Extra points and Use Year Question

[Girlstar30]

I have two and now spending way too much $ to get it back down to one (ie commission and closing costs). If it was just me, I'd probably be okay with two, but my intent is to leave to the kids and they will not enjoy the complexity of multiple Use Years on top of the other learning curve issues with using the points.

Thank you for sharing this. I will stick to one use year with the information I just learned for all of you

 

[Girlstar30]

Yes, but with a new purchase they grant a one-time late banking exception. You can confirm that in writing when you buy.

More broadly: Try not to let the tail wag the dog. If you need more points in the long term, buy them---neither before nor after you need them. If you want more points in the short term, but not consistently, consider a transfer.

I know I'm probably going to always want to buy more points i need to not let my love of Disney and excitement cloud my judgement of what i can afford comfortably

 

[Girlstar30]

They will let you bank those past the deadline as a courtesy.

Thank you now i finally understand!

 

[TinkAgainU]

I know I'm probably going to always want to buy more points i need to not let my love of Disney and excitement cloud my judgement of what i can afford comfortably

And remember you can make fewer points go further with banking and borrowing, to come every other year, for example. A trip multiple times a year works for someone driving distance, but many other people find a trip every 2-3 years is easier to manage with fees for parking at the airport, flights, dog sitters, park tickets and all the other expenses that add up too You can still go a Little crazy with Disney without bankrupting yourself. While Addonitis is real, so are pricey Disney souvenirs, but neither is "required" to fully enjoy Disney on a reasonable Budget lol.

 

[Girlstar30]

And remember you can make fewer points go further with banking and borrowing, to come every other year, for example. A trip multiple times a year works for someone driving distance, but many other people find a trip every 2-3 years is easier to manage with fees for parking at the airport, flights, dog sitters, park tickets and all the other expenses that add up too You can still go a Little crazy with Disney without bankrupting yourself. While Addonitis is real, so are pricey Disney souvenirs, but neither is "required" to fully enjoy Disney on a reasonable Budget lol.

I have an ornament addiction and of course each resort comes out with new ones every year I like taking longer vacations 2-3 weeks a year rather than shorter multiple vacations. But then again i also live in california so I have the temptation of doing short trips here as well for events like d23 and oogie boogie bash. I need to win the lottery at this point lolll

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you! My resale use year is going to be February if all goes thru. So we wouldn't be buying direct until probably summer I'm estimating so I thought I would be missing out on these "free points" but it seems I'm really not because even if I waited until like next January to buy, the "free points" would expire January 31st right? Unless they do a one time exception to let you bank them late?

Your banking date would be 9/30. They typically allow an exception for new points. You may also be able to sell them back for $20 per point with your purchase.

 

[TinkAgainU]

I have an ornament addiction and of course each resort comes out with new ones every year I like taking longer vacations 2-3 weeks a year rather than shorter multiple vacations. But then again i also live in california so I have the temptation of doing short trips here as well for events like d23 and oogie boogie bash. I need to win the lottery at this point lolll

In California - Resale points at the original resorts will Only work at Grand Californian (the original 14), you'd need resale points from Disneyland Hotel to stay there (which would then not work at the original 14 due to the new restrictions) - which is challenging for California. I find it possible to get a single day booking at Grand CA once in a while after 7 months if I'm flexible, but would be difficult to get much more than that unless you have it for your home resort.

 

[Girlstar30]

In California - Resale points at the original resorts will Only work at Grand Californian (the original 14), you'd need resale points from Disneyland Hotel to stay there (which would then not work at the original 14 due to the new restrictions) - which is challenging for California. I find it possible to get a single day booking at Grand CA once in a while after 7 months if I'm flexible, but would be difficult to get much more than that unless you have it for your home I've hear

In California - Resale points at the original resorts will Only work at Grand Californian (the original 14), you'd need resale points from Disneyland Hotel to stay there (which would then not work at the original 14 due to the new restrictions) - which is challenging for California. I find it possible to get a single day booking at Grand CA once in a while after 7 months if I'm flexible, but would be difficult to get much more than that unless you have it for your home resort.

Yes I've heard it's pretty impossible. That's another reason I'm buying direct after resale I do want access to the Disney hotel for when my wife's parents visit us from Mexico I would love to stay there and take them to California adventure for the first time I love taking first timers to Disney. Do you know if the disneyland hotel is as hard to book or really hard like Grand Californian? Some last min trips would be nice if possible

 

[TinkAgainU]

Yes I've heard it's pretty impossible. That's another reason I'm buying direct after resale I do want access to the Disney hotel for when my wife's parents visit us from Mexico I would love to stay there and take them to California adventure for the first time I love taking first timers to Disney. Do you know if the disneyland hotel is as hard to book or really hard like Grand Californian? Some last min trips would be nice if possible

Before you buy there, ask the Guide if there is a way to let you see availability - the rooms available are related to how many points were sold - when I looked, I literally cancelled my purchase but that was a while ago. Be sure you know how many of each room there are before you calculate the points you'll need, basing points on unicorn rooms (snatched up by the pro renters or walkers) is a sad mistake some make. I am also concerned due to restrictions some day all the DLH resale people will ONLY be able to book at that resort. Frankly, I've gotten good discount rates there as a cash room rental and since it's driving distance I can cancel those if the weather looks bad. Due to the extra entry gate and no Transient Tax added per stay, I'd personally probably look at Grand Californian.

Edited to add: If/when? they add a third park nearer to Disneyland Villas THEN I'll wish I had points there

 

[supercarrie]

Yes I've heard it's pretty impossible. That's another reason I'm buying direct after resale I do want access to the Disney hotel for when my wife's parents visit us from Mexico I would love to stay there and take them to California adventure for the first time I love taking first timers to Disney. Do you know if the disneyland hotel is as hard to book or really hard like Grand Californian? Some last min trips would be nice if possible

Studios at VDH routinely book out around the 7 month mark. They are easier than VGC in that if you are on the ball at 7 months, you can probably get them, but definitely not easy, especially as it hasn't been fully declared.

In general, last minute isn't really a thing for DVC at any resort, unless you are very flexible on dates and just picking up cancellations.

The availability tables at www.dvcfieldguide.com are very helpful.

 

[Girlstar30]

Before you buy there, ask the Guide if there is a way to let you see availability - the rooms available are related to how many points were sold - when I looked, I literally cancelled my purchase but that was a while ago. Be sure you know how many of each room there are before you calculate the points you'll need, basing points on unicorn rooms (snatched up by the pro renters or walkers) is a sad mistake some make. I am also concerned due to restrictions some day all the DLH resale people will ONLY be able to book at that resort. Frankly, I've gotten good discount rates there as a cash room rental and since it's driving distance I can cancel those if the weather looks bad. Due to the extra entry gate and no Transient Tax added per stay, I'd personally probably look at Grand Californian.

Edited to add: If/when? they add a third park nearer to Disneyland Villas THEN I'll wish I had points there

So you canceled Disneyland Hotel because too many rooms were sold or not enough rooms were sold? I am concerned about all the riv resale people booking riv up too but I feel that makes my case even stronger to buy there because i love it and if I don't it will be damn near impossible to stay there. We stayed at grand californian for my engagement and it was the most amazing experience. Since we were newly engaged they put us in a room that faced goofys sky school and it felt like we were literally inside the park. Waking up to that was fantastic, but I wonder if the dvc rooms are as good and close to the theme parks as the one we paid for

 

[Girlstar30]

Studios at VDH routinely book out around the 7 month mark. They are easier than VGC in that if you are on the ball at 7 months, you can probably get them, but definitely not easy, especially as it hasn't been fully declared.

In general, last minute isn't really a thing for DVC at any resort, unless you are very flexible on dates and just picking up cancellations.

The availability tables at www.dvcfieldguide.com are very helpful.

That's what I'm learning, I can be super flexible, but not when family is visiting from another country. At least there is the option to rent points for cash.

 

[TinkAgainU]

So you canceled Disneyland Hotel because too many rooms were sold or not enough rooms were sold? I am concerned about all the riv resale people booking riv up too but I feel that makes my case even stronger to buy there because i love it and if I don't it will be damn near impossible to stay there. We stayed at grand californian for my engagement and it was the most amazing experience. Since we were newly engaged they put us in a room that faced goofys sky school and it felt like we were literally inside the park. Waking up to that was fantastic, but I wonder if the dvc rooms are as good and close to the theme parks as the one we paid for

I cancelled because at that time, there were so few rooms I realized it was not going to be fun trying to get anything without walking and I don't tend to buy a lot of points since I hate the Annual Dues on my bottom line. But yes, I was looking at exactly the 7 month mark.

Someone mentioned checking the DVC Field Guide earlier (I'm usually the one saying it's great) but I would definately spend the $15 for a copy as it shows exactly where the dvc rooms (and which views) are for each resort, how many there are, average accessibility in given weeks and a ton more useful stuff both before and after purchase. https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/

 

[Chili327]

Would you recommend a new membership to get "last year's points" or thats not worth it?

No, get a UY that works for you, & if its available to get the extra then great, but not specifically for them

 

[Girlstar30]

I cancelled because at that time, there were so few rooms I realized it was not going to be fun trying to get anything without walking and I don't tend to buy a lot of points since I hate the Annual Dues on my bottom line. But yes, I was looking at exactly the 7 month mark.

Someone mentioned checking the DVC Field Guide earlier (I'm usually the one saying it's great) but I would definately spend the $15 for a copy as it shows exactly where the dvc rooms (and which views) are for each resort, how many there are, average accessibility in given weeks and a ton more useful stuff both before and after purchase. https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/

Oh ok got it now, they weren't selling many rooms so it was slim pickings. I think I will buy that because clearly I have a ton of questions loll

 

[Girlstar30]

No, get a UY that works for you, & if its available to get the extra then great, but not specifically for them

Thank you

 

[Brian Noble]

I know I'm probably going to always want to buy more points

When you are a new timeshare owner, it is very easy to go overboard. I've done it more than once.

 

[supercarrie]

Oh ok got it now, they weren't selling many rooms so it was slim pickings. I think I will buy that because clearly I have a ton of questions loll

I second the recommendation. Well worth the money spent.

 

[Girlstar30]

When you are a new timeshare owner, it is very easy to go overboard. I've done it more than once.

Yes this will be my first time share and the only one i would ever buy is Disney

 

[Chili327]

Yes this will be my first time share and the only one i would ever buy is Disney

Amen.