2 questions about DVC

[blackshirt]

We are seriously considering DVC, but I have 2 questions that I can't seem to find the answer to. If say , for instance, you bank 150 points from June of 2002(June year) then in June of 2003 you could use those points plus your new allotment of 150 points(300 total). If you wanted to save up for 2004, could you bank the 300 or just the 150 from 2003? Also, how difficult is it to make reservations at resorts other than your home resort? Are studios more difficult to get? Well, I quess that's 3 questions. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Werner Weiss]

You can bank or borrow up to 100% of your points for a given year (as long as you follow the banking guidelines), but once the points are banked or borrowed, they remain in the year into which they were moved. If they are not used by the end of the use year, they expire. So, in your example, you cannot bank the points from 2002 into 2004.

If you own 150 points and you needed 450 points in 2004, you could bank 150 points from 2003 and borrow 150 points from 2005.

As far as getting reservations at a resort that's not your home resort, the evidence on this board is that people do it all the time — but it's a matter of luck and timing. DVC's charts tend change the normal demand curve at WDW, which is their intention. In some cases, traditionally slow periods at WDW, such as the weeks before and after Thanksgiving, are in great demand by DVC members, and are thus difficult to get at the 7-month mark.

If you plan to stay at various different DVC resorts at WDW, you can safely buy at any of the WDW DVC resorts — as long as you realize there may be years when you find yourself unable to switch from your home reosrt to another resort at the 7-month mark. (Only buy at HH or VB if you plan to stay at one of those beautiful resorts often.)

The conventional wisdom on this board seems to be that Grand Villas book first (because there are so few), and then studios, 1-BRs, and 2-BRs. But once members experience 1-BRs and 2-BRs, it's difficult to go back to a studio.

 

[JOC]

I'll give your questions a shot:

1. If say, for instance, you bank 150 points from June of 2002(June year) then in June of 2003 you could use those points plus your new allotment of 150 points(300 total). If you wanted to save up for 2004, could you bank the 300 or just the 150 from 2003? No, you cannot bank the 2002 points again. However, you can borrow the 2004 points and have 450 points to use at one time.

2. Also, how difficult is it to make reservations at resorts other than your home resort? You have the 11-month reservation window at your home resort; you won't be able to make reservations at your non-home resort until the 7-month window. A lot of members are able to switch their home resort reservation to another DVC resort without problems, depending on time of year. However, if where you stay is going to be very important to you (especially during the busy DVC months of October, November and December and holiday periods like Easter/Spring Break, etc.), then it's usually suggested to purchase where you'll intend to stay the most.

3. Are studios more difficult to get? You shouldn't have a problem getting a studio at your 11-month mark.

Hope that helps!!!

 

[adamak]

The 150 points you banked from 2002 will have to be used in 2003, or else you'll lose it. So in June 2003, you'll have 300 total (150 from 02, 150 from 03). I dont' think you can carry that 150 from 02 to 04.

What you can do though, is to bank 150 from 2003 into 2004, and then borrow 150 from 2005. That is, in June 2004, you'll have 150 from 03, 150 from 04 and 150 from 05. 450 total.

That's my understanding.... please correct me if I'm wrong.

As for reserving for other resorts than your home... I never have a problem. Depends on what kinda room you want, and when you're going. Xmas week and/or grand villa will be tough. Otherwise, you should be able to get what you want.

We have 155 points (BWV), since 1997. We never have a problem reserving studio / 1 / 2 bedrooms 6 months ahead. We did a 2-bdrm during winter break (Feb) in BWV, then another 2-rm in May in HH, a 2-rm in BCV in Aug, 1-rm in BWV and studio in OKW. Studio is not that difficult for me, esp in OKW. 1-bedroom is tougher for some reason. Planning is the key.

If you can afford 150 points, go for it. It's the best impulse buy I ever did in my life. DVC gave me a chance to treat my family for reunion, great hotel, services...etc. I wouldn't be able to afford BWV otherwise.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

If you wanted to save up for 2004, could you bank the 300 or just the 150 from 2003?

NO you can't bank them again. But you could borrow your 2004 points to give you a total of 450 to use between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2004. At any one time you can't have more than 300% of your total.

how difficult is it to make reservations at resorts other than your home resort?

Buy where you want to stay, first and foremost. But when you do want to stray, it depends on the time of year. For example the first coulpe of weeks of December are popular DVC times which make it tough to get a reservation at the 7 month window. Other holiday periods are also difficult. Certain types of rooms are tough to get too such as standard view rooms at the BWV and Grand Villas at OKW.

Are studios more difficult to get?

At 11 months you can get anything generally but it again depends on the time of year and resort.

HBC

 

[new_yawka]

Lots of answers on these boards

Anyway, in order:

1) Points may be banked for only one year. So, if you bank 2002 points, you must use those points by the end of your 2003 use year or los the points. You could, however, use the banked points and then bank your 150 2003 points for use in 2004. You could also Borrow from 2005 and thus, have a maximum of 450 points avilable in any one use year.

2 and 3) The answer varies greatly depending upon type of accommodation and time of year. For example, studios generally will go first and christmas and easter are the most popular times (although there are others). If, however, you will be traveling in off peak times, you are likely to have plenty of opportunities at other DVC properties. Even during peak times you may, but you will likely need to go on a waitlist. A lot of people book at their home resort at the 11th month window and then switch later, if available at the 7 month window or thereafter. If you will be booking inside the 7 month window on a regular basis, home resort won't matter much.

Hope that helps. Good luck with the decision.

 

[new_yawka]

All those posts at (approximately) the same time.

That should answer the questions

 

[blackshirt]

Thanks, all those replies answered my questions completely. This site is full of helpful people.