Buying DVC and First Reservation Question

[ScootScharfer]

I have read everything that I can and I think that we are pretty close to making an offer - most likely BLT. I have a question about timing though as it will influence how I handle this purchase.

We are trying to plan a family trip, 4 adults + 4 kids for next February. If I were to have an offer accepted in the next two weeks that would take me to March 6. If the offer was not ROFR'd I would know potentially by April 7, 2014 (a Tuesday). I would be ready to close immediately so say we close by April 17, 2014. I could call DVC to get my member number and book first res at that time.

My question is this, for the February trip (probably Dream Season but may bleed over to Magic Season but avoiding President's Day) I am going to need a 2 bdrm at BLT. View is not an issue. Based on my timing I would not be at 11 months but I would be somewhere in between 9-10 months out. I would still be within the exclusive booking window and have cushion before everyone else's 7 month window opens. At that point what would my chances be of getting any 2 bedroom villa at BLT?

Anticipating everyone's comments from my reading of all of the other posts I can locate, I am just looking for a rough idea to know if this is crazy or if I will have a decent shot at a villa next February. I understand that availability changes every minute and comments received do not guarantee availability. I understand that my timeframes may be off a little bit or that the ROFR monster may ruin everything. I have taken all of the great posts and comments into account but I have realized in the last few days that if this trip plan would work for my first res with DVC it would make even more sense for me to purchase now.

As always, comments, thoughts and insights are all greatly appreciated.

 

[chalee94]

for a lake view BLT 2BR in feb (non-holiday) week at 9-10 months out, i think you'd have no trouble.

edited to add:

I would be ready to close immediately so say we close by April 17, 2014. I could call DVC to get my member number and book first res at that time.

this part might be a little optimistic as it might take a little more time for DVC to get you in the system.

 

[rackle]

I also thought the closing date was a little optimistic, though if there's a contract you see that you like already the process could definitely start much sooner than 3/6 getting you closer to that date. DVC also stopped letting people call for their member number awhile ago. You now have to wait to receive your letter in the mail.

*** I just looked back at my timelines, my BLT contract (with a seller that gets blacked out on this board) took 71 days, my HHI contract I bought through Fidelity took 84 days. We officially closed at 52 days for BLT and 64 for HHI.

 

[Belle091507]

I also thought the closing date was a little optimistic, though if there's a contract you see that you like already the process could definitely start much sooner than 3/6. DVC also stopped letting people call for their member number awhile ago. You now have to wait to receive your letter in the mail.

Not true in all cases, I called 6 days after my deed was recorded and spoke to member accounting and they gave me my member number over the phone and then transferred me to member services to make my first reservation.

 

[rackle]

Not true in all cases, I called 6 days after my deed was recorded and spoke to member accounting and they gave me my member number over the phone and then transferred me to member services to make my first reservation.

How long ago was that? There were a few people who were successful using a roundabout way to get the information. I attempted several times and was never successful. Eventually I was finally told I was in their system but still couldn't get my number, 6 days later I received my letter with my number with the date the CM told me I was finally in the system. Either way I just want the OP to know that they might not be able to get their information over the phone so they don't depend on it and get mad if it doesn't work out.

 

[disneynutz]

I have read everything that I can and I think that we are pretty close to making an offer - most likely BLT.

This has me concerned for you. IMO knowing where you love to stay is one of the most important considerations. We got caught up in the excitement of owning and bought several home resorts. Turns out after a couple of years of staying at the different resorts, our favorites weren't the ones that we first bought. An expensive lesson learned when the family tells you that they want to stay at a resort that you don't own and you can't get a reservation at 7 months.

Bill

 

[ScootScharfer]

Thank you for all of the input and advice. I recognize that my time frames might be a little off but wanted to consider best case scenario as I know that the worst case is always that I buy and can't find availability when I buy.

With regard to the last comment, my wife and I have been away from Disney for a while and after our cruise last year and quick trip to SSR this year we are back for good. We were thrilled with SSR but want to be closer to the monorail. My thinking is simply that if we want to be near the monorail and MK then go BLT and if we want to go somewhere else we will at 7 months and we like SSR anyway which I understand usually has the most availability at 7 months. If it works for this trip which is going to happen DVC or not then it is worth it in my mind to speed up the process.

Thanks.

 

[Belle091507]

How long ago was that? There were a few people who were successful using a roundabout way to get the information. I attempted several times and was never successful. Eventually I was finally told I was in their system but still couldn't get my number, 6 days later I received my letter with my number with the date the CM told me I was finally in the system. Either way I just want the OP to know that they might not be able to get their information over the phone so they don't depend on it and get mad if it doesn't work out.

It was the first week of February this year. I had points expiring on February 28 and I called asking if I could have my number to try and book a trip before the points expired and the CM was really great! I realize that not everyone might be so lucky but I did want to say that it is possible.

 

[disneynutz]

The lack of consistency with MS is pretty consistent. Seems worse now that the owner base has increased and DVC is under new management.

Bill

 

[heynowirv]

Bottom line is if you're ahead of the 7 month window when every owner can reserve then a feb non-holiday period shouldn't be a problem.IMHO

 

[CarolMN]

Bottom line is if you're ahead of the 7 month window when every owner can reserve then a feb non-holiday period shouldn't be a problem.IMHO

I agree, as long as a lake view is OK.

It's rare to see all the lake view villas booked up before the 7 month window opens.

 

[Lurch]

I also thought the closing date was a little optimistic, though if there's a contract you see that you like already the process could definitely start much sooner than 3/6 getting you closer to that date. DVC also stopped letting people call for their member number awhile ago. You now have to wait to receive your letter in the mail.

*** I just looked back at my timelines, my BLT contract (with a seller that gets blacked out on this board) took 71 days, my HHI contract I bought through Fidelity took 84 days. We officially closed at 52 days for BLT and 64 for HHI.

I called a few days after deed recorded also 2/14/14. Not only did they give me my membership number but I also got my online activation code.

 

[Countryrunner262]

I called a few days after deed recorded also 2/14/14. Not only did they give me my membership number but I also got my online activation code.

Wow, that's great. I was not that lucky. They would not give us our number over the phone...They made us wait.

 

[jillgunter]

I called a few days after deed recorded also 2/14/14. Not only did they give me my membership number but I also got my online activation code.

I waited till I got my member number, but when my packet came there was no online info. MS gave it to me over the phone. Worth a try for anyone waiting.