Starter Contract? Or a lifetime commitment?

[MBTigger]

Recently I bought my first DVC contract (and did it resale). I settled for the price leader (Initial and MF's) SSR. I searched for the right AKV contract from various sources, but AKV contract opportunities went down and prices up right as I started looking. I debated about BLT as the contract length, low dues, and monorail access are great perks. BWV / BCV were a distant 3rd as the price point was hard to swallow for 2042 resorts.
So I bought SSR with the idea that it might be a "Starter Contract". After making reservations for a few years I could examine my purchase and buy elsewhere later.

Keep in mind the following....

1) We have several different dietary restrictions in the family, so 1 bedrooms with a kitchen are our preferred accommodations. Yes, Disney is great about it, but we spent an evening cooking breakfast casserole and taco filling to last a number of meals. that peace of of mind was great!
2) I live on the west coast far north of Anehiem. Getting to WDW takes time and effort. But getting to Aulani is almost as easy as getting to Disneyland for me.
3) Most years we are pretty flexible on exact dates. I am willing to alter my plane trip based on availability.

 

[UtahDon]

I got my "starter contract" at AKV... and am already suffering addon-itis looking at Aulani Resale for bargains. I would still consider SSR for sleep-around points if I got a killer deal. I actually like SSR in the new refurb rooms, and the proximity to Springs is nice for adult trips.

If I go direct for Blue Card it would be at the new Cali DVC offering, as I live in Utah so Disneyland is drive-able.

 

[bwvBound]

So I bought SSR with the idea that it might be a "Starter Contract". After making reservations for a few years I could examine my purchase and buy elsewhere later.

I like your style!

You are good. You'll find the SSR points are effective as "sleep around points" across the system if you stick with 1BR units. You may find you need additional points in the future ... but don't fret much about it yet. Play with the system, learn the ropes, test wild ideas, dream big, hunt for opportunity ... and let nature take its course.

For context ...

• We live in San Diego
• We've owned SSR since 2004
• We've stayed at most DVC locations: BWV (too many to count); OKW; AKV (often!); Vero Beach; Aulani; Wilderness Lodge; Copper Creek Cascade Cabins; SSR and Treehouse Villas; Grand Cal (often); & Poly.
• We go to HI for business with a couple days of relaxation at the end ... and sometimes we go to HI simply for vacation (what a concept!). Aulani is lovely, relaxing and fun!
• We presently have reservations at the Grand Cal for Nov, Dec and Feb. (Our Oct reservation was, sadly, cancelled by Disney as was our May reservation at Beach Club Villas.)

You've made a good choice. I hope you enjoy it thoroughly!

 

[Great3]

3) Most years we are pretty flexible on exact dates. I am willing to alter my plane trip based on availability.

This!!!! If you are willing and able to be flexible, than I say the cheapest and lowest MF resort is the best, you shouldn't have any trouble using up your points at various different resorts. Availability is usually there if you can travel anytime of the year, and not stuck to a say, a school schedule.

I am in the camp of anywhere on-site at a DVC is good enough for me, and will adjust my plans accordingly to what's available also. So, the only thing you will need is more points when you use them all up, so take it slow, don't let addonitis get to you.

And congrats on your purchase. May you have many memorable DVC vacations!!!

Great3

 

[pinkxray]

I went the same route you did. I was looking at SSR, BLt and AKV. I could never find the right AKV contract at a price I wanted so I went with SSR to start. I plan on using the points for the next few years to really figure out when I travel and where I want to stay. I am now looking at adding on BLT or Poly. I will probably add on at BLT eventually and in about 10 years when the kids don’t want to travel sell SSR and use the BLT points myself.

 

[RoseGold]

I have no idea if you need more points, because I have no idea how many points you bought or how long you want to go. If you're staying 1BR, a 50 add on won't do much.

SSR is a solid choice for 1BR, assuming you aren't traveling peak. However, this might not work great in the next couple years, with all the extra points floating around.

Just use your SSR points at Aulani, if you want to go there. But if I were going all the way to Hawaii, I would get a better hotel or sublet a non-Disney timeshare. There are nicer ones out there than Aulani, which has a problematic history and is certainly not Disney's focus. I would not buy a HI timeshare at all, because of HI's law changes hosing timeshare owners. That's my opinion.

If you want to stay somewhere like BCV in a 1BR, you might have to add on points, sure.

SSR's value has been rock solid for many years, even through all this, when AKL/VGF were fluctuating wildly. It's not a lifetime commitment. If you are done in a couple years, just sell it for more or less what you bought it for and you're out closing costs, dues, and commission, and maybe shaved a little off the contract. I'm plan to hold 15 years, and I'm good if SSR goes down 30%.

 

[DaveNan]

Since you like 1BR and are flexible on dates, stick with SSR. You can stay everywhere with those, just not in the coveted rooms (std, club). The cost savings from a point cost perspective almost covers that gap in room category savings (std) and the dietary concerns may make club level less desirable.

 

[E2ME2]

I just voted, and am glad to see I'm in the majority.
I have 3 contracts at SSR (210/225/40 points), and I am waiting on ROFR for 30 Points at BCV.
BCV & BWV studios are hard to get at 7 Months. We like to stretch our length of stay by getting the studios, and we really like walking into EPCOT from BCV, and I love the SAB Pool.
If I pass ROFR on this - then I will look for another small BCV with my Use Year. I'd like enough points to get 2-weeks, every 2nd or 3rd year at least.
So, I have definitely drifted into the "Addonitis says you will grab several 50 pt contracts - but live with SSR as main" category.
ET

 

[davidl81]

I have no idea if you need more points, because I have no idea how many points you bought or how long you want to go. If you're staying 1BR, a 50 add on won't do much.

SSR is a solid choice for 1BR, assuming you aren't traveling peak. However, this might not work great in the next couple years, with all the extra points floating around.

Just use your SSR points at Aulani, if you want to go there. But if I were going all the way to Hawaii, I would get a better hotel or sublet a non-Disney timeshare. There are nicer ones out there than Aulani, which has a problematic history and is certainly not Disney's focus. I would not buy a HI timeshare at all, because of HI's law changes hosing timeshare owners. That's my opinion.

If you want to stay somewhere like BCV in a 1BR, you might have to add on points, sure.

SSR's value has been rock solid for many years, even through all this, when AKL/VGF were fluctuating wildly. It's not a lifetime commitment. If you are done in a couple years, just sell it for more or less what you bought it for and you're out closing costs, dues, and commission, and maybe shaved a little off the contract. I'm plan to hold 15 years, and I'm good if SSR goes down 30%.

Have you stated at Aulani? We have gone three times now and loved it for families. We have never felt it to be problematic at all. We have stayed at the Ritz and Four Seasons also before, And while Aulani is not as nice as those resorts if I was going with just the wife, I think with kids it is perfect.

 

[RoseGold]

We have never felt it to be problematic at all. We have stayed at the Ritz and Four Seasons also before, And while Aulani is not as nice as those resorts if I was going with just the wife, I think with kids it is perfect.

As a timeshare, Aulani has a very problematic history, and I think that's generous. I would not be buying into it.

 

[davidl81]

As a timeshare, Aulani has a very problematic history, and I think that's generous. I would not be buying into it.

But the question was staying there using SSR points. IMO if you have stayed there and had issues with it then it is more than fair to say there are better places to stay etc. but if you have never been there it is not really fair to make statements about the quality of the resort relative to other Hawai’i properties.
Now of course they had issues with the dues etc on the sales side, but the actual quality of the resort, the care of the property etc has all been exceptional in our experience. Once again if it’s just an adults trip sure there are better places, but when bringing your family id much rather stay at Aulani then the Ritz or Four Seasons.

 

[RoseGold]

If you want to use points there, do it. I've never stayed there, and never will. The mad rush on "free" beach chairs and umbrellas is not what I'm looking for in an expensive vacation. That's not for me, and that's my opinion.

I also would not be buying into this timeshare, for reasons irrelevant to the resort itself, based on its history, also my opinion. They still have 50% inventory left, if you believe otherwise.

 

[davidl81]

If you want to use points there, do it. I've never stayed there, and never will. The mad rush on "free" beach chairs and umbrellas is not what I'm looking for in an expensive vacation. That's not for me, and that's my opinion.

I also would not be buying into this timeshare, for reasons irrelevant to the resort itself, based on its history, also my opinion. They still have 50% inventory left, if you believe otherwise.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but the “mad rush” on chairs is highly over stated, and not any worse than any other type of resort in Hawaii. I think many DVC owners are just expecting Aulani to be like a normal DVC resort as far as pools go, but it’s not really. But any resort in Hawaii is the same way.
IMO if you have never been to Aulani you shouldn’t advise people if they should travel there or not. It’s just not fair to read reports and then say there are better options.

 

[RoseGold]

IMO if you have never been to Aulani you shouldn’t advise people if they should travel there or not. It’s just not fair to read reports and then say there are better options.

I told you what I would do, and what my opinion is. If you want to buy Aulani, do it. If you want to spend your points there, do it. If I were planning a Hawaii vacation, Aulani wouldn't even be in my top 20 options.

If I were buying a timeshare, HI as a whole wouldn't even be on the list.

Aulani is still only 50% sold, so I don't think this is an extreme opinion.

 

[kboo]

Our first resale contract was at BLT. Now this was back when (IMO) BLT was undervalued, and I managed to get a relatively good price. Since MFs were about the same between BLT and SSR, for approximately $2000 more buy in, we got a slightly longer term, and at the only resort (at the time) that was walkable to MK. Even so, I wondered whether we'd made the right choice and contemplated adding on a bunch of SSR points for SAP. We added on a bunch of home resorts, but haven't started sleeping around until ... maybe ... 2021. We are also mostly in 1BR. Our BLT points have become our SAP, which is also fine.

I would wait and see how easy/hard it is to book 1BR at 7mo - I think post-covid things will still be settling around and if you're flexible you will find things - and then if there's a resort you absolutely LOVE and cannot get, then get a small add-on there.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I told you what I would do, and what my opinion is. If you want to buy Aulani, do it. If you want to spend your points there, do it. If I were planning a Hawaii vacation, Aulani wouldn't even be in my top 20 options.

If I were buying a timeshare, HI as a whole wouldn't even be on the list.

Aulani is still only 50% sold, so I don't think this is an extreme opinion.

Aulani wouldn't be in my top 10 either if we're talking all of Hawaii... BUT... Aulani is the greatest hotel/resort that TWDC has ever created. It's a fantastic experience if you love both Hawaii and Disney, and the botched timeshare implementation and subsequent struggle to sell points is not indicative at all of the experience at Aulani.

With that being said.. I cringe when I hear from DVC owners who make regular trips to Hawaii and have only ever stayed at Aulani, and they never venture out to other Hawaiian experience or even other islands... yikes.

 

[Lorana]

Aulani wouldn't be in my top 10 either if we're talking all of Hawaii... BUT... Aulani is the greatest hotel/resort that TWDC has ever created. It's a fantastic experience if you love both Hawaii and Disney, and the botched timeshare implementation and subsequent struggle to sell points is not indicative at all of the experience at Aulani.

With that being said.. I cringe when I hear from DVC owners who make regular trips to Hawaii and have only ever stayed at Aulani, and they never venture out to other Hawaiian experience or even other islands... yikes.

I have to agree with you there. My biggest lament with Aulani is it’s on Oahu. Why couldn’t it be on Kauai?? ;-)

I mean I get why they did. Oahu is really the hub and there’s a lot to do on the island. For us, Aulani makes a perfect relaxing end to a Hawaii vacation elsewhere (or start), but it’s not our favorite island and I encourage anyone going to visit other islands.

but I do agree - it’s an amazing resort. Disney really did a knockout job. Has all the right touches and that Disney Magic, but most importantly, Hawaiian magic. It is steeped in Hawaiian culture and folklore and I could (and did) spend hours just looking around at all the amazing artifacts, crafts, and art throughout the resort. For those who don’t know, Aulani has the largest private collection of native Hawaiian art in the world.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I have to agree with you there. My biggest lament with Aulani is it’s on Oahu. Why couldn’t it be on Kauai?? ;-)

I mean I get why they did. Oahu is really the hub and there’s a lot to do on the island. For us, Aulani makes a perfect relaxing end to a Hawaii vacation elsewhere (or start), but it’s not our favorite island and I encourage anyone going to visit other islands.

Reminds me of when I went to Paris. I have a great attachment and affection for Disney Parks, but the thought of devoting even one day to Disneyland when I'm in Paris was just a non-starter... Never gonna happen for me. I do enjoy a few nights at Aulani here and there, however.

 

[Lorana]

Reminds me of when I went to Paris. I have a great attachment and affection for Disney Parks, but the thought of devoting even one day to Disneyland when I'm in Paris was just a non-starter... Never gonna happen for me. I do enjoy a few nights at Aulani here and there, however.

I confess we are the type of Disney fans who will bake in an extra day so we can go to Disneyland Paris. ;-) But it would be adding an extra day; no way would we skip things we wanted to do in Paris and surrounds just to see Disneyland. But you can bet when we do get there, we will spend a day in the park. For example, we explicitly added on 2 nights in our Japan trip to go to Disneyland Tokyo and DisneySea.

 

[bwvBound]

Reminds me of when I went to Paris. I have a great attachment and affection for Disney Parks, but the thought of devoting even one day to Disneyland when I'm in Paris was just a non-starter... Never gonna happen for me. I do enjoy a few nights at Aulani here and there, however.

Ahhhhh, I understand this ... b-b-but ... we went anyway.

It was Sept 2001 (edited to correct year ... has it been so long??) ... and we were 'stuck' in Europe with no flights returning to the States. The weather was grey with drizzle which seemed to match the global mood at the time. We'd been in Paris for several days (not our first visit) ... and, on a whim, decided to take the train to Euro Disney. It was weird beyond words ... the park was almost completely empty, the mood soooo somber. Strangely different and yet familiar at the same time. {{ Shudder }}