Best use year

[Networth]

Been highly concidering joining DVC via resale purchase. We typically always go in December.

What would be an ideal use year considering when we visit?

Pro’s and Con’s and does it really matter.

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

It’s not something I care about. It only matters if you have to cancel after the deadline to bank points.

So when our first trip was in December and we used banked, current, and some borrowed February points, it would have been BAD if we’d had to cancel. We would have had to try to wrangle a January trip somehow.

But that’s not the only time we travel, so... And we figured that if there’s something bad enough to cause us to cancel, the points would be the very last thing we cared about.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The best UY is one that gives you time to either bank points or as much time as possible to use the points before they expire in case of a last minute cancellation. It's a bit of free "insurance" against last minute cancellations by giving you time to use the points. To have those options you want to have a UY that starts just prior to your normal trips which means the reservation would be at the very beginning of your UY. If you always go in December than a December UY is the best. Other options that will still give this free "insurance" in descending order is Oct, Sept, August and June.

I do think it's important enough to consider as we've had 2 late cancellations. Having a good UY meant that we could cancel and not have to devote time to using the points immediately because we had months to use them or decided if we wanted to rent. If we had trips that were at the very end of our UY we would have lost many points.

 

[Dean]

Been highly concidering joining DVC via resale purchase. We typically always go in December.

What would be an ideal use year considering when we visit?

Pro’s and Con’s is doesn’t it really not matter.

Thanks!

IMO UY is very important equating to a full years worth of points or more in some case. And where it's not important, a buyer would be taking more inherent risk than those that can target a good UY. If you consistently go in Dec, I'd hold out for a Dec UY in almost all situations. The only exceptions would be for very difficult to get home resorts I might expand my choices by a couple of months.

 

[chalee94]

If you sometimes go at the end of November, then an October UY is best.

Otherwise, a December UY is best for mostly December trips.

 

[Networth]

First off, thank you very much guys for the help. We are really trying to decide if DVC is a good idea for us.

We typically spend 7 nights at the GF every year and thats not a financial strain (just highway robbery), but we toured this past trip with a guide and can’t help but notice the money we would save. It seems almost stupid to keep paying Disney resort rates (even with AP discounts which are becoming less and less...) as opposed to just buying resale at VGF.

We still have a few hang ups. What if the future children get sick of Disney in 20 years? What if the villas become beat down because the 100% occupancy? What if we once in awhile want to book at Bay Lake for a theme park view etc... anyway

I have found two smaller/midrange contracts that my wife and I are looking over

The first is $147 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $22,050 - UY June
The second is $159 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $23,850 - UY December

Is having the December UY worth the additional $1800? We will buy another resale contract at a later date if we decide we want a 1 bedroom if that matters.

 

[Bing Showei]

Is having the December UY worth the additional $1800? We will buy another resale contract at a later date if we decide we want a 1 bedroom if that matters.

For December travel, either contract would be within your 8 month banking period and functionally the same exact points.

UY only determines your banking deadline (January 31 for June UY, July 31 for December UY), which acts as insurance in case of cancellation. Only worth paying more for December if it serves your need to travel February-May.

 

[frabjous]

First off, thank you very much guys for the help. We are really trying to decide if DVC is a good idea for us.

We typically spend 7 nights at the GF every year and thats not a financial strain (just highway robbery), but we toured this past trip with a guide and can’t help but notice the money we would save. It seems almost stupid to keep paying Disney resort rates (even with AP discounts which are becoming less and less...) as opposed to just buying resale at VGF.

We still have a few hang ups. What if the future children get sick of Disney in 20 years? What if the villas become beat down because the 100% occupancy? What if we once in awhile want to book at Bay Lake for a theme park view etc... anyway

I have found two smaller/midrange contracts that my wife and I are looking over

The first is $147 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $22,050 - UY December
The second is $159 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $23,850 - UY June

Is having the December UY worth the additional $1800? We will buy another resale contract at a later date if we decide we want a 1 bedroom if that matters.

If you plan to purchase multiple contracts I would recommend favoring the UY that has more availability. Some of the UY have smaller volume so its harder to pick up a resale for them. June has very large volume, not sure about Dec.

As the optimal UY, another way to look at it is to think about when you are least likely to travel. For example, with a Dec use-year, vacations you cancel in Aug through Nov, you won't be able to bank your points unless you cancel before those months. In my family's case, the timeframe we are least interested in is the summer, since that has the largest crowds and highest temps, so I went with October UY. The unfortunate side-effect of that is picking up add-ons in Oct is a pain due to market volume.

 

[unveilmyeyes]

The first is $147 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $22,050 - UY December
The second is $159 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $23,850 - UY June

Is having the December UY worth the additional $1800? We will buy another resale contract at a later date if we decide we want a 1 bedroom if that matters.

Kind of need to see status of past/current/future points to tell what is better deal... ie) if the June has 2017 points still but Dec doesn't, then it's worth at least $12/point more (as that's at least how much you could rent those points for)..

 

[bumbershoot]

What if the future children get sick of Disney in 20 years?

Not worth worrying about at all. You can sell, they can sell, that’s all the thinking you need to do on that.

What if the villas become beat down because the 100% occupancy?

They will, and then there will be refurbs, and the cycle will continue.

What if we once in awhile want to book at Bay Lake for a theme park view etc...

Then try to book at 7 months. Or rent from a bay lake owner and rent out your own points. (Er, or rather you would rent a reservation you make with your points)


Remember that a December UY confuses the best of us. It’s going to take extra mind-power.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

First off, thank you very much guys for the help. We are really trying to decide if DVC is a good idea for us.

We typically spend 7 nights at the GF every year and thats not a financial strain (just highway robbery), but we toured this past trip with a guide and can’t help but notice the money we would save. It seems almost stupid to keep paying Disney resort rates (even with AP discounts which are becoming less and less...) as opposed to just buying resale at VGF.

We still have a few hang ups. What if the future children get sick of Disney in 20 years? What if the villas become beat down because the 100% occupancy? What if we once in awhile want to book at Bay Lake for a theme park view etc... anyway

I have found two smaller/midrange contracts that my wife and I are looking over

The first is $147 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $22,050 - UY December
The second is $159 a point for 150 points - initial buy in = $23,850 - UY June

Is having the December UY worth the additional $1800? We will buy another resale contract at a later date if we decide we want a 1 bedroom if that matters.

If you are no longer using the contract you can sell it.

I'm a little confused though by the question on having a December UY worth an extra $1800? The numbers you quote show the December UY as costing less? Of course the points available on the contracts are big factors on the pricing.

Also, be aware that getting studios at VGF in December can come with difficulty. Lots of people bought smaller contracts to do just that and the rooms can book up immediately when the booking window opens.

 

[frabjous]

O

The best UY is one that gives you time to either bank points or as much time as possible to use the points before they expire in case of a last minute cancellation. It's a bit of free "insurance" against last minute cancellations by giving you time to use the points.

Speaking of insurance, if you do end-up needing to travel in the non-optimal period of your UY, there is a point based travel insurance policy you can take out through a disney partner. I have never bought one nor used it, but the way it works is you pay for it annually on a fixed value against your points. I have read mixed reviews on travel insurance in general, so I would recommend researching the terms and cost carefully. As an example, I have read reviews where purchasers had difficulty getting the insurance provider to accept that a child's high fever illness qualifies under the illness terms.

 

[CarolMN]

Keep in mind that the time of year you prefer to travel is a VERY POPULAR time for DVC Members. Even with the 11 month booking advantage, getting a studio (especially a standard view) is a long way from a sure thing. There are only 47 studios there and unfortunately, many members bought just enough points to get a studio during adventure season. Thus, there is LOTS of competition for those early December studios - they are often booked up within seconds of the window opening (and many times by members who are starting their stay before you).

Good luck -

We're staying there for the first time this coming April and I am very much looking forward to it. We book at 7 months & I feel very lucky to have found availability for our dates. Whatever might be left at 7 months goes quite quickly once the 7 month window opens. (Usually nothing available at 7 months for any consecutive nights from late September - Marathon weekend in January).

 

[Networth]

I need to make a correction; the second contract has 160 points. Sorry my wife found the contract on her phone and thought it was 150. The breakdown on what’s available with each is below.


First contract:


150 points at $159 per point = $23,850 UY December

No points for 2017 with full 2018 and 2019. Can close after 3/30/18


Second contract:


160 points at 147$ per point = $23,520 UY June

No points for 2017 with full 2018 and 2019. Can close after 3/9/18

 

[frabjous]

Not worth worrying about at all. You can sell, they can sell, that’s all the thinking you need to do on that.
They will, and then there will be refurbs, and the cycle will continue.

More specifically the current cycle is a "refresh" (e.g. new fabrics, decor) every 7 years, and a full refurb every 14. My personal experience has been that DVC properties are very well maintained.

 

[Networth]

Keep in mind that the time of year you prefer to travel is a VERY POPULAR time for DVC Members. Even with the 11 month booking advantage, getting a studio (especially a standard view) is a long way from a sure thing. There are only 47 studios there and unfortunately, many members bought just enough points to get a studio during adventure season. Thus, there is LOTS of competition for those early December studios - they are often booked up within seconds of the window opening (and many times by members who are starting their stay before you).

Good luck -

I must say this makes me question the idea a bit. Going that first week or two is something we have been doing since the late 80’s early 90’s and is quite important to us. To the point of making our careers work with that time frame. I can’t see either of us being happy changing the resort or time frame.

We plan on lagoon view and I have no problem being up early morning to snag a reservation to get a studio. At some point we would grab another contract and do 1 bedrooms. Some what disheartening because if we can’t get what we want may just stick with resort rooms and forget DVC, even if I hate wasting money.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

O


Speaking of insurance, if you do end-up needing to travel in the non-optimal period of your UY, there is a point based travel insurance policy you can take out through a disney partner. I have never bought one nor used it, but the way it works is you pay for it annually on a fixed value against your points. I have read mixed reviews on travel insurance in general, so I would recommend researching the terms and cost carefully. As an example, I have read reviews where purchasers had difficulty getting the insurance provider to accept that a child's high fever illness qualifies under the illness terms.

There is but it only reimburses for your maintenance fees. And comes at an additional cost albeit not a huge one. Because DVC is easy to rent out it's nice to get essentially free insurance if you select a good UY for your expected travel times.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I must say this make some question the idea a bit. Going that first week is something we have been doing since the late 80’s early 90’s and is quite important to us. To the point of making our careers work with that time frame. I can’t see either of us would be happy changing the resort or time frame (even if that part was possible with work which is a big problem).

We plan on lagoon view and I have no problem being up early morning to snag a reservation to get a studio. Some what disheartening because if we can’t get that we may just stick with resort rooms even if I hate wasting money.

The first week of December is DVC's busiest booking time and certain room categories are not the easiest to book. And yes, both Standard and lakeview studios at VGF fall into that category. Of course someone has to get them but I'd be cautious in thinking it would be the easiest thing and I'd personally have to assume that there would be a failure or two over the years and be hoping it wasn't more often than that. Starting with Aulani in Hawaii and continuing with VGF DVC began selling some fixed weeks. The first and second weeks both were the most popular so that immediately removes rooms that can be booked by other point holders from an already small inventory at the most popular time. Now, I've had success early on at VGF but it's been tough since it sold out but it's not something I count on as we own at other resorts too that are easier to book. 1 bedrooms are easier at VGF but I've even seen those go quickly at 11 months during early December. I'd feel fairly comfortable buying for that though.

 

[CarolMN]

I must say this makes me question the idea a bit. Going that first week is something we have been doing since the late 80’s early 90’s and is quite important to us. To the point of making our careers work with that time frame. I can’t see either of us being happy changing the resort or time frame (even if that part was possible with work which is a big problem).

We plan on lagoon view and I have no problem being up early morning to snag a reservation to get a studio. At some point we would grab another contract and do 1 bedrooms. Some what disheartening because if we can’t get what we want may just stick with resort rooms and forgot DVC, even if I hate wasting money.

Run the numbers for a 1 bedroom Lake View and see if it makes sense for you. Maybe it will still look good against the hotel room you normally book.

Even if you book the second the window opens, you may be too late & need to use the waitlist. I just checked and see that members are "walking" the VGF studios, (which is a way to book what you want in advance of the window opening. It's a bit controversial here, but the system allows it as of now). The window doesn't open for stays beginning 11/28 until tomorrow, but already that night is unavailable for lake view studios. My best guess is that the members doing the walking really want the first or second week of December. Availability for the larger units still looks good.

Sorry to be a bit of a "Debbie Downer, but I think it is important that you go into this knowing what to expect. VGF is an expensive purchase & I don't want you to be disappointed with it - the resort is gorgeous, especially during the Holiday Season! Early December is our favorite time to visit as well.

 

[frabjous]

At some point we would grab another contract and do 1 bedrooms. Some what disheartening because if we can’t get what we want may just stick with resort rooms and forget DVC, even if I hate wasting money.

Sounds like you might want to consider saving up / investing till you can purchase enough points for a 1BR up front. The 1BR+ units, especially the ones in VGF are fantastic. If you go this route, just make sure you give yourself several months to acquire the points via resale (allow for 80 days per contract, and possibly double that if Disney takes it from you during ROFR).