Buying SSR..advice

[ilovefh]

Ok, bear with me on this! This is my first big purchase in my adult life! So I have a few questions on how it works. I'd like to try and get the ball rolling tomorrow before the prices go up.

Ok some questions.

Can I choose my use year?

If I don't use all my points this year can I bank some for the next year? (I don't have any plans for much this year except a weekend in Dec or Nov.)

If I buy and am in a building that does not open until 2005 can I still make ressies in 2004 at SSR or at another resort (7months out, but only looking for a studio)

I have never financed anything. If I finance through Disney for say 10 years are there any early pay off fees? Also my down payment...does it have to be cash or can it be a credit card? I have a great CC with 0% interest and rewards.

Did I read somewhere that the minimum down payment is only 10%?

Also, I've stayed in many WDW resorts, and seen pics of SSR, so I am willing to buy without touring it...can I do the whole thing over the phone and mail/fax?

Ok that's all I can think of right now! Any help would be appreciated!

 

[tjkraz]

Yes you can choose your Use Year.

Yes you can bank all of your points from one year forward to the next.

Right now they are only selling the buildings that open in 2004, as far as I know. And, the building that you own must be open before you can use your points anywhere.

There are no early pay-off penalties.

You can use a credit card for the down payment.

Minimum is 10% down, but I believe you now need to give 20% in order to get the lowest finance rate.

If DVC is approved to sell over the phone in your state, then you can handle it all without setting foot in Florida. They can let you know for sure when you call.

Good luck.

 

[ilovefh]

ok one more question...

I can pick my use yr....but how did any of ya'll go about choosing a use yr? What kinds of things did you factor into your decision? I'm thinking of a Sept. use yr. So am I right in understanding that this yr my points would become available in Sept? and then each Sept. thereafter?

So say for example I choose Sept. Can I book now for lets say Nov. using those points? or do I have to wait to book until Sept when the become available?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[tjkraz]

The key to choosing a Use Year is actually the Banking window. Ideally you want your Use Year to immediately preceed your most frequent months of travel.

If you anticipate visiting WDW frequently in November, then a September UY would be just fine. Not only would you receive your points just a couple of months prior to your trip, but you also have adequate time to bank all of your points if you have to cancel that trip.

100% of your annual allotment of points can be banked in the first 6 months of of your UY. So, the points that you would receive 9/1/04 can all be banked into the next Use Year up through Feburary 28, 2005. If you made a reservation for November '04, and then were forced to cancel, you have pleanty of time to bank. Make sense?

After 6 months the banking limit drops to 50% of your points, and then after 3 more months it goes down to 25%.

If you anticipate taking trips all over the calendar, the Use Year probably doesn't matter as much. But if you anticipate a rather fixed annual schedule, definitely request a UY that fits your plans.

With regard to making reservations, you simply have to have the points available ON YOUR TRAVEL DATES. You do not have to have the points available at the time of the reservation. Thus, if you bought at September UY, you would have no problem booking for November NOW since the points will be available when the date of your stay arrives.

 

[Beca]

You can book 11 months before your travel (at your home resort) as long as the points will be available "when you visit". So, if your booking for Nov. and your points do not come available until Sept....you can still book as early as Jan. (I am new at this...someone please correct me if I have given wrong info).

Yes...you can choose your UY, and DVC recommends choosing the UY of the month before the season in which you normally travel. For us, we like going in Nov. Dec. Jan, Feb., so an Oct use year would be perfect! (we bought resale and couldn't find one, however...so, we went with Sept...that's okay, too!!) Disney does not have all UY's (no Jan, May, July, Nov), but you can find something that works for you.

The use year is important for "banking" your points. In the first six months of your uy, you can bank all of your points, so if you "finish" your typical travel season and haven't used all of your points, you can "bank" them for the next year. If your use year is right after your travel season, then you are using your points at the end of your use year, when there are SEVERE restrictions on "banking" . If something happens (like illness) and you have to cancel your trip...then you lose your points because you can no longer bank them. Does that make any sense? I am not always the best at explaining...

I hope that helps...this info is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am new...so, I could be wrong on some of the "deadlines"...I am still learning this, too. But, I know how much of a "foreign language" this world can seem!! I had to read for a long time even to learn what others were referencing with their acronyms!!

I am NOT the best "expert", but feel free to pm me anytime!! And, everyone on this board is really nice...they're really helpful...so, ask away!!!

Good luck on your purchase!!
Beca

 

[Beca]

I see someone already answered you (and, better than I did!!! )

Good luck!!!
Beca

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Beca
I see someone already answered you (and, better than I did!!! )

Oh, I think you did just fine!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

And while the info tjkraz gave you is correct, which use year (UY) you have really isn't that big of a deal. While it IS a good idea to align your UY with your typical travel patterns, there's a pretty good chance - particularly since you're young - that those patterns will change over the 50 years you own SSR. Your travel schedule may be flexible now, but if you have children, you'll be somewhat tied to school vacations. Once you get older, travel in the off seasons may appeal to you.

All I'm saying is that you shouldn't lose any sleep over finding the perfect UY; after all, you've already made the three most important decisions:
1. Joining the DVC Family
2. Which home resort: SSR
3. Coming here to the DIS DVC Forum to ask questions and get advice.

Oh, and my DW and I bought into SSR last September sight unseen and did everything over the phone / FedEx and it went very smoothly - and you get the additional fun of waiting for the packages to arrive!

Best of luck - keep asking those questions!

 

[ilovefh]

Thanks all for all the info!! I am getting really excited. I'm going to call when I get home form work this afternoon and see if they are open Sundays! If not tomorrow afternoon!

 

[Doug Wolfe]

They are open Monday.

Ask for the FREE DVC video. Or order it by going to the official Disney Vacation Club website:

www.disneyvacationclub.com

If you are pumped up now, wait until you see the video.