DVC newbie here with questions!

[DISNEY*lover]

Hello ladies and gents! Let me explain my situation. We got married at WDW in September '09 and we became members of the DVC as a gift to each other for our wedding. We got the 210 package but was able to carry over our points from this physical year onto the next.

So since we'd have 420 points for next year we were thinking of a DCL trip and a nice stay at WDW since we didn't have a honeymoon. Now onto my questions:

1. If our home is BLT and we'd like to stay there what would our booking window be? We weren't explained this when we signed up.

2. I'm a cruise virgin so excuse my ignorance...would I be able to do the DCL then book my stay at WDW? Or does my stay at WDW included in the points?

3. - Currently, you may request a reservation for a Disney Cruise Line® vacation that has a sail date on or before November 17, 2011, some sailings may not be available for booking at the 24-month window.
- Currently, you may request a reservation at your Home Resort for vacations that have a check-in date on or before October 17, 2010, based upon availability.
- Currently, you may request a reservation at any Disney Vacation Club Resort for vacations that have a check-in date on or before June 17, 2010, based upon availability.
Can I really book now or do I have to wait until the physical year is over since I banked this years points so I can use them next year?

I had more questions but I'm drawing a blank right now. TIA!

 

[franandaj]

We got the 210 package but was able to carry over our points from this physical year onto the next.

So since we'd have 420 points for next year we were thinking of a DCL trip and a nice stay at WDW since we didn't have a honeymoon.

From what you said above, I imagine that you have a September use year so you have 210 points for your Sept 09 year and 210 points from your Sept 10 year.

1. If our home is BLT and we'd like to stay there what would our booking window be? We weren't explained this when we signed up.

You can make reservations at BLT 11 months from the day you want to start your BLT stay.

2. I'm a cruise virgin so excuse my ignorance...would I be able to do the DCL then book my stay at WDW? Or does my stay at WDW included in the points?

You can do whatever you like, provided that there is sufficient availability on the part of Disney. Other than a 3 or 4 night cruise, 420 points may not be enough points for two people (fares are per person), and if you did use points, there may not be enough points leftover for the WDW stay. Most DVCers will tell you that exchanging your points out for a cruise stay is not the most economical use of your points, but ultimately the decision is your own.

3. - Currently, you may request a reservation for a Disney Cruise Line® vacation that has a sail date on or before November 17, 2011, some sailings may not be available for booking at the 24-month window.
- Currently, you may request a reservation at your Home Resort for vacations that have a check-in date on or before October 17, 2010, based upon availability.
- Currently, you may request a reservation at any Disney Vacation Club Resort for vacations that have a check-in date on or before June 17, 2010, based upon availability.
Can I really book now or do I have to wait until the physical year is over since I banked this years points so I can use them next year?

If you have a Sept use year and you have banked your 2009 points into your 2010 use year, you can not book a vacation that starts before Sept 1, 2010. You can book at your home resort for any vacation after Sept 1, 2010 that starts 11 months or less from today. You can trade out for a cruise, but if you do that it is a final transaction and if you change your mind, the points can not be transferred back to your account to be used in a Villa.

The best thing to do is study the point charts so you really know what the costs are for the time of year that want to travel.

Congratulations and Welcome Home!

 

[mfortis]

If you need more points for either your cruise or stay, you can borrow from 2011. That would give you 630 pts to use for your belated honeymoon.

But, I agree that using points for a cruise is not the best use of said points. You may be better off renting them and using the rental money to buy your cruise. Rental points go for around $10/pp. Do the math.

 

[DebbieB]

If you have a Sept use year and you have banked your 2009 points into your 2010 use year, you can not book a vacation that starts before Sept 1, 2010. You can book at your home resort for any vacation after Sept 1, 2010 that starts 11 months or less from today. You can trade out for a cruise, but if you do that it is a final transaction and if you change your mind, the points can not be transferred back to your account to be used in a Villa.

You could book a stay that starts before 9/1/10 by borrowing your 2010 points (but not the banked 2009 points).

 

[DISNEY*lover]

If you have a Sept use year and you have banked your 2009 points into your 2010 use year, you can not book a vacation that starts before Sept 1, 2010. You can book at your home resort for any vacation after Sept 1, 2010 that starts 11 months or less from today. You can trade out for a cruise, but if you do that it is a final transaction and if you change your mind, the points can not be transferred back to your account to be used in a Villa.

^*%@! I banked it thinking my physical year was January to September 'cause I was never explained that crap. As soon as I got home from my trip from the wedding I banked it 'cause I didn't want to lose out on those points. Is there a way I can "un-bank" them? Reason I'm pushing the begining of September is 'cause we got free AP as a gift for having a DFTW and we activated them in the begining of September so that'd be one less thing to worry about.

If you need more points for either your cruise or stay, you can borrow from 2011. That would give you 630 pts to use for your belated honeymoon.

But, I agree that using points for a cruise is not the best use of said points. You may be better off renting them and using the rental money to buy your cruise. Rental points go for around $10/pp. Do the math.

Good point about renting them. Didn't know you can rent them at only $10/pp. How would I go about renting them for the DCL if I decided to do so?

You could book a stay that starts before 9/1/10 by borrowing your 2010 points (but not the banked 2009 points).

Another good point. You guys are so helpful!! Can I borrow from next year even though I banked this years points?

I appologize for my silly questions. My DVC cordinator never explained the booking window, point system thoroughly, using them ecconomically (sp?), etc. He was just really pushy about becoming a member which don't get me wrong I'm glad we did anyway but coming on the DVC boards on the Dis I feel so un educated about this. After signing a contract for several thousands of dollars on an investment you'd think I'd know more about it.

TIA! You ladies and gents on the Dis are always so helpful!

 

[mfortis]

Good point about renting them. Didn't know you can rent them at only $10/pp. How would I go about renting them for the DCL if I decided to do so?

Check out the DVC Rent/Trade forum for information and tips on renting points. But in a nutshell, you would rent out the points to someone else and then use the money from that to purchase the cruise. Two separate events.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1709083