DVC resellers - does it matter which resort

[audrey2580]

I'm new to DVC and looking into buying points from a reseller. Does it matter which resort is my home resort? Can't I use them anywhere? I see Vero beach for so much cheaper than AKL. Why would I not buy Vero and use at AKL? - so what am I missing? Thanks

[lorenni]

I am only just now trying to buy into DVC, but this is what I have learned:

1. You can book at your "home" resort 11 months out. You can't book at other resorts until 7 months out. So if there is a place you really want to stay, you should consider making that your home resort.

2. The annual maintenance fees at some are higher than others - Vero is really high. High enough that it will quickly offset the lower initial purchase price.

[audrey2580]

Originally Posted by lorenni

I am only just now trying to buy into DVC, but this is what I have learned:

1. You can book at your "home" resort 11 months out. You can't book at other resorts until 7 months out. So if there is a place you really want to stay, you should consider making that your home resort.

2. The annual maintenance fees at some are higher than others - Vero is really high. High enough that it will quickly offset the lower initial purchase price.

Thanks Lorenni - so much to think about! I didn't even consider the fees.

[disneynutz]

Would you stay at just any resort or do you want be able to stay at the resort that you really love?

Buying at your favorite home resort guarantees that you will get what you want when you want. Buy somewhere else and you will have mixed results based on many factors.

Bill

[Deb & Bill]

If you want to stay at VB or HHI, buy points at those resorts. If you want to stay at WDW, buy points at a WDW resort.

Because if you want to stay at WDW during a DVC busier time, you won't be able to book your stay until seven months out. And you may be too late for many of the resorts. Especially if you want a full week or longer.

[davedmaine]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

If you want to stay at VB or HHI, buy points at those resorts. If you want to stay at WDW, buy points at a WDW resort.

Because if you want to stay at WDW during a DVC busier time, you won't be able to book your stay until seven months out. And you may be too late for many of the resorts. Especially if you want a full week or longer.

Exactly. We own at BWV and I forgot to book our oct trip when the 11th month window became available. We're still outside the 7 month, but the resort is booked.. Ugh

[ssawka]

Originally Posted by lorenni

I am only just now trying to buy into DVC, but this is what I have learned:

1. You can book at your "home" resort 11 months out. You can't book at other resorts until 7 months out. So if there is a place you really want to stay, you should consider making that your home resort.

2. The annual maintenance fees at some are higher than others - Vero is really high. High enough that it will quickly offset the lower initial purchase price.

Just to add on to lorenni's points, some resorts also have later expiration dates then others. The older resorts (VB, HHI, BWV, VWL, BCV) expire in 2042. OKW expires in either 2042 or 2057 depending on whether an extension was purchased or not. SSR expires in 2054, AKV in 2057, and BLT in 2060. I'm not sure about VGC or Aulani.

Depending on your age and whether you plan to leave your membership to someone, this may or may not matter to you.

[CarolMN]

In addition to what ther others have posted -

If you can't or won't book more than 7 months in advance, it doesn't matter which resort you own.

If you can book more than 7 months in advance and your desire is to stay at WDW, at least choose a WDW resort.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by CarolMN

In addition to what ther others have posted -

If you can't or won't book more than 7 months in advance, it doesn't matter which resort you own.

If you can book more than 7 months in advance and your desire is to stay at WDW, at least choose a WDW resort.

But if you can't book at least seven months out, plan on being disappointed a lot.

[CarolMN]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

But if you can't book at least seven months out, plan on being disappointed a lot.

FWIW, I honestly think most people are NOT disappointed at 7 months. We hear about those that are all the time, but those who get what they want do not post here at the same rate as those that are disappointed. IMO, we DIS posters tend to exaggerate 7 month issues.

Obviously, there are some times of the year where it is more difficult to get into the smaller DVC resorts and the "specialty" booking categories are definitely a challenge more often than not. But for those who aren't overly picky on booking category, there is virtually always some space at 7 months at all of the WDW resorts for most times of the year.

The early bird does get the worm!

[ELMC]

Originally Posted by CarolMN

FWIW, I honestly think most people are NOT disappointed at 7 months. We hear about those that are all the time, but those who get what they want do not post here at the same rate as those that are disappointed. IMO, we DIS posters tend to exaggerate 7 month issues.

Obviously, there are some times of the year where it is more difficult to get into the smaller DVC resorts and the "specialty" booking categories are definitely a challenge more often than not. But for those who aren't overly picky on booking category, there is virtually always some space at 7 months at all of the WDW resorts for most times of the year.

The early bird does get the worm!

I agree, I definitely think that we err on the side of caution. But I think it's better to do that than to over promise and have someone feel like they got bad advice. I am a big advocate for the 11 month window, but my recent experience is that I have been able to get into BWV and BLT several times as close as four days out. And I'm sure that many others have had similar experiences. However, if you want to be about to count on getting what you want, I wouldn't trust the 7 month window. It's all a matter of flexibility and risk tolerance.

[akl-fan]

When you buy into DVC your contact only guarantees stays at your home resort. Everything else is a perk. It is conceivable that DVC could sell of HHI or VB to another time-share company. The owners would then have no access to WDW resorts. This is unlikely but it is possible.

My advice if you want to stay in WDW then buy in WDW.

[chalee94]

Originally Posted by akl-fan

When you buy into DVC your contact only guarantees stays at your home resort.

even this "guarantee" requires you to be on-the-ball enough to book well in advance. if you call too late and nothing is available, you are still out of luck.

[disneynutz]

Originally Posted by ELMC

I agree, I definitely think that we err on the side of caution. But I think it's better to do that than to over promise and have someone feel like they got bad advice. I am a big advocate for the 11 month window, but my recent experience is that I have been able to get into BWV and BLT several times as close as four days out. And I'm sure that many others have had similar experiences. However, if you want to be about to count on getting what you want, I wouldn't trust the 7 month window. It's all a matter of flexibility and risk tolerance.

I agree, the best advice is to be cautious.

I have never received a PM from anyone upset because they bought at their favorite resort but I have had several wish that they had taken my advice when they can't get the resort/room that they want at 7 months.

Seems to me that Disney is lost some of it's luster. There are so many owners renting out their points now that rental brokering is a thriving business. Maybe this has created additional temporary availability.

Another thing I have to remind myself is less than 1% of DVC owners post on the DIS so any trend sampling isn't real world.

Bill