Interested but lots of questions

[disneyeater]

I would agree its a higher level than a moderate, but not quite on par with the deluxe resorts. The layouts of SSR and OKW makes getting around less convenient. All of the deluxe resorts other than AKL have non-bus transportation to at least 1 park, plus the buses are less crowded since the resorts are smaller. Unless you spend a lot of time at DTD you don't get that with SSR and OKW. The restaurant options are also lacking compared to the EPCOT resorts or the monorail resorts. The rooms and pools are probably on par or in some cases better. I think the reason someone would compare them to a moderate vs a deluxe is size of resort and convenience as opposed to lesser quality rooms.

I think there are + and - to the resort and you are focused on the negative. OKW is great for those who prefer to drive because you can park right outside of your villa. OKW has the biggest rooms of any resort and is the only studio with 2 beds. Most of all, OKW just has that intimate little town feel about it.

I understand it is not for everyone, but I sometimes think people undersell OKW because of the condo-like layout. If I had one issue, it is the same I have with AKL, too far away compared to the other DVC's for non-drivers. Much more convenient to stay at a monorail or epcot resort for that reason.

 

[disneyeater]

It seems to me OKW and SSR are the only 2 DVC resorts that are "sold out" and yet still available to book almost every day of the year. It seems I'm always reading about OKW and SSR members booking at other resorts but rarely reading about (for example) BCV members book at OKW or SSR.

If those aren't hints that SSR and OKW aren't quite up to Deluxe Resort standards, then I don't know what is.

(Yes, I'm ready to be flamed by SSR and OKW members.)

Probably also has to due with the size of the resorts, but I agree, they are not a big draw to those that don't own them.

 

[toolsnspools]

I wouldn't buy DVC if the plan was to only go every 3 years. You would end up losing points or not having enough every trip. We use the membership 2 of every 3 years and it works fine, but fine tuning the way you use points so that you use exactly 3 years of points per trip would be very difficult.

 

[gooftroop5]

I'm jumping on this thread because I, too, am interested in purchasing in the future.

My suggestion to anyone toying with the idea is to rent points first and try it out. We have rented at a couple of different resorts so we can get a feel for what we like/don't like. You can search on several forums for DVC members willing to rent points or us a company. They typically rent for $10-14 a point which saves you oodles over rack rate!

My question is that if we buy in at say the standard 160 points and then want to increase later on can we tie two resales together? Or buy directly from Disney? I have seen "transfer" requests as well and just didn't know how those work.

Thanks!

 

[dreamfinder]

IMy question is that if we buy in at say the standard 160 points and then want to increase later on can we tie two resales together? Or buy directly from Disney? I have seen "transfer" requests as well and just didn't know how those work.

A few separate things involved there. Yes, you can do a once yearly point transfer I believe between owners. Similar to "buying" one time use points direct from DVD, but its and owner to owner deal.

You can buy in at whatever level you are able to. Typically 100 points minimum direct, or if you can find a 25 point contract, that is also sufficient. You can own as many contracts as you want. If they are the same use year, then DVC will do some voodoo (They've got friends on the other side.....) to make em all magically work together. But they don't need to. Owning different use years, or even different properties is fine. The issue becomes with keeping track of what you own where, and when it needs to be used by. Each contact is still subject to the rules/regulations for that given use year/resort. So if you have a 100 pt contract at AKL, and a 100 pt contract at OKW, you can only book 11 months out at AKL for the 100 points you own there. Same for OKW. You could book 11 months out at AKL, then try to use your OKW points at AKL at the 7 month window, but you may not have the best of luck with that. Alternatively some people will use borrow next years AKL to use this year (totalling 200 points), and then bank this years OKW to use next year (once again, 200 points). If you own different use years at the same resort, you don't have that to worry about, but you then do need to keep track of when you need to book/travel by. And that can get confusing. Some people have no problems, others don't like it and wait for a similar use year contract to come up.

 

[GoofGoof]

It seems to me OKW and SSR are the only 2 DVC resorts that are "sold out" and yet still available to book almost every day of the year. It seems I'm always reading about OKW and SSR members booking at other resorts but rarely reading about (for example) BCV members booking at OKW or SSR.

If those aren't hints that SSR and OKW aren't quite up to Deluxe Resort standards, then I don't know what is.

(Yes, I'm ready to be flamed by SSR and OKW members.)

They are both pretty big too, but yes they are the least popular for the masses.

I think there are + and - to the resort and you are focused on the negative. OKW is great for those who prefer to drive because you can park right outside of your villa. OKW has the biggest rooms of any resort and is the only studio with 2 beds. Most of all, OKW just has that intimate little town feel about it.

I understand it is not for everyone, but I sometimes think people undersell OKW because of the condo-like layout. If I had one issue, it is the same I have with AKL, too far away compared to the other DVC's for non-drivers. Much more convenient to stay at a monorail or epcot resort for that reason.

Good point on the driving thing. if you dont have to take the bus everywhere that would take away one of the biggest drawbacks. I wasn't really trying to be negative about OKW. I pointed out the rooms and rec facilities are as good or better than most DVC resorts. IMHO the reason why I would pay more for a deluxe resort over a moderate is
1) room quality and room amenities
2) dining options
3) access to non-bus transportation.
OKW is definitely on par or better with #1 which is most important. It is lacking in the 2nd and 3rd points.

 

[DryCreek]

Thanks for all of the input folks.
The 50 point contract was one that I pulled off a resale site, just an example of what was available. I may look for a higher number if/when I decide to move forward on this idea. If I do need more points at a later date, can't I just rent some? I may only need to go larger than a studio on every other trip, depending on if the adult son can get vacation or if the in-laws are up to it.
I was using the OKW as an entry-level example, not necessarily as my "base" to buy points from - although, like they keep sayin' "buy points where you wouldn't mid staying". I kinda like the BLT location. I've always wanted to stay at the Contemporary, but I am too much of a tightwad to spring for the extra cost.
It would also be a much easier sell to the DW if she was at least a little bit of a Disney fan.
I'll have to do some thinking and figuring.

 

[DryCreek]

Those aren't necessarily the best numbers. So if you travel to WDW in February, lets say the 3rd-9th of 2013. I know this already passed, but we can use the existing rates. A standard view room at CSR is $167/$182 weekday/weekend, so $1199. Now staying at OKW in a studio this same time, would cost you 99 points. Using your est. fees, that would be $544.5 in dues, plus $300 in your amortized purchase cost. So $844.50, or a savings of $354.50 over a moderate. That would require a 30% discount on your CSR stay to match the DVC price, but mods have been stuck at like 15-20% lately, and then you need to add room tax. So unless you got a better than 30% room discount, DVC should come out slightly ahead.

Now an OKW 1 BR requires 199 points for those same dates, which won't work with your 50 point purchase as IIRC you are capped at "buying" 20 one time use points each year.

Thanks for helping me with the math - not a strong suite of mine. That does help my case when presenting the idea to my wife. I think she really believes that through time she can wean me off of needing my Disney fix!

 

[dreamfinder]

If I do need more points at a later date, can't I just rent some? I may only need to go larger than a studio on every other trip, depending on if the adult son can get vacation or if the in-laws are up to it.

Yes and no. You can definitely rent points from another member. However this would end up being a second reservation, and there is a chance that you may need to move rooms. This would be identical to the threads you see about people renting from someplace like dvcrentals.com
You can also do a once yearly point transfer. I believe it once per year transferring of points in or out, not both. However, this is really meant to be more between family members, as the DVC rules state that money is not to be exchanged for a point transfer. If you do do a point transfer, the points would show up on your point balance, and you can use them as part of an existing reservation.
You can also do a "purchase of one time use points". This is basically doing a transfer of points from the DVC allotment, into your balance. It is limited to one "purchase" a year, with a max of 24 points, at $15 per point IIRC. This option is really meant for situations where you have say 100 points, but need 103 for your trip.

Why they allow payment for rentals, but not for transfers is beyond me.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Many people and myself think OKW is the best of all the DVC resorts, its the hidden gem. The Key WEST theming, layout is wonderful, the pace a bit slower and much quieter, nice to walk around and the landscaping is beautiful. The bus service is easily the best in WDW.....rarely ever a problem. If you want to drive you park right at your building.

The whole resort is just plain better then the Box building resorts.

The units are the largest and have a wonderful relaxed feel. OKW was designed with full kitchen with the idea that some meals are cooked *at Home*, yet there is Olivia's a excellent key style place and there is bar and counter service. DTD is only a 15 minute boat ride with shopping the lots of restaurants.


There are 4 pools the main one has a large slide and sandy paly areas. Hot tubs and a dry sauna. The turtle crawl pool is large with we snack bar and bar and table a BBQ grills to cook your families meal for a wonderful mid vacation restful evening. There is also 2 small very quiet pools.


AKK

 

[GoofGoof]

Thanks for all of the input folks.
The 50 point contract was one that I pulled off a resale site, just an example of what was available. I may look for a higher number if/when I decide to move forward on this idea. If I do need more points at a later date, can't I just rent some? I may only need to go larger than a studio on every other trip, depending on if the adult son can get vacation or if the in-laws are up to it.
I was using the OKW as an entry-level example, not necessarily as my "base" to buy points from - although, like they keep sayin' "buy points where you wouldn't mid staying". I kinda like the BLT location. I've always wanted to stay at the Contemporary, but I am too much of a tightwad to spring for the extra cost.
It would also be a much easier sell to the DW if she was at least a little bit of a Disney fan.
I'll have to do some thinking and figuring.

Don't forget the difference in dues at each resort. Right now BLT is over $1 per point lower than OKW. Assuming that dollar difference holds up over the next 30 years you will be paying $30 per point more in fees which is about the price difference to buy in resale. Plus BLT goes to 2060 which gives you 18 extra years over a 2042 OKW contract. If you want the best deal buying at SSR resale makes sense. Lower fees than most plus a low resale buy-in price and a longer contract than some.

 

[harryk]

Thanks for helping me with the math - not a strong suite of mine. That does help my case when presenting the idea to my wife. I think she really believes that through time she can wean me off of needing my Disney fix!

wean me off of needing my Disney fix Never happen!!!!