Have you ever lost your points due to a last minute cancellation???

[Dean]

We also have a Dec UY but we travel at different times every year (multiple trips / year) so I guess realistically any UY could have its pluses & minuses. We always have at least 1 summer trip tho. A couple of years ago we had to cancel a late summer trip to DL & Aulani at only 8 days out due to a medical emergency with our DS but luckily were able to push the trip back by a week & rebook at SSR. Otherwise the points would have gone into holding & would have had to be used by the end of November. If that had happened & we couldn't go we would have tried to book a trip for family or friends so the points would not be lost (it was a lot of points because we'd banked some in planning for Aulani).

We had 1 other year where we had a few points we couldn't use and we booked a few nights for my BIL & SIL for an October trip rather than lose them. We would much rather give away a trip than lose them...

I know you know this but for others reading, UY can offer a significant insurance in using points/planning for trips. For those where there isn't a great UY, they are taking more risk and should consider that going forward. Regardless there are often better UY for most buyers.

 

[Disn3yVision]

UPDATE!!! So.... after much back and forth I took the collective advice and emailed my guide, the wonderful Arianna, and asked if it was too late to change to an October use year. She called me back and said that its not something they usually do but she talked to a manager and was able to get my use year switched to October! I was so happy!! (Despite the fact she called just as Mike Trout was up to bat in extra innings, lol). She said they had actually already mailed out the deed so she would have fedex stop that delivery and send out a new one. She didn't need to charge my card again and I was even able to keep the reservations I had made at Poly for our anniversary this November (which wold have been hard to get back because we are now in the 7 month window), despite the fact I was given a new contract and membership number!!! It was so perfect and so easy and I am so glad I just asked.

Also, during all this back and forth I also came to a very important realization. My wife is a teacher and probably will be for a very long time. That said she starts back to work every August, so its VERY unlikely we will ever travel during August or September as she will be just back to work trying to set the tone and welcome in a new class. Thus, August and September are the perfect "bad months" for us since we will very rarely, if ever, attempt to travel during those months. Thanks everybody for the insight and helpful advice!!!

 

[Disn3yVision]

Well Howdy, Neighbor!

While we own at SSR, we typically stay 2-3 nights/year at the Grand Cal. Mostly 1BR ... but that is OK w/ us.

Great to hear its not a complete impossibility to get in. Are you able to usually get what you want? have you often been waitlisted? Thinking we might go this Feb for a few days mid-week and just wondering what to expect...

 

[bwvBound]

Great to hear its not a complete impossibility to get in. Are you able to usually get what you want? have you often been waitlisted? Thinking we might go this Feb for a few days mid-week and just wondering what to expect...

Whenever I attempt to set a level-of-expectation with my husband ("We might not get this ... there are no rooms currently available...") he turns to me and jokes, "Have you ever NOT gotten what you want??" Ah, true enough -- we've been very fortunate. Yes, I use the WL and with great success.

We have a night next week (allowing me to meet up with a Northern California friend) and another in June. I'll likely cancel the one in June ... but it is nice to hang on to it for a bit while I gauge my level of interest.

 

[Dean]

Whenever I attempt to set a level-of-expectation with my husband ("We might not get this ... there are no rooms currently available...") he turns to me and jokes, "Have you ever NOT gotten what you want??" Ah, true enough -- we've been very fortunate. Yes, I use the WL and with great success.

We have a night next week (allowing me to meet up with a Northern California friend) and another in June. I'll likely cancel the one in June ... but it is nice to hang on to it for a bit while I gauge my level of interest.

IMO there are 2 somewhat competing forces here with DVC. One needs to realize what the likelihood of a given option is. Some are almost impossible, some are difficult, some are likely part of the time and some are easy to almost guaranteed day 1 at 7 months out. On the other hand, with planning, effort, creating options and using the wait list; almost anything is possible part of the time including AKV concierge and VGF studio. Buying one needs to consider the former as a major factor in buying and the latter as gravy when/if it works out. I'd say one needs to buy being OK with either home resort before 7 months (usually 11 months) or with 7 months for the easy stuff and consider the rest gravy. The other variable, and the reason I'd recommend most underbuy (resort and number of points where possible), is that essentially no new buyers are going to truly know where they want most of the time or how this will end up working for them.

 

[Disn3yVision]

IMO there are 2 somewhat competing forces here with DVC. One needs to realize what the likelihood of a given option is. Some are almost impossible, some are difficult, some are likely part of the time and some are easy to almost guaranteed day 1 at 7 months out. On the other hand, with planning, effort, creating options and using the wait list; almost anything is possible part of the time including AKV concierge and VGF studio. Buying one needs to consider the former as a major factor in buying and the latter as gravy when/if it works out. I'd say one needs to buy being OK with either home resort before 7 months (usually 11 months) or with 7 months for the easy stuff and consider the rest gravy. The other variable, and the reason I'd recommend most underbuy (resort and number of points where possible), is that essentially no new buyers are going to truly know where they want most of the time or how this will end up working for them.

We are perfectly happy with staying at Poly every time we visit WDW. Of course we will switch it up and try to stay everywhere but if we are "stuck" at PVB nobody in my family would complain. With 2 (hopefully 3 soon) little ones I know we would not be happy st SSR or OKW, which is one reason we did not employ your strategy.

However, living 20 minutes from Disneyland, we were hoping to use grand cal as a "backup". Just to stay a night or to in order to get rid of excess points (or have a grown up weekend getaway) and if one year flying a family of 5 to Florida is out of our budget. Being that we are so close we are flexible and could go any time.

So if I need to be more specific, what I am asking is "How hard is it to book a studio or 1 bedroom for 7 nights straight at Grand Cal in January or February?" Would you classify that as impossible, difficult, or easy?

 

[Dean]

We are perfectly happy with staying at Poly every time we visit WDW. Of course we will switch it up and try to stay everywhere but if we are "stuck" at PVB nobody in my family would complain. With 2 (hopefully 3 soon) little ones I know we would not be happy st SSR or OKW, which is one reason we did not employ your strategy.

However, living 20 minutes from Disneyland, we were hoping to use grand cal as a "backup". Just to stay a night or to in order to get rid of excess points (or have a grown up weekend getaway) and if one year flying a family of 5 to Florida is out of our budget. Being that we are so close we are flexible and could go any time.

So if I need to be more specific, what I am asking is "How hard is it to book a studio or 1 bedroom for 7 nights straight at Grand Cal in January or February?" Would you classify that as impossible, difficult, or easy?

That really wasn't what I was saying. The problem with that direction is that every time you stay somewhere else you increase the cost of your Poly points because you could have done the same with cheaper points. The questions there would be, can you get what you want at 7 months (the same whether using Poly or SSR points), would you be happy if you couldn't get X and how low of a resort (overall cost standpoint) would you be happy wth. At 20 min from DL, I'd spend the extra and get VGC points if you can reserve at 11 months out there. I can't speak to how difficult for that specific time but in general, you'll need to own there to get there consistently. I'd buy there, reserve at 11 months out and try for something else if desired at 7 months out. Or I'd buy points at both DL & WDW depending on how many and specific plans.

 

[bwvBound]

So if I need to be more specific, what I am asking is "How hard is it to book a studio or 1 bedroom for 7 nights straight at Grand Cal in January or February?" Would you classify that as impossible, difficult, or easy?

7 nights straight in a studio, at 7 months, will be near impossible. 3 or 4 nights in a 1BR is doable -- but not quite "easy." I'd consider 3 or 4 nights in a 1BR a reasonable expectation.

3 or 4 nights in a studio is simply "LUCKY."

 

[Anal Annie]

We are perfectly happy with staying at Poly every time we visit WDW. Of course we will switch it up and try to stay everywhere but if we are "stuck" at PVB nobody in my family would complain. With 2 (hopefully 3 soon) little ones I know we would not be happy st SSR or OKW, which is one reason we did not employ your strategy.

However, living 20 minutes from Disneyland, we were hoping to use grand cal as a "backup". Just to stay a night or to in order to get rid of excess points (or have a grown up weekend getaway) and if one year flying a family of 5 to Florida is out of our budget. Being that we are so close we are flexible and could go any time.

So if I need to be more specific, what I am asking is "How hard is it to book a studio or 1 bedroom for 7 nights straight at Grand Cal in January or February?" Would you classify that as impossible, difficult, or easy?

The only experience I have with booking at VGC is for a studio at 7 months in early August - which I was able to do 2x (with a form of walking) (using my "cheap" SSR points). August is in the "Magic" season there so it's a fairly popular time. We don't own enough points to fool with trying to book 1 bedrooms but from what I have read here over the years the 1-bedrooms are the easiest category to book pretty much anywhere (worst point values of all the units). While most resorts have a total of 5 "seasons" the VGC only has 4 (they don't have the "Dream" season). My best guess would be that you COULD get "something" there in Jan.-Feb. with some flexibilty in dates as the point charts have Jan. 8 - Feb. 25, 2017 in the "Adventure Season" which is the lowest point cost season available at any resort. In my mind, the lower point cost says there's not as much demand for it at that time therefore it should in theory be easier to secure a res. at 7 months. That's just my best guess of course - and that's just how I interpret the charts. YMMV of course.

 

[Disn3yVision]

That really wasn't what I was saying. The problem with that direction is that every time you stay somewhere else you increase the cost of your Poly points because you could have done the same with cheaper points. The questions there would be, can you get what you want at 7 months (the same whether using Poly or SSR points), would you be happy if you couldn't get X and how low of a resort (overall cost standpoint) would you be happy wth. At 20 min from DL, I'd spend the extra and get VGC points if you can reserve at 11 months out there. I can't speak to how difficult for that specific time but in general, you'll need to own there to get there consistently. I'd buy there, reserve at 11 months out and try for something else if desired at 7 months out. Or I'd buy points at both DL & WDW depending on how many and specific plans.

I understand your logic but it just doesn't make sense in my situation. Growing up in So Cal I have been Disneyland more times than I can count. I would never consider a trip to Disneyland a vacation, and definitely would never plan a trip right down the street 11 months in advance. Plus since we are so close, our booking window is not critical, we can go any time or year whenever something is available. Its just nice to know that if we do want to use our points we don't necessarily have to fly to the complete opposite side of the country hence it being a backup. I would be completely wasting my 11 month priority window buying points there.

 

[Disn3yVision]

Just want to thank everybody for their responses. This thread actually lead my to my conclusion that all points are NOT created equal. I just posted a new thread on the reasons I came to this conclusion. Here is the link if anybody is interested:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wh...from-disney-instead-of-buying-resale.3503415/

 

[bwvBound]

I understand your logic but it just doesn't make sense in my situation. Growing up in So Cal I have been Disneyland more times than I can count. I would never consider a trip to Disneyland a vacation, and definitely would never plan a trip right down the street 11 months in advance. Plus since we are so close, our booking window is not critical, we can go any time or year whenever something is available. Its just nice to know that if we do want to use our points we don't necessarily have to fly to the complete opposite side of the country hence it being a backup. I would be completely wasting my 11 month priority window buying points there.

When we first purchased DVC the Grand Cal wasn't yet on the map, or even a rumor. BUT -- when it started selling we decided against a purchase for the exact reason you mention: we'd never book a 'simple D'Land getaway at 11 months.' Never gonna happen.

When Aulani started sales, the DVC sales team pushed the concept of 'network points.' This fit us to a 'T.' We want to use Aulani, Grand Cal, Vero, and 'something at WDW.' There is simply no way we can own at all the resorts we love and must, instead, be content owning "network points" (points where you fail to use Home Resort booking advantage) and working the system across our changing and fickle travel desires. Works for us!

 

[Dean]

I understand your logic but it just doesn't make sense in my situation. Growing up in So Cal I have been Disneyland more times than I can count. I would never consider a trip to Disneyland a vacation, and definitely would never plan a trip right down the street 11 months in advance. Plus since we are so close, our booking window is not critical, we can go any time or year whenever something is available. Its just nice to know that if we do want to use our points we don't necessarily have to fly to the complete opposite side of the country hence it being a backup. I would be completely wasting my 11 month priority window buying points there.

It sounds like it's not for you buying at DL but it would be for most in your situation. Alumni would be a consideration if you'd go to HI at times. I'm always uncomfortable having someone buy where air is a major potential issue. It might be that buying isn't a good choice in general for many in the situation you've described. Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, consider that you don't know in advance which trip you would cancel, so you would have to buy trip insurance for every trip. Over your ownership period, this could add up to more than the value of the points you might lose in the rare event that you cancel and can't rebook.

Especially since "all" you get with insurance are the dues for the points you used. And if you use two UY of points you have to pay insurance on both UYs. From what i understand.

My personal opinion on UY is that it is important, but if you have one that is not perfect at this point in your life, it's just something that you have to manage more carefully.

Exactly. It's not about "letting go", it's about *managing*. Learning about it and working with it.

Also, during all this back and forth I also came to a very important realization. My wife is a teacher and probably will be for a very long time. That said she starts back to work every August, so its VERY unlikely we will ever travel during August or September as she will be just back to work trying to set the tone and welcome in a new class. Thus, August and September are the perfect "bad months" for us since we will very rarely, if ever, attempt to travel during those months. Thanks everybody for the insight and helpful advice!!!

That was a very good realization. Glad you caught that in time so you wouldn't have to worry about that with your new UY.

With 2 (hopefully 3 soon) little ones I know we would not be happy st SSR or OKW

Well that's mystifying. I assume it's the proximity to MK? Remember that they won't be little for long. They'll get big. My son is currently about 5'5" and 114 lbs, and he's only 11. OKW...the SIZE of even the studios at OKW...was a benefit when he was just 6. Now it'll be even better. Vacations change, KIDS change.

So if I need to be more specific, what I am asking is "How hard is it to book a studio or 1 bedroom for 7 nights straight at Grand Cal in January or February?" Would you classify that as impossible, difficult, or easy?

I've never booked b/c I've never been able to book there. Ever. (I don't look too hard b/c the Grand is my least favorite hotel at Disneyland, but I do look)

I would never consider a trip to Disneyland a vacation

Oh gosh, you should. You're missing out, by thinking of it as just a place to go for a day or so. It certainly can be a *vacation*.

 

[Disn3yVision]

Well that's mystifying. I assume it's the proximity to MK? Remember that they won't be little for long. They'll get big. My son is currently about 5'5" and 114 lbs, and he's only 11. OKW...the SIZE of even the studios at OKW...was a benefit when he was just 6. Now it'll be even better. Vacations change, KIDS change.

Not just the proximity to MK and Epcot and TTC, but more so the theming. Lets just say OKW and SSR don't really appeal to our demographic. And the Poly Deluxe studios aren't exactly small either, so I would consider physical size of the room a virtual wash.

Oh gosh, you should. You're missing out, by thinking of it as just a place to go for a day or so. It certainly can be a *vacation*.

Its not that I wouldn't stay for more than a day or two ( I plan taking many multi-day trips it the Grand Cal in the future), its more that it just doesn't really feel like vacation when you know you can drive home in 20 minutes. All the restaurants and places to see and eat aren't new because you live here and see them all the time. I think you need to travel for at least more than 90 minutes to call something a vacation. Less than that falls in the staycation category for me, which is what I would consider a trip do Disneyland since its practically in my backyard.

 

[Disn3yVision]

It sounds like it's not for you buying at DL but it would be for most in your situation. Alumni would be a consideration if you'd go to HI at times. I'm always uncomfortable having someone buy where air is a major potential issue. It might be that buying isn't a good choice in general for many in the situation you've described. Good luck.

Well thats the thing, I feel this way I have options. A trip to Florida can happe every two-three years or so. That requires airfare. And if we can't afford to fly one year we can go just the two of us instead of all the kids. We are close to Hawaii, so Aulani is always and option and airfare is actually reasonable unlike flying from the east coast. Once again we can fly everybody when we can afford it and just the two of us if not. Finally if we don't want to fly at all we can ALWAYS go to the Grand Cal at ANY time of year. We can literally be there, parked, checking in 30 minutes after leaving home so there is no travel expense whatsoever. Since we have the most flexibility here in California we always have a backup "staycation" for relatively cheap and since we can go any time, and really don't care when we go, there's no point wasting our 11 month booking window.

 

[Dean]

Well thats the thing, I feel this way I have options. A trip to Florida can happe every two-three years or so. That requires airfare. And if we can't afford to fly one year we can go just the two of us instead of all the kids. We are close to Hawaii, so Aulani is always and option and airfare is actually reasonable unlike flying from the east coast. Once again we can fly everybody when we can afford it and just the two of us if not. Finally if we don't want to fly at all we can ALWAYS go to the Grand Cal at ANY time of year. We can literally be there, parked, checking in 30 minutes after leaving home so there is no travel expense whatsoever. Since we have the most flexibility here in California we always have a backup "staycation" for relatively cheap and since we can go any time, and really don't care when we go, there's no point wasting our 11 month booking window.

I wouldn't put emphasis on a home booking window for a trip that might or might not happen every 2-3 years. In that case I either wouldn't buy and just rent or I'd buy the "cheapest".

 

[bwvBound]

Its not that I wouldn't stay for more than a day or two ( I plan taking many multi-day trips it the Grand Cal in the future), its more that it just doesn't really feel like vacation when you know you can drive home in 20 minutes. All the restaurants and places to see and eat aren't new because you live here and see them all the time. I think you need to travel for at least more than 90 minutes to call something a vacation. Less than that falls in the staycation category for me, which is what I would consider a trip do Disneyland since its practically in my backyard.

Hey, I got a staycation idea for you: we'll trade places for a weekend!

I'm about 90 minutes out from you (depending on the 91 traffic) ... but a world away! Pretty area, lots to do ... but I must warn you ... no restaurants; mind the snakes, raccoon, bobcat, coyotes, bats, etc.
Aren't we fortunate to live in SoCal??

Edited to add: On a more realistic note, I know Bill hinted at DVC addiction in either this, or another, thread. Yep, one timeshare purchase often leads to another. Perhaps you'll grow your DVC options -- or perhaps you'll spread out across multiple timeshare. Or, maybe your addiction will grow as mine did: timeshare led to a full-time vacation home. My little cabin in the backcountry is my personal slice of heaven. I hope you find yours, too!

<<Beneficial little snake in one of my feeders this week.

My horses' idea of a STAYCATION:

<< sleep, eat; repeat

 

[Disn3yVision]

Hey, I got a staycation idea for you: we'll trade places for a weekend!

I'm about 90 minutes out from you (depending on the 91 traffic) ... but a world away! Pretty area, lots to do ... but I must warn you ... no restaurants; mind the snakes, raccoon, bobcat, coyotes, bats, etc.
Aren't we fortunate to live in SoCal??

Edited to add: On a more realistic note, I know Bill hinted at DVC addiction in either this, or another, thread. Yep, one timeshare purchase often leads to another. Perhaps you'll grow your DVC options -- or perhaps you'll spread out across multiple timeshare. Or, maybe your addiction will grow as mine did: timeshare led to a full-time vacation home. My little cabin in the backcountry is my personal slice of heaven. I hope you find yours, too!

<<Beneficial little snake in one of my feeders this week.

My horses' idea of a STAYCATION:

<< sleep, eat; repeat

Haha thats awesome! Definitely looks like a lovely place to spend a few days! We actually just moved to Eastvale from Lake Elsinore a year or so ago so we used to be a lot closer. Sad to say we didn't take advantage of all the beauty that nature has to offer there... Good thing it is never too late! My biggest regret is we never took the time to explore wine country and we were just 15 minutes away

And I would love to have a vacation home one day. Hopefully we can save enough before the kids are all gone, that is if we don't buy too many timeshares before then LoL!