Can you help answer a few Qs about using my points first time?

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

I should hopefully be closing on my contract and getting my points within the month and I just had a few questions about booking for the first time.

I plan on doing it online- but have never seen how the system is set up. We want to do a split stay for the first trip. (BCV or BWV and then AKV) So- when I go to book-do I select the first part of the trip, then the second, then book it- OR do I select the first part of the trip, book it, then select the second and book that?

If I need to borrow points from the next year- do I have to do that first? or does the system automatically ask me if I want to use next years points?

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I should hopefully be closing on my contract and getting my points within the month and I just had a few questions about booking for the first time.

I plan on doing it online- but have never seen how the system is set up. We want to do a split stay for the first trip. (BCV or BWV and then AKV) So- when I go to book-do I select the first part of the trip, then the second, then book it- OR do I select the first part of the trip, book it, then select the second and book that?

If I need to borrow points from the next year- do I have to do that first? or does the system automatically ask me if I want to use next years points?

Congratulations and Welcome Home. (I hope that was not premature and jinxed you. You sound so certain.)

You can book only one part at a time. Each stay is exclusive in and of itself. I like split-stays and do them frequently. Each change to a new hotel is like starting a new vacation. But I usually only do 2, not several.

" OR do I select the first part of the trip, book it, then select the second and book that?" is how you will do it, but in whatever order you want.

It would be best probably to book the hardest to get first, or whichever has the availability you want or can get. Then if the other part is missing a day or two, you can book the available days and waitlist the others.
If you need to borrow points, it will prompt you to do that. If you want to bank points, you need to do that first, then wait for it to show up in the desired use-year, then book.
The DIS DVC boards are a great resource.

 

[Geomom]

For a split stay: If you're booking right at 7mths, you can book the first part of your trip, then you need to wait until exactly 7mths to book the second part of your trip. For example...if you did 4 nights at the first place, you'd book that at 7 mths out...then wait 4 days to book the rest of your trip. Of course if it's inside the 7 mth timeframe, it doesn't matter and you can book both on the same day.

 

[com_op_2000]

OP, question for you:
Which resort will be your Home Resort (HR)?
1. If your HR, is one of those you mentioned, you can book that part of your trip at 11 months out. Then "see" if there is availability at 7 months to book the other part of your trip.
2. If none of those you mention are your HR; then you would need to wait until 7 months from check-in to book the first part of the trip, then wait until 7 months from check-in to book the 2nd reservations.
3. Most people on the DIS will recommend that you book your total reservation at your HR at 11 months out. Then "see" if there is availability at 7 months to do the split part of the trip.
As PP mentioned, you have to bank before booking but for borrowing the booking process will be give you the option of which UY the points are taken from. Remember banking and borrowing are final transactions. Once the points are moved they can not be moved back.

 

[CarolMN]

.......(snip).......I plan on doing it online- but have never seen how the system is set up. We want to do a split stay for the first trip. (BCV or BWV and then AKV) So- when I go to book-do I select the first part of the trip, then the second, then book it- OR do I select the first part of the trip, book it, then select the second and book that?

Think of your stay as two separate reservations. That's how you'll book it and that's how it will be treated. It doesn't matter which portion you book first.

Of course, each reservation is subject to the booking windows and availability.

If I need to borrow points from the next year- do I have to do that first? or does the system automatically ask me if I want to use next years points?

The system will give you the option if you don't have enough points in the current use year - it's really intuitive and quite easy to do.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Thank you! The points will be loaded right after the seven month mark (wishful guess) so I should be able to book the whole stay- but what you are saying makes sense-

If it was before the seventh month I could only book at home resort (AKV)- so I could book the whole week (AKV) there then switch when I'm within 7 months of the second portion of the trip (to a different resort).

I appreciate the advice of searching and booking the more difficult portion of the stay first, then doing the other half. We are hoping to get BCV standard studio for second week of May (but we also know chances are we will end up at BWV pool/etc view) for a few days then moving to AKV standard one bedroom for rest of week

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

double post- sorry!

 

[DizBub]

For a 1st time booking and a split stay I would just call MS and have them help me. But that's just me.

Good luck with your booking!