Why are AKL resale points cheaper than some other resorts?

[GoofyDad1970]

Hello! This is my first post! :-)

My wife and I were about to purchase, last month, 160 AKL points directly from Disney, and finance them to boot. I am so glad that I decided to buy resale instead, so we are now purchasing 250 AKL points, and financing them with a home equity loan at 3% for 24 months. Now we just need to clear ROFR.

Here is my question-- I noticed that older areas, like BCV points, sell for much more than AKL and BWV is in the same ball park. Seems to me that AKL would be worth more, since it is a newer facility and the points don't expire as soon. Is something wrong with AKL? Is it less desirable and that is why it's priced in the high $50s and low $60s per point on the secondary market? I know it's a bit farther away than the other resorts- just wonder what I am missing here. BTW, I understand that points are good anywhere.

One other question-- is it really difficult to get reservations in California and Hawaii if your home resort is in Florida? My wife is a teacher, so we would typically be vacationing in the summer (very flexible in terms of the specific dates), or maybe at Christmas/Easter break. I understand the 11 month/7month thing, but at 7 months what are your chances? Thanks.

[myxdvz]

I'm sure some of the experts will weigh in ... but my understanding is that it is simply supply and demand.

AKL is big and has lots of points available out there. It is very easy to secure a room at AKV/AKL after the 7th month mark unless you're looking for Concierge or Value.

BCV/BWV on the other hand have prime locations being very close to Epcot and DHS. They're smaller so during F&W and F&G, it is very difficult to secure rooms unless you own and can get ressies at 11months. So, they're more expensive because there are less points and more people wanting to buy there. And then there's SAB for BCV and the Boardwalk view for BWV.

But maybe my understanding is wrong

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by GoofyDad1970

Hello! This is my first post! :-)

My wife and I were about to purchase, last month, 160 AKL points directly from Disney, and finance them to boot. I am so glad that I decided to buy resale instead, so we are now purchasing 250 AKL points, and financing them with a home equity loan at 3% for 24 months. Now we just need to clear ROFR.

Here is my question-- I noticed that older areas, like BCV points, sell for much more than AKL and BWV is in the same ball park. Seems to me that AKL would be worth more, since it is a newer facility and the points don't expire as soon. Is something wrong with AKL? Is it less desirable and that is why it's priced in the high $50s and low $60s per point on the secondary market? I know it's a bit farther away than the other resorts- just wonder what I am missing here. BTW, I understand that points are good anywhere.

One other question-- is it really difficult to get reservations in California and Hawaii if your home resort is in Florida? My wife is a teacher, so we would typically be vacationing in the summer (very flexible in terms of the specific dates), or maybe at Christmas/Easter break. I understand the 11 month/7month thing, but at 7 months what are your chances? Thanks.

I can't comment on the AKL issue but for VGC it seems fairly easy to get a summer reservation at 7 mos right at the 7 month mark. Christmas time is much harder.

I own at Aulani and don't know what it's like to try to book there at 7 mos. I'm sure someone will know.

[marlouwrig]

I also cannot comment on the resale price difference between points at different resorts in WDW.

Regarding VGC I tried to book a studio or 1 bed for October this year right at the 7 month window using my BCV points and there was nothing to be had except a 2 bedroom, which was way more points than I wanted to use but we went ahead anyway. I loved the resort so much that we have now bought points there also we will be able to book at the 11 month window for our next stay.

[bookwormde]

It is all about supply and demand, BCV had the best pool by most accounts and in walking distance to 2 parks.

AKV points were sold relatively recently so that causes more second thoughts sales. AKV is perceved as being a long way from most parks, it has some of the higher maintinance fees. Of course it has the amimals and the only CL and Value rooms.

I think BWV was attractive to older guests so some of them are aging out so that puts more supply on the market.

[DannysMom]

If you check the ROFR thread, it looks like BCV & AKV are getting through ROFR at similar selling prices, with BWV getting through at slightly less.

I agree with the longer right to use AKV should be worth more, but the ability to walk to parks at the Epcot resorts, as well as the fact that there are generally less BCV & BWV points available on the resale market, combine to even out the market prices a lot.

But, no, there is nothing "wrong" with AKV, it is just bigger & thus easier to book at 7 months than the Epcot area resorts.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

[SpaceMountain77]

Regarding your question about the Villas at the Grand Californian, unless you own at this resort, it will be difficult to book. It is the smallest DVC resort, with approximately 42 villas, and extremely popular because of Disney California Adventure's reopening. Regarding the latter point, Grand Californian guests can enter and exit Disney California Adventure through a private resort gate located in the Grizzly River/Golden State area.

Recently, I used the DVC member website to check availability at the Villas at the Grand Californian, every week for the entire 7-month booking window. For a studio, there were about 12 possible reservation dates, most of which were a 1-night stay while two or three were for 2-nights during the week. Needless to say, it is difficult to book.

I am certain other discussion board members will weight in, but when it comes to the Villas at the Grand Californian, do not select another home resort with the expectation that you will be able to use your points for a yearly Disneyland vacation.

I sincerely hope this post is helpful to you.

[chalee94]

the safest rule is to buy where you want to stay and book at 10-11 months out. other options are possible but you do risk disappointment.

from the stickied "DVC resource center" thread for reference:

Number of villas at each DVC Resort
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BWV - 97 Dedicated Studios - 130 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 0 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 149 Lockoffs - 7 Grand Villas = 383 Villas / 532 Max. Available

VWL - 20 Dedicated Studios - 27 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 44 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 45 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 136 Villas / 181 Max. Available

BCV - 36 Dedicated Studios - 20 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 78 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 74 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 208 VIllas / 282 Max. Available

SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Villas / 1320 Max. Available

AKV - 46 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 140 Dedicated 2BR villas - 250 Lockoffs - 22 GVs. 134 villas within Jambo House at AKL (46 Dedicated Studios, 82 Lockoff 2BRs, 6 GVs) and 324 villas in Kidani Village (140 Dedicated 2BRs, 168 Lockoff 2BRs, 16 GVs) for a total of 458 Villas / 708 Max. Available

BLT - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 148 Dedicated 2BR villas - 133 Lockoffs - 14 Grand Villas = 295 Villas / 428 Max. Available

VGC (California) - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1BR villas - 23 Dedicated 2BR villas - 23 Lockoffs - 2 Grand Villas = 48 Villas / 71 Max. Available

[sechelt]

If you're able to be online and ready right at 8 a.m. eastern time, you have a chance of booking VGC at the 7 month mark. Any later and you could miss out. I own at VGC and have experienced this myself. I got sloppy and, a few days after the 7 month window, I decided to add some days to my reservation. The studios were all gone. This was for the end of April, early May.

Something else to consider is that VGC is a high point villa so 160 points will only get you a studio for 5 nights in the summer months. If you're willing to bank and/or borrow, you could go for a one bedroom, which are usually easier to reserve than a studio.

[KAT4DISNEY]

Nope, there's nothing wrong with AKV. Many people don't like the distance from parks but others find that a nice respite from the hustle and bustle - really it's just preference. I think there are a lot of factors that play into the price of resale for the various resorts. One of the biggest IMO is the size of the resort. Larger resorts have more points and owners which from a percentage standpoint will mean more potential resales. And with more on the market the price can get driven down. Supply and demand. And there are other factors but length of contract doesn't matter to everyone and with 30 years left on the old resorts it doesn't seem to have become more than a minor factor in pricing yet.

[disbound09]

Just wanted to say that we have stayed in AKL in a three bedroom and it was great! It is a nice resort just a haul. My sister in law has points there and has stayed at every resort with their 7 month window. They are flexible and there is only two of them.