which home resort?

[disney babies]

is there any difference if i buy vero beach for my home resort? i understand points, 11/7 months reservation concept. other than maintenance fees, what would be the benefit of say buying vero beach over the boardwalk?

 

[Disneycouple99]

They can take away the ability to book at any resort but your home resort. Also if there is a hurricane that destroys VB, they do not have to rebuild and just gives you a check for your share of the insurance or they can repair and stick you with the bill.

 

[eljefe45]

you gotta buy where you like it. Each place has its own benefits. SSR is on a golf course. BCV has a great pool. AKV has lions chasing down water buffalo. All right maybe that is a stretch. But you get my point. Go down and check out the locations and see what you like.

 

[ToddyLu]

If you want to stay at a WDW DVC resort each trip, buying at VB isn't worth it to me. Many people have purchased becasue of the low point cost, only to make up for it with higher MFs, then not be able to find what they really wanted at WDW at 7 months. However many, many people find VB and HHI wonderful and they do look terrific when I see pics and read threads about them, so I am definitely all for getting points there if that is where you are going to stay.

Also resale rules are going change 3/20/11. So if you purchase resale after this date you cannot book anything with those points other than DVC resorts and RCI (no cruises)...so flexibility with points are changing.

 

[Deb & Bill]

An advantage to owning at VB is the ability to get a Beach Cottage at 11 months out. That is the VB version of a Grand Villa.

But don't buy VB because the contract is cheap. Dues are higher and they go up faster.

Buy where you want to stay the most, where you wouldn't mind staying if you couldn't book anywhere else (if DVC took away the ability to book other DVC resorts).

 

[chalee94]

other than maintenance fees, what would be the benefit of say buying vero beach over the boardwalk?

as stated, maintenance fees at VB are a negative, not a benefit.

the benefit at owning VB is lower upfront costs and the ability to book VB at 11 months out (useful during the more crowded summer season).

the other downsides are:

1) you might get locked out of wdw...it's unusual but it has happened.
2) storm damage might result in even higher dues, through a special assessment - it also might prohibit you from booking other DVC resorts if VB is damaged.
3) if disney starts to think about bailing on the timeshare business - VB will probably be the first resort spun off.

there's a reason VB is so much cheaper - but for some people, the risk works out...

 

[twinboysmom]

You have gotten good advice. Buy where you want to stay. I haven't had good luck changing resorts at the 7 month window. I am happy at SSR but like to try new properties. It depends on when you travel, size accommodations, etc. If you are trying to get the most point for your buck, consider SSR or OKW resale. If the boardwalk area is where you really want to be, BWV or BCV.

 

[Sandisw]

Buy VB if you want to go to VB, at least on occasion. Buy at WDW if you want to go to WDW.

If you are concerned about price, there are some less expensive options for WDW than BWV that would still at least allow you to book at 11 months.

But, IMO, if you really want to be at BWV (or anywhere else for that matter), buy there.

We own BLT because we want to be there. We have and will trade out many trips but if what we want is not available, we are okay with being at BLT the whole trip.

Good luck!