Why not buy the cheapest home resort??

[KANSAS]

i am the odd one in this thread. I regret owning OKW AND BCV points. I wish I only owned OKW points. I have no trouble getting what I want at BCV, at 7 month window.

I often get flamed by people that state I make too much of the 60 cents per poitn difference, between, BOARDWALK AND OLD KEY WEST.

i own at BCV not Boardwalk, but am trying to make an extreme example, with the highest annual dues of BOARDWALk and the lowest of OKW.

but 60 cents a point is $23. per point over the next 38 years.

I feel that when you are purchasing OKW at $65per point, or Boardwalk at $69 per point, you are really paying $65 per point for OKW and $92 per point for Boardwalk.

now if the next 38 years. I cannot use my oKW points at BCV, at the 7 month window, then the extra $22 per point over 38 years, may have been worth it.

I figure that I have 32% more OKW points, than a Boardwalk owner, over the next 38 years, because of the 60cents per point, advantage in OKW ANNUAL DUES, versus BOARDWALK ANNUAL DUES.

i.e The $23 per point in annual dues savings over 38 years, allowed me to own and pay annual dues, on 32% total more OKW POINTS, that If I had bought at BOARDWALK and Paid their higher annual dues, than OKW.

Remember, before you flame me. I fully admit. I have an opinion on annual dues, than the majority of members of this DVC BOARD, do not seem to agree with.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Tagrel
We loved the themeing and location of both BCV and VWL so we bought there. The fact that these are also the smallest, and eventually (most probably) the most difficult to get 7 month reservations as the total DVC membership grows, just removes concerns that we won't be able to stay at our 1st choice resorts.

If I'm spending > $15,000 - I want to be able to get reservations where I WANT to stay! And I don't want to fret over it from month 11 to month 7!

Makes sense. Sounds like a good plan.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by KANSAS
I often get flamed by people that state I make too much of the 60 cents per poitn difference, between, BOARDWALK AND OLD KEY WEST.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The "home" resort really doesn't make much of a difference as far as we're concerned. I feel all the DVC resorts have something uniquely wonderful to offer and I plan to switch around for as long as I can. So far, it's not been a problem.
Secondly, we bought through Disney's Magical Beginnings and we were only offered OKW, Vero (where we were staying at the time) and HH. We chose OKW because of the WDW location. We love the leisurely boat ride to and from DD where, with a teen we often end our nights. Even though we absolutely loved Vero, we already own another (offsite) timeshare with a FL right-on-the-beach location. We wanted an on-site resort and ANY of the DVC resorts fit the bill for us. We're just happy to be staying in WDW when we visit. As far as the resale standpoint goes, WHEN we can afford more points, yes.....we'd like to purchase a small add-on at VWL (if we have a choice). If the 11 month window comes more into play in the future, we'd like to be able to guarentee a stay here every now and again. Just love the themeing of that resort. But right now, OKW is someplace we really love and enjoy and not just because the dues are less or whatever. That never came into play when we made our decision.

 

[DebbieB]

When I was ready to buy DVC in late 1999, I had the choice of OKW resale or BWV direct. I liked both OKW & BWV, planned to go once a year at both, May at OKW and early Dec at BWV. The reason I bought BWV because I knew it would be difficult to get for early Dec at 7 months, especially standard view. Even though the dues are higher than OKW (although the difference is narrowing), I don't regret my decision.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I figure that I have 32% more OKW points, than a Boardwalk owner, over the next 38 years, because of the 60cents per point, advantage in OKW ANNUAL DUES, versus BOARDWALK ANNUAL DUES.

This is not a flame, just a difference of opinion. You are correct as long as you don't mind staying at OKW and can guarantee that OKW points will always be lower by that same amount for the next 38 years. I would rather have fewer points (according to your reasoning) and be able to stay next to EPCOT and MGM.

Gosh if I really wanted to save I could buy a cheap resale at the Vistana and drive an extra three minutes. But I choose the higher fees of BWV. Saving a few bucks does not lead to me or my family having a better vacation.

HBC

 

[DVCPAT]

Originally posted by KANSAS
i.e The $23 per point in annual dues savings over 38 years, allowed me to own and pay annual dues, on 32% total more OKW POINTS, that If I had bought at BOARDWALK and Paid their higher annual dues, than OKW.

No flames, it’s smart to consider your long term vacation budget. No doubt, BWV is more expensive but it really boils down to preference and your budget. I don’t buy into the theory, because it’s cheaper, its better. OKW is a great resort and has its advantages.

If the family has a great time and loves a particular resort, that’s where I’ll buy. For me, the kids grow up too quick to get into the price difference in home resort dues.

 

[jaysue]

I would have to sum up some of the comments posted and say they apply to us - happy to stay at any of the DVC resorts at WDW - they all have their special attributes.....we are sampling all 4 of them plus VB over a 4 month window - after the last sample in late Feb, I will post a report as to which one we prefer (and of course it will be an opinion not factual statement )

thanks
jaysue

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Happy Birthday Cat
This is not a flame, just a difference of opinion. You are correct as long as you don't mind staying at OKW and can guarantee that OKW points will always be lower by that same amount for the next 38 years. I would rather have fewer points (according to your reasoning) and be able to stay next to EPCOT and MGM.

Gosh if I really wanted to save I could buy a cheap resale at the Vistana and drive an extra three minutes. But I choose the higher fees of BWV. Saving a few bucks does not lead to me or my family having a better vacation.

HBC

Good points. We prefer our choice of DVC resorts and not getting stuck at OKW when we really don't want to stay there. The earlier you get in the more you save. You can buy at BWV and use standard views if lower point are the issue. There are sure cheaper options than DVC if $$ per vacation day are the concern.

 

[jaysue]

KANSAS, just out of curiousity, is your feeling so strong that you are considering selling your BCV points and buying an OKW resale?

thanks
jaysue

 

[RLevy29]

Interesting thread. We originally bought OKW because we had a good deal($58 a point and 150 points banked) We really were not concerned with dues. We knew that we would stay at OKW but we also liked the OPTION of staying at the other resorts, especially since we knew that they were building more. We have since bought points at BCV because we wanted that to be available at an 11 month window. We plan vacations way in advance, and we have so far been able to book non home resorts at the 7 month window. If we couldn't because of unavailability, I really would not complain. It is not like DVC misleads you on this point.

 

[KANSAS]

DVCPAT&HBCAT

I think that you are still missing my main point. If I am correct,which I am probably wrong. But, so far, I am correct.

I get exactly what a BCV owner gets,at the 7 month window, using OKW POINTS, for less cost, over next 38 years, because of difference in annual dues.

now this may not be correct, because dues at OKW, go up, at higher rate, than BCV.
or
7 month window option with OKW points, at BCV starts to fail?

here is the magic question. DVC owners have a history of being loyal to their home resorts?This would mean, I made the right deceision.

does the increasing number of DVC members, make my 7 month option, less available in next 38 years.

The normal comments, I get is not to worry about about 50 cents per point, per year in annual dues, difference between BCV AND OKW because it is your vacation time with your family and DVC is so nice, why worry about 50 cents per point in annual dues difference, between BCV AND OKW.

50 cents per point x 38 years is $19.00 per point

 

[KANSAS]

DVCPAT &HBCAT
When you read my thoughts, on this thread. Please remember. I never question the price, of DVC points and memberships.

I question tremendously, the annual dues.

I have come to the conclusion, that I am the only person on this DVC Board, that feels that way.

Other members of this dvc board, have presented tremendous arguments, why they disagree with me.

I have been told that DISNEY cannot profit on our annual dues, from others, more knowledgable.

I just cannot understand, why costs are so high for housekeeping, management fees,etc.

But DVC resorts, are really nice and maintained well.

I guess If DVC annual dues, were really that grossly out of line, would I be a DVC member, right now??

 

[KANSAS]

for those of you that purchase at boardwalk, to get at standard view points. I totally agree that home resort is very critical.
While I have been able to use OKW points at the 7 month window, for about everything. I have no choice, at STandard view BWV points, that really help you to need less dvc points overall, for your vacation needs.
I totally agree in this situation, extra 60 cents per point in annual dues, over 38years, at OKW versus BWV is worth it.!!

I stayed at BOardwalk, using OKW points in points. I had a preferred view room and was using preferred view points, instead of OKW points.
IT was a view of the pond and the parking lot, so how preferred of a view, was that??

 

[KANSAS]

Jaysue
I own 400 BCV points and 225 OKW Points. I wish I could snap my finger and trade the 400 BCV Points for 400 more OKW points.

It is too much trouble and costly to do this,thought.

 

[Desperado]

It seems like that even with the lower point structure at OKW, there is more availability there than at the other DVC resorts during the 7 month window, so unless you need a GV, the ownership there may not be important to take advantage of the lower points and getting the times you want.

Is the difference in point requirements between DVC resorts a reflection of the desirability of the resorts? Even with higher point requirements, other resorts seem less available (I know they are smaller).

 

[KANSAS]

desperado
you made an excellent point. It has the fewest point requirements,in compairson to other DVC resorts, but seems to always be available

I think, it is a huge resort, maybe I am wrong and the location, hurts it with DVC members.

I own at OKW and rarely, rarely stay there. I like the lower annual dues, than BCV and use my OKW ponts to stay at BCv, almost all the time.

 

[JimC]

Kansas, I understand your view about why OKW is the better value. That is why if we bought more it would be OKW. We own 300 OKW and 215 BCV because we bought what we needed for BCV (1 week in 1 bedroom) for the 11 month booking window during October's Choice or December's Adventure seasons. We picked retail BCV over resale BWV because we wanted SAB when we stay at that location and we really like the BC/YC resorts. Also the maintenance fees were lower at BCV.

If one does not need the 11 month booking advantage I see no reason to pay more for points and fees than the system requires. Whether we really need the 11 month window for those periods is an unknown. Our view is that it was likely to be increasingly important as the DVC family grows.

I believe that OKW has such a great point chart because it was the first resort and they were very competitive in getting the program underway. Then they realized that they could improve the program's economics with higher point charts and still make it a great deal for the members (just not quite so great as OKW).

 

[MiaSRN62]

I believe that OKW has such a great point chart because it was the first resort and they were very competitive in getting the program underway. Then they realized that they could improve the program's economics with higher point charts and still make it a great deal for the members (just not quite so great as OKW).

This is exactly as I see it Jim.....not that OKW is in any way an inferior resort as some others on this board might see it.

 

[Dean]

Kansas, I think a lot of people share your view that OKW is the best value for staying AND owning at WDW. It and BWV standard are the lowest points. It's also cheaper to buy and the yearly dues are less. I think we can expect them to continue to be less because of the differences in resorts like BWV, BCV, etc vs OKW. SSR should also have lower yearly fees down the line but likely in between OKW and the rest of the WDW DVC resorts.

Still, if you want to stay at one specific resort most times, the extra costs are worth it to get the 11 month window.

The flip side of this arguement is that some have been convinced to buy off site (VB and HH) with the idea of buying points cheaper and using those point sot ONLY stay at WDW. IMO, that's a big mistake if they don't want to use their home resort at least part of the time.

IMO, cheap (frugal like me) and flexible people should consider OKW for part or all of their points. Those that want a 3 BR some of the time as well. Those that want a specific resort most all the time should buy at that resort.