DVC - could I reserve for any length (say 16 nights)

[florida2005]

Hi there

I'm new to DIS and also to DVC so my question is very basic, so much so I could not find an answer in the forum by doing a search - I guess everyone knows the answer!!

I've been to Disney 6 times now and have always walked past the DVC booths in the parks - a result of over-zealous timeshare sales at places like Sheraton Vistana!

These forums are brilliant and I'm very interested in DVC. Being from Scotland and due to the flight length we like to come over for more than 2 weeks - typically 16 or 17 nights.

If I was to buy into DVC can I make a reservation for any duration or does it have to be 7 day chunks or Mon-Thurs, Fri-Sun etc

Thanks
Brian

 

[bobbiwoz]

Your trip can be any length that your budget of points or money will allow. You can pay for nights with points, and sometimes DVC cash discounts are available.

The days that you start or end your vacation are flexible, there is no set pattern that you must have. You can go elsewhere on weekends if you want because weekend points cost more.

Bobbi

 

[LisaS]

You can book a stay of any length -- as short as one night, or as many nights as you have the points to cover the cost. Weekend nights are a lot more expensive than weekday nights. Click on the "DVC Point Charts" link at the top of this page to see how many points are needed. The "cost" varies based on time of year, day of week (Sun-Thurs vs Fri/Sat), and room type (Studio, 1 BR, 2 BR, Grand Villa). It also varies from one resort to another.

 

[florida2005]

Thanks Bobbi and LisaS

That's great that I can book any length. I have seen posts where people suggest going elsewhere at weekends but to be honest it amazes me the luggage we manage to amass for me, DW, DD6 and DS2 so the thought of moving once we get settled just horrifies me .

Initially DVC seemed expensive but when you take into considerations the potential resale value and the fact we would go every year or every other year, I think it represents good value.

 

[LisaS]

Our WDW vacations have always been 6 nights (check in on Sunday and check out on Saturday) so we plan to do the same now that we are DVC owners. I can't see moving somewhere else for the weekend night -- we like to unpack and settle in. However, in our case we'll only be paying the higher point price for one night, so it isn't too bad. In your case where you want to stay two weeks, maybe you could check in on a Sunday, stay over that first weekend and check out on the following Friday -- that way you only pay for two weekend nights and 10 weekday nights. In the end, if you buy into DVC they are your points and you should use them however you like!

 

[spiceycat]

luggage one of the good things about DVC - you don't need to bring so much stuff.

the 1-bedroom and up have a washer/dryer in the room.

studios have access to the free laundry room

 

[Deb & Bill]

Lots of times we have stayed for 8 or 9 nights at our DVC resort. We don't usually move out over the weekend. We might delay checking in by one night (or we add a night to our trip after we've made our DVC reservation).

 

[CarolAnnC]

My goal is to reach retirement age (very far away lol) then spend about 6 weeks in the dead of winter in a DVC unit. I would prefer a 1 bedroom, but will go for a studio if it means staying down there longer. Something to work towards!

 

[AJKMOM]

You should read up on the "banking" and "borrowing" of the DVC. That way, you could buy points, and work it so you could have 3 years worth to use at one time. For example (as I write this hypothetically because we can never seem to bank any) you could have 150 points and bank them for 2006. Then go in 2007, when you could borrow from 2008 and have 450 points, or 3 years worth. I believe that's all you can use at once- 3 years worth.

 

[LisaS]

I believe that's all you can use at once- 3 years worth.

Someone posted an example once on how to use points from 4 use years. If I remember correctly, if you book a stay that begins at the end of one use year and extends into the following use year, then you can use points that originated in 4 different use years for your trip!

Let's say you have a December use year. You bank your 150 points from 2005 into 2006. You now have a total of 300 points you can use for stays between Dec 1, 2006 and Nov 30, 2007. If you borrow 150 points from your 2008 use year into 2007, you also have 300 points you can use for stays between Dec 1, 2007 and Nov 30, 2008. If you book a trip that begins in late November 2007 and ends in early December 2007, you have 300 points to use for the first half of the trip and another 300 for the last half of the trip, for a grand total of 600 points!

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Sure you can reserve for 16 nights, but many of us will be painfully jealous.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

My goal is to reach retirement age (very far away lol) then spend about 6 weeks in the dead of winter in a DVC unit. I would prefer a 1 bedroom, but will go for a studio if it means staying down there longer. Something to work towards!

I LIKE that goal. My wife and I have similar thoughts. Six weeks would be heaven on earth. The older I get, the less I like winter! Still a long ways from retirement, too.

 

[isyt]

My goal is to reach retirement age (very far away lol) then spend about 6 weeks in the dead of winter in a DVC unit. I would prefer a 1 bedroom, but will go for a studio if it means staying down there longer. Something to work towards!

You got my goal!!! I think I have enough points for a 3 month stay! If they ever announce California or Hawaii I would buy there also. A few months in FL a mont in CA and a Month in HI , what a life!!!

 

[marlouwrig]

These forums are brilliant and I'm very interested in DVC. Being from Scotland and due to the flight length we like to come over for more than 2 weeks - typically 16 or 17 nights.

If I was to buy into DVC can I make a reservation for any duration or does it have to be 7 day chunks or Mon-Thurs, Fri-Sun etc

Thanks
Brian

Hi Brian

We are also from UK (down south not lovely Scotland- but the same principles apply).

Like you we have always avoided pushy timeshare presentations like the plague. We too walked past the DVC booths on our first WDW trip. We didnt do the tour, but on our return we researched it on the internet and listened to opinions of other UK members. We decided it made good sense for us based largely on the criteria you have outlined. We bought into BCV in 2003 and our points have since increased in value about 20%ish, however this is just a bonus and not something that we based our decision on as it could easily go the other way.

We like to stay 3 nights on site at Universal (for FOTL access) and then to WDW to immerse ourselves in the magical Disney atmosphere for 12-16 nights or so, depending on how long we are able to get away. Its so flexible.

We love it and don't regret a thing.

Mary