Advice for New Members?

[glewis1123]

As I previously posted - my family has just become new members at BCV!!!!

So - my question for all veteran DVC members is this:

If you could pass along a piece of advice to all the new members - what would it be?

Thanks to all in helping us to get our feet wet..

 

[jmminarik]

Howdy, and welcome to the neighborhood.

From what I've done, and all the posts I've seen, the first bit of advice I'd give to you is to figure out how you're going to finance the additional points you'll soon be wanting to buy.

The second bit, if you don't already do it, is read this board alot. New information and clarification of DVC stuff is often more easily accessible here anywhere else.

-Joe

 

[eva]

Joe is right, add-ons are addictive. We started with 150 points thinking that would be plenty, now with 300 points we are starting to think about a resale in the near future. Will the maddness ever end?

My piece of advice is to take plenty of time to relax and enjoy all the little things that most people miss during their hurried trips to WDW. Remember, you will be back many more times over the next 40 years.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Some people plan out how they will be using their points for their upcoming vacations. I suggest not doing this. We joined DVC in 2001 and banked those points to 2002 with plans to be on the Magic Nov 30, 2002. That didnt happen so we ended up needing to go outside the DVC collection and ate up points we werent planning on eating up but it was the only place to stay with only 22hr notice! Now the cruise is Nov 2003 and hopefully by Oct 2004 we can get home to VWL for the 1st time as DVCers. So no matter what others say, dont plan each year ahead of time.

 

[Dean]

My advice would be to truly learn the rules and put NO stock in what you were told. Do so by reading the POS, the guidebook and by the discussions on this board. Many made assumption because they were told something by the guide or assumed something "because it's Disney" and have been disappointed.

imgoingtodisney, I'd disagree with you and recommend one do planning at least 11 months out. Your problem wasn't in your planning but just bad luck.

 

[WDWLVR]

I agree with Dean on both points.

#1 - read and understand your guide book. You should have gotten one when you joined or you can use the online version at the DVC website.

#2 - Planning ahead is the only way to go. You get the best choice of rooms etc. at the 11 month booking window for your resort. 7 month window for other resorts.

We already have 2003 planned out and put into our spreadsheet (I keep track of our points in an Excel spreadsheet). If changes happen they happen (that's life), but not planning won't help.

A few other pieces of advice:

Always keep track of your points and confirm with member services after you have made any transactions that you both agree what your points are. That is what I've always done and I've never had any problems.

Read these boards - they are full of great advice.

 

[ncligs]

It is to your advantage to plan ahead(7 month 11 month) when you are using a DVC resort. If you are planning to do a cruise,you should look at using cash going through DU(DreamsUnlimited).You can also rent out your points to pay cash for the cruise, and come out way farther ahead. For some reason , the points to cruise keep going up every year.

 

[anniet]

Definitely read your POS and Agreement of Understanding. Remember you purchased accomodations from DVC, and be thankful for the other perks while you have them, because they could change or be gone tomorrow.

And just for the record, I have my next 4 trips planned through September 2005, but I have backup plans as well. Just in case you can't get your first request, have a backup plan- different dates, locations or accomodation size so you hopefully you won't be disappointed.

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home!

 

[Richyams]

I would just like to add, pay attention to me. I am pretty much always right.

 

[Disney Doll]

I utilize the Member Services people a lot. I always get the name of the person with whom I spoke, so that if a question comes up later, I can say "Well, I spoke with so-and-so on December 22 at 230PM and they told me this".

Take time to enjoy the little magical things at WDW, like sitting on a bench or relaxing by the pool or vidsiting the rose garden at the BWVs. Those are things that the average Disney-goer doesn't do, because they are in commando touring mode. You, as a DVC member, will have years to ride It's A Small World. You don't need to do it every time you're there. Now DH and I rent a boat at least once while we're there and cruise around one of the waterways(depending on where we're staying), we sleep late, tour the parks for as little or long as we want at a relaxed pace,drink in the ambience, play mini golf etc. It's a different type of WDW vacation, but better, IMHO.

 

[Ashley'sDad]

As a fairly new Member myself, I have to say that the previous posts are absolutely correct - Read this board! I don't get to post as often as I might like (quiet time is rare with a little one!), but I always try to read the boards every few weeks or so. The advice that the posters here have is invaluable.

Also, one of the previous posters is correct that you should get the name of the person you spoke to in member services. Making them repeat back to you everything you asked for is a good idea too. They are a pretty great bunch, but they are human, and can make the odd mistake just like the rest of us. Just take the time to double check, and that way you won't have any problems.

Most important - Enjoy yourself! You have the next 40 years to use your membership, so take the time to do the little things that you never seem to have the time to do.

Congratulations, and I sure hope you enjoy your membership as much as we do!

 

[ILuvDVC]

Take Family and Friends with you and enjoy you DVC Membership!

I always plan 11 months in advance, and every once in a while, I will do a spare of the moment trip, but that doesn't happen often. Part of the fun of owning is knowing that I'm going back again, and again and again!

Have a wonderful time being members!

 

[Eeyore2U]

I agree with Dean. Learn your stuff and be an educated user.

I also diagree with imgoingtodisney. You really need to have basic planning done ahead of time so you can use the 11/7 booking windows,

 

[DebbieB]

What I love about DVC is that you know you will be back, so you don't have the pressure to "do it all". You don't have to be a park commando. You can relax more and just enjoy it.

 

[jimmytammy]

I am a yr old member but my quick learned experience is plan ahead for the 11 mos window, dont procrastinate to long.

Also, relax and enjoy and always remember you have 40 yrs to take it all in.

 

[Granny]

There is lots of great advice here....for all DVC members new and otherwise.


My piece of advice? If at all possible, try not to sweat the small stuff. Don't worry if you're room requests aren't all met. Don't worry if the check-in staff seems rushed or even rude. Don't worry if the weather is poor or the parks are crowded. Don't worry if small things go wrong....as they almost certainly will.


Enjoy the vacation....as many have said, you will have more of them. But more importantly, enjoy each one as much as possible. None of us know how many of those 39 more years of vacations will truly be available to us...so enjoy each one for what it brings.

 

[colleen costello]

My 2 cents added would be to plan your accomodations to the time of year you are traveling and to the group with whom you travel. We will visit twice in the coming year, and we will stay at OKW and BCV. OKW is perfect in the Spring. Posters here say the azaleas are gorgeous and since the weather will be moderate, we will spend a lot of time in the parks. Coming and going will be easy as we will have our own vehicle. Grandma and Grandpa will be with us and parking right out front from the room makes it easy for them.

In June we will stay at BCV. It will be hot and we will spend a lot of time at the resort so the action of the Beach Club, with Stormalong Bay and so many restaurants and shops nearby, will be perfect. As it will just be the 4 of us, we'll stay in a studio to save points. For not too many points we'll have all the luxury of the beautiful Beach Club!

What I love most about DVC is this flexibility to decide on the perfect combination of points used, location, and amenities to make each visit special. Welcome!