Why not buy the cheapest home resort??

[MiaSRN62]

As the system remains now, someone could realistically buy at the cheapest priced dues DVC resort and always stay at another higher priced WDW DVC resort utilizing all the advantages that cause the higer dues and not paying the higher dues, while technically remaining within the rules. Yes it is within the rules but talk about walking a fine line!

We were only offered OKW when we bought (along with Vero and HH). So dues has nothing to do with anything as far as I'm personally concerned. We were told by our rep that we could trade into any DVC resort at the 7 month window so we don't feel we're walking any fine lines here ? We're within our right....are you suggesting that anyone who trades out to another DVC location is bending the rules or something ? If I am understanding you correctly (and not sure I am), then I'd have to say I resent the above statement you just made.....sorry. Maybe you are just referring to people who specifically bought at OKW just to stay at other DVC locations ? I'm not wanting to flame----just voicing my opinion as you voiced yours.

 

[NCRedding]

How is following the rules exactly as they are designed and administered "walking a thin line??" I fail to see your logic.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DeeP
I know I am going to get called out for these statements, but I get called out for a lot of statements I make on this board, so what the heck! LOL!!............................................................
Ok, flame away!

I'm calling you out Pardner, how about II accounts at Midnight. Seriously, to be upset with someone for buying a DVC and using it to stay at another DVC is unreasonable, IMO. While I know there are those that get upset about OKW or Whether it's the GV at OKW or the standard view/BW view at BWV, BCV owners PH, that's just the way it is. there are many minor inequities in the system. It's not like their getting in at 10¢ on the dollar anyway. Maybe we should disolve the club and then members could stay at their own resort or trade through II, that's the only solution to fix most of these issues. Or we could initiate exchange fees within DVC.

I do think you're being overly criticle in this area but regardless, any beef is with DVC and DVD and not the owner like Kansas. The problem is that fixes for these type of thing tend to hurt everyone, just some more than others. It's much like the kids for gifts. Say you spent $95 on one and $100 on the other. If they quibbled about the cost, I'd just take them back rather than trying to worry about the $5 difference and making it up.

 

[KANSAS]

DVCPAT
i am so entirely happy with DVC. I get use of BCV, with OKW points and save 50 cents per point in annual dues, zero dissapointments as of November 24,2003.
and yes, my dvc points, are holding their value, no great depreciation.
I visited with a man, who bought a great starwood property, Atlantis HArborside. he is probably going to be down 75% on his retail print

did you notice, like always. I am getting flamed, maybe I will have to just be a reader of dvc discussion board and not a poster.
I am getting flamed, for just playing by all the rules, that are clearly, acceptable according to DVC.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
I have a problem with members reserving prime holiday weeks.....and renting them out to the highest bidder on e-bay and the rent boards.

Hear, hear. It is unethical and a violation of the commercial use clause in the contract, even if the board doesn't go to the bother or expense of enforcing it right now.

Hay, add a pool slide and lifegaurds at OWK, kick up the dues to compensate, and equalize the due rates and this becomes a moot strategy. It's solvable.

I see DeeP's point. The real issue it seems to me is to make OKW a more desirable resort so that OKW owners are more likely to stay in thier own resort, through better amenities, pool slides and pool designs, and transportation options. Attracting back OKW owners and others to the resort by making OKW more desirable than is is today (even though the lower point schedule doesn't seem to be enough to do it) can make it so that demand is more equal and take some fo the pressure off of the other more preferred DVC resorts (statement based on reservation availability).

 

[KANSAS]

Dean

Thank you for your support, on my flame by deeP

she has a point, I am at this time of my life, getting access to bcv, all of the time, without paying BCV annual Dues, only the OKW Annual dues, so in theory. I am not paying the same amount of dues, that people that bought at BCV.

I do not feel bad, because this allows me to own more OKW points, than BCV points.

I do not feel bad, because no one can tell me that DVC, does not encourage, you to have access to other DVC resorts at the 7 month window.

Plus my strategy, may backfire, over the next 38 years. i am pretty sure, it will not, because when I use OKW points at bCv at 7 month window, it is not even close to being an issue, about availability.

how could it be, only so many BCV owners, so unless they all use their Bcv points at 11 month window.
Won't I be competing with all other non BCV owners for BCV access on the 7 month window, with day by day booking, on a equal basis. Maybe more competing, for the bCV 7 month window, but all on the same day, 7 months out.

 

[Desperado]

So how much money are we talking about anyway? What's the difference in dues per point between OKW and BCV? On a 200 point contract, how much are we talking about per year? $50? $150? $300?

 

[KANSAS]

desperado
on a 200 point contract, $3800 over the next 38years.
38 points x 50 cents a point=$19.00 per point

if you feel it is wrong to use your okw points, at other dvc resorts, at the 7 month window all the time.

How do you feel about people purchasing timeshares, with no intent, of ever staying at that resort, locking it off and trading thru II, each year?
They usually get strong trades adn stay at nicer resorts, than what they own,especially if they own a marriott or a Hyatt,etc,
all of their life.

 

[KANSAS]

DEan
it is funny, you brought up the point about exchange fees.
With MArriott, if you trade, marriott to marriott, thru II.
IT is very very easy, but you ahve to pay an annual membership fee to II and a trade fee.

I think desperado and DeeP, would feel better. If I had to pay a fee to use my OKW points at BCV

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by KANSAS
I think desperado and DeeP, would feel better. If I had to pay a fee to use my OKW points at BCV

Naw, not that big a deal to me, your an owner using his purchased points. My concern is with cherry picking prime holiday weeks for the lowest point value and then auctioning them off on an auction site, much more than using the 7 month window to stay at a different resort than a home resort. I'd rather not stay at OKW either, I can see why you'd prefer other DVC locations. Enjoy your stays.

 

[KANSAS]

desperado
I have never rented any points, especially cherry picking good weeks, with no intent to use and resale on ebay.
WHile I kinda of disagree with it and do not like it for sure.

What exactly are the people doing wrong? If it is wrong and please understand, i agree with you 100%? Why does DVC not stop it??

 

[DeeP]

My problem is: if someone purposely bought at the cheapest dues resort knowing they were going to be staying at and enjoying a higher priced dues DVC resort for the vast majority of their stays at WDW and they bought the cheaper DVC resort just for the fact of saving money to pay for one level of service and receiving another, is wrong. I am sorry, and I know I am probably being very naiive but when people say buy where you want to stay it should also include "buy where you are willing to pay in order to stay".
One very big point that is always made about the various DVC resorts especailly those at WDW, is the difference in dues! If someone buys a membership at a resort they do not intend on using but instead plans on staying at another DVC they should be paying the dues that pay to use that resort's amenities.
BWV has always been one of the harder resorts to book at and it is frustrating when one's home resort requires juggling of dates to get a full trip at while which is your home resort that you gladly pay the higher dues for and must juggle, but yet OKW is ALWAYS available. I know OKW is approx 2x the number of BWV rooms, but when you take into account all of BWV's units and now with all the BCV & VWL rooms combined they are way more rooms than at OKW and yet they are mostly fully booked year round and yet so many OKW rooms are available at all times! It is like.............Does ANYONE but the DIS board OKW fans stay EVER at this resort????
I have from day one of my DVC membership always gladly paid the highest DVC dues because I wanted to stay at my home resort. But when it is hard to get into your own home resort, or get the view at your home resort you want, or get a parking spot at your home resort, or find a chair at the pool of your home resort, etc. etc., --it does get very annoying and frustrating!

 

[KANSAS]

DeeP
Marriott requires you to pay a transfer fee,to use one of their sister resorts, thru II trade fee and II Membership Fee.

Why not write a letter to DVC and ask that this be implemented, so the additional revenues, could be used, to keep the annual dues down, at the resorts,tHAT OKW point holders are using their points at, instead of DVC.

 

[jaysue]

We had the choice between our home BCV and OKW on our recent trip, we picked OKW and here is why:

1) DW first trip to DVC - she wanted something more "tropical" and "resort" like as opposed to developed - OKW

2) Took our 5 month old - figured if he was having a bad night could wrap him in the stroller and take him outside for a walk

3) Wanted to show DW how big the rooms really are

4) Had the car and OKW is a great place to stay if you have car access - very central in my opinion and not just to WDW

We will likely use BCV more as the kids grow up but for now it is mor likely for us to use OKW

As for people buying less expensive resorts and booking into more expensive resorts, all the power to them - if the more expensive resort owners decline to exercise their 4 month advantage and lose out of home resort as a consequence then I do not see why it is an issue. Those are the rules of the playbook and they are well known.

So here is a case of a BCV owner staying at OKW - kind of the reverse of what is the conventional wisdom

thanks
jaysue

 

[DeeP]

What exactly are the people doing wrong? If it is wrong and please understand, i agree with you 100%? Why does DVC not stop it??

Kansas,
I have to say, you are honest and upfront about how you use your membership and do not BS around anything! I have to say...........I give it to you, I would never have thought of doing this as a way of saving money with my DVC membership over the years!
I do think-- and to be perfectly honest I also hope that if/when this type of DVC home resort usuage for dues savings becomes too prevelant in DVC that the non home booking window will be reduced quite a bit from the present 7 month window.

 

[KANSAS]

deeP

are you stating, that DVC might consider changing the non home resort window, from 7 months to say 3 months, one day?

If so, I am totally wrong in my thinking. can they do this??

 

[JimC]

We all new the rules when we joined. There is a home resort advantage for months 8 - 11. Once at 7 months we can reserve at non-home resorts. This is how DVC designed the system. We are just using it.

I don't see any differnece with what we are doing and those who only stay Sun to Thurs to save money and points. The system is designed to give us the flexibility to do what we want from one night to whatever we have points for. We can stay weekends only or not at all. Am I correct that many timeshares make you buy time in blocks of a week each. I think DVC approach is much better.

We are making a value decision by selecting what resorts to buy into based on cost and booking needs/wants. Certainly the club could be abandoned or the rules changed. If it does we all will adjust and go on. But I suspect DVC wants the selling advantage that they have created with the flexibilty of the system.

We enjoy staying at the different resorts. Have stayed at all but GF, Swan and Dolphin, VWL (have been to WL) and HH. We are going to be at AKL again for three nights before a week at OKW in February.

If someone just wants to stay at one resort or at all is fine with me.

We bought the majority of our points at OKW because of the value they represent and we are very partial to the theming and laid back atmosphere there. We also bought at BCV because we wanted an 11 month booking advantage for October to December. YC/BC is a great resort and we enjoy SAB. We believe that the BCV will be harder to book into at 7 months when we want to go there so we made the investment to get the home resort advantage.

I just remembered, we are using our BCV points for two OKW stays this year (February and April).

 

[jaysue]

DVC can change the priority booking system of the 11/7 to make the 7 mos longer or shorter

DeeP, I do not think the due shuffling is systemic in any fashion...I feel that if it were more on these boards would be jumping in

There is/always will be the people who buy at VB (for example) and can flip into WDW at the 7mo window because they travel at lighter times or are willing to switch rooms/resorts (flexibility)

We used BCV points at VB recently - a case of using more expensive points at a less expensive resort and probably will again in the future

DVC is flexible and has nice locations - the 7 month window I would say is a feature and an overall plus

thanks
jaysue

 

[jaysue]

There you go JimC you too are using BCV points for an OKW stay - I say it all probably works out in the grand scheme of things

DeeP, have you ever needed to book BWV <7 months and not been able to?

thanks
jaysue

 

[PamOKW]

This discussion is bordering on the ridiculous. OKW is a very popular resort. It is not some desolate second-class DVC. In fact, OKW is the original DVC and people who purchased there were told of the possibility of many more resorts to come and that those resorts would be allowed to exchange into OKW. I had some of the feelings Dee expresses in not wanting others to be using "my" resort, especially when it seemed as if all the other resorts would not be at WDW. It has turned out to not be a problem. People exchange in and out of DVC resorts all the time. That is the way that it is set up and to bear a grudge against people who use the program is silly. So what if you pay more dues? I own far more points than some other folks. Since I've made a bigger investment, been a member longer and pay more actual dollar dues I want first crack at the resorts and the "poor" folks can wait in line behind me. If I were to say that, it would be crazy. The program is what it is. There is a "home resort priority period" guaranteed at every resort. We were clearly told that when we purchased, even before there were any other DVC resorts, and everyone had the option not to purchase if that was not agreeable.

There is no guarantee of availability at OKW. I've had to wait list for rooms and/or not gotten exactly what I wanted. I was able to get rooms at BWV and BCV during Christmas Week. There are no absolutes about what is and isn't available. If someone knows that they will not be able to book more than 7 months in advance and/or are willing to take their chances on which resort they book, then they are free to purchase any resort they like. If you know you can plan in advance and have a favorite resort, then purchase there.

My guess is that people who are buying SSR are very excited by what they've seen. They are looking forward to staying at SSR, not looking for a "cheap" way to stay in the Epcot area.

The system is what it is. With a negative attitude I could be oppossed to anyone who uses non-OKW points to book a GV just because their home resort doesn't offer them. Or people who book OKW at Christmas to stretch their points. Or what about those folks who insist on coming to Vero and booking my Beach Cottage? I'm paying more dues for those points. That kind of thinking doesn't do anyone any good.