Help with an upcoming trip

[jimmaher69]

I have a scheduled trip for april 9th 2009 through april 18th at the polynesian, party of 4. My parents will be coming on april 11th to the 17th. Paying over $4000 just for room.

I am interested in DVC.

How can I purchase DVC to accomidate this trip? Can I check these date before I commit? Can a member get 2 studios for the same week? Resale vs purchase from Disney.

Will use the DVC for a Disney Vacations once every two to three years in a high point time.

Any guidance in appreciated.

 

[jimmaher69]

One other thought was to buy a small contract resale (50 points) and use the discount incentives on this trip if its worth it?

 

[Donald is #1]

OK let's see what I can answer.

How can I purchase DVC to accomidate this trip?

Yes you can purchase DVC prior to this trip. However, you will need to get enough points to cover 1 studio each year. That way you can use this years points and borrow next years to cover 2 studios (or depending upon the use year, bank '08 points and use the '08 and '09 pts for this trip if you ahev a Feb UY).



Can I check these date before I commit?

If you are buying direct through Disney, then I would have your guide check for you before you sign any paperwork. Make sure that you know which resort that you want to stay at. If you are buying via resale, then check the new occupancy threads to check out your dates.



Can a member get 2 studios for the same week?

yes, a member can book multiple rooms for the same week as long as they have enough points.



One other thought was to buy a small contract resale (50 points) and use the discount incentives on this trip if its worth it?

I am not quite following you here. Incentives are only available on contracts directly through Disney and the minimum buy-in from Disney is 160 points or maybe 100 points if the AKV incentive is still active.

 

[Golden Rose]

I' m not sure I exactly understand what you're asking, but I'll take a stab at it.

There is no DVC at the Poly. If you are willing to stay at another deluxe resort - such as BCV, BWV, VWL, or AKL - you could book two studios for your time assuming they were available at the time you show up in the Member Services computer.

If you are determined to stay at the Poly on points, you can pay a $95 fee and use points there, but you would need a lot of points.

If you buy direct from Disney, you will be in the computer very quickly and will be able to make reservations almost immediately. If you buy resale, the process will take a few months - probably three - before you are in the computer and can make reservations.

One of DVC's biggest strengths is the flexibility of the points. You can reserve two studios for the same period of time, you can reserve a grand villa and a one bedroom at the same time... you can reserve as many rooms as you currently have points to do. You can use up to three years points at once if you bank from one year and borrow from the next.


If you are going every two to three years, start with a third as many points as you think you will need... then add on if it turns out not to be enough. Of course, the problem with that is that Disney has a minimum number of points you need to buy if you are buying from them directly. I believe it was 160 for a while, but I've heard of people buying 100 point initial AKV contracts.

Whether you buy resale or direct, there is no difference in how Disney treats you once you are in their computer. It matters for initial financing, incentives, and how quickly you are in the computer.

I'm not sure what discount incentives you are hoping for with a 50 point contract resale. It isn't likely to help you at all with your Poly trip. 50 points might pay for one night at the Poly. You don't get any incentives if you buy resale.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[jimmaher69]

I only mention the poly to point out that instead of paying to stay there use the money to buy dvc.

AS far the the DVC discounts...Are the savings on park tickets and dining plan worth it? Buy a 50 point resale and keep my Poly reservation and then use the discount to buy the park tickets and dining plan.

 

[kjd469]

You would only get a discount on an Annual Pass, which is about $100 of the regular price...there is no discount on the dining plan.

 

[5forDiz]

At check-in members receive DVC 'perks' booklet which tells current discounts on things like dining, tours, shopping - discounts are for the particular locations at WDW listed in the booklet ( so not all restaurants, shops, etc on property will be discounted ) These 'perks' are subject to change so what is discounted in October may not be in April for example.

As pp mentioned DVC members can get $100 off purchase of Annual Pass. You'd need to determine if this is worthwhile based on how much you planned to spend on park tickets for your upcoming trip. I believe also if you are an Annual Pass Holder you may purchase the Disney Dining Experience plan which gives 20% discount off table serve dining; I don't know all details of this plan - there are threads here about it if you do a search.

DVC members staying on points reservation can purchase the Disney Dining Plan (think there are 3 different versions that can be purchased with varying components ). All guests on the reservation would need to purchase the chosen plan for all nights of the reservation.

Looking over the points charts for each DVC resort can give the best idea regarding number of points that you may need based on the resort, villa size and season you most often would travel during.

Regarding your question on a small resale contract that could give you 150 points to use every three years (if you banked 50 2008 points into 2009 Use Year and borrow 50 2010 Use Year points into 2009 UY for example). Just be sure to keep in mind it will probably take at least 6 - 8 weeks for the resale process to happen (from deposit to when you are in DVC system & can make first reservation). Also, sometimes resales have banked points which can make their purchase more attractive but there are also stripped resale contracts for sale which can have the current and upcoming Use Year's points already used by the current owner.

It's alot of info to navigate but if you research it out you'll soon know if DVC is in fact right fit for your travel habits. Good luck

 

[Tozzie]

I see a problem with the OP buying now for a trip in April of 2009, The current contracts that are being sold are at resorts that open either in May or September of 2009. She would have to buy in at AKV and get the developer points and hope there are two studios available at SSR for that time frame. I would suggest the OP calls DVC and speaks to a guide as this could be tricky to accomplish. While OP could also buy at a sold out resort if DVC has the points there wouldn't be any incentives. SSR would be the only resort she can stay at.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Not to mention that the OP's trip falls during Easter vacation and the odds of getting a reservation might not be so good. However, purchasing directly through Disney might make it work, but it wouldn't be worth it to stay at the Polynesian.

 

[jimmaher69]

I received a PM from a member and I am unable to reply. I would like to say thanks and I will contact you if I decide to purchase now.