confused....new dvc member

[4fordisneyworld]

I just got off of the phone with MS and was asking about using my 2008 points ( my use year is dec ) for a trip in Jan 2010. He said even if I were ready to book the trip today at my home resort of course that I would have to bank the points first and then make the reservations. Is that correct? I understand if I did not have a date in mind for my trip yet and was not ready to book but I did not realize I had to bank and then book?

Also....trying to figure out whether I am going to go with the dining plan or TIW. Does TIW, an AP, or our DVC membership give discounts at any counter service places? And if so is there a list of participating locations? Trying to see what is most cost effective.

thanks for the help!

 

[drusba]

Yes, you would need to bank 2008 points into 2009 use year to use them for a Jan 2010 trip. How you use points and whether you need to bank depends solely on time you will be at WDW not time you call to reserve.

 

[Chuck S]

December 2008 use year ponts are good for travel between Dec 1, 2008 and Nov 30, 2009. Since your travel dates are in January 2010, that falls within your Dec 2009 use year. To use your 2008 points for a Jan 2010 vacation, they would need to be banked into the Dec 2009 use year.

 

[RCharnay]

Since Jan of 2010 is out of your use year for Dec 2008-Nov 2009, you have to bank those points and use them for the next use year. It doesn't effect how many points you have to use, just how the paperwork is listed.

 

[Anal Annie]

If you use the "Dining" link at the top of the page it will take you to this page. You can get a summary of the various dining options here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

There are very few CS places included for the TIW card except in the AK park. The advantage that the TIW card has is that it basically gives you a 20% discount on the entire check (including alcohol) for your whole party (up to 10 ppl). Since the discount is percentage based it is a great value if you have a large family / group or if you do a lot of TS dining with drinks at your meal. They automatically add an 18% gratuity at the TS restaurants (regardless of your party size) so you basically get your tip covered. The card costs $60 with an AP discount so essentially it only takes 3 $100 dinners to recover the purchase price.