Some Questions

[allie5]

Due to the amazing £ / $ rate at the moment, I caught Hubs flicking through the DVC brochure (handily left in view at all times by Moi!).

Here are a few questions that I wonder if anyone can answer...?

Has the Beach Club now sold out?? This would be our favoured home resort.

Has anyone looked at Saratoga Springs yet? DH is concerned its "too far out". Opinions??

Is it true that the time period is now 50 years, not 40? If so, has the price per point changed since the summer???

Does it make sense to use points staying at the deluxe resorts, or is it better value to book "deals" yourself (with AP discounts or discount codes???). DD wants to stay at AKL in the future. For example, is it better "points management" to spend points on say a week at the Beach Club and book AKL independently OR use remaining DVC points to book the Lodge?? Does that make sense??!!

We wont be buying in till our next trip to WDW (planned for late 2004), so plenty of time to answer these (and the exchange rate to plummet and for DH to change his mind!!).

Thanks.
Allie

[dcfromva]

allie5,
Yes, the BCV is considered all sold out. But, I have still heard of folks buying there (through Disney and not a resale). Link to Keeperskeeper recent purchase So, if that is where your heart is set on, I would definately ask a guide about it.

We looked at Sartoga Springs (SSR) and we actually did buy an add on. But, I know what you mean about feeling it might be away from the action. I love the convenience of the BCV location--especially during crowded times. But, I am looking forward to taking advantage of the Spa facilities at SSR, too.

The new SSR contracts are good for 50 years. The price has gone up a bit. Initially, they were offering a $10.00 per point discount (and you get to keep you first set of points). They changed it to a $5.00 per point discount (and you get the first set of points). The undiscounted price is $89.00 per point. I expect after SSR opens, Disney will offer a different kind of incentive. Maybe a discount, but you have to sell back your first set of points...

Conventional Wisdom is the best value for the points is at DVC properties (as opposed to using points at Disney properties)...

Sometimes, it's a good idea to look for discounts on the cash prices. An example, the Disney Visa Credit Card offer for Hilton Head Island--a 2BR unit for $99.00 a night (plus tax) for off season nights. It would not have made sense to use points especially for the weekend (fri would have been 42 points per night/Sat 53 points) I figure my actual cost for the points are around $6.00 per point and would have equated to $242.on Fri and $318 on Sat...

Good luck on your decision!

-DC

[OKWTink]

Remember though, SSR is right on top of DTD, so it's not really all that isolated.

Not a bad time to take advantage of joining, what with the pound being so strong and all.

[djgiffordrn]

You could luck out and be able to buy directly from Disney and get in at the Beach Club. My uncle just bought at the BWV last November, cause points there became available. His first choice was the Beach Club...you don't know til you ask.

The 50 years is on the Saratoga Springs only.

[Keeprskeeper]

We just bought at the BCV, the representative that we dealt with said that from time to time they will get points back through either a foreclosure or a buy back.

If you want to purchase at a specific resort you can keep checking or be put on a waiting list until points are made available.

Good Luck
Barbara

12 days to go

[BigThunder]

I think Disney is buying up points from people selling them. They always have that first refusal option & I think they are using it now. There are websites that specialize in the selling of DVC points but I've never used them. So if BCV is where you really want then I would attempt it. We loved the BC & that is the soul reason we decided to buy into DVC when we did is because we really wanted that as a home resort. I think SSR is going to be beautiful though. I haven't seen it yet though. We've stayed at Dixie Landings a couple of times years ago & it's within the same area I believe & I never felt it was to far out. All the resorts are close to one thing & far from something else.

We go twice a year now to WDW & we use points for our Fall trip & use cash w/a good AP rate for summer. The points to stay at non DVC resorts is just insane in my opinion. Last June we stayed at Coronado Springs for $89 a night. And that's in peak season. Plus it was a resort we wanted to try out eventually anyway. This year we are hoping for AKL but not sure if I'll get a rate low enough. If not we'll stay at CBR. Save those points for the real deal!