Close on our DVC in May... need to book for October!

[Bronte]

One more question ... Sorry
So if at 60 days out Disney takes all point rooms and makes them cash you can never get a room on points less than 60 days out ??? So if we do not get control of those points by may 21 then there is no hope for using them for a trip starting July 21 (the points exp. feb. 2013)

 

[Missyrose]

Thanks ... This is a lot to take in
We are in the process of buying resale so this year is really up for grabs and we know that but now I am worried about the next 40 years or so.
We usually like to go at the end of may/beginning of June (10 nights) plus perhaps in the late fall early winter for a shorter vacation. We will only need a studio most times. We like to fly and we like to buy early (usually 6 months out). Will we be able to get something most years or will be left with nothing ???

If I buy airfare now for July and do not close until early may on the resale does that mean we will not be able to use our 270 points because there will simply be nothing available (we would stay in basically any studio at any dvc but would really not like having to stay at all of them for just one or two nights )

I know buying airfare at six months out is considered "early," but you're going to have to adjust yourself to the DVC timetable to get the most out of your membership. You'll have the most success booking your DVC stays 7-11 months ahead of time.

You can book your home resort at 11 months out and any other DVC resort at 7 months out. Most DVC members work this way. You can book closer to your travel time, but you will have to settle for what inventory is left.

You should be able to find something for July, summer tends to not be as busy a time for DVC as other times of the year. I'm not entirely sure about the 60-day thing, but I do believe I've read that DVC can dip back into those villas if a member needs to book one with points.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks ... This is a lot to take in
We are in the process of buying resale so this year is really up for grabs and we know that but now I am worried about the next 40 years or so.
We usually like to go at the end of may/beginning of June (10 nights) plus perhaps in the late fall early winter for a shorter vacation. We will only need a studio most times. We like to fly and we like to buy early (usually 6 months out). Will we be able to get something most years or will be left with nothing ???

If I buy airfare now for July and do not close until early may on the resale does that mean we will not be able to use our 270 points because there will simply be nothing available (we would stay in basically any studio at any dvc but would really not like having to stay at all of them for just one or two nights )

If you want to be a happy owner and get your first choice 99% of the time:

Decide which resorts interest you the most.
Stay at those resorts before buying.
Buy at your favorite resort.
Book your resort stay at 11 months.

You can always switch down at 7 months but you may not be able to switch up.

Favorite home resort is important because as time goes on you will be staying there more than at the parks. You will also most likely take longer vacations, stay in a one bedroom, and do more cooking in your villa.

Bill

 

[Bronte]

Thanks again for all the info ...
We fly AirTran so they do not open 11 months out plus how can you book a room if you do not know if you will get a flight (I hate driving ... Way too long). I really do not mind staying at any of the dvc resorts but I do hate "buying" more than I can use (more than a studio) or having to change rooms muliple times during a trip. Is late may/early June or early November/early December really high times for dvc ??? We will have ssr if the deal goes through but other than a once in a lifetime splurg on a treehouse I do not see us really staying there too much.

 

[paults]

Thanks again for all the info ...
We fly AirTran so they do not open 11 months out plus how can you book a room if you do not know if you will get a flight (I hate driving ... Way too long). I really do not mind staying at any of the dvc resorts but I do hate "buying" more than I can use (more than a studio) or having to change rooms muliple times during a trip. Is late may/early June or early November/early December really high times for dvc ??? We will have ssr if the deal goes through but other than a once in a lifetime splurg on a treehouse I do not see us really staying there too much.

If you bought SSR with the intent to not stay there much, you might be disappointed. Depending when you go will dictate where you will stay. At busy DVC times you need to book at home (SSR) at 11 months and try to change at 7 months. You might be spending more time at SSR than you think so I hope you will be happy with that.

Most of us always book our rooms before we get our flights. Never have I booked a flight then looked for a room. I want certain dates so I go after that first then just adjust my flights.

 

[Bronte]

I bought with the intent to stay at them all, I do like the idea of trying out different resorts. I did not buy thinking that I would only get ssr for two trips per year for the next 40 plus years ... To be honest I do not like any one resort soooo much as to commit to only ever staying there for that many stays (the agent did not say anything like that but I guess he was only interested in the sale)
Thanks again for all the information

 

[Missyrose]

I bought with the intent to stay at them all, I do like the idea of trying out different resorts. I did not buy thinking that I would only get ssr for two trips per year for the next 40 plus years ... To be honest I do not like any one resort soooo much as to commit to only ever staying there for that many stays (the agent did not say anything like that but I guess he was only interested in the sale)
Thanks again for all the information

You should be able to stay at all the DVC resorts, provided you use the system to your advantage. Make your reservation at your home resort (SSR) at 11 months out from your trip and the moment the 7-month window opens, call Member Services to switch to another resort. Late May, early June will be easier for you to get other resorts than early November and December.

Early November has the end of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot (a VERY popular event for DVC members), which makes getting the Epcot resorts very difficult at that time (especially for Veterans Day weekend and Jersey Week). The Christmas parties start at Magic Kingdom in early November, making BLT and VWL difficult to get at that time as well.

Early December seems to be the absolute busiest time for DVC. The Christmas decorations are up, Christmas parties are going on and the point costs are much lower than later in the month.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I bought with the intent to stay at them all, I do like the idea of trying out different resorts. I did not buy thinking that I would only get ssr for two trips per year for the next 40 plus years ... To be honest I do not like any one resort soooo much as to commit to only ever staying there for that many stays (the agent did not say anything like that but I guess he was only interested in the sale)
Thanks again for all the information

I think with your travel pattern, you are going to be disappointed. Late May/Early June is pretty popular, not quite a much as Oct-early Jan, but still popular.

Early May might be a little easier to get, as well as late August.

You are going to have to change your travel pattern if you want to be happy. Or sell you DVC points.

 

[KBoopaloo]

We went last year during the last week in October. I called at about 6 months out and had a hard time even getting a studio at OKW that worked for our dates. We ended up paying cash for one of the nights we needed. It is a very busy time for DVC!