BLT simply because we wanted to guarantee our ability to book there during peak periods (BWV in October and BLT in December), as well as guarantee our ability to get the views we wanted (Boardwalk and MK View at certain times and standard view at others).

 

[Granny]

You've been lucky. We've never gotten our waitlist, even the shorter one for three nights at BLT.

We are also batting 0 for 6 on waitlists. I wouldn't buy a resort thinking that the waitlist will always work for switching to another resort.