Thinking of buying DVC at Saratoga Springs - Advice?!

I've stay at SSR before and I really loved it. Many people feel that there isn't enough themeing but that didn't bother me at all. I love the restaurants, and the pool is nice, plus there is a full service spa and it's super close to DTD.

I'm not a fan of resale purchases, but you can usually get a good deal. If you don't care about the "extra" vacation experiences and only want to use your points at DVC resorts there's really no reason to avoid it.

I have bought resale two times. I really enjoy getting something for 1/2 price. I used the timeshare store and fidelity and they were both very professional.

You can transfer points to another owner once a year. Then make reservations with the combined points.

I have stayed at SSR twice and it is my least favorite resort. If you haven't stayed at other DVC resorts, I would recommend you do so.

On the other hand if you are not picky about where you stay, SSR is probably the best resale value considering the price, contract length and maint fees. That is because it is very big and there is considerably less demand for that resort than others.

Good luck

I am a big fan of the Epcot resorts. I love walking to Epcot and DHS. I like being close to the Boardwalk. I also think that they have the most beautiful grounds. That's just my opinion. You can get a decent deal for Boardwalk points.

We purchased BWV resale because of proximity to Epcot and DHS. As The Colonel stated, love being able to walk to both parks. After Illuminations, I am back on the Boardwalk relaxing with a cocktail, while most of the other Epcot guests are still waiting to get on a bus. Another bonus is that our favorite restaurants are at the Swan and Dolphin, just a 5 minute walk away.

Another reason we chose BWV is that we only have a 150 pt contract, and BWV standard villas are fewer pts/night. OKW and AKL also have lower pts/night than the other DVC resorts. I'm not concerned that my contract expires in 2042. SSR is 2054, AKL is 2057, and BLT is 2060........DVC sold OKW extensions, so those contracts expire 1/31/2042 or 1/31/2057

With respect to the point transfer, be advised that the transfer points retain their original UY and home resort. They are still 2 separate contracts, the difference being that one person is now in control of all the points for that UY. If you and your friend plan to do the transfer often, you should both try to purchase the same home resort and UY month(or as close together as possible), so all of the points can be used at the same time for reservations.

Another thing to consider as Skunk mentioned, the standard Boardwalk rooms are the best point value in DVC. So less points are required.

I'm really not well versed in best UY, but I would think a September or October UY, so you could cancel just prior to 30 day mark and still be able to bank your points.

Interesting UY charts: http://dvcnews.com/index.p/dvc-program/owning-dvc/1557-distribution-of-dvc-points-by-use-year

I'd talk to the DVC member services. A few weeks ago I was talking to the DVC guy at one of the EPCOT kiosks, and he mentioned I might want to buy another membership ( I own at SSR, but have only eaten there, so far) and according to him, you can buy slightly used memberships thru Disney, which makes me think you can get all the membership perks, which you lose going thru a resale group. Might be worth asking about.

Yes, you can purchase resale contracts direct from DVC, which they have acquired thru foreclosure and ROFR. I contacted my Vacation Guide a couple years ago about a 50 pt add on at BWV, and I'm pretty sure the price was $115/pt. Guessing that resale contract from DVC today, runs around $125/pt.

sparrow, by purchasing resale you cannot use your points for Disney cruises, nor for the Disney Adventures trips to other destinations. However, you retain all your privileges at DVC resorts, including HH and VB too. I did not care about the cruises or other trips, so this was a good move for me.

Here's what the DVC Member Website said when the policy was announced:

Disney Vacation Club(r) has announced a new policy that limits access to certain Member Getaways exchanges for Ownership Interests purchased on the secondary market (also known as the re-sale market).

Under the new policy, Members who purchase from anyone other than Disney Vacation Development, Inc., on or after March 21, 2011, will not be eligible to use those Vacation Points to make reservations within the Concierge Collection, the Disney Collection or the Adventurer Collection. Those Vacation Points will instead be valid only for reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts, as well as for RCI(r) exchanges, Club Cordial and Club Intrawest.

The affected collections are special Member benefits programs offered by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., and are not part of Members' Ownership Interests. That said, Members who purchased on the secondary market prior to March 21, 2011, may use those Vacation Points for all Member Getaways.

Note that the policy doesn't impact banking, borrowing or transferring Vacation Points. All Members will continue to have the ability make such transactions, regardless of where they purchased their Ownership Interests. Complete rules about these transactions are available in the Home Resort Rules and Regulations section of this website.

Actually, Kristen, I do think there are some "other" RCI exchanges we resalers are allowed to access, and there are some worldwide options too from what I remember. They are just not the same as the ones you can access with Disney. However, I am again only interested in DVC.

You're totally right DisneyDoc! I spoke before I looked it up. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet this morning. I just edited my post

I just bought a loaded Boardwalk contract for $60 per point. Buying from Disney for twice that just seems silly.

If I wanted to cruise, the last thing I would do is use points for it- you get terrible value.

The other perk, an RCI excahnge can usually be obtained on e-bay for $0.

But Kristen, you are spot on that the "perks" are not as Disneyfied with resale. We resalers are not allowed to book concierge either, from what I remember.

I did weigh ALL of that so carefully before leaping, but the chance to get SO many pts, and my desire just to be a regular old DVC stayer, seemed to spell resale for me.

It is so awesome that there are so many different ways to jump on board these days. I may even entertain adding a few more pts, after I see what the fees do this year.

OOO, Colonel, that is exactly where I want to purchase next if I do so. I hesistated with BW because of the earlier expiration, but hey, I would be getting up there in age by 2042 anyway. BUT...I will be rolling that wheelchair down to Disney. They can unload me at valet.

That's what I figure. Let the grand kids push me around for a change. I think they'll draw the line at changing my diaper though.

I've found this thread fascinating because other people think about so many more things when considering their DVC purchase than I did. However, the "monetary value" of DVC wasn't my main consideration in my purchase. It boggles my mind to think about the amount of detail many people research when making this decision, for us it was a much more instinctive purchase. It's one of my favorite things about the Disney community though, how the brand accomodates so many different styles of traveler.

I bought my first contract impulsively. I stayed at Beach Club and just had to own there. I learned about resale after the fact when I added on.

LOL...I avoided the kiosks too, because I KNEW I was gonna do it. Those CMs would get me before I exited. I so wanted to tour the villas, etc, but I was too vulnerable.

I wouldn't go to the kiosks either because I know I wouldn't be able to afford to buy and then it would be pure torture. When I go shopping I go only to buy what I actually need - don't like to window shop knowing that what I am looking at I can't afford. Sigh.

Make sure you get on the email mailing lists or by the time you see the new contract listings it will be too late.