Looking for opinions..which resort would you buy into...SSr or AKV? I've given up on a BCV resale because I think that with the curent incentives, buying oneof these properties would be a better deal. I usually have a rental car when I come down so getting around isn't an issue. I like SSR better than AKV because AKV is too secluded for me, but AKV will run longer for me (20057 or 8 vs 2054).
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SSR or AKV..which would you buy?
- Thread starter beachclubbasics
- Start date
mprewitt
New Member
I believe that you should "Buy where you want to stay". If you're into SSR, buy there. If not, and you're into AKV, buy there. Don't buy into either if you won't enjoy staying there.
AKV Advantages
AKV Advantages
- The "11 month window" will be more advantageous at AKV than SSR, due to the point-saving “value” rooms and the concierge rooms. These types of rooms will go quick and probably necessitate calling at 11 months.
- The 1 BR can sleep 5 versus 4 at SSR. Also, the rooms at the new Kidani Village will have an extra bathroom compared to SSR.
- The Savannah with the animals
- large water playground/pool
- Jiko and Boma
- Lease is 3 years more than SSR (2057 vs. 2054)
- Lower maintenance fees
- Direct access to DTD (for all the restaurants and the nightlife)
- More centralized location
- Great onsite Spa
- Completed (unlike AKV, which is under construction)
I agree with mprewitt, buy where you wish to frequent the most. We purchased at SSR but we always have difficulties reserving at BW or BCV. We are always put on a waiting list when booking within the 7 month window. If we had known it was going to be that difficult, we would have purchased at BCV or BW through the resale market.
I'm still deciding, but I saw the model rooms and I have to saythat gthe AKV rooms are gorgeous...far nicer than what I've seen at BCV or anywhere else. Plus the factthat you need less points to stay in a one bedroom villa at AKV than anywhere else (I think only OKW is less) is a draw. I'd prefer the BCV but...that room was just gorgeous! So if I definitel do DVC I will most likely go with AKV.
ZapperZ
Well-Known Member
Other than being able to book 11 months in advance (which we have never taken advantage of), I don't see any reason to buy at one versus the other. However, consider the fact that the maintenance fee at SSR is the lowest, and certainly lower than at AKL. This is one piece of the expense that you are stuck with till the end. The extra few years you get at AKL is also irrelevant for us - I would be in my 90's by then and I don't expect this issue to matter that much.
So all of our points (even the one we added just a week ago) are at SSR. We seem to be able to stay almost everywhere we want when booking 6 months in advance. Even when we had to be in a waiting list, we still get it in the end. So being able to stay where we want has never been a big issue.
Zz.
So all of our points (even the one we added just a week ago) are at SSR. We seem to be able to stay almost everywhere we want when booking 6 months in advance. Even when we had to be in a waiting list, we still get it in the end. So being able to stay where we want has never been a big issue.
Zz.
Disneyfan1981
Active Member
I wanted to buy AKL but when we did the numbers we could afford the SSR more. We went that route although I was ultra impressed by AKL. If you can afford it I say go there.
DisneyFanJen
Member
I recently did the AKV tour and even though I loved it and really was tempted my guide advised me to stick with what I had or to add a small addition to my current SSR points rather than buying at AKV.
His reasoning was that based on his info, once AKV was finished there would be more than enough rooms to be able to book there within the 7 month window.
Now he could have just been spinning things to sell the last of the SSR points but it's food for thought...
His reasoning was that based on his info, once AKV was finished there would be more than enough rooms to be able to book there within the 7 month window.
Now he could have just been spinning things to sell the last of the SSR points but it's food for thought...
mprewitt
New Member
As long as you don't want to book the Value or Concierge rooms, as these typically won't be available at 7-mos.
carolina_yankee
Well-Known Member
I'm an SSR owner, but aboslutely love AKL. Haven't seen the AKV units, but hope to stay there next May.
My own opinion: I agree with the guide's comment that you should be able to get into AKV pretty much anytime. If you want Concierge, you'll need the 11 mos advantage, I'm sure - Values, I'm not so sure about.
Same is true for SSR - it's big enough that I don't see getting into there as a problem.
As for rooms, I like the AKV design (and loved the AKL rooms), but I think SSR is still a step up in terms of sophisticiation and appearance of quality. I guess it strikes me as having decor, rather than being themed. If I lived in South Africa, I'd likely feel the opposite!
Unless you need the extra years on the contract, or the 11 mos advantage, I would say buy at whichever resort makes the most financial sense for you. Given likely booking availability, I think the key is more the amount of points you buy than the location, if you talking about one of those two resorts.
Dirk
My own opinion: I agree with the guide's comment that you should be able to get into AKV pretty much anytime. If you want Concierge, you'll need the 11 mos advantage, I'm sure - Values, I'm not so sure about.
Same is true for SSR - it's big enough that I don't see getting into there as a problem.
As for rooms, I like the AKV design (and loved the AKL rooms), but I think SSR is still a step up in terms of sophisticiation and appearance of quality. I guess it strikes me as having decor, rather than being themed. If I lived in South Africa, I'd likely feel the opposite!
Unless you need the extra years on the contract, or the 11 mos advantage, I would say buy at whichever resort makes the most financial sense for you. Given likely booking availability, I think the key is more the amount of points you buy than the location, if you talking about one of those two resorts.
Dirk
I'm still trying to decide between three options...AKV, buying BCV resale, or not buying at all. We would prefer to stay at BCV as we always stay at the Beach club due to the proximity to Epcot and we like the theming better, AKL is so far away from everything though I always have a car with me and drive most places. We were not overly impressed with the theming there. However, the new villas are gorgeous! I also wonder how easy it would be to get value one bedroom villa rooms during that 11 month window.....would I have to start calling at 6AM exactly 11 months tothe day that I would want to arrive to get a room?
I may not end up buying at all. My kids range in age from 13-26 and the only one who is actually still "hot" on WDW besides myself is the 13 year old. My other three don't even want to return for a visit next year (granted we just got home from this year's trip yesterday). They want to rent an All-Star vacation house and just hang around Orlando/DTD/Universal/Sea World. They also don't have families and may never (none want to get married or have kids). Also, I'm going to be retiring in the next 20 years and am moving to Orlando upon retirement. I don't know if I will need the DVC in 10 years let alone 50.
I still have to see what makes the most economic sense to me. I called AAA to see what a trip would cost next year and, based on my specs from this year's trip, next year's trip is $100 LESS than this year's. Anyway, I have to sit and figure this whole thing out.
I may not end up buying at all. My kids range in age from 13-26 and the only one who is actually still "hot" on WDW besides myself is the 13 year old. My other three don't even want to return for a visit next year (granted we just got home from this year's trip yesterday). They want to rent an All-Star vacation house and just hang around Orlando/DTD/Universal/Sea World. They also don't have families and may never (none want to get married or have kids). Also, I'm going to be retiring in the next 20 years and am moving to Orlando upon retirement. I don't know if I will need the DVC in 10 years let alone 50.
I still have to see what makes the most economic sense to me. I called AAA to see what a trip would cost next year and, based on my specs from this year's trip, next year's trip is $100 LESS than this year's. Anyway, I have to sit and figure this whole thing out.
DisneyPhD
Well-Known Member
Wow, that is a lot to think about. Given that many in your family are not really as "in" to WDW and seemingly don't plan to be, plus that you might retire down there then I would lean away from DVC. Of course your kids might be sorry you didn't later on down the line if and when they do have kids of their own. I know they don't have plans to marry of have kids but that can change too. You could put them up in a DVC room when they come to visit you in your retirement years!
Even so, after 5 years of owning we have reached our break even point (based on rack rates, purchase price and dues paid) and we could sell our points for more than our original puchase price.
If you buy, buy where you want to stay. If you're not keen on AKV, I wouldn't buy there. Even owners may find it difficult to get the AKV value rooms although the concierge rooms will probably be the first to get snatched up. At an AKV presentation, I was told to base the number of points needed on the savanah view rooms because that is what the majority of rooms would be.
I hope that helps.
carolina_yankee
Well-Known Member
Based on what you've said, it doesn't sound like AKV would be the best way to get into DVC. Since AKV will be the one the scale of SSR or OKW when finsihed, I don't think members will ever have too much difficulty getting into a room except for peak periods. The 1 BRs will be just as numerous as studios, for the most part. DisneyPhD's point about savannah view being the most prevalent is well-taken.
What about a smaller BCV contract via resale? It could give you enough of a taste to see how you like DVC. Once you're in the system, you can always add on at smaller rates, rather than the 160 buy-in required for new contracts. If it's not for you, it will be easy to sell again.
I can see how a nice escape to BCV in retirement years, even if living in Orlando, could be an indulgent pleasure - especially during Food & Wine, Flower & Garden, or Christmas decor season.
Dirk
CSUFSteve
Active Member
When I was evaluating my decision of whether to buy or not, I read voraciously everyone's opinion here and on the DIS boards. In the end, though, it came down to a personal decision. I agree though that you can't really look at it as an investment. It's not. Consider it a treat for yourself.
People can talk about breakeven but, well in my case, I usually get an AP to WDW (this year being a rare exception). With an AP, staying in a studio at a DVC resort during the off-season is marginally more than Port Orleans. So it's not like I'd be paying deluxe resort prices anyway thereby not saving a ton of money. If I paid deluxe resort prices, it'd be about $100/nt discount with an AP and I'd be stayed at GF or Yacht/Beach Club. GF is obviously not a particularly appealing option for a DVC'er since it costs so many more points. Beach Club Villas, yes, but I dunno... I know they have the highest resale value, but I've heard from a lot of people that they have the smallest rooms. I dunno, I'm staying there for the 1st time for Epcot's 25th (this trip is exclusively about Epcot!!). I'm skeptical that I'll like it better than my home resort of SSR (with the exception of location), but we'll see.
And there are plenty of people who hate SSR, feel it's too huge and thus lacks character. I can see that point of view, but I love SSR. I love the layout, color scheme, architecture, and interiors, especially in the 1-bdr and ups. I also love AKV. I would probably buy more points at AKV if it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting for GCH @ DL.
Bottom line? I'm very happy with SSR. I do use the 11-month window particularly next year when I want Thanksgiving week ressies for the family in a 2-bdr. But for Beach Club, I had no problem getting a studio for Sep 27 - Oct 3 right at the 7-month mark. I know it's off-season so I'm sure that helped.
But obviously you gotta do what feels right to you.
People can talk about breakeven but, well in my case, I usually get an AP to WDW (this year being a rare exception). With an AP, staying in a studio at a DVC resort during the off-season is marginally more than Port Orleans. So it's not like I'd be paying deluxe resort prices anyway thereby not saving a ton of money. If I paid deluxe resort prices, it'd be about $100/nt discount with an AP and I'd be stayed at GF or Yacht/Beach Club. GF is obviously not a particularly appealing option for a DVC'er since it costs so many more points. Beach Club Villas, yes, but I dunno... I know they have the highest resale value, but I've heard from a lot of people that they have the smallest rooms. I dunno, I'm staying there for the 1st time for Epcot's 25th (this trip is exclusively about Epcot!!). I'm skeptical that I'll like it better than my home resort of SSR (with the exception of location), but we'll see.
And there are plenty of people who hate SSR, feel it's too huge and thus lacks character. I can see that point of view, but I love SSR. I love the layout, color scheme, architecture, and interiors, especially in the 1-bdr and ups. I also love AKV. I would probably buy more points at AKV if it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting for GCH @ DL.
Bottom line? I'm very happy with SSR. I do use the 11-month window particularly next year when I want Thanksgiving week ressies for the family in a 2-bdr. But for Beach Club, I had no problem getting a studio for Sep 27 - Oct 3 right at the 7-month mark. I know it's off-season so I'm sure that helped.
But obviously you gotta do what feels right to you.
janni518
New Member
We are currently having this very discussion in our house.
I don't really care for what I've seen of the theming of AK and I've spent every summer for the past 33 years at the real Saratoga Springs (besides the fact that I used to live there and actually graduated from Saratoga Springs high school.) Much as I love it I'm thinking my trip in July is all the Saratoga I need per year.
So, I'm thinking resale and will be skulking about the boards here gathering info on the best route to go there.
Thanks in advance!
I don't really care for what I've seen of the theming of AK and I've spent every summer for the past 33 years at the real Saratoga Springs (besides the fact that I used to live there and actually graduated from Saratoga Springs high school.) Much as I love it I'm thinking my trip in July is all the Saratoga I need per year.
So, I'm thinking resale and will be skulking about the boards here gathering info on the best route to go there.
Thanks in advance!
From a completely "gut" reaction...I don't like that whole African thing, so I'd probably buy at SSR.
However, that being said, AKV is bit of a different "horse" for DVC in terms of having some space in the regular hotel and them building more DVC space on site, so that might be interesting. Plus, if you are a young-ish person, or have young kids that you can will your DVC to, you'd probably do well to get the extra 3 years at AKV.
However, that being said, AKV is bit of a different "horse" for DVC in terms of having some space in the regular hotel and them building more DVC space on site, so that might be interesting. Plus, if you are a young-ish person, or have young kids that you can will your DVC to, you'd probably do well to get the extra 3 years at AKV.
CatherineL
New Member
I love SSR. I love the location and the ambience - and the low dues. But of course there is no guarantee that the dues will stay low.
However, I haven't stayed at AKL and the pictures look truly fab. I really think the studios look a lot nicer than the regular hotel rooms. Plus, you can stay in the standard and value rooms for a really low amount of points.
But, time passes quickly so you've also got to look into the future at least five years and decide where you may enjoy staying most then, not just now.
Will the novelty of looking at the animals wear off after five years or not? Would you prefer to have accommodations in a hotel or would you rather have a more spread out resorty type feel.
It's a tough choice but all the resorts are great.
However, I haven't stayed at AKL and the pictures look truly fab. I really think the studios look a lot nicer than the regular hotel rooms. Plus, you can stay in the standard and value rooms for a really low amount of points.
But, time passes quickly so you've also got to look into the future at least five years and decide where you may enjoy staying most then, not just now.
Will the novelty of looking at the animals wear off after five years or not? Would you prefer to have accommodations in a hotel or would you rather have a more spread out resorty type feel.
It's a tough choice but all the resorts are great.
We own at SSR. We stayed at other DVC's and SSR is our least favorite. THis year we tried to book the BC and BWV within the 7 month window and had no success. We ending up staying at OKW and loved it. We loved the large rooms and the island theme. When we stayed at SSR we felt we we staying outside the park. THere seemed to be much more to do at other resorts than SSR. When we spoke with a DVC rep they said SSR was designed to be a quiet resort more for the older visitors.
We were considering selling but there are so many SSR resales compared to the other resorts and the value dropped from our purchase price. SSR was supposed to have been sold out by now. At least that is what we were told when we purchased 3 years ago.
That being said I would recommend purchasing where you would plan to frequent the most. As more and more people purchase DVC's it will become more difficult to get a booking at other resorts within the 7 month window, especially the more popular resorts such as BC or BWV. This has been our experience.
We were considering selling but there are so many SSR resales compared to the other resorts and the value dropped from our purchase price. SSR was supposed to have been sold out by now. At least that is what we were told when we purchased 3 years ago.
That being said I would recommend purchasing where you would plan to frequent the most. As more and more people purchase DVC's it will become more difficult to get a booking at other resorts within the 7 month window, especially the more popular resorts such as BC or BWV. This has been our experience.
DVC Mike
Well-Known Member
I would agree that it's important to buy into a resort that you would be happy staying at. Given the growing DVC membership, the smaller resorts (VWL and BCV) should get harder to book at the 7-mo window. If you plan on booking in Dec or during F&W festival, buy where you want to stay.
I own at my four favorite DVC resorts. Thus, I'm never disappointed.