What to expect buying off property

[bphilb]

My wife and I have been considering buying DVC for quite some time. We go to Disney annually and expect to continue that for as long as we can see into the future. We are thinking of buying a contract for around 150 points next year at Vero Beach as it seems that the cost of buying a contract at a non-resort is a much better deal than at a resort. That said we have no desire to ever stay at Vero Breach. We are perfectly happy to stay at places like OKW, AKL, and Saratoga, but want to know if we are going to have a realistic shot at places such as GFV, BLT or BCV in the next 5 years or so. We will be traveling in the fall (Sept-OCT) or Winter (Jan-April) at about once a year. Are we ok in doing this, or should we just buy into OKW or AKL just to make sure we always have a spot?

 

[drpepr]

You would have a decent shot especially in the Jan to April range getting into the other resorts. However, you should really consider the added expenses from the higher MF at Vero. After a few years, any savings on the initial buy in will be lost to the significantly higher MF. I suppose there are no guarantees though that the MF from an on property resort wont ever sky rocket and catch up to Vero but it seems unlikely.

 

[Dean]

My wife and I have been considering buying DVC for quite some time. We go to Disney annually and expect to continue that for as long as we can see into the future. We are thinking of buying a contract for around 150 points next year at Vero Beach as it seems that the cost of buying a contract at a non-resort is a much better deal than at a resort. That said we have no desire to ever stay at Vero Breach. We are perfectly happy to stay at places like OKW, AKL, and Saratoga, but want to know if we are going to have a realistic shot at places such as GFV, BLT or BCV in the next 5 years or so. We will be traveling in the fall (Sept-OCT) or Winter (Jan-April) at about once a year. Are we ok in doing this, or should we just buy into OKW or AKL just to make sure we always have a spot?

Any savings for VB would be eaten up in extra maint fees within around 5 yrs. If simply getting into the system is the question, SSR is almost always the best value. I would not buy VB or HH, the points are not cheap enough to make it worthwhile simply for a points cow.

 

[bakerworld]

VB is a beautiful resort however it's a very quite area. One of the bartenders referred to VB as 'Gods waiting room' and I agree with him. The most night life is probably at the venue itself.

IMO HHI has more going for it if your buying off property.

 

[rlovew]

You fall trips will need to be booked as soon as online booking opens at the 7 month window and you may need to be willing to look at various room sizes and split stays depending on when you go in the fall if you go for an off property resort. I would not recommend buying an off property resort for WDW stay only. You winter trips as long as they are not over one of the holiday weekends or during a running event you should not have the same problems.

 

[chalee94]

We are thinking of buying a contract for around 150 points next year at Vero Beach as it seems that the cost of buying a contract at a non-resort is a much better deal than at a resort. That said we have no desire to ever stay at Vero Breach.

VB is cheap for a reason (several reasons actually). i would not buy there if i were not planning to stay there.

We are perfectly happy to stay at places like OKW, AKL, and Saratoga, but want to know if we are going to have a realistic shot at places such as GFV, BLT or BCV in the next 5 years or so. We will be traveling in the fall (Sept-OCT) or Winter (Jan-April) at about once a year. Are we ok in doing this, or should we just buy into OKW or AKL just to make sure we always have a spot?

i would recommend SSR as the best value onsite (expires 2054 when most OKW resales expire 2042).

BCV in the fall at 7 months is a tough one - F&W at epcot makes it very popular for the BCV owners. Jan and Feb (non-holiday weeks) will give you more options at BLT and BCV. GFV is too new to have much data.

 

[disneynutz]

My wife and I have been considering buying DVC for quite some time. We go to Disney annually and expect to continue that for as long as we can see into the future. We are thinking of buying a contract for around 150 points next year at Vero Beach as it seems that the cost of buying a contract at a non-resort is a much better deal than at a resort. That said we have no desire to ever stay at Vero Breach. We are perfectly happy to stay at places like OKW, AKL, and Saratoga, but want to know if we are going to have a realistic shot at places such as GFV, BLT or BCV in the next 5 years or so. We will be traveling in the fall (Sept-OCT) or Winter (Jan-April) at about once a year. Are we ok in doing this, or should we just buy into OKW or AKL just to make sure we always have a spot?

Prices are low because on low demand and high dues.

The path less traveled is usually less traveled for a reason.

Bill

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

I am going to jump in on the SSR bandwagon as well. We own @ SSR and have never had a problem getting a reservation elsewhere at 7 months, as long as we are willing to be flexible. We bought 200 pts direct in 2005 and did a 200 pt contract through resale a few years ago. We have travelled over Spring Break, Xmas, July 4th, Thanksgiving this year, and at other times. We always book SSR as a backup at 11 months and then at 7 months immediately start looking for another resort. As mentioned above, you need to be flexible about where you are willing to stay, room size, views, being open to split stays, etc but you can make it work. Also, if nothing else is available but SSR, you need to be satisfied with staying there. If staying there would make you miserable, then it is probably not a good option and you should buy where you want to stay.

I would not buy at HHI or VB unless you are going to stay there. Along with the higher dues at HHI and VB, keep in mind that the contracts for HHI & VW end in 2042. SSR ends in 2054 so you get another 12 years.

Good luck!

 

[NoleFan]

If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is....if you want to stay at WDW, then I would buy at a resort there.

 

[crisi]

Over the life of your contract, your initial buy in cost is going to be a pittance compared to your overall vacation spend. Dues have been mentioned, but park tickets, airfare (if you need to fly), food, etc.

That doesn't mean you should justify the cost of a direct contract over a resale if you are getting fundamentally the same thing (you can justify a direct contract if what you want isn't available resale), but it does mean that you need to look at buy in cost as part of an overall spend.

And if a VB resale looks good because its more affordable, hold on tight for the inevitable price increases in character meals, park tickets, and Mickey bars.

 

[bphilb]

I appreciate all of the great feedback. I basically figured that Vero would allow me to buy at a low cost for WDW but making me a resort "free agent" so to speak. It sounds like I may be better off eating the extra up front cost for the certainty of a resort and lower maintenance fee's.

 

[Millionaire2K]

I appreciate all of the great feedback. I basically figured that Vero would allow me to buy at a low cost for WDW but making me a resort "free agent" so to speak. It sounds like I may be better off eating the extra up front cost for the certainty of a resort and lower maintenance fee's.

Based on the current avg resale price and the avg dues increase for both these resorts; It would take about 9 years to break even.

So over the length of the contract you will save with SSR. But VB will save you during the first 9 years. VB contract will cost you about $400-$500 more a year over SSR.

So you could always sell your contract after 5-7 years and save. You could then apply the resale funds to a resort you love to stay at.

Best of luck with your DVC purchase.

 

[Dean]

So you could always sell your contract after 5-7 years and save. You could then apply the resale funds to a resort you love to stay at.

There's no guarantee one can sell in the future, VB has historically been more difficult to sell even at the lower prices. Then there's the double closing costs and sales commissions to sell and re-buy. Add to that the thought that VB and HH are unlikely to be extended even if WDW resorts are. If one can afford VB, they can afford SSR otherwise they likely shouldn't buy if they're that close. For those that are making a judgement not to spend over a certain amount, better to either wait or buy less points than buying VB or HH simply to get points. There are those that want those resort part of the time which makes buying for both more of a consideration.

 

[Millionaire2K]

There's no guarantee one can sell in the future, VB has historically been more difficult to sell even at the lower prices. Then there's the double closing costs and sales commissions to sell and re-buy. Add to that the thought that VB and HH are unlikely to be extended even if WDW resorts are. If one can afford VB, they can afford SSR otherwise they likely shouldn't buy if they're that close. For those that are making a judgement not to spend over a certain amount, better to either wait or buy less points than buying VB or HH simply to get points. There are those that want those resort part of the time which makes buying for both more of a consideration.

We'll clearly VB is hard to sell. However if he buys in at $50 a point I'm sure it won't be to hard to sell in 5-7 years for $40.

However I agree SSR is the way to go.

 

[thejamester]

My wife and I have been considering buying DVC for quite some time. We go to Disney annually and expect to continue that for as long as we can see into the future. We are thinking of buying a contract for around 150 points next year at Vero Beach as it seems that the cost of buying a contract at a non-resort is a much better deal than at a resort. That said we have no desire to ever stay at Vero Breach. We are perfectly happy to stay at places like OKW, AKL, and Saratoga, but want to know if we are going to have a realistic shot at places such as GFV, BLT or BCV in the next 5 years or so. We will be traveling in the fall (Sept-OCT) or Winter (Jan-April) at about once a year. Are we ok in doing this, or should we just buy into OKW or AKL just to make sure we always have a spot?

I would pick where you wanted to stay most. Then you can have the advantage of 11 month window. The resorts you like are hard to get studios in without that leverage. I own at AKL and take advantage of value rooms with that leverage. It has been difficult to get BLT with needing extra points. I don't see how it would be a poor investment since you visit so often. Best wishes!

 

[Sandisw]

Buying an off site resort for the purpose of staying at WDW is risky and as mentioned, not one that is advised if you have no intention of using it there.

First, when you buy, you are buying the right to stay at your home resort only. As long as the resort stays a member of the club, you will have the right to book other resorts in the club. However, Disney has the right to remove a resort from a club at any time. While unnlikely to happen, if they were going to do it, I think VB and HH would be the ones to take the hit and I think its important that any potential owner does realize this.

The other problem, IMO, about owning outside of WDW is that you will be forced to wait until the 7 month window to book. Things are becoming harder to book and the more owners that are added to the system, the difficulty will continue.

And, while getting something is usually not a problem, what you get and where could become an issue. You may up having to book a larger room than you want, or split stay because you can't get all the nights you want at one resort.

At least owning at WDW, you can book during home resort time, and then change out at 7 months...but, at least you will have your trip booked and a place to stay...at that point, any trading you can do will be a plus!

 

[missycj96]

The high dues at vero will quickly chip away your savings. A better plan is to buy ssr- you get lower dues, a reasonably long contract and an 11 month window to book at WDW. That said, if you really want to buy offsite to save money on point price, hilton head will give you dues a little lower. Plus, the resort is great and if you would like to vacation there the 11 month window for summer is needed.

 

[Dean]

We'll clearly VB is hard to sell. However if he buys in at $50 a point I'm sure it won't be to hard to sell in 5-7 years for $40.

However I agree SSR is the way to go.

It has been that low in the past and still was hard to sell so I don't share your enthusiasm for the price and reselling later, IMO VB is over priced at $40 now. In addition, one would still lose money on say 200 points for 5-7 years buying in at $50 and selling at $40 compared to SSR.

 

[HokieGCC]

VB has high MF's that will quickly eat up your per point purchase cost. VB has already suffered one hurricane and guess what happens when the next one hits.

You will have a perennial disadvantage against people that are making use of their 11 month booking window at the resorts at WDW. The low cost standard rooms may be gone at the 7 month period and you may need to book more room than you want costing points.

Most will tell you here (through lots of experience with DVC and Disney) that it is best overall if you buy where you want to stay. If you are a regular Disney vacationer the parks give way a bit to how much you want to do things at the resorts.

 

[Millionaire2K]

It has been that low in the past and still was hard to sell so I don't share your enthusiasm for the price and reselling later, IMO VB is over priced at $40 now. In addition, one would still lose money on say 200 points for 5-7 years buying in at $50 and selling at $40 compared to SSR.

I don't have "enthusiasm" over VB. I was just providing the facts of the current price comparison. It will cost them in the long run to buy VB. Buying SSR makes more sense.

If they want VB to save $$ now they CAN always sell it. And of course it would be at a lost. But they would have received years of stays.

I DO NOT RECOMEND BUYING VB TO SAVE EVEN TODAY.