Almost new DVC owner

[obelix]

I thought I'd introduce myself, seeing how I just passed the ROFR I will probably be an owner in a few weeks.. The guys I'm dealing with ********** have been pretty good so far.. I can't wait to close so I can take my first DVC vacation... I have two small children and they absolutely loved disney last year, so I think it's safe to say we'll be going back regularly until they are up in their teens... Only thing I hope is that I can close very quick.. The contract I'm buying is 100 2007 pts expiring May31st, 100 2008 pts and 100 pts coming June 1st, so I'd like to be able to use the ones expiring in May before they are gone.. What do you guys think, in your experiences, think I should be able to close sometime at the end of March and then still have time to take a vacation sometime in May at one of the resorts.. Also, which orlando resort do you think my best chances would be to book in May on such short notice..

Thanks..

 

[Deb & Bill]

You may still be able to get SSR or OKW at close to your dates.

Good luck.

 

[obelix]

Ok, so I could deal with those two just fine.. Was talking with the wife however, and we are thinking since the grandparents want to to, and it would be us and the two kiddies, we'd just use the extra points we are getting with the resale and get a 2 bedroom.. My question is, are these two bedrooms popular choices, and since AKV seems to bee the cheapeast point wise, it looks like from the resort reservation board, our chances may be pretty good in getting May 6-10th, does anyone have any real experience booking a 2br there on short notice, or anywhere else.. It's looking like I may have 6 weeks advanced notice to book due to the closing date..

 

[Sandisw]

Ok, so I could deal with those two just fine.. Was talking with the wife however, and we are thinking since the grandparents want to to, and it would be us and the two kiddies, we'd just use the extra points we are getting with the resale and get a 2 bedroom.. My question is, are these two bedrooms popular choices, and since AKV seems to bee the cheapeast point wise, it looks like from the resort reservation board, our chances may be pretty good in getting May 6-10th, does anyone have any real experience booking a 2br there on short notice, or anywhere else.. It's looking like I may have 6 weeks advanced notice to book due to the closing date..

Just be aware that the Resort Availablity boards only lists what has been reported by DVC members who use this site (and many do not not).

Even though it lists "No reports", it doesn't mean that there is availability. It just means that no one has shared any information about those rooms and dates.

The board is really a better measure of what is NOT available than what is. However, peoples reservations change and sometimes are cancelled, so even then, some dates previously listed as gone may come through.

The closer you are to your travel dates, the harder it is to book. Most of what I have seen, SSR and OKW are pretty good bets for reservations but sometimes, last minute cancellations can surprise you!!!

Have a great and magical time and CONGRATULATIONS on your new purchase!!!!

 

[tomandrobin]

I called yesterday morning for a studio in the first week of May. All the resorts had availability except BCV and AKV.

I think your chances are good, but as May gets closer, your booking window is going to get harder. May is a "shoulder season" month and not real popular for booking, falling between spring break and summer vacations.

Also, congratulations on your DVC purchase!

 

[obelix]

Thanks.. Makes me feel a little better that I may be able to squeek in.. Hopefully I can hurry and close so I can book... How fast after you guys have closed were you able to make a reservation.. Before Disney knows you are the new owner..

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks.. Makes me feel a little better that I may be able to squeek in.. Hopefully I can hurry and close so I can book... How fast after you guys have closed were you able to make a reservation.. Before Disney knows you are the new owner..

I think it's about a week to ten days.

 

[obelix]

Was starting to get worried, but my points showed up in my account on friday, made a reservation friday for next week... Still have 100 pts left and 100 coming june 1st.. Was almost like getting 2 vacations included in the price, plus some added value because the contract wasn't stripped.. Whole thing, split closing, 2009 maint fee and cost was 7200 for a 100 pt contract at HHI just in case anyone is looking to see what kind of deal you can get.. Most of the lower cost contracts were stripped in points, or for a very high maint fee place like vero beach.. The way I rationalized this was I wanted to buy one for the value years to come, but also wanted to get a value now.. So I was planning on buying 5 days at POFQ and that was going to be 800 bucks (including tax, etc) for each 5 day stay next week.. Since this HHI one already came with 200pts, that was equivilent to taking 1600 off the price, since I would have paid it anyways to vacation at POFQ this year and next if I hadn't bought into DVC.. My first stay is going to be at SSR, Tuesday-Sunday of next week 101pts, first night is in a 1br, because those 100 pts were going to expire on may 31, otherwise it would have been 88pts for the 5 days. I may have to set down and see how much I could sell it for minus commission and other costs if I were to use these 100 this week, use 150 next year, and 150 next year and then strip the contract by borrowing and using for one last vacatoin and sell.. find out what the difference from the 7200 I paid, minus 1200 for the next two years in maint fees and what I could get from selling it in a few years, I may actually be able to come out way on top vs what the same amount of retail vacations would have cost me at disney.. Or I may just keep it and use it until my kids are grown, either way, it's mine for now..