Exactly what are we talking about here?

[Supplanter]

Is September really that busy? Especially for a 1 bedroom/studio? I'm not going to be fussy about getting a particular resort, although I probably do want to switch them up occasionally, and even seven months is a VERY long time out for me to think about booking something (and the over-selling of the advantage of the eleven month window was one of the things that really made me start thinking it wasn't us). I usually book about 6-10 weeks out, and while I don't expect everything to be available, I'd be cranky if I couldn't get ANYTHING.

I can't imagine going to the trouble of trying to switch an SSR reservation.

About 2 months out Disney turns unbooked rooms over for cash bookings so there is a lot less available after that from what I understand.

 

[Dean]

We are planning to buy resale, hopefully within the next year or two.
Direct is really not an option, because we need to keep costs way down, and we truly only need fifty or sixty points. Exactly how restrictive are the new rules?

I know I can't use my points for things like DCL, and I know we would not be entitled to things like discounts on bike rentals. Can I still purchase meal plans? Rent my points? Make reservations on the same windows?

You get everything guaranteed, you just lose the discounts, special events, plus cash exchanges that are never a good deal anyway. The prices may go down a little. If the discounts are worth it, you could always do an add on later retail. Currently you could do that at 25 points but it may change later. I would buy a little more than the 50-60 or at least keep your options open to include contracts that are a little larger even if you had to delay some to do so. It sounds like you're making wise choices.

 

[jerseyduke]

The biggest loss in my eyes in the discount on annual passes. If you are only buying 50-60 points, and do not own other points, I do not think annual passes will apply, so that's irrelevant.
You lose the discount on food and merchandise. But 60 points, saving 50 bucks a point(3000), requires you to spend 30K on food and merchandise to break even there.(10% off is 3,000)

Unless you are buying the Polynesian, perhaps VGF, I would buy resale without a second thought.

If in the event that the perks you do not have are "costing you" too much, then you can add on 25 points directly at a later date.
-Currently, once you are a member, the minimum add on is 25 points.

 

[Meandnevaeh]

Is the Epcot lounge supported by dues pooled from all DVC members, too? If so, I can't see how resale owners can be excluded from accessing it. I think it may have been discussed else where, but any "perks" supported by member dues (either fully or partially) shouldn't be excluded from resale owners.

LAX

I was actually talking about the TOWL at BLT, I am not sure on the Epcot lounge, however, I have heard that one is not funded by member dues, if it is, then no they can not exclude Rosales either, but I don't think it is.

 

[persimmondeb]

About 2 months out Disney turns unbooked rooms over for cash bookings so there is a lot less available after that from what I understand.

This would explain how I got 2br SSR for $445-ish last year twelve days out. Good to know that I should be a little more on the ball if I'm using points.

 

[persimmondeb]

The biggest loss in my eyes in the discount on annual passes. If you are only buying 50-60 points, and do not own other points, I do not think annual passes will apply, so that's irrelevant.
You lose the discount on food and merchandise. But 60 points, saving 50 bucks a point(3000), requires you to spend 30K on food and merchandise to break even there.(10% off is 3,000)

Unless you are buying the Polynesian, perhaps VGF, I would buy resale without a second thought.

If in the event that the perks you do not have are "costing you" too much, then you can add on 25 points directly at a later date.
-Currently, once you are a member, the minimum add on is 25 points.

No, annual passes are probably not a big deal for us, LOL!

The special events will make my husband a little sad, but direct is just not happening. Add-on in the future might be a possibility.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip)........ I usually book about 6-10 weeks out, and while I don't expect everything to be available, I'd be cranky if I couldn't get ANYTHING.........

If you regularly book 6 - 10 weeks in advance, you are going to end up frustrated more often than not. Availability is usually very limited that close to arrival. There are times of the year when you will not find anything that works for you if you are looking that close to arrival. If you do find something, you may need to switch rooms and/or resorts to get all the nights you want.

DVC works best for those who can (and will) plan at least 7 months in advance. If you don't see yourself doing that, DVC will not be a good fit for you.

Here are some threads for you to look at regarding availability:

Any resource to see historical availability for days 7/11 months out - drusba's post (#3) & crisi's post (#4) are the ones you find most helpful

skier_pete's Predicted DVC booking patterns - Studios/ some 1-bedrooms (VGC Update 10/21/15)

Good luck with your research.

 

[MouseOfCards]

You may be OK towards the beginning of September, but once F&W festival starts, you may start to run into more difficulty. Otherwise, you should be OK for September...if you like the heat!

Oh, and 1BR's will definitely be easier to get than studios.

Thanks for that reminder!

 

[persimmondeb]

If you regularly book 6 - 10 weeks in advance, you are going to end up frustrated more often than not. Availability is usually very limited that close to arrival. There are times of the year when you will not find anything that works for you if you are looking that close to arrival. If you do find something, you may need to switch rooms and/or resorts to get all the nights you want.

DVC works best for those who can (and will) plan at least 7 months in advance. If you don't see yourself doing that, DVC will not be a good fit for you.

Here are some threads for you to look at regarding availability:

Any resource to see historical availability for days 7/11 months out - drusba's post (#3) & crisi's post (#4) are the ones you find most helpful

skier_pete's Predicted DVC booking patterns - Studios/ some 1-bedrooms (VGC Update 10/21/15)

Good luck with your research.

I'd looked at the first one of those threads, but not the second, which is actually really awesome, and for how I book I think we'd be fine (low demand times, two or three days), although I think we may be at SSR a lot. It would also obviously pay me to be at the longer end of my booking cycle.

Based on suebeelin's excellent advice, I am also leaning more towards SSR than HH. It and Vero are the only DVC properties I've stayed in, and I was very pleased with SSR (other than the labyrinthine layout). The easy access to Disney Springs is a big draw for us. We would like to try others, but we'd certainly switch mid-trip if, for example, I could get one night at BLT. I might regard switching rooms in the same resort as a bit of a nuisance, but as it is, we often resort/hotel hop.