DVC it appears you have to be a planner

[dancemonkey]

I've been considering investing in DVC. But from what I understand you can only decide where you want to stay at an 11 or 7 month window. We tend to be spontaneous travelers usually booking less than 4 months before a trip. It also seems that the home resort may not be available so you have to be flexible as to where you stay. Am I understanding this correctly? We usually stay at a monorail resort. So I'm thinking this might not be thing for me.

 

[NH Disneyfan]

If you don't plan out to the 7-11 months, your options will be greatly reduced or possibly unavailable when you want to book. You can possibly find something many times of the year but other times there will be nothing available. For instance, I decided in September this year that I was interested in a December trip to WDW. Nothing DVC was available for the 4-5 day stay. When there is something available late, it may not be your desired accommodation. For instance, perhaps there's a 1BR avail, but you only want a studio.

It doesn't sound like DVC is a thing for you.

 

[CMNJ]

I would say DVC wouldn't match your travel habits well. You said you usually stay at a monorail resort and those (along with the Epcot resorts) will usually be unavailable at 4 months or less. Typically the near park resorts fill up once the 7 month window opens and non owners can book them. If you don't mind SSR there is often avail there at 4 months or less especially if your travel dates are flexible. Also you didn't mentioned the time of year you travel. The fall through early Jan are peak DVC season so even getting SSR at 4 months or less could be unavailable.

 

[suebeelin]

Our travel habits changed when we purchased dvc.

The first time we booked was for October and we were at the 4mo mark. Suffice it to say our home boardwalk was not available for all 7 days. We did get a pool/garden for 3 days.

The other 4 days were spent in AKL kidani in a huge 2bd/3bth. Since we only had a 2 yr old at the time, it was a definite waste of space... And points. But nice. Nothing else was available. And CM actually said we were lucky to get the 1bd pool/garden split at BWV.

This was 3/4 yrs ago. I think things have gotten more competitive.

But I digress- we learned the hard way. Now we book at 7/11months. Maybe you can too?

 

[southerngirl528]

Believe it or not, most of the sales folks at DVC will even tell you that if you aren't a planner, DVC (or any other TS for that matter) is not for you. Everyone else is right. Sure sometimes you can score some nights last minute, but honey you better be willing to take a place that wasn't your 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice, and likely not in the category of room you prefer. If you mostly do last minute, no way could I recommend DVC to you. And I LOVE, love my DVC membership and have since the early 90's!

 

[JD&LYD]

I've been considering investing in DVC. But from what I understand you can only decide where you want to stay at an 11 or 7 month window. We tend to be spontaneous travelers usually booking less than 4 months before a trip. It also seems that the home resort may not be available so you have to be flexible as to where you stay. Am I understanding this correctly? We usually stay at a monorail resort. So I'm thinking this might not be thing for me.

You can get a room on short notice if, as southerngirl528 says you don't mind taking your 2nd or 3rd choice. A week ago I got 2 studios at AKV for Nov. 19-20, first choice OKW or SSR. I have also gotten rooms as close as a week to 10 days out. Disney freaks like us don't really care what resort we're in, the bus or boat will take you where you want to go. JMHO

 

[lovin'fl]

If you were to buy DVC, you should buy SSR.

 

[Dean]

I've been considering investing in DVC. But from what I understand you can only decide where you want to stay at an 11 or 7 month window. We tend to be spontaneous travelers usually booking less than 4 months before a trip. It also seems that the home resort may not be available so you have to be flexible as to where you stay. Am I understanding this correctly? We usually stay at a monorail resort. So I'm thinking this might not be thing for me.

This is the natures of timeshares that are floating or points based. IMO one shouldn't buy DVC if they can't plan at least 7 months out most of the time. Even 7 months out will limit options.

 

[drusba]

Bottom line: if your intent is is not to reserve at least 7 months out most of the time, you should forget about it.

 

[mickeyman]

What if you bought a guaranteed week? Then wouldn't a certain week always be guaranteed for you?

 

[kamik86]

What if you bought a guaranteed week? Then wouldn't a certain week always be guaranteed for you?

Yes but if you knew you would always want to go on a specific week wouldnt you then be able to book at 11 months?

 

[Dean]

What if you bought a guaranteed week? Then wouldn't a certain week always be guaranteed for you?

That could add some benefit and stability but it assumes you know the week you need part of the time and curerently it also assumes you buy at VGF resale or the Poly retail (for WDW). Certainly not worth it unless that's what fits for one anyway. As noted, cheapest is best for the 7 month window.

 

[supersnoop]

You should be booking at 7 or 11 months, but you should really be planning three years out. With banking and borrowing, you could get stuck with expiring points if you don't plan well. And that's true for any timeshare.

 

[dancemonkey]

Good info. Thanks everyone!

 

[com_op_2000]

Does DVC work for those who can not plan early - not real well.
Can it work for those who can not plan early - yes if you are willing to accept the limits on what you can get.
A couple of examples:
DW and I several times have been at DTD for the day and decided we wanted to stay the night. Called the resorts directly (back before MS was open on Sundays) or MS and checked in within 15 minutes.
At MK for the day in Feb ’14 for our anniversary, called MS @09:00, and booked a room at BLT for that night. Checked-in @11:00 and the room was ready. We did not plan on this day going like this until @05:00 while still in bed.

 

[Dean]

Does DVC work for those who can not plan early - not real well.
Can it work for those who can not plan early - yes if you are willing to accept the limits on what you can get.
A couple of examples:
DW and I several times have been at DTD for the day and decided we wanted to stay the night. Called the resorts directly (back before MS was open on Sundays) or MS and checked in within 15 minutes.
At MK for the day in Feb ’14 for our anniversary, called MS @09:00, and booked a room at BLT for that night. Checked-in @11:00 and the room was ready. We did not plan on this day going like this until @05:00 while still in bed.

Some make it work when they cannot plan sufficiently ahead but there are zero situations where it's reasonable to buy with that plan.

 

[Sandisw]

As others have said, those that don't plan in advance will most likely find DVC more frustrating than not. Is it possible to get something 4 to 5 months out? Sure, but depending on time of year, where and size is going to be a huge gamble. In your situation, DVC will probably not be a good choice since those monorail resorts are pretty full by the 4 month mark most times of the year.

 

[disBOBney]

I bought my first contract, knowing I was not, and really still am not a big planner. I took my first trip with just under 4 mo notice, I did have to do a split stay but as I had never been in any of the resorts, I didn't mind as I got to see more than one resort. Also, I tend to hang a few items and otherwise live out of the suitcase so repacking for the resort switch wasn't a big deal.

As others have said after owning DVC your travel habits change. Since I know that every year I am going to be taking a trip, it is much easier make reservations much farther out, and if I want to change, I can always check to see if I can get a room and change the reservation. Don't let the fact that you haven't been a long range planner scare you away.

 

[hubbard53]

this is the exact reason I have not bought into DVC (or Hilton) - we are spontaneous travelers and I'm sure we would almost never get a room when we wanted a room. Our son is now in kindergarten so we've lost some spontaneity and have a more finite travel window but still, we would be traveling when the majority of others will be traveling..

 

[Dean]

this is the exact reason I have not bought into DVC (or Hilton) - we are spontaneous travelers and I'm sure we would almost never get a room when we wanted a room. Our son is now in kindergarten so we've lost some spontaneity and have a more finite travel window but still, we would be traveling when the majority of others will be traveling..

Depending on where you like to go, buying a timeshare for access to short notice trades or rentals can still be a good idea. Esp for places like Orlando, Williamsburg, LV & Branson as well as shoulder season many places.