does this sound right?

[palaemon]

I have been trying to go over some details on a trip were planning for Sept. 2012.

This is all hypothetical. We are planning to buy DVC within the next year. Im leaning toward AKV for the priority of the value rooms mostly. Also for this example, I'm just using the 2011 point chart, and I know it'll probably be different, but here goes.

If I own 100 points at AKV and my UY is Apr. and I want to plan for Sept. 2012, is this scenario plausible, likely, not likely, or wrong?

Assume I have not used any points.

I call MS 9am sharp on Nov. 1st 2011.

I want to book a 2BR SV room for a week starting Sept. 1st 2012.

It's 273 points. (assuming it's available, of course)

I need to bank my 100 2011 points into 2012.
I also need to borrow 73 points from 2013.
I have 100 points available for 2012.

What I really want (for this one time trip) is a THV for the same week.

That's 246 points (again, I know that's 2011 point chart)

So, at the 7 month window, Feb 1st 2012, I call MS to see if I can change reservations.

Again, assuming it's available - if NOT can I wait list "any" week? Or does it have to be the same week? I know it can't be more than the 7 month window, so I'm suggesting that if I were to call Mar 1st, can I wait list any week in Sept?

FYI - If I can't get a THV, then I want to keep my 2BR SV @ AKV.

Okay, so now I have the option of the THV.

I'm going from 273 points to 246 points.

I have to use my 100 banked 2011 points, and the 73 borrowed 2013 points.

I can bank my remaining 27 2012 points into 2013, correct?

So, now I would have:

27 bank 2012 points into 2013.
27 remaining 2013 points.

With those points, I can:

Use them for a short trip (less than a week) in 2013.
Bank the 27 2013 points into 2014 (when banking is available)
And rent, transfer, or waste the 27 2012 banked points.

Did I miss anything?

I know that if I started out with a Standard or Value 2BR, then I wouldn't have to borrow more than I need for a THV in the first place, but like I said, I would like the SV 2BR if we don't get the THV.

Thoughts?

 

[CleoPahd]

I had to read it a couple of times to make sure I was getting it all but it looks right to me. The only thing that's a little off is that you could call on Oct. 1st, not nov 1st because I believe it's an 11 month home resort booking window.

 

[arpasquajr]

Looks right to me, again you can call on Oct. 1st. for Sept. 1st.

 

[palaemon]

Looks right to me, again you can call on Oct. 1st. for Sept. 1st.

I had Oct. 1st originally, but I must have over-thought it. lol.

I wonder how accurate the "Resort Availability" thread is because it looks like Sept. is very open. I even looked at 2009.

Does anyone think that *maybe* if I'm planning a Sept. (And Sept is usually empty-ish) trip that I just wait until Feb, and then book rather than messing with the original? If I didn't care about SV, that is.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I had Oct. 1st originally, but I must have over-thought it. lol.

I wonder how accurate the "Resort Availability" thread is because it looks like Sept. is very open. I even looked at 2009....

Not accurate at all for what IS available. Slightly accurate for what is NOT available. Only a small portion of DVC members post on the DIS. Plus availability changes by the minute.

 

[Disfamoffour]

Or you could just buy at SSR and have the 11 month window for booking the THV. You'd also save around $30 pp on the resale market.

 

[palaemon]

Or you could just buy at SSR and have the 11 month window for booking the THV. You'd also save around $30 pp on the resale market.

I thought about that, but I'm not sure I want to own SSR. It's just the cheapest 3BR for that one trip.

 

[DenLo]

It's 273 points. (assuming it's available, of course)

I need to bank my 100 2011 points into 2012.
I also need to borrow 73 points from 2013.
I have 100 points available for 2012.

I think you mean you will use 100 banked points (2011 into 2012),
and your 100 points for 2012,
and then borrow 73 points from 2013.

Will will not have any points left from 2012 after all that.

At the this rate you'll have to go somewhere cheaper three years down the road.

 

[ToddyLu]

and people think I am DVC obsessed and an over planner.....

 

[palaemon]

Not accurate at all for what IS available. Slightly accurate for what is NOT available. Only a small portion of DVC members post on the DIS. Plus availability changes by the minute.

Okay. Got ya. Thanks.

But is Sept. a slow DVC month? I mean if you're willing to take whatever you can, is the 7-month window more feasible for a Sept. trip?

People say "buy where you want to stay," but I don't think I'd have a preference between AKV or SSR. I love the decor of both. The Hotel quality of AKV (+concierge) and the Resort-quality of SSR (+THVs).

Right now, SSR has the cheapest 3BR + cheap resale market, and AKV has the cheapest overall rooms (value.) I won't need a 3br more than once or twice in the next 5 years.

 

[palaemon]

I think you mean you will use 100 banked points (2011 into 2012),
and your 100 points for 2012,
and then borrow 73 points from 2013.

Will will not have any points left from 2012 after all that.

At the this rate you'll have to go somewhere cheaper three years down the road.

Right. I'm assuming you can bank points and then use them for a reservation on the same phone call?

 

[CarolMN]

September is one of the easiest months of the year to book at 7 months. If you use the 11 month window you will not have any trouble at all getting a value room at AKV.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Right now, SSR has the cheapest 3BR + cheap resale market, and AKV has the cheapest overall rooms (value.) I won't need a 3br more than once or twice in the next 5 years.

But the THV only sleeps nine, not twelve like the standard GV (three bedroom villa). And currently there are only about 30 available to members for points. They need to sell more SSR points to get more THVs available for members on points.

 

[palaemon]

September is one of the easiest months of the year to book at 7 months. If you use the 11 month window you will not have any trouble at all getting a value room at AKV.

Now *that's* what I'm talking about!

If this is true, then maybe waiting until Feb to book *something* usable in Sept. is a better choice (when I need non-home resort - for THV or BCV.) Otherwise just booking at 11 months at home?

 

[palaemon]

But the THV only sleeps nine, not twelve like the standard GV (three bedroom villa). And currently there are only about 30 available to members for points. They need to sell more SSR points to get more THVs available for members on points.

Well, to be honest, we only have 8, so THV would be fine. or and 2br, but having 2 per room is ideal. (3br+LR)

 

[TwinsFan]

If you own by February 1st 2011, you could call and find out availability of various units for September 2011 and get an idea of the possible availability for the next year.

I am also planning a trip for September 2012 and have also read here that it normally has good availability, so I was going to wait for the 7 month window and hope I get one of my top 3 or 4 options.

 

[AlaskaMOM]

I'm going from 273 points to 246 points.

I have to use my 100 banked 2011 points, and the 73 borrowed 2013 points.

I can bank my remaining 27 2012 points into 2013, correct?

So, now I would have:

27 bank 2012 points into 2013.
27 remaining 2013 points.

With those points, I can:

Use them for a short trip (less than a week) in 2013.
Bank the 27 2013 points into 2014 (when banking is available)
And rent, transfer, or waste the 27 2012 banked points.

Did I miss anything?

I know that if I started out with a Standard or Value 2BR, then I wouldn't have to borrow more than I need for a THV in the first place, but like I said, I would like the SV 2BR if we don't get the THV.

Thoughts?

One more option:
With the 27 (banked 2012)+27(current 2013)+100(borrowed 2014) points you have even more options

 

[palaemon]

One more option:
With the 27 (banked 2012)+27(current 2013)+100(borrowed 2014) points you have even more options

Yea, I thought about that, and we might do that, but we *might* be wanting another big 6-8 person trip in 2015, but otherwise, EOY.

 

[cel_disney]

Since September isnt the busiest month, why dont you book 6 of the 7 nights of your vacation in the SV at AKL and then at the 7th month add on the extra night if you cant get in at another resort. You still may end up in the banking situation if a waitlist comes through, but it would be a better option that completely waiting to book your trip IMO...

 

[BWV2001]

So, now I would have:

27 bank 2012 points into 2013.
27 remaining 2013 points.

With those points, I can:

Use them for a short trip (less than a week) in 2013.
Bank the 27 2013 points into 2014 (when banking is available)
And rent, transfer, or waste the 27 2012 banked points.

Just wanted to point out one minor detail. The 27 2012 banked points that would be left in this scenario cannot be transferred. You could rent, donate or waste them, but you can't transfer banked points. At least that's my understanding.