Which would you choose?

[Bichon Barb]

SSR or OKW?

Let's assume:

200 points at SSR through WDW @ $18,000 or
200 points at OKW through resale @ $15,000


About Us:

Family of four. DH, myself and DS's 10 and 12. We'd probably stay 5 days in a 1 bdrm during Feb break or April break. Or maybe stay in a studio over Columbus weekend (F&WF ). There would probably be occasions where my husband and I would stay in a studio while we were in Orlando or near Vero Beach on business.

We both like DD. We definitely are foodies. DH loves the look of SSR. Although I think SSR is pretty, we do live 3 hrs from the real SS. LOL. I like the look of OKW, and I also like the low points value there.

I don't think we'd buy AP's every year, and I could actually see us someday staying at someplace like OKW and only visiting the parks a couple of days. We are definitely out of the "commando-style-Disney-visits" at this point in our lives.

The extra 12 years at SSR is really appealing to both of us because it would definitely do better on resale than OKW--should we tire of doing WDW vacations ( ) or if for some reason we would need to sell for financial reasons.

I really think we'd book OKW more than SSR, because of the low points and because of the size of the units.

We already have a trip booked (FWH) and paid for for October, so we probably won't go down there again until 4/07. So there is no rush for a quick closing. We also wouldn't need financing if we do decide to buy in.

I'd love to hear any thoughts and opinions that you may have. TIA

 

[sajetto]

By reading in between the lines it appears to me that you have already chosen OKW in your mind. If that's where you want to stay then just buy there. We bought at SSR Tues b/c we are young and want the 12 extra years. Plus, we are southerners and don't get the SSR feel where we live so we like it. If you are pretty sure that you aren't going to resell then buy OKW however, if you are only going to own for the next few years SSR

 

[bdb7607]

Looks like you're leaning OKW, but you asked what would I do - buy SSR, if I was in your shoes. Would think you'd be able to book at OKW anytime, plus you get the 12 extra years

 

[NJBlackBerry]

We just added on at SSR (we already own at BCV) and chose SSR because of the additional 12 years...

 

[Bichon Barb]

There is that pesky fact that my husband really likes SSR, so I guess I should really be taking that into consideration. No really, I like it too, and speaking from a financial risk aspect, I think those 12 years outweigh the $3,000 difference.

Does anyone know if it is tough to get a 1 bdrm at OKW during those Northeast Feb and April vacation breaks?

 

[100 Acre Dude]

From my perspective, SSR has two big ones going for it. Resale value and the newness of the place. Oh yeah, its also walking distance to a great place to nab a Martini.

 

[browniemtb]

I'd go SSR...think of it this way. Yeah there is a $3000 dollar difference but if you divide the total by the years left: Not included dues or anything else....so don't kill me here people....

OKW - $15000/36 = $417 per year of ownership
SSR - $18000/48 = $375 per year of owenership

SSR is less expensive in the long with basic math.........

Brownie

 

[Bichon Barb]

From my perspective, SSR has two big ones going for it. Resale value and the newness of the place. Oh yeah, its also walking distance to a great place to nab a Martini.

But do you really want to make a $19,000 decision over martini quality? I bet you haven't even considered the Margaritas at OKW? AND I hear they play Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet.

 

[Cinderella]

Tough decision. I added on at SSR - because they had the offer on at the time, I really liked it, closeness to downtown disney and the spa. But it sounds like you really like OKW. Also the extra years came into it. I may not be alive then, but I figured that if I wanted to sell some way down the line, I would have a better chance of selling a property that had more years left.

I think you really need to take a look round both properties, and write a list of what is most important to you.

 

[Lisa F]

OKW is the largest resort and tends to have members who have been in the program for the longest (and hence are off doing other things) and it generally seems to be the last to book up. I don't think you'd have a problem getting a 1br at OKW any time of year when the resorts aren't already sold out completely at the 7 month window, but you could always book SSR at 11 months and go on the waitlist for OKW at the 7 month.

 

[rogerram]

But do you really want to make a $19,000 decision over martini quality? I bet you haven't even considered the Margaritas at OKW? AND I hear they play Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet.

I'd go with the Buffett and Marley and the margaritas, if that was a deciding factor, but you can always get an ipod and listed to those at SSR, if needed. The 12 extra years would be a big factor for me.

 

[rinkwide]

Ask a good accountant what the value of those extra points is when they're post-dated over 35 years from now.

Supply and demand will ultimately determine SSR's resale price and you can be sure (due to resort size alone) that there will be a near glut of such resales on the market in the not-too-distant future. My guess is that it's going to take quite a long time before the incentive of extra years balances the over-supply of Saratoga resales and finally buoys the prices well above other DVC properties.

As always, buy where you want to stay (or, at the very least, don't buy where you don't want to stay).

 

[bobbiwoz]

There's also SSR resale, right now, there's 210 points for $17??? at TSS.

If my choice was between OKW and SSR, I would probably pick SSR because it's newer. Except for the price of GV's in points, I think SSR would be the better value. And I think you could get into OKW in most cases at 7 months.

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

Sorry, I meant to press "edit" the previous post. However, since I'm here, OP, can you give me the origin of that Galileo quote, it's speaking to me!

Bobbi

 

[cobbler]

OKW is the largest resort . .

Actually SSR is the largest resort.

OP-
Well its tough, we bought SSR because it was newer and the 12 extra years. But then again I am not a big fan of the OKW decor so I am not much of a help

 

[ddave]

Go with SSR, 12 more years for minimal cost. Point value should stay higher longer. You will have very little trouble getting into OKW. Even if you do have trouble once in a while, SSR is a great resort!

We HAD to stay at SSR last year because OKW didn't have the room size we wanted. I dreaded going after reading all the bad comments here. We also wanted to get away from "new england" and into the florida palm trees on vacation . Well, we loved SSR.

If we were going to buy more points, it would be SSR.

 

[senecabeach]

Those 12 extra years will come in handy for you, your kids and perspective grandkids. Ah...the spa @ SSR
Also...there's the 2005 pts. you will get thru Disney's incentive...what a blowout vacation you can have!! Hey..in a 2 bdrm!

 

[Bichon Barb]

That's true SenecaBeach. And since we probably wouldn't go until spring of 2007, if we wanted, we could rent those 2005 points and get $2000+ for them. That would pay for the 2006 dues and the airfare for the 2007, if ya want to look at it that way.

Oh, the Galileo quote--I can't remember. Believe me, I'm no philosophisizer. I think someone used it on a heated DISboard religion debate, and I stole it from there.

 

[byoung]

You get the extra years at SSR.

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

What the heck...here's my to cents.

The most appealing thing to me about OKW is that after a hard day on the links, running the parks and playing at DTD I like to go back to a resort that offers peace, quiet and a romantic atmosphere. A nice relaxing boat ride back home sets me up for a wonderful nights sleep.

It's also the resort that feel the most like "home" to me and not a hotel.