1. We are able to plan well in advance. Most of the points will likely be given to our employees as a thank you! (we are a small tight knit company of 52 employees. When my business partner (BP) and I want to use them, we will definitely be able to plan in advance.
This is critical for DVC usage but can be a barrier for some who are considering DVC purchases. Checking this box for planning goes a long way in assisting with availability.
2. We probably won't be hosting clients at the resort, it is possible that we book a few nights and give them away to clients as a thank you/appreciation.
In this circumstance, probably the most important concept that many have discussed here is “buy where you want to stay.” Personally, I own CCV and VGF for these reasons – and these are such individual choices. I have used my personally owned VGF points to provide trips for my business associates as a gift or thank you on multiple occasions. For a first time trip for a family, VGF is one of the classic deluxe resorts, and is often what people associate with Disney (right or wrong – not trying to create a debate on what is best, just making a general statement of opinion).
3. For personal stuff, we love being close to the action and using disney transportation (i own at VGF and BW currently) but for this instance, we wouldn't really care.
I think if business needs in your resort choice (conference/meeting rooms, dining for clients, etc.) are low, then you have a lot of flexibility in your resort choice.
4. If we host clients for a meal, outside of a few select Disney restaurants, we would most likely host off property. The Orlando area has some excellent choices that, frankly, put disney restaurants to shame.
This gives you so many options - if proximity of resort or in-park restaurants is not critical
5. In regards to rooms, if its my family going, my wife and I have 4 kids. So we usually rent a 2 BR, a 2br and a studio, or a grand villa. BP is just him and his wife and i believe the largest family that we have outside of mine is a family of 7 (one is in a crib) so realistically there might be a time where we have to reserve multiple rooms.
I’m in the same boat for my family. The recent increase in studios at VGF was a positive factor for me in having more flexibility to book a 2-bedroom and a concurrent studio. Studios can be hard to come by at some resorts.
6. Well i would like to say we will keep the clients indefinitely but lets be real, we never really know. The 2 companies that we work with in FL have been our clients for 4.5 years and i would like to think we have a good relationship. There were there when we started and we now have exclusive rights to all their warehousing/storage and logistics. Again, hoping we have them for a looooong time.
I suppose if there is any uncertainty, it’s probably wise to consider your selling threshold as you buy points. I agree that if you purchase it could be very smart to purchase multiple smaller contracts (100-150 point increments for example) that would allow you to downsize and still have access to the same resort. Historically, smaller point contracts actually have higher per point value if you sell them on the resale market than large contracts (400 points for example).
7. Business-wise, i don't know if Disney resorts are really "for business"... I think i would probably use this mostly for leisure and gifting and "schmoozing"
Going for a resort with a lot of boxes checked may be smart in this circumstance: close to a Disney park (walkable?), great on site restaurants, lots of on-site amenities, close to Disney activities (golf, etc.), close to a Disney exclusive form of transportation (monorail, skyliner), great pools, great lounges, etc.
There are many here with much more experience than me, but hopefully this helps. Again, I currently own at VGF and CCV. Honestly, CCV is my favorite for my family. If it were not for the current length of the remaining contract at BCV, I’d also own there. I absolutely love AKV as well, but this may not be the classic Disney resort for business, and transportation can be a bit of an issue. I like it because it does feel somewhat removed from the rest of Disney and the theming and restaurants are amazing, but I’m concerned that it may not check many of the boxes you are looking for in this purchase. The Poly is great too, but I don’t think it currently meets all of your needs (no 2 bedroom, etc) – this may change substantially when the new Poly building opens. Finally, I don’t have any personal experience with RIV other than briefly walking through on a recent trip. I’ll yield to others on this resort.
) for a large purchase instead of resale? Thanks for the insights everyone!
