Urgent Advice Needed for a New Member!

[Bruce]

Hi,

I purchased 220 points at SSR whilst on vacation last week direct from Disney. This was @ $88 a point starting Dec 06. I still have 3 days in which to cancel.

On returning to the UK I found this site, and have done a bit of research, and now have the following dilema:

We will only be travelling to Disney once every 3 years (for the next 5-6 years anyway; due to our son's schooling) and this will have to be at either Easter or Xmas. The number of points 220, will surfice our need for this period.

But...... We really want to stay at either BW or BC.

My two main quetions are:
1) What are the chances of getting a 1B at either of these locations at the 7 month window?
2) Should I think about cancelling my original purchase and buying BW / BC at resale?

If I choose option 2, can anyone tell me of any potential pitfalls (I am aware that they only have 30+ years left, as opposed to the 47 at SSR) Also, are there any extra costs in purchasing resale?

Many thanks for any replies in advance, and I hope you can see why I need to act FAST!

Bruce

[ripleysmom]

Your chances of getting a 1B at the 7 mo window during peak time may not be very good. If only BC or BW will do then yes you should cancel.

You will probably have to pay closing costs if you buy resale. Also financing for a DVC purchase can be spotty.

One other advantage to buying through Disney is being able to make a reservation immediately as opposed to waiting until closing.

[tjkraz]

That's a near impossible question to answer.

The safe reply is to say that you should buy at BWV or BCV if that's where you want to stay. Beyond that, I doubt you'll find anyone bold enough to predict that you will never have problems booking at 7 mos. 40 years is a long time for that sort of prognostication.

If those are the only two resorts that appeal to you, then I think you should definitely buy resale. There's little sense in battling at 7 mos every single time you want to vacation. You'll be losing those 12 extra years of vacations on the back end, but that seems unavoidable.

If you truly are limiting your options to those two resorts, I think you should also consider whether DVC is really right for you. There are only about 300 One Bedroom villas total between those two resorts. Even as an owner there, you're battling your fellow owners for that small number of rooms year-round. To virtually guarantee you will get what you want, you need to be prepared to book your room 8+ months out EVERY SINGLE TIME--even sooner during popular times of the year.

IMO, satisfaction with DVC will be highest among those who willingly accept the fact that their vacation time is likely to be spread among ALL of the resorts in the long run.

[jnrrt]

Bruce, I would go resale. Unfortunately, BC and BW have the highest resale values of all the resorts, so the difference in price may not be as great as it would it you wanted a resale at Vero for example, but resales are generally cheaper than direct from Disney, so even though you have closing costs, on that number of points, you'll come out ahead anyway.

The major problems with resale were mentioned: 12 less years at those resorts, it takes time and the possibility of ROFR so you can't book immediately, no financing through Disney. If these are not a big issue for you, I would look at the resale sites.

We bought at BWV because we wanted the peace of mind, and have not regretted it. Even though it was a more difficult process, we saved enough money that we were fine with it. As Tim said, all this is only important if you will book more than 7 months out, and at peak periods, if you will book at 11 months. If you won't, all points are equal, and you should stick with SSR.

[Blue&Gold]

I'm a "buy where you want to stay" believer, but also agree with Tim that the Club makes most sense to those with high degrees of flexibility.

One thing to think about is that SSR has lower point costs than the BWV or BCV, so 220 (x3=660) might cover SSR, but you might need 230, 40 or 250 at BWV or BCV. Be sure to look at their specific point charts.

[Pumpkinboy]

We have never even tried Christmas or Easter, but given how tight things are at BWV and BCV for times like October (Food & Wine Fest), I'd say the "Buy Where You Want to Stay" mantra is probably the best advice.

We own points at both BWV and SSR. Though our main contract is at BWV, which is where we usually reserve, the SSR points have come in very handy for last-minute (for DVCers, last-minute is anything under 7 months ;)) changes or additions. In addition, it seems that SSR is a very nice resort after all. Plus the maintenence fees are much cheaper than on our BWV points.

Good luck with everything. Just watch, now that you're DVC members, you will increase your stay frequency to every other year soon, then maybe every year; then you'll need even more points, won't you ;)

[Michael P.]

Bruce

We've just gone through almost exactly the same experience as you!

On holiday from London over Easter, we stayed at the Beach Club Villas and the whole family loved it. We decided that we wanted to learn more about the DVC and we went along to the DVC presentation and talked to a Disney Rep.

At the presentation we were disappointed to hear that Disney were no longer offering points at the Beach Club, but we were very impressed with Saratoga Springs and had virtually decided to buy there. We knew that in order to get the benefit of certain incentives we had to buy from Disney within 3 days of our return to the UK.

Then through the Internet on our return I found Mouseowners.com and also found that we could buy DVC by re-sale. :bouncingp We finally decided to buy re-sale because my wife in particular liked the Beach Club so much that she wanted to stay there if possible. We reasoned that because we are restricted to school holidays, and because our visits will be transatlantic trips, we will usually know over 7 months in advance when we want to book, and so we can take advantage of the early booking window. To us this was worth sacrificing the extra 10 or so years at Saratoga Springs.

Although the BCV and BW are amongst the most popular of the resales, we found that the prices per point were roughly comparable to what Disney are offering for Saratoga Springs with incentives - and even slightly cheaper in some cases.

But as other people have said, this is a very personal decision, and it's impossible for somebody else to say what's right for you. All the very best wishes, whichever way you decide to go.

Michael
:sailing:

[pooh173]

I have only just found this forum and have not yet purchased DVC so I have the same concerns as OP.The consideration I have found useful so far is that if you are flying from UK, as we will be ,you will probably book your flights well in advance maybe 11 months ,to get a good price and availability during school hols.This means you may want to book you accomodation at the same time or else take a chance that dates/resort will be available at 7 months.This is a different scenario to most DVC members who can book later /last minute flights,or drive to WDW.I am now considering which home resort to buy,rather than price which was my first consideration before I found all the discussion boards to helpl!

[mushu]

I also think if BCV and BWV are where you want to stay at those times you should buy resale there. Disney will sell you resale to those resorts, might put you on waitlist but you will get them. Good luck on your decision.

[DVCByResale]

Hi Bruce!

I must agree with the majority in this case - it really is a personal decision. I usually advise my clients to consider their personal travel habits. If you travel during peak season, it is in your best interest to buy where you want to stay. (people often pay top dollar for Beach Club for this very reason)
If, however, you are like me and don't travel during peak seasons (or don't pick up the phone greater than 7 months in advance) - buy where you get the most value.

Good luck with your decision!

Kind regards,
Shontell

[CatStarr]

Hi I am new to this board. I think when you consider buying you should also take into account the length of time that you are getting this for. Your children will only be in school for a few years. Then your time restaint is up and you will be free to book at other times of the year.


Cat

:bouncingp

[carolina_yankee]

Cat, I just wanted to interrupt this thread to say :welcome: !!

Dirk

[CatStarr]

Thanks so much for the welcome! I see you have a website called CarolinaYankee. Are you from Carolina or do you live there now? Which state..North or South? I live in the upstate of South Carolina.

Cat:bouncingp

[maridrew]

Please tell me how you got it for $88 a point. THe lowest promotion I can find now is $98 until July 1 and they will take $8 off a point from that. SO, the lowest I have found net is $90. PLease tell me what promotion is $88. I want to do another add on and really would love to find a better price such as your $88.

maridrew

[DVCByResale]

Maridrew,

I'm going to try to avoid the obvious plug for myself in answering your question....but have you considered resale for your add-on? Sometimes you can save quite a bit of money.
I know of one broker (not mentioning any names) who has a newsletter and sends updates out to people who are looking for smaller packages. ;)

Best regards,
Shontell