considering buying in - a little help, please

[jgreenedc]

I apologize in advance if all of these questions have been answered a hundred times, but I've read a bunch of threads and have a few specific questions. We are a family of five - 3 boys, ages 6, 4, and 1. We live near DC and would probably go to WDW at a minimum every other year for about a week, maybe more frequently. Sorry for the long post, and I'd welcome any advice even beyond the specifics below. My questions -

(1) I see in the Disney book that you can use points for a couple of the moderate resorts. How far in advance can you book at them, and are there only a limited number of rooms available at hotels (like airline miles)?

(2) I've seen various threads that seem to suggest that Disney will allow five guests in a one bedroom, though they won't provide extra bedding or towels. First, is this accurate? Second, even though they won't provide bedding etc., can you still buy passes and meal plan for all 5 guests? I could see doing this when the kids are still small, though not as they get older and bigger.

(3) Is it correct that the total number of points required can't go up, so that if points for one night go up, they must go down another night? So basically the points "cost" to stay will not rise with inflation?

(4) Using DVC points for other vacations - how hard is it if you plan in advance? For instance, if we book the max in advance, does anyone have a sense as to whether we would be able to get a place at one of the ski resorts? Most likely to go Xmas week, the first week of the New Year, or perhaps March (we are now slaves to the school calendar). Bottom line is that I see in the book Disney sent that they are theoretically possible - I'm curious to know how realistic it is to expect to be able to get a reservation.

(5) Staying at non-Disney sites generally. E.g. concierge club hotels. How tough is it to use points for them? I realize it is not always the most economical use of points; I just wonder if reservations are even possible, whether peak or off-peak times. I'd welcome any stories, good or bad, about using DVC points for non-Disney vacations.

Thanks in advance for any help. It's a big decision so I'm trying to be as thorough as possible.

 

[rinkwide]

You ask some good questions but let's try and keep it simple: Only buy enough points to cover your stays at actual DVC resorts (preferably for Sunday through Thursday nights).

Disclaimer: If you have plenty of money to burn then go ahead and buy deep to trade, swap or cruise.

A one bedroom villa will probably work for a few years but you can count on hearing the two bedroom siren song before too long.

 

[jgreenedc]

good advice - thanks.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

We also have 3 boys 8, 6 and 3. We purchased enough pts. to let us stay in a 2 bdrm for 7 nights during the Magic Season. We normally go to Disney once (most of the time, twice) a year and always stay in a Deluxe b/c of our party size. I think DVC could be a good choice for you


1) I don't know for sure about booking a Mod on points

2) As of right now, MS will book your family into a One bdrm. I am not sure how the DP would work, but keep in mind that as your boys get bigger, the 2 bdrm will probably suit your needs better.

3) That is correct!

4) and 5) If you are really going to try and use your points for other vacations, you may want to look at buying a bigger point contract, as Rink suggested.

Happy planning!

 

[tomandrobin]

I apologize in advance if all of these questions have been answered a hundred times, but I've read a bunch of threads and have a few specific questions. We are a family of five - 3 boys, ages 6, 4, and 1. We live near DC and would probably go to WDW at a minimum every other year for about a week, maybe more frequently. Sorry for the long post, and I'd welcome any advice even beyond the specifics below. My questions -

(1) I see in the Disney book that you can use points for a couple of the moderate resorts. How far in advance can you book at them, and are there only a limited number of rooms available at hotels (like airline miles)?

Not sure of how far in advance you need to book a Moderate resort using points. But why buy DVC, which is considered deluxe , to stay at moderate resorts. Plus the point costs are more at stayng at non-DVC resorts then staying at a DVC resort.

(2) I've seen various threads that seem to suggest that Disney will allow five guests in a one bedroom, though they won't provide extra bedding or towels. First, is this accurate? Second, even though they won't provide bedding etc., can you still buy passes and meal plan for all 5 guests? I could see doing this when the kids are still small, though not as they get older and bigger.

Yes, this is partially true. Since your kids are young it'll work for you. However in a couple of years it'll get to cramped. Most of the studios (OKW being the exception) only have one bed and a sleep sofa.

(3) Is it correct that the total number of points required can't go up, so that if points for one night go up, they must go down another night? So basically the points "cost" to stay will not rise with inflation?

This is true, the total point cost at DVC resorts can not go up. They can reallocate the points within the year. So if they add point costs to a particular wekk, they need to decrease the point cost in a different week so it all balances out.

(4) Using DVC points for other vacations - how hard is it if you plan in advance? For instance, if we book the max in advance, does anyone have a sense as to whether we would be able to get a place at one of the ski resorts? Most likely to go Xmas week, the first week of the New Year, or perhaps March (we are now slaves to the school calendar). Bottom line is that I see in the book Disney sent that they are theoretically possible - I'm curious to know how realistic it is to expect to be able to get a reservation.

Buying DVC to trade out is not cost effective. You buy DVC to go to Disney. Regular time shares are more cost efffective for trading and a rfraction f the cost.

(5) Staying at non-Disney sites generally. E.g. concierge club hotels. How tough is it to use points for them? I realize it is not always the most economical use of points; I just wonder if reservations are even possible, whether peak or off-peak times. I'd welcome any stories, good or bad, about using DVC points for non-Disney vacations.

Can't answer this, never tried it. Once you join DVC you can get the annual pass with your DVC discount. You can get discounts for cash stays at other Disney Resorts.

Thanks in advance for any help. It's a big decision so I'm trying to be as thorough as possible.

I will say that once you are members and if you really enjoy Disney, you will go alot more often. This year we will go to Disney six times, only once is for a week.

 

[sleepydog25]

(4) Using DVC points for other vacations - how hard is it if you plan in advance? For instance, if we book the max in advance, does anyone have a sense as to whether we would be able to get a place at one of the ski resorts? Most likely to go Xmas week, the first week of the New Year, or perhaps March (we are now slaves to the school calendar). Bottom line is that I see in the book Disney sent that they are theoretically possible - I'm curious to know how realistic it is to expect to be able to get a reservation.

Buying DVC to trade out is not cost effective. You buy DVC to go to Disney. Regular time shares are more cost efffective for trading and a rfraction f the cost.

Keep in mind, that as a DVC owner you can rent out your points (currently averaging about $10 per point) for cash and use that money to finance a trip elsewhere, be it a ski trip, cruise, et. al. There are some headaches associated with renting, but it's done frequently by many DVC owners.

 

[flechette]

I was told you could book non-DVC Disney resorts 11 months out like your home resort.