A couple of questions for the experts

[PamNC]

Hi there - My DH and I have a couple of questions about DVC ownership.

1) We don't have kids, so we would only use our points for a studio. Which is good, because it's less points. But we were wondering, has anyone found that it's harder to get a studio for that very reason? We would most likely not be booking at the home resort, so I know we have a 7 month window.

2) What is the cancellation policy? Say you book a trip and something happens and you have to cancel. Do you totally and completely lose your points? How does that work? Can you use them later?

thanks everyone - you guys know everything.

PamNC

 

[vascubaguy]

Hi there - My DH and I have a couple of questions about DVC ownership.

1) We don't have kids, so we would only use our points for a studio. Which is good, because it's less points. But we were wondering, has anyone found that it's harder to get a studio for that very reason? We would most likely not be booking at the home resort, so I know we have a 7 month window.

2) What is the cancellation policy? Say you book a trip and something happens and you have to cancel. Do you totally and completely lose your points? How does that work? Can you use them later?

thanks everyone - you guys know everything.

PamNC

#1 The availability of the studio would depend on which resort and what time of year. If you are trying to get a standard view studio at the BWV it might be a little difficult. Not as much of a problem at OKW or SSR or even BWV pref view studios. BCV might become more and more difficult. (I booked a standard view studio at BWV exactly at the 7 month window and had to wait list for a few of the days. However, all of those wait lists came thru). I wouldn't really expect to get a BWV studio during the F&W festival though.

#2 If you cancel 31 days or more before the check-in date, you get all of the points restored back into your account. If it's between 1-30 days, those points go into a Holding Account. Those Holding Account points can be used to book a reservation 60 days or less from the new check-in date. The points can be used towards a DVC resort stay, The Disney Collection, World Passport Collection, Concierge Collection, and Adventurer Collection. Holding points can't be banked or borrowed and expire at the end of the current use year. Ok, finally if you cancel on the check-in date, you forfeit the points.

Check out the "member information" website I threw together. It has some info you might be interested in knowing.

HTH and let us know if you have any more questions.

 

[jimmytammy]

I will add that being a DVC member, its probably a good idea to be reasonably sure you will be vacationing during the time you have reserved for. Sure, things unforseen do come up. But with an 11/7 mos window you will most likely know you can go from planning so far ahead. I find that to be a plus because it allows us time to get prepared and schedule things accordingly.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[Caskbill]

I think the only thing Vascubaguy left out is the 60-day rule which applies to the Disney Collection, Concierge collection, and Adventurer Collection. And that is that you cannot book and travel in these collections within the last 60 days of your Use Year. You can travel in the last 60 days provided you book more than 60 days out. (Of course for holding points you can't book more than 60 days out, so for holding points you cannot use them for these collections if within the last 60 days of your use year.

The 60 day rule applies for all reservations regardless of type of points used: Regular, Holding, Banked or Borrowed.

 

[poohj80]

1) We don't have kids, so we would only use our points for a studio.

Don't be so sure. DH and I were spoiled by a 1BR and rarely go back to a studio (unless we're trying to sneak in an extra trip and don't have many points left).

 

[dianeschlicht]

Don't be so sure. DH and I were spoiled by a 1BR and rarely go back to a studio (unless we're trying to sneak in an extra trip and don't have many points left).

LOL, I was going to say the same thing! We can't give up the in room whirlpool or laundry and full kitchen.

 

[spiceycat]

I still stay in studios - I have stayed in a 1 and 2 bedroom.

but I am cheap!!!

anyway make your reservations at your home resort in the 11th month. then you are guaranteed of having something.

at the 7th month change it to what you really want.

the only times I haven't been able to do this are - Food/Wine festavial trying to get an Epcot resort (the others were available), Dec 1-14 (this might now be longer), THanksgiving.

these are MY times for it to be hard to change at the 7th month.

that is why you need to make sure you reserve your home at the 11 month if you possible can - especially if you are traveling in any of the above times.

summer, spring break - other times where WDW is packed and very busy - are NOT hard to get.

studios are great.

OKW has 2 queen beds, the others have queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.

they are pretty wonderful!!!

I also use the kitchennett - I have food allergies so eating out can be a BIG pain.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We own at two DVC locations and have never had a problem with booking a one bedroom or studio. We've gone every month except January and August.

The 31 day cancelation policy is quite reasonable. Even if you are in the 30 day column there are ways to use the most of your points.

 

[PamNC]

great info. I thought about the 1 bedroom thing, but I think we'll stick to studios for the simple reason it's less points. We're not technically "cheap" people but we want to go as much as possible. I just won't try a 1 bedroom so I won't be tempted. That way, I'll never know what I'm missing.

Cancellation policy sounds totally reasonable.

Our problem with booking at 11 months is, well...we just can't usually do that. We're both self-employed so we don't have set schedules and things come up. 7 months is hard even. That's why it doesn't matter where we buy. We just need POINTS. We like to go in the summer! sounds like that is the easiest time to book. However, we also like Thanksgiving which sounds tough.

You guys are a wealth of DVC info!

Thanks

PamNC

 

[Pluto 2]

you would want to go with ssr for the extra 12 years. i never wanted to stay in a 1 bedroom because it cost twice as many points, but next year im staying in a 1 bedroom.

 

[RAD]

Don't be so sure. DH and I were spoiled by a 1BR and rarely go back to a studio (unless we're trying to sneak in an extra trip and don't have many points left).

I was going to say the same thing, we've always had a 1BR at least except for the last trip where we had a late arrivial for a 1 day layover before the DVC cruise and got a studio. Once you've had the 1BR there's no looking back, that's what sold us on DVC in the first place.

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Another "don't be so sure about the studio" thing.
Dh and I stayed in a studio the first trip and twice since then. And now we will probably only stay in 1 bdrms! We are just more comfortable, esp if we are staying for more than a few days. We like having the kitchen, jacuzzi, and laundry. It's like having your own apartment at WDW!

That is one of the wonderful things about DVC. The flexibility is there to meet the needs of all!

Hope to be saying "Welcome Home" to you real soon!

 

[Pa@okw95]

It is just the two of us and we never use a studio. There are many members that can afford to spend as many points as they wish. In recent years the membership has changed but there is still enough of us old members around that were not sold on buying into DVC as a cost savings, we bought into it thinking it was an upscale operation. You should have many studios available at your home resort between 7 months and 11 months, do not be concerned about that.

 

[vascubaguy]

It is just the two of us and we never use a studio. There are many members that can afford to spend as many points as they wish. In recent years the membership has changed but there is still enough of us old members around that were not sold on buying into DVC as a cost savings, we bought into it thinking it was an upscale operation. You should have many studios available at your home resort between 7 months and 11 months, do not be concerned about that.

Unless at 7 months you are trying for a studio Xmas time at VWL, or F&W at BCV or BWV.

 

[ceejay13]

Like the others we travel without kids, just the 2 of us and have only stayed in a studio once in 5 years. Our solution to the point issue was to add on 3 times. We love the one bedrooms. The jacuzzi, full kitchen and laundry facilities will spoil you for sure.