Confused and Questions from Newbie

[Disney Canuck]

Hello Everyone

First I must say that we just returned from Disney and had the tour at SS and really loved the concept of the DVC but had a few questions.

I am a little perplexed that I have not rec'd a call from the Disney Rep who took us on our tour as our deadline was yesterday sign up with the discount offered and I have placed 2 calls to them.

Our only concern before signing up is availabilty for dates we would travel. I asked her if we could check availability for our Canadian March Break as well as another few dates we would normally travel and if it looks like we will not have a problem getting space, we would be very interested in proceeding with this.

Has anyone ever done this before moving forward with their decision? I don't think this is unreasonable and would like to know availability before we sign up. There seems to be quite a few members and I don't want booking dates to be an issue.

Also, can anyone tell me if we buy a resale as we do prefer the OKW resort over SS (personal preference) and we only buy 100 pts, can we add extra anytime by calling Disney direct? If so, what would the price be for the extra points?

Thanks very much

 

[spiceycat]

this year Easter break is in March.

so your results this year will not be what you will generally get. (easter is generally in April).

what are the other dates you are interested in?

if you can book at 11 months - then you will get what you want.

give the exact dates please.

Oh you are dealing with 2 department - your guide can't look up reservations - not their job - and MS doesn't work on the weekend.

 

[Disney Canuck]

We would either be looking at the week of the 7th of March or the 14th of March. Easter falls the last week of the month so there should not be alot of overlap.

We have never planned a vacation 11 months in advance and that is why I want to check a few random dates for next year such as the 1st week in February, a week in April and a week in October. If I can not get a comfort level of being able to book and get a reservation without having to book the 11th month out, then maybe this is not going to work for our family.

Can anyone share their booking experiences.

Thanks

 

[RobDoc]

If you will usually make your reservations only a short time prior to travel, you may find that DVC won't always work well for your family. Since members are able to reserve 11 months ahead at their home resort, there will rarely be a problem getting a reservation at that time.

If you normally will wait until 2-4 months prior to make your reservations, you may have difficulty getting a room since any member (regardless of their owned resort) may reserve 7 months ahead and within 60 days, any DVC rooms still available will be turned over to CRO for general cash reservations.

The times you mention also tend to be busier times at DVC resorts, which may further complicate your reservation process. There are certainly times during the year when reservations are readily available 4 months in advance and other times when it may be frustrating.

You would also likely have success using the wailtist, as DVC reservations do change often, but that requires another level of patience and confidence.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Scratch42]

Heck, I got my week at Christmas at BCV no less! And I booked in August! I was originally going to book at SSR but jokingly ask for BCV! Ok so I was waitlisted for one night but that came thru!

There is no guarantee but there is a good chance that something will be available when you want to travel!

I find that with having to travel high season, DVC is the only way to go!

Scratch

 

[spiceycat]

the first week in feb - you can probably get.

March - completely depends upon how many schools have spring break that week (this varies).

April - again you are going during spring break time, also I think the flower/garden festavial may be happening.

October - the food/wine festavial, MNSSHP.

However I have gotten a last minute reservation in March (not April). Of course since I don't have to fly - I drive - then I can generally wait or make a last minute trip easier.

If you don't demand a certain resort - you could probably be fine. just kept in mind that you will be spending alot of time at SSR and OKW (the biggest DVC resorts on property). and not getting BWV, BCV, or VWL very often.

 

[spiceycat]

I just called MS and both OKW and SSR have your dates for March this year.

forgot - studios, 1-bedrooms and 2-bedrooms were availability.

 

[Disney Canuck]

Thanks for checking the availabilty for me.

Does anyone know if I am able to do this on my own? Can I call a 1-800 number to check specific dates?

Also, if I buy resale, can I add points through Disney at anytime?

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

[spiceycat]

you have to be a DVC member for member services to look up dates for you - they need the member number.

Yes, it is easy to do an add on once you are a DVC member.

Send me an email or PM if you want me to look at other dates.

 

[Disney Canuck]

I hope I am understanding this correctly.

For example, I purchase 100 points at OKW resale and decide to add 50 points at a later date.

Would Disney do the add on or would I have to buy resale again?

If Disney does it, what is the cost for the additional points?

 

[spiceycat]

that is the catch - even add on are at the current charged prices - so if you find another resale for OKW it will probably be to your advantage.


However for OKW since it is sold out - you will get on a wait list for you add on - when your name comes up - you can do your add on or you can refuse it - it is up to you.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

If you add on through Disney, it will be $89 per point on ALL the sold out and $85 for SSR. Plus they do have incentives for add ons, like passes.

If you were planning to add on OKW, you'd be much better off going resale. OKW is about $75 pp (approx $78 once you add in closing costs, etc.).