Advice - UY on purchase of BLT

[kwdw]

So - I am strongly considering buying 100 points at BLT directly through Disney as a first-time DVC purchaser. I'm not comfortable going through resell at the moment.

I would most likely want a studio or one bedroom at BLT (probably 3-5 night stays) in the first two weeks of Dec. or first two weeks of January the next five years as my first choice. Or maybe late Sept. I can't really make a reasonable prediction if I'd want those times in the long term, but in the next few years, it's likely based on my field of employment.

They are offering a UY of March. That 11 month window gives me priority in February. Yuck. Or am I thinking about this wrong?

Can you get different UY than what they say they have if you push from Disney?

K -

 

[Chuck S]

UY has nothing to do with the 11 month priority. You can always book 11 months before your check-in date at your home resort. UY comes into play for banking and borrowing.

March UY could be a problem if you need to cancel a December reservation at 31 days out. But as long as you cancel by October 31, you'd have no trouble banking those points.

 

[Sandisw]

First, your UY has nothing to do with when you can book. You can always book 11 months in advance of a trip.

If you want to travel Sept, Dec or Jan, I would not go with a March UY. I would ask them for Sept UY. While Disney is offering March, they will allow new buyers to get the UY of their choice, especially if they tell them that is what they want.

They typically try to sell new members a UY that will get them points the quickest. For example, if you got a March UY, you would get 2010 points (that they would let you bank) and then your next set of points would become current UY points on March 1st, 2011.

However, since UY does play a role if you ever cancel or need to change a reservation, IMO, I would choose one that falls before my typical travel as it allows for the most flexibility.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you plan on early Dec, be forewarned. That is an extremely popular time for DVC members and you'll need to book your home resort at 11 months out.

 

[kwdw]

Thanks for clarifying folks! I think I've decided that UY doesn't matter much to me for a first purchase since I'm a pretty good planner and I expect that my desired times to visit will change over the years.

 

[JimMIA]

If you want to travel Sept, Dec or Jan, I would not go with a March UY. I would ask them for Sept UY. While Disney is offering March, they will allow new buyers to get the UY of their choice, especially if they tell them that is what they want.

Sandi is right, and your DVC timeshare salesman's response to that request will tell you a lot about whether they are working for you or themselves.

Your question about UY also betrays a real lack of understanding of how DVC works. You are contemplating a major luxury purchase, and you really need to do your research. Don't trust Disney to "treat you right" because you don't know what "right" is until you understand how the system really works.

Do your OWN research and be sure you understand the timeshare you are buying before you purchase.

In particular, you should understand how reservations actually work, what happens in the event of a cancellation, banking and borrowing, and holding and reservation points.

You should also clearly understand that anything beyond using your points at your home resort can be changed at any moment by a simple stroke of the Mouse's pen. Perks and other lavishly-promoted benefits of DVC timeshare ownership can and do change from time to time (frequently in the last 3 years or so), so don't count on ANY of those cool things being around next year.

Do your homework, and good luck!

 

[kwdw]

It's funny that you point out my - now realized - stupid error! I'm already slowing down the process and making sure I've got it all before deciding. Even re-considering my position on resale purchases.

These boards are great.

 

[JimMIA]

It's funny that you point out my - now realized - stupid error!

Nothing stupid about it. You made a common incorrect assumption that most of us here have made. Better to realize it NOW than later.

I'm already slowing down the process and making sure I've got it all before deciding.

Good! You've already made the best first step you could -- coming here to the DIS and asking questions.

I did the same thing a few years ago when I was a newbie, and I really learned a lot and ended up saving $4,000 on my initial purchase, which was resale. For my add-on, I had learned enough to realize that an SSR promotion was actually a better deal for my family than what was available resale. It was the knowledge I'd gained here that made me comfortable with that decision even though I didn't trust (and still don't) my DVC timeshare salesperson.

Even re-considering my position on resale purchases.

We all have our biases -- mine is that I can't give you an intellectually-honest justification for buying direct right now. But that's for ME.

I can't tell you what is right for YOU. Do your OWN research carefully, and whatever decision you make in the end will be the right decision for you.

These boards are great.

Yep, and you ain't seen nothing yet!

 

[dbs1228]

These boards are a wealth of information! I bought before discovering but added on after discovering so all is good! The only thing I realized after buying in is that I had/have 2 vacations scheduled that I normally would not have, so UY for me has little to no impact on us. We alway traveled in Feb and now that is changing with 2 in college with no Feb break. Actually this year we used points in May, Aug, Dec and Feb 2011 with a Aug UY.

 

[ToddyLu]

There are lots of stickies at the top of the thread page to read as a primer before you purchase. PassPorter has a nice DVC guide that is around $10 that you can download to your computer. You can also read info at DVCNews.com. Read, read, read...I read about DVC 6 months before we purchased...and I am still learning the ropes. You can also rent points from a member to try out BLT before you purchase.

 

[dizfan]

Thanks for clarifying folks! I think I've decided that UY doesn't matter much to me for a first purchase since I'm a pretty good planner and I expect that my desired times to visit will change over the years.

If UY really doesn't matter OR Dec UY works for you...
Even though the guide mentioned March UY, you can get any of the 8 UYs. If buying direct right now, there is an added perk to buying a Dec UY.
Direct purchases with a Dec UY will receive 2009 points. In addition, you will receive 2010 points on Dec. 1, 2010. (All other UYs purchased at this point in the year, will not receive 2009 points). Even if you can't use the 2009 points before Dec 2010, your guide should be able to arrange for the 2009 points to be banked.

For most resorts, resale is a be a better deal. BLT and Aulani are the only two that are debatable. However, a recent rumor is that Disney will be changing policies regarding resale purchased points vs. direct purchased points. Some say existing contracts will be grandfathered in, some say they will not be.

 

[kt_mom]

If UY really doesn't matter OR Dec UY works for you...
Even though the guide mentioned March UY, you can get any of the 8 UYs. If buying direct right now, there is an added perk to buying a Dec UY.
Direct purchases with a Dec UY will receive 2009 points. In addition, you will receive 2010 points on Dec. 1, 2010. (All other UYs purchased at this point in the year, will not receive 2009 points). Even if you can't use the 2009 points before Dec 2010, your guide should be able to arrange for the 2009 points to be banked.

For most resorts, resale is a be a better deal. BLT and Aulani are the only two that are debatable. However, a recent rumor is that Disney will be changing policies regarding resale purchased points vs. direct purchased points. Some say existing contracts will be grandfathered in, some say they will not be.

I don't think this is the case anymore. Our guide had offered us an Oct UY when we first talked to him in August with 2009 points but when we finally made a decision earlier this week I told him I wanted the Dec UY so we could get 2009 points and he told us they were not available anymore. If anyone has luck getting this at this point, please let me know. I was really disappointed. We ended up with a Feb UY and will get 2010 and 2011 points.