First Time/DVC-Curious

[Sean81995]

Sure - it was a savanna-view studio @ Jambo House. (PS - it was a huge hit w/ my DD - stunning resort, incredible views, yummy s'mores - who cares if mom doesn't sleep?! )

ha! yeah Disney vacations aren't your typical definition of "vacation"

 

[2010dvcfan]

First let me preface by saying I know nothing of Disneyland period, I've been once and it was an Adventures by Disney trip we stayed at Grand Californian so my knowledge is almost zero on that West Coast.

I was basing my suggestion on the split due to your mention of being more local to Disneyland parks and clear love of AKL. VDH being direct purchase so you can use them at new resorts at WDW, if you chose too in the future. In addition to longer contract and more affordable price per point when compared to Grand Californian was my thinking when I looked at the purchase as a whole.

I'm not familiar with AKL incentives right now, but if you buy direct at VDH that gets you Disneyland resort, direct benefits and then use of direct points at WDW any of the resorts if you ever want to try them all. AKL on resale is very affordable right now IMO and I think a lot of DVC owners are hybrid owners, we have both direct and resale contracts. That is where my suggestion of AKL resale came from.

As I've said before, everything we purchase today will seem cheap in 3-5 years. The biggest regret I have about DVC is I didn't buy sooner. There will be a break even point in your contracts and no matter what you pay I think you will view it as good purchase once you start enjoying the product.

As far as the weather ruining your trip, or changing your plans, once you start to vacation like a DVC owner those things don't impact your trip as much as a "one and done" or " rare trip at holidays" you will use these points to make annual plans over and over again. I've had many pool days as well as evening park days rained out. We just enjoy the resort, play games, read a book, sit on the balcony and watch it rain. It's easier to go with the flow when you know you'll get another chance next trip to try again.

Best of luck on your decision !

 

[Sean81995]

First let me preface by saying I know nothing of Disneyland period, I've been once and it was an Adventures by Disney trip we stayed at Grand Californian so my knowledge is almost zero on that West Coast.

I was basing my suggestion on the split due to your mention of being more local to Disneyland parks and clear love of AKL. VDH being direct purchase so you can use them at new resorts at WDW, if you chose too in the future. In addition to longer contract and more affordable price per point when compared to Grand Californian was my thinking when I looked at the purchase as a whole.

I'm not familiar with AKL incentives right now, but if you buy direct at VDH that gets you Disneyland resort, direct benefits and then use of direct points at WDW any of the resorts if you ever want to try them all. AKL on resale is very affordable right now IMO and I think a lot of DVC owners are hybrid owners, we have both direct and resale contracts. That is where my suggestion of AKL resale came from.

As I've said before, everything we purchase today will seem cheap in 3-5 years. The biggest regret I have about DVC is I didn't buy sooner. There will be a break even point in your contracts and no matter what you pay I think you will view it as good purchase once you start enjoying the product.

As far as the weather ruining your trip, or changing your plans, once you start to vacation like a DVC owner those things don't impact your trip as much as a "one and done" or " rare trip at holidays" you will use these points to make annual plans over and over again. I've had many pool days as well as evening park days rained out. We just enjoy the resort, play games, read a book, sit on the balcony and watch it rain. It's easier to go with the flow when you know you'll get another chance next trip to try again.

Best of luck on your decision !

last one is a good point too. a lot to consider!

 

[Sean81995]

Hey all,

Still looking and now examining copper creek resale. For anyone that owns there, is it at all a headache to get a one or two bedroom around the holidays? Specifically, I'm looking at reservation starting right before the holidays (~12/22) or right after xmas (~12/26). I have heard of owners needing to "walk" reservations around the holidays but I'm not sure if that's true, just for studios, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Chili327]

Hey all,

Still looking and now examining copper creek resale. For anyone that owns there, is it at all a headache to get a one or two bedroom around the holidays? Specifically, I'm looking at reservation starting right before the holidays (~12/22) or right after xmas (~12/26). I have heard of owners needing to "walk" reservations around the holidays but I'm not sure if that's true, just for studios, etc.

Thanks!

I don't own there, but i think everything is tough around the holidays at CCV.

https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Hey all,

Still looking and now examining copper creek resale. For anyone that owns there, is it at all a headache to get a one or two bedroom around the holidays? Specifically, I'm looking at reservation starting right before the holidays (~12/22) or right after xmas (~12/26). I have heard of owners needing to "walk" reservations around the holidays but I'm not sure if that's true, just for studios, etc.

Thanks!

If I remember correctly, when I was booking our early-mid December trip back in February (was able to scrap together 10 nights in a studio at 10+ mos out ), the last 10 days or so of December still had ok availability for 1 and 2bdrms. I think because Sorcerer Pass folks are blocked out at that point and because it’s so point rich, it’s a little slower to book up through DVC. So I don’t know if they need to be walked for that time period unless you want to be very sure, but definitely will want to book at 11mos.

 

[Kailunkat]

Hey all,

Still looking and now examining copper creek resale. For anyone that owns there, is it at all a headache to get a one or two bedroom around the holidays? Specifically, I'm looking at reservation starting right before the holidays (~12/22) or right after xmas (~12/26). I have heard of owners needing to "walk" reservations around the holidays but I'm not sure if that's true, just for studios, etc.

Thanks!

I believe that CCV at Christmas time is one of the hardest DVC to book across all room types. It's *the* spot to be during the holidays at WDW. Walking would be a necessity and it would be impossible to book without 11 month priority.

 

[Sean81995]

So it seems like copper creek is out of the question then if I need to be up at 5 AM to change my reservation for a couple weeks straight.

Another thing I noticed is that the incentives for Disneyland Hotel seem to be better for existing members than for new members.

• Is this always the case for actively-selling properties?
• Does this promotion extend to customers that have resale contracts but not direct contracts?
• And does this promotion still allow the direct customer "adding on" to get that same membership with the 10% discounts?

If I were to do what some people are suggesting -- AK resale and DLH direct -- I'm wondering if it makes more sense to do AK first and then get better incentives on DL.

Thanks again for all your collective advice!

 

[Kailunkat]

1) Yes, existing members always get a lower incentive offer over new members.
2) Yes, resale counts for the lower incentive rates.
3) @Sandisw Can you confirm this - I believe that what you are talking about only applies to adding points on to an existing direct contract - meaning that it has to be the same resort and use year that you want to add. I believe you have to add at least 25 points and the "existing member pricing" and the add on promotion are actually the same thing?

Yes, it for sure makes sense to do a resale contract first if you are considering getting resale and direct points.

 

[Sean81995]

1) Yes, existing members always get a lower incentive offer over new members.
2) Yes, resale counts for the lower incentive rates.
3) @Sandisw Can you confirm this - I believe that what you are talking about only applies to adding points on to an existing direct contract - meaning that it has to be the same resort and use year that you want to add. I believe you have to add at least 25 points and the "existing member pricing" and the add on promotion are actually the same thing?

Yes, it for sure makes sense to do a resale contract first if you are considering getting resale and direct points.

Thanks! Maybe I wasn't clear on #3. I mean can one who has resale points but no direct points get the existing member incentives on a direct contract at a property like DLH and on that new direct contract, also get the type of membership with all the discounts? I might have read it requires someone to buy at least 150 points but I'm not clear if that pertains to this scenario.

 

[Kailunkat]

Thanks! Maybe I wasn't clear on #3. I mean can one who has resale points but no direct points get the existing member incentives on a direct contract at a property like DLH and on that new direct contract, also get the type of membership with all the discounts? I might have read it requires someone to buy at least 150 points but I'm not clear if that pertains to this scenario.

Ahhh I understand the question now. If you buy the 150 pts direct - then yes, you would get the Blue Card/DVC Perks for being a direct member. If you had a prior purchase of a resale contract you would also get the existing member discount on those 150pts when you bought them.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks! Maybe I wasn't clear on #3. I mean can one who has resale points but no direct points get the existing member incentives on a direct contract at a property like DLH and on that new direct contract, also get the type of membership with all the discounts? I might have read it requires someone to buy at least 150 points but I'm not clear if that pertains to this scenario.

You can add on at little as 25 or 50 points if you own anything if you want it in the same membership. Those points will be good everywhere.

However, if you want access to membership extras, DVC Y, then you must have at least 150 direct points in the same membership, or have grandfsthered contracts.

 

[Chili327]

Sounds like basically what the confusion is, is that the resale points have zero to do with the direct points. So as long as you have 150 direct, they qualify, and it doesn't matter if you have any resale points or not.

 

[Sean81995]

Ahhh I understand the question now. If you buy the 150 pts direct - then yes, you would get the Blue Card/DVC Perks for being a direct member. If you had a prior purchase of a resale contract you would also get the existing member discount on those 150pts when you bought them.

thank you all! This is the answer I was hoping for

 

[lilsonicfan]

So it seems like copper creek is out of the question then if I need to be up at 5 AM to change my reservation for a couple weeks straight.

i just want to say that this isn’t the correct view of walking a reservation. You don’t have to change it every day. You just have to book out 7 nights, then modify sometime before day 7.

 

[Sean81995]

i just want to say that this isn’t the correct view of walking a reservation. You don’t have to change it every day. You just have to book out 7 nights, then modify sometime before day 7.

thanks for the clarification. But wouldn't I need to change it every day if others have booked the 8th night the day after I book 1 through 7? I guess this assumes that everyone is "walking" their reservations at the same time.

 

[lilsonicfan]

thanks for the clarification. But wouldn't I need to change it every day if others have booked the 8th night the day after I book 1 through 7? I guess this assumes that everyone is "walking" their reservations at the same time.

No - you don't have to change it every day for an 11 month walking reservation.

For ease, pretend today is Sept 1, 2024, and let's say your goal is to book a hot time of year (literally), August 20-27, 2025. Today, you can book at your home resort for a stay checking in Aug 1, 2025. So today, you book Aug 1-8, 2025 - the max allowed 7 nights. Your specific room is not available to anyone to stay in until the night of Aug 8, 2025 which can't be booked until Sept 8, 2024. Someone else can of course make a booking for a room for Aug 2-9, 2025 on Sept 2, 2024, but they won't be in your specific room as it isn't available. So this means that on Sept 7, 2024 you could amend your reservation by changing the start date to Aug 7, 2025 and moving the checkout date to Aug 14, 2025. Or, any time before Sept 8, 2024 you can amend your reservation. You can keep going till you reach your desired dates. Once booking opens on Sept 8, 2024, if you have not modified your original reservation, then yes, someone could come and scoop up the night of Aug 8, 2025 and onward and it could be in your specific room, effectively blocking you out. But as long as you modify sometime before Sept 8, 2024 (and continue doing so) then you will be blocking anyone else from taking your room until you have reached the dates you want.

This is why walking a reservation at the 7 month mark at a resort you don't own at is not guaranteed to work, because owners can always swoop in and grab dates that you as a non-owner can't access. Using the same date, Sept 1, 2024, assume you don't own at VGF but you want to eventually book for April 20-27, 2025. Today, you book April 1-8, 2025 with the intention of walking it forward. The problem for you is that at any time from today onward, a VGF owner can already book April 8, 2025 and more, because it is in their home resort booking window, so while you can still try the above steps, you may at some point be blocked.

 

[pzw90]

No - you don't have to change it every day for an 11 month walking reservation.

For ease, pretend today is Sept 1, 2024, and let's say your goal is to book a hot time of year (literally), August 20-27, 2025. Today, you can book at your home resort for a stay checking in Aug 1, 2025. So today, you book Aug 1-8, 2025 - the max allowed 7 nights. Your specific room is not available to anyone to stay in until the night of Aug 8, 2025 which can't be booked until Sept 8, 2024. Someone else can of course make a booking for a room for Aug 2-9, 2025 on Sept 2, 2024, but they won't be in your specific room as it isn't available. So this means that on Sept 7, 2024 you could amend your reservation by changing the start date to Aug 7, 2025 and moving the checkout date to Aug 14, 2025. Or, any time before Sept 8, 2024 you can amend your reservation. You can keep going till you reach your desired dates. Once booking opens on Sept 8, 2024, if you have not modified your original reservation, then yes, someone could come and scoop up the night of Aug 8, 2025 and onward and it could be in your specific room, effectively blocking you out. But as long as you modify sometime before Sept 8, 2024 (and continue doing so) then you will be blocking anyone else from taking your room until you have reached the dates you want.

This is why walking a reservation at the 7 month mark at a resort you don't own at is not guaranteed to work, because owners can always swoop in and grab dates that you as a non-owner can't access. Using the same date, Sept 1, 2024, assume you don't own at VGF but you want to eventually book for April 20-27, 2025. Today, you book April 1-8, 2025 with the intention of walking it forward. The problem for you is that at any time from today onward, a VGF owner can already book April 8, 2025 and more, because it is in their home resort booking window, so while you can still try the above steps, you may at some point be blocked.

Would your only risk then be if a room is getting refurbed? But you should know be able to find this out ahead as it is scheduled way out.

 

[davidhr]

Hey all,

Still looking and now examining copper creek resale. For anyone that owns there, is it at all a headache to get a one or two bedroom around the holidays? Specifically, I'm looking at reservation starting right before the holidays (~12/22) or right after xmas (~12/26). I have heard of owners needing to "walk" reservations around the holidays but I'm not sure if that's true, just for studios, etc.

Thanks!

The first two weeks of December are very difficult, but I’ve always been able to book at 8:00AM. This year I’m not traveling those dates, but last year studios were available for a few hours the day I had to book.

Those weeks at the end of December are very expensive, so there’s a better chance to book when the window opens.

 

[Sean81995]

No - you don't have to change it every day for an 11 month walking reservation.

For ease, pretend today is Sept 1, 2024, and let's say your goal is to book a hot time of year (literally), August 20-27, 2025. Today, you can book at your home resort for a stay checking in Aug 1, 2025. So today, you book Aug 1-8, 2025 - the max allowed 7 nights. Your specific room is not available to anyone to stay in until the night of Aug 8, 2025 which can't be booked until Sept 8, 2024. Someone else can of course make a booking for a room for Aug 2-9, 2025 on Sept 2, 2024, but they won't be in your specific room as it isn't available. So this means that on Sept 7, 2024 you could amend your reservation by changing the start date to Aug 7, 2025 and moving the checkout date to Aug 14, 2025. Or, any time before Sept 8, 2024 you can amend your reservation. You can keep going till you reach your desired dates. Once booking opens on Sept 8, 2024, if you have not modified your original reservation, then yes, someone could come and scoop up the night of Aug 8, 2025 and onward and it could be in your specific room, effectively blocking you out. But as long as you modify sometime before Sept 8, 2024 (and continue doing so) then you will be blocking anyone else from taking your room until you have reached the dates you want.

This is why walking a reservation at the 7 month mark at a resort you don't own at is not guaranteed to work, because owners can always swoop in and grab dates that you as a non-owner can't access. Using the same date, Sept 1, 2024, assume you don't own at VGF but you want to eventually book for April 20-27, 2025. Today, you book April 1-8, 2025 with the intention of walking it forward. The problem for you is that at any time from today onward, a VGF owner can already book April 8, 2025 and more, because it is in their home resort booking window, so while you can still try the above steps, you may at some point be blocked.

Got it, thanks. This makes sense...

Except, is it really true that one can't book a vacation that lasts more than 7 days?? Not sure this is a deal breaker but it is helpful to know re: how many points I would buy.