Getting Close to DVC: A few Newbie ?'s

[Andrew015]

Well gang, I am happy to report that "Home" is on the horizon!

I am getting ready to make an offer on a resale DVC membership, and have a few general questions that I'd like to run by the resident DVC experts, just as a sanity check:

For starters, I'm planning on doing one week (7 nights) per year, and the base studio is fine for my needs. The resorts that I am interested in utilizing are VWL, BLT, and BWV. My desired travel times are September and October, so here's what I'm thinking on points:

BWV: One week ranges from 76 to 107 pts per week, depending on view, during Sept and Oct​

VWL: One week is 107 pts per week throughout Sept and Oct​

BLT: One week ranges from 102 to 146 pts per week, depending on room view, during Sept and Oct​

Based on this, I think 120 pts would be sufficient to accomodate my needs. However, keeping in mind that down the road, my desired travel times might change, I'm thinking that 150 pts would be a safer play. This would allow me to still get 7 nights during all peak seasons (Christmas aside) at my desired resorts, or I'll have the option to bank unused points and treat myself to a villa the following year. Obviously, I'm the only person who can decide what # of points are right for my situation, but based on my intent (7 nights at the above mentioned resorts per year), does 150 points sound like the right amount to you?

Next question: Use year. I've read that it makes sense to have your use year be no more than 2 months prior to your desired travel month. So as I plan to vacation in Sept / Oct., would an August Use Year be my best bet? Also, with regard to booking in Sept and Oct, seeing as how this is an "off season", is it imperative to book 7 (or 11) months in advance for this time of year? Obviously, the more notice the better, but Use Year might not be as crucial for me given my desired travel time - is this true?

Last question: Adding points down the road. For now, one week per year makes the most sense for me. Down the road, as vacation time (and hopefully income) increases, I would most definitely be interested in adding a second week. When that time comes, would it be best to add onto an existing contract, or buy a new contract with a different home resort for added flexibility ? If you have two separate contracts, say each for 150 points (total 300 points between the two), can you combine points from both contracts, say to get a grand villa, or are the two contracts to be kept separate? Either way, not a deal breaker, but just curious.

To give you a little insight about my situation, I'm 27 and from Cleveland, OH. My parents started me off on WDW at the ripe age of 5, and took me every year until I went away to college. We normally stayed 10 - 14 days, and once we found the WL in 1994, we never looked back! (somewhat spoiled). Throughout college and trying to get settled into the "real world", I've been Disney-deprived for some time. Since my last family trip in 2001, I've only made it back twice, and both trips were shorter than I prefer, and somewhat budget-oriented. I've always longed to get back into my normal WDW routine, and doing it right, and I'm finally in a position to do so. Additionally, my father is retired at the age of 67, and I would love nothing more than to be able to "repay" him for all of the wonderful childhood trips, by having the ability for him to tag along with me. And as for my girlfriend (hopefully, soon to be fiance/wife), we just got back from our first trip as a couple (her first trip since a little kid) a few weeks back, and she is SOLD on WDW!

Regarding the long-term committment, I'm a WDW lifer. I will never grow tired of vacationing there. I don't think my GF will, either, and once we have kids, we'll be glad that we have it. On the financial side of things, I know I need to be mindful of the annual dues, and that they will increase over time. However, I just sold a 30' boat, and if you want to talk about astronomical "annual dues", I don't think DVC can compare with the cost for owning/operating a 30 foot boat!

Anyways, sorry for being so long-winded. As you might guess, I'm a little excited about this process. Thanks in advance for your feedback and insight!

 

[DVCconvert]

does 150 points sound like the right amount to you?

based on what your travel plans are now, yes, I would think so.

Next question: Use year. I've read that it makes sense to have your use year be no more than 2 months prior to your desired travel month. So as I plan to vacation in Sept / Oct., would an August Use Year be my best bet?

August would work fine, as would Sept (so long as you never plan to travel in Aug/July/June/May

Also, with regard to booking in Sept and Oct, seeing as how this is an "off season", is it imperative to book 7 (or 11) months in advance for this time of year? Obviously, the more notice the better, but Use Year might not be as crucial for me given my desired travel time - is this true?

The 11 month window will still be important especially if you want to stay in a "value" or "standard" points cost room - also, despite Oct being "off season" it is one of DVC's busiest times of year - many members coming to WDW for Food & Wine Fest and MNSSHP

Last question: Adding points down the road. For now, one week per year makes the most sense for me. Down the road, as vacation time (and hopefully income) increases, I would most definitely be interested in adding a second week. When that time comes, would it be best to add onto an existing contract, or buy a new contract with a different home resort for added flexibility ?

Your own experience moving forward may well answer this for you. There are pro's & con's as to another home resort.

If you have two separate contracts, say each for 150 points (total 300 points between the two), can you combine points from both contracts, say to get a grand villa, or are the two contracts to be kept separate? Either way, not a deal breaker, but just curious.

Contracts will be kept seperate...but this maybe able to be done by making one ressie using one 150 pt contract, then another using your second contract. Of course the home booking window applies, so if the contracts are not at the same home resort, you'd have to wait (and hope) that at the 7 month mark there will be availability.

HTH

 

[burnsoc]

Hi,
I agree with your view that buying 150 points is a better plan. It's better to buy a few more points than needed. We started with 200 points after figuring out how we would vacation, we quickly added on as we started going to WDW more often once we became DVC members. As far as use year, I've been a member since 2002 and it has never been an issue for us. You definitely have a good handle on how you'll be using your points now, but also try to consider where you see yourself in ten years. For us we've had children and different work schedules change in the ten years since we've been members that have affected our vacation plans.
Points from two different resorts under the same contract retain their home resort booking guidelines and cannot be combined for a reservation until the seven month mark. You can use banking and borrowing for each resort to give you more points at the 11 month booking window. Be aware that it would be hard to book a Grand Villa if you don't have that home resort booking window.
One item you might want to also consider is the ending date of each resort. Seeing you're 27, it should be something you consider. BWV and VWL contracts expire in 2042, BLT in 2060.
Best of luck! We love our DVC!

 

[disneynutz]

Here is my thoughts. You have WDW experience, you know that you want to stay there often so we can forget about that piece of the puzzle.

I am guessing that what you don't know is the experience of staying in a DVC Villa. Studios are nice but the wife and I moved up to one bedrooms years ago and that can really change your well thought out point plan.

You seem to be satisfied with 7 day trips, DVC owners tend to stay a little longer and after a few years of ownership, they tend to spend more time at the resort and less time in the parks.

You want a UY that allows you to bank your points should you have to cancel your reservation unexpectedly. Currently you can only bank during the first 8 months of your UY.

I suggest that you plan a DVC fact finding vacation. Rent reservations from existing owners and stay in your proposed resorts, studio and one bedroom. It will require a lot of moving but a couple of days at each resort should give you the information that you need.

Bill