worth buying @ VB or not

[jaysue]

We own at VB and usually use the points at VB - as others have stated the intial savings will be eroded by the higher mtce fees

cheers
jaysue

 

[crisi]

Great post and I totally agree. The buy where you want to stay group seems to have ulterior motives. They don't want to recommend people buy one resort and stay elsewhere. They worry that these people will book up there resort at 7 months. Home resort is not an issue for me. I book where I want at 7 months without problems. As another poster pointed out it would be a legal battle if Disney tried to revoke booking other DVc resorts. What reason would they have to do this? It would seriosly hurt future sales and I for one would sell immediately. We do not travel peak periods and we do not want to plan ahead 11 months out. I guess I am "one of those people" who owns SSR and books up the other resorts at 7 months. I have booked a trip to BCV which is upposed to be so hard to get at 2 1/2 months out in May 2005. I also booked a Beach Cottage at VB at 7 months in October 2005. People said that couldn't be done. It can be done. This idea of the resorts booking uo is overblown. The resorts are hardly ever full especially SSR and OKW. When I book elsewhere it frees up my SSR space. Same goes for other people booking non home resorts. The program works folks and will continue to do so. Thanks for the post.


DAVE


DAVE

I don't think people are saying it can't be done, they are saying it can't be done consistantly. My ulterior motive is that I don't want people to be disappointed. Since I make my reservations eleven months out to the day, I really don't care if you are trying to get in at seven months or not. The contract is lengthy and who knows what tomorrow will bring, seems wisest to set yourself up for the best chance for you to get what you want (and that may be lowest dues, that may be cheapest buy in price, or that may be a BW Standard View room).

A few years ago there was a long and contentionous thread regarding owning at OKW because the dues were cheapest and staying at BCVs. The person who was very vocal about this being the right thing to do did this had good points - cheaper dues, lower cost of ownership, and they had never been frozen out of their beloved BCVs. They have posted recently several times about looking for a BCV resale. I neither want to pry nor expose that poster to a possible chorus of "I told you so" but something is driving their decision to look for a BCV resale and change their ownership model from "lowest TCO" to "buy where I want to stay" and if I had to guess, I'd say it was being frozen out of where they want to stay.

I've read a lot of posts from people who say "I really should have bought there because that's where I want to stay" (or alternatively "because I'd rather call that home.") And posts from people who are happy with what they have - whether they stay there or not. But I don't remember posts from people who own at their favorite resort, but regret owning there due to buy in cost or dues.

By the way, I don't own at my own favorite resort (VWL). We own at BWVs. I'm happy to stay at BWVs though - and in fact am somewhat unlikely to ever bother switching. For me, the convience of booking 11 months out outweighs switching to a resort I have a slight preference for.

 

[jaysue]

Great post and I totally agree. The buy where you want to stay group seems to have ulterior motives. They don't want to recommend people buy one resort and stay elsewhere. They worry that these people will book up there resort at 7 months. Home resort is not an issue for me. I book where I want at 7 months without problems. As another poster pointed out it would be a legal battle if Disney tried to revoke booking other DVc resorts. What reason would they have to do this? It would seriosly hurt future sales and I for one would sell immediately. We do not travel peak periods and we do not want to plan ahead 11 months out. I guess I am "one of those people" who owns SSR and books up the other resorts at 7 months. I have booked a trip to BCV which is upposed to be so hard to get at 2 1/2 months out in May 2005. I also booked a Beach Cottage at VB at 7 months in October 2005. People said that couldn't be done. It can be done. This idea of the resorts booking uo is overblown. The resorts are hardly ever full especially SSR and OKW. When I book elsewhere it frees up my SSR space. Same goes for other people booking non home resorts. The program works folks and will continue to do so. Thanks for the post.


DAVE


DAVE

Sure Dave, it is a massive conspiracy

 

[jaysue]

Here is an interesting experience that might add fuel to the fire

Today, called to try and make some changes to ressies for March 9-18 time period

2BR availability

Every day at OKW and SSR was open

No days at VWL (makes sense - smallest resort)

BCV - had only the weekend high point days open (lots of people playing the avoid the weekend point game)

BWV - had the 9th (Thursday) and then the 2 Fridays and 1 Saturday open (again the weekend point game going on)

So I would say the SSR and OKW owners are staying somewhere which looks like BWV and BCV

More reasons in my book to own where you want to stay - however also means to take advantage of that you need to book and plan more than 7 months out

cheers
jaysue

 

[Plutofan]

Also before buying at Vero you should determine if you will be going to Vero and if you need the 11 month window. I have not been to Vero but have heard it is a great resort. It was rated by Forbes magazine as one of the top ten family places in the US and it is also rated a triple diamond by AAA. We bought some points to get a beach cottage and we look foward going home in June 2007.

 

[BROWNSPHAN]

Thanks to all the responses.I guess another factor would be what is the best resort restaurants for counter service ( breakfast and lunch).We did the dining plan when we were down in Sept at the POR and the selections were great! Also well worth the money they charge for plan.Just would like to have some different choice other than a breakfast sandwich or pastry.THANKS again. Greg

 

[vascubaguy]

Thanks to all the responses.I guess another factor would be what is the best resort restaurants for counter service ( breakfast and lunch).We did the dining plan when we were down in Sept at the POR and the selections were great! Also well worth the money they charge for plan.Just would like to have some different choice other than a breakfast sandwich or pastry.THANKS again. Greg

Some might disagree, but I'm not sure I'd base my decision on available restaurants. This is mainly because those restaurants can change, new ones could be added, etc. More importantly, the dining plan might not always be around. That said, you might find that the DVCs that are not attached to a WDW resort will have "less" food options there at the resort. Since most villas have a kitchen (or at least a kitchenette), many bring food to prepare meals.

Of course all of the DVC's have restaurants of some sort. SSR is also close to DTD and there are plans for new/revamped restaurants. OKW is also pretty close to DTD. BWV and BCV have the Boardwalk Area (as well as being right there at Epcot/MGM and all that park dining). VWL is just a short boatride to MK and all the in-park dining there).

Again, JMO, but think about long-term and what you may or may not want or need in the future. Think about the location of the resorts, and the theming that you would prefer and the times you will be going (is that likely to change?). And, of course, look at the point cost for the accommodations, the number of points you would need, and then what you can afford (or willing to spend).

HTH
Chris

 

[Coach Rick]

I have to laugh at all those that insist you will not get your 1st choice in the 7 month window. I am sure at certain times, like Christmas it may be "difficult", but certainly not impossible. I made ressies at VWL checking in the day after Thanksgiving, and had NO problem at about 3 months before. We had a studio. I even called back about 45 days prior to add an extra night. Sure at first I had to take a 1 br, but I wait listed for a studio, and about 10 days later got the studio for the extra night. Where do I own, at VB, and SSR. So if that is a deciding factor, I have found it makes no difference. I have not, and am not sure I will ever stay at Vero, but then the more I go to the World, I can see that I might want to switch things up a bit. Good luck with your decision. Any way you go, DVC RULES!

 

[vascubaguy]

I have to laugh at all those that insist you will not get your 1st choice in the 7 month window. I am sure at certain times, like Christmas it may be "difficult", but certainly not impossible. I made ressies at VWL checking in the day after Thanksgiving, and had NO problem at about 3 months before. We had a studio. I even called back about 45 days prior to add an extra night. Sure at first I had to take a 1 br, but I wait listed for a studio, and about 10 days later got the studio for the extra night. Where do I own, at VB, and SSR. So if that is a deciding factor, I have found it makes no difference. I have not, and am not sure I will ever stay at Vero, but then the more I go to the World, I can see that I might want to switch things up a bit. Good luck with your decision. Any way you go, DVC RULES!

I agree... during non-peak times there would probably be little trouble. During those peak times it is possible to get what you want, but it is hard to base plans on uncertainty. There are many who will tell you that they didn't get their waitlist. Of course there is also the growing concern that as more DVCs are constructed, there could be more demand at other resorts. The more members, the more important that 11-month advantage could become.

 

[bobbiwoz]

One problem that I would have with booking a 1 bedroom and then getting the studio as Coach Rick talks about, is that often we're in the borrowing phase of using points, so getting a studio after booking a 1 bedroom still would leave us with borrowed points.

Bobbi

 

[Coach Rick]

One problem that I would have with booking a 1 bedroom and then getting the studio as Coach Rick talks about, is that often we're in the borrowing phase of using points, so getting a studio after booking a 1 bedroom still would leave us with borrowed points.

Bobbi

hehehe...get more points...Just kidding...I know what you are talking about. But that's what I did, bought more points. I know not everyone is in that position to just drop another $10K or so. Of course ask my DW and she will tell you neither are we.

 

[crisi]

I have to laugh at all those that insist you will not get your 1st choice in the 7 month window. I am sure at certain times, like Christmas it may be "difficult", but certainly not impossible. I made ressies at VWL checking in the day after Thanksgiving, and had NO problem at about 3 months before. We had a studio. I even called back about 45 days prior to add an extra night. Sure at first I had to take a 1 br, but I wait listed for a studio, and about 10 days later got the studio for the extra night. Where do I own, at VB, and SSR. So if that is a deciding factor, I have found it makes no difference. I have not, and am not sure I will ever stay at Vero, but then the more I go to the World, I can see that I might want to switch things up a bit. Good luck with your decision. Any way you go, DVC RULES!

Once again, I fail to see anyone insisting you won't get what you want. I see people saying you may not get what you want consistantly. If you would be brokenhearted not to get that VWL room, you should probably own VWL and plan ahead to make sure you get it. If your criteria is "it would sure be nice to stay at VWL sometime but I'll be happy anywhere," it probably doesn't make a lot of difference.

If someone has a real preference for a resort, I wouldn't want to be the one to give them advice that it will be "no problem" to book it at seven months. At least not without a sample size of a few hundred like stays under my belt and assurance that the future would be similar to the past. Catholic upbringing, I have far too much guilt already.

 

[Vince]

Home resort has never been a problem with me. I always find something at DisneyWorld with a little flexibility and within 3 months if its not a busy week. Perfect example is that I just booked a Wilderness Lodge Studio for early April and its under 3 months. I would buy the package that has the best deal.

My 2 cents!

-Vince

 

[robinb]

Home resort has never been a problem with me. I always find something at DisneyWorld with a little flexibility and within 3 months if its not a busy week. Perfect example is that I just booked a Wilderness Lodge Studio for early April and its under 3 months. I would buy the package that has the best deal.

I have also been very sucessful at getting whatever I want (or my second choice) on off times. However, if you go during busy times (or think you will in the future!), then I still think you should buy where you want to stay.

Case in point: We bought 230 points at OKW via the resale market (while BWV was selling through Disney) before we had our daughter. We could go anytime and we especially liked May and October. Low crowds and warm weather ... it was heaven. Then, we got hit with a double-whamy. First of all, my DD was born. Secondly, we went to WDW for NYE for the first time and loved it! My DD didn't effect us the first couple of years, but once she was in preschool things got more complicated. I didn't want to pay for pre-school ($100 per week, I think) just to take my DD out for 2 weeks of Disney, so we began to go during school breaks. Even if you have younger kids, school becomes harder to skip in middle and high school. As for NYE, we would get on what was the "special preferences waitlist" for BWV and we were able to get a unit at BWV each year. Then ... DVC got rid of the special waitlist. We bought 200 BWV points before the next 11 month NYE window so we could walk to Epcot.

My point is ... your vacation needs change as your family changes. I would have laughed at you if you said I would spend all those points between Christmas and New Years when I bought my OKW points. Now, I am very happy with my OKW points (used for fab Grand Villas) and my BWV points (used for access to Epcot and the Scary Clown Pool).

 

[gscott8075]

We own at HH and OKW and have never had a problem getting a VB inn room - we have been to VB 4 times - twice over Christmas week including this year.

My conclusion is that if you are comfortable in one or two hotel type accomodations at VB, then you should buy elsewhere. VB has very high dues which over time will eat up any savings.

If you want a 2BR or a beach house, you will probably need the 11 month and should buy VB Vero Beach was supposed to be significantly larger than it turned out to be. The Inn has over 100 rooms versus a very small number of 2 br and beach houses. When initial sales were low, Disney sold off the property. So, there are an excess number of Inn rooms. We love them - ocean front - balcony. VB is a nice contrast to HH which is our favorite vacation destination.

 

[debaudrn]

We've been lucky too I guess. We own at OKW and BWV. Never stayed at OKW yet and owned since 1996. We've always been able to get into BWV in the spring and BWV and Vero in the summer. I just booked both for next August this week. I got a standard view 2 Br and a standard view studio at BWV and a Beach Cottage for 3 nights at Vero! I must have had some Pixie Dust around me when I called!!