DVC newbie: Availability, Direct vs Resale

[wnielsen1]

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I was just trying to point out that we travel frequently to Disney (8-10 times per year) and our stays ranged between 1-4 nights, being 1-2 nights the most common. We are not looking to stay all the time at a Disney hotel/resort. We may be happy with 6-8 days per year. The rest will go as we usually do (cheap nearby hotels)

So basically, if we want DVC to work, we will have to play the reserve/cancel game until we get something that works for me, taking into consideration the deadlines, which will be the UY and 31 days cancellation policy?

You can cancel after 31 days, but the points become holding points which can only be used for reservations within 60 days. In addition, holding points cannot be banked and expire at the end of their UY.

 

[RoseGold]

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I was just trying to point out that we travel frequently to Disney (8-10 times per year) and our stays ranged between 1-4 nights, being 1-2 nights the most common. We are not looking to stay all the time at a Disney hotel/resort. We may be happy with 6-8 days per year. The rest will go as we usually do (cheap nearby hotels)

So basically, if we want DVC to work, we will have to play the reserve/cancel game until we get something that works for me, taking into consideration the deadlines, which will be the UY and 31 days cancellation policy?

Yes, the banking and holding rules will be very important to you, and you'll need to buy more points than you need. One way to start this out well is to buy a loaded contract, so you spend the banked (loaded) points and then bank this year's points. So, you're always operating at a surplus and can grab what pops up.

There are stray last minute dates that pop up. Heck, there's a couple AKL club level right now. For a 21 point night, that would get you the club with free food and drinks for two full days.

 

[RT&JR]

Yes, the banking and holding rules will be very important to you, and you'll need to buy more points than you need. One way to start this out well is to buy a loaded contract, so you spend the banked (loaded) points and then bank this year's points. So, you're always operating at a surplus and can grab what pops up.

There are stray last minute dates that pop up. Heck, there's a couple AKL club level right now.

Thanks! Where I can read about banking & holding rules? That will help a lot!

 

[Sandisw]

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I was just trying to point out that we travel frequently to Disney (8-10 times per year) and our stays ranged between 1-4 nights, being 1-2 nights the most common. We are not looking to stay all the time at a Disney hotel/resort. We may be happy with 6-8 days per year. The rest will go as we usually do (cheap nearby hotels)

So basically, if we want DVC to work, we will have to play the reserve/cancel game until we get something that works for me, taking into consideration the deadlines, which will be the UY and 31 days cancellation policy?

Correct. Any trip that is modified within 31 days of arrival...either from canceling or changing to a room that is less points...will put your points into holding status. All those points will now expire at the end of the UY in which that trip falls...so no longer bankable even if in the banking window...and can only be used for a future trip that is booked 60 days or less from check in.

Maybe the best way is to start small and see how it goes. Ideally, you want the bulk of times you could travel to be in the first 8/9 months of the UY so that if you do cancel more than 31 days out, you have time to bank. No UY will be ideal for all year round...why some of us, like me, have 3 UY's...but you can be strategic if you have been going specific times you have in the past...like you mentioned, anniversary and birthdays.

Direct requires you to start at 150. Being a FL resident, you have access to more AP options than DVC, so that element of membership extras isn't needed. And, since you would have an AP, the discounts you get from having direct points are not a big deal anyway. The only pieces you would be missing are access to the membership lounge, or special events DVC has.

The other thing you won't be eligible to do if you don't buy direct, is use your points at RIV or any future resorts (per the current rules). But, it sounds like you are pretty flexible in where to stay so that may not turn out to be a big deal.

In this case, it might be wise to start with resale because if it turns out it doesn't work, then you can sell it without too much of a financial loss. Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

I found this chart helpful to buy sleep around points (SAP). I wouldn't even consider RIV/Aulani resale in your situation, but I think the other top 5 are equivalent and a good contract can change the math on them. I don't even like CCV, and I saw a contract I seriously considered. The question would be whether you are interested in the BLT standard or AKL club or value, because you'll need home points for those. It's possible Poly will have popular booking categories in the future, but I doubt they will be cheaper. If you want cheap point rooms, I'd go BLT or AKL (because you have a car).

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resorts-to-purchase-spring-2022/

If you plan to hold this forever, I might think about buying direct. There could be value to RIV and future resorts to you, and if you plan to hold for decades, paying a little more upfront matters less and maybe being somewhat local, the events might work for you. I still think the VGF direct pricing is reasonable and will hold up to selling in a few years. I would hands down rather be selling or renting out VGF than RIV in 10 years.

 

[RT&JR]

Correct. Any trip that is modified within 31 days of arrival...either from canceling or changing to a room that is less points...will put your points into holding status. All those points will now expire at the end of the UY in which that trip falls...so no longer bankable even if in the banking window...and can only be used for a future trip that is booked 60 days or less from check in.

I'm having a discussion with my wife about this statement. Let's put an example and you tell us which one is the correct interpretation:

Let's say we have 50 points, my UY is December and we use the entire 50 points in a reservation for July 1st. If we cancel on June 15th, What will happen?

A) 50 points on holding status that can be used only between July 1st & September 1st (60 days)
B) 50 points on holding status that can be used after September 1st and expires on December, the UY.
C) None of the above?

My apologies for the inconveniences

 

[Sandisw]

I'm having a discussion with my wife about this statement. Let's put an example and you tell us which one is the correct interpretation:

Let's say we have 50 points, my UY is December and we use the entire 50 points in a reservation for July 1st. If we cancel on June 15th, What will happen?

A) 50 points on holding status that can be used only between July 1st & September 1st (60 days)
B) 50 points on holding status that can be used after September 1st and expires on December, the UY.
C) None of the above?

My apologies for the inconveniences

Close. Once canceled, those points can be used for any trip between that day and the end of the UY...which would be November 30th....as long as you book it 60 days or less from check in.

Using your example, you cancel on June 15th...now you have 50 points...you can go in that same day and reschedule a trip for a start date no later than August 15th (60 days). If you want to travel in October, you would not be able to book that rip until August when you are within 60 days from the date you want to go.

Again, as long as what you are booking is not more than 60 days out, you can use your points before they expire!

 

[hglenn]

Close. Once canceled, those points can be used for any trip between that day and the end of the UY...which would be November 30th....as long as you book it 60 days or less from check in.

Using your example, you cancel on June 15th...now you have 50 points...you can go in that same day and reschedule a trip for a start date no later than August 15th (60 days). If you want to travel in October, you would not be able to book that rip until August when you are within 60 days from the date you want to go.

Again, as long as what you are booking is not more than 60 days out, you can use your points!!!

This is literally the most confusing part of DVC, IMO....

 

[Sandisw]

This is literally the most confusing part of DVC, IMO....

Once you get the hang of it, it really is not...just think of it as last minute bookings...if you have holding points, you can only use them for those last minute stays!!!

 

[RT&JR]

This is literally the most confusing part of DVC, IMO....

Once you get the hang of it, it really is not...just think of it as last minute bookings...if you have holding points, you can only use them for those last minute stays!!!

Thanks! It got us confused and we ended up thinking totally opposite things...

Thanks again to all those who took their time to share their insights. It is really helpful!

 

[RoseGold]

Going off your Dec UY example, the banking deadline is July 31. So, ideally you'd cancel your August to Nov reservations in time to bank before July 31 and >30 days so they don't go into holding.

If you wanted to book something between July 31 and your new UY, Dec 1, you could borrow points from next year. Borrowing is permanent, though.

So, you want the banking deadline to match the period you are least likely to go to Disney. Dec is a good choice if you don't like going in the fall.

 

[CarolMN]

Just remember that availability is often very limited once you get within 60 days. Keep an eye on this report - it's a snapshot of 60 day availability and is updated once a week.

Resort Availability: Stays in the Next 60 Days​

It's easier to find last minute availability in the summer months than other times of the year. Fall - the first part of January is particularly difficult.

 

[lexxus379]

I live in Florida and we go about 7-8 times a year. I only book my Jan trip at 11 months out because I want my home BW. Other than that I book anywhere from 1-6 months out. I’ve never not gotten a room. I’m flexible so that helps. I base my visits on room availability and only go 2-3 nights a time. I get last minute rooms mostly by stalking but waitlists have worked too when it’s been 3-6 months out.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I would purchase resale SSR. Yes you can usually get something in the three or four month window, one or two months is tight. This year is skewed from all the banked points due to covid. Studios go first but they are not impossible

 

[EThomas]

If you can’t book more than 7 months in advance your home resort doesn’t matter. Get whatever is cheapest. (The exception to this would be Riviera resale contracts, because they can not be used at other resorts).

*but* if you can’t plan in advance DVC might not be the right fit for you.

 

[crisi]

Close. Once canceled, those points can be used for any trip between that day and the end of the UY...which would be November 30th....as long as you book it 60 days or less from check in.

Using your example, you cancel on June 15th...now you have 50 points...you can go in that same day and reschedule a trip for a start date no later than August 15th (60 days). If you want to travel in October, you would not be able to book that rip until August when you are within 60 days from the date you want to go.

Again, as long as what you are booking is not more than 60 days out, you can use your points before they expire!

The problem being frequently there is NOTHING available 60 days out. As the end of your use year creeps closer and closer, it becomes more and more likely that you just won't find anything at all.

DVC really does work best for those that can plan AT LEAST seven months in advance, don't mind booking and staying at their home resort and switching to a different resort if possible (and desirable), and who have some flexibility in room type. Buying to stay only in a standard view or value studio is a disaster - even if you always plan eleven months out - those rooms are the ones likely to be walked. Buying to only stay in a studio with booking less than seven months out is going to take a lot of flexibility. You may lose points some years as your points won't be bankable at the end of the use year and the stars may not align on availability and when you can spend two nights at WDW.

 

[crisi]

The problem being frequently there is NOTHING available 60 days out. As the end of your use year creeps closer and closer, it becomes more and more likely that you just won't find anything at all.

DVC really does work best for those that can plan AT LEAST seven months in advance, don't mind booking and staying at their home resort and switching to a different resort if possible (and desirable), and who have some flexibility in room type. Buying to stay only in a standard view or value studio is a disaster - even if you always plan eleven months out - those rooms are the ones likely to be walked. Buying to only stay in a studio with booking less than seven months out is going to take a lot of flexibility. You may lose points some years as your points won't be bankable at the end of the use year and the stars may not align on availability and when you can spend two nights at WDW.

Oh, and it works best for people whose plans are pretty firm and they aren't likely to cancel - especially on short notice (this came up again when chalee hit like). Canceling with short notice - or even just after the banking window closes, can create problems. Less for the OP, who lives close and can do one or two night stays with flexibility. For someone like me, who would cancel a week, lives far enough away that it really only makes sense to go for a week, canceling 30 days out probably means piecing together a split stay, possibly in rooms bigger than I want, probably in resorts that are low on my list of desirable, and maybe putting a few cash nights in there to fill in completely booked nights. Or just letting those points go.

 

[jason423]

Since you go so often the first thing you should consider is whther or not you like the resorts. Maybe look to see if you can find a confirmed reservation for one of your trips even if it means splitting a stay between that and one you book via disney.

If you do like it i do think you could swing dvc with some planning. You could probably book a few trips early and then as your schedule gets clearer see if you can move it. given how often you go at worst you could probably sell a reaervation off if you could not use it so you probably wont lose the points entirely.

Buying resale would make the most sense even if it takes a few tries. If you never will book 11 months out just buy whatever is the cheapest contract since you wont take advantage of the early booking window anyway. If it turns out to be too much of a hassle you should be able to turn around and sell the contract and more or less get your money back. If you buy direct it will be a big loss if you have to sell it right away.

 

[Spinster Travel]

For what it's worth; I am an out of state owner (no kids, no plans of 'em either) and I book trips less than 7 months frequently and always stay in studios. The chances of getting a room greatly depend on when you are trying to book and what nights of the week. Back in February, I waitlisted a two night stay about 6 weeks ahead (I was going to be in Orlando for work and wanted to move over to DVC after my conference and spend the weekend) and I got in right about 33 days out. That has happend a number of times because owners who are going to cancel try to do so before the 31 day deadline so points don't go into holding. Those last minute trips are almost always going to wind up at Saratoga Springs (as did my February trip). Once I got booked at Saratoga; I put a waitlist on for another resort (which didn't happen, but a girl can try)

I'd say that I plan maybe two trips a year which are at least 7 months out and then two more trips per year that are well past the 7 month deadline. I just keep in mind that I may not get a reservation - and then know that I can book a cash room if needed or I just don't go. I woudl certainly suggest that you go purchase knowingly of the booking windows etc., but I say go for it! As an in state resident, you have better flexibility to get there (I have to fly) so if I can make it work, I think you can too....you can always sell! Good luck!

 

[Genie+]

I think you could benefit from DVC. Start with a smaller contract 50-100 points. Learn the ropes as you use it for some trips then add-on later if needed. Since it sounds like you still plan on some cash trips, that’s your back-up plan. If you can’t find or keep the DVC reservation you like, book cash. Obviously you’ll need to take point rules into consideration, that gets easier with experience and reading the DVC boards.

DVC made sense to us because we always booked moderates. Going DVC can average similar costs depending on room and season. Now we get nicer resorts with potential to stay at the park resorts and perks like the current night EMH.

Worse case scenario is you’re not enjoying your contract. You could still rent the points out before they risk going unused to cover your cost and if you decide to sell the loss should be minor or none going by history. The risk seems worth it in your case. Availability increases the shorter your stay. Someone needing 7 straight days will have a harder time than someone looking for 4, especially if you don’t mind splitting that stay at 2 different resorts 2+2 days.