Hi - I'm new and have a couple of questions re DVC (and HHI)

[newdisneycrazy]

I've been reading a ton since our September trip to BLT (non-DVC), and now I'm seriously thinking about buying into DVC. We had a wonderful time and already want to go back to Disney. Here are a couple of questions for you veterans:

1) We live in SC. About a 3 hour drive from Hilton Head, and 8 hours from WDW. My family loves HHI, but we've never been to the Disney Resort there. I could see us going to Disney World one year, and HHI the next (alternating years). Because the prices at HHI are so reasonable in the resale market, I'm seriously considering buying HHI as my home resort. My thought was that there is only one HHI resort, but 7 or 8 resorts at WDW. Although I may not always be able to get my first choice at WDW, I should be able to get a reservation SOMEWHERE at 7 months out. On the other hand, if I were to choose a WDW but want to go to HHI, I may be locked out at 7 months (especially during the summers when we like to go to the beach). Is this logic flawed? The only resort I've ever seen is BLT and we love, love, love it. But I wouldn't say that we would HAVE to stay there every time, especially as my kids get older and probably outgrow the Magic Kingdom. We wouldn't mind checking out some of the other resorts on our trips to WDW. I realize the fees at HHI are higher, but certainly not high enough to make up the $50 point price difference between HHI and BLT. Does anyone own at HHI that can give me some perspective?

2) I'm confused by the term use-year. Can someone point me to a link that explains it? Is it really just "use month"? What is the best strategy in choosing a use year?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[RobDoc]

I've been reading a ton since our September trip to BLT (non-DVC), and now I'm seriously thinking about buying into DVC. We had a wonderful time and already want to go back to Disney. Here are a couple of questions for you veterans:

1) We live in SC. About a 3 hour drive from Hilton Head, and 8 hours from WDW. My family loves HHI, but we've never been to the Disney Resort there. I could see us going to Disney World one year, and HHI the next (alternating years). Because the prices at HHI are so reasonable in the resale market, I'm seriously considering buying HHI as my home resort. My thought was that there is only one HHI resort, but 7 or 8 resorts at WDW. Although I may not always be able to get my first choice at WDW, I should be able to get a reservation SOMEWHERE at 7 months out. On the other hand, if I were to choose a WDW but want to go to HHI, I may be locked out at 7 months (especially during the summers when we like to go to the beach). Is this logic flawed? The only resort I've ever seen is BLT and we love, love, love it. But I wouldn't say that we would HAVE to stay there every time, especially as my kids get older and probably outgrow the Magic Kingdom. We wouldn't mind checking out some of the other resorts on our trips to WDW. I realize the fees at HHI are higher, but certainly not high enough to make up the $50 point price difference between HHI and BLT. Does anyone own at HHI that can give me some perspective?

As long as you won't be disappointed if you can't get into a specific WDW resort at 7 months and do plan to use your HH points at the HH, resort your plan seems to be sound. While the HH dues are higher right now, there is a loan from DVD included for another couple or years for some unexpected Capital Reserve needs. Once that loan is paid off, we are supposed to see the dues decrease by that amount. This was not an assessment and fell within the allowed budget requirements, but did raise the HH fees abover other resorts. HH was among the lowest for a number of years. Stay tuned!

2) I'm confused by the term use-year. Can someone point me to a link that explains it? Is it really just "use month"? What is the best strategy in choosing a use year?

Thanks in advance!!

Use Year is when your points are accessible each year. It determines your banking deadlines and also determines the months for the "rule of four" when DVC points can no longer be used to reserve and travel to some of the non-DVC options (like DCL, WDW non-DVC resorts, Concierge Collection). It could also be important if you will frequently need to cancel reservations since points returned to your account might not be able to be banked - so a good rule of thumb is to have a Use Year (month) just prior to when you will usually travel. If you plan to go to HH mainly in the summer, a June Use Year should work well for you and a September UY might be an issue if you cancel a June trip in May since those points could no longer be banked.

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Sammie]

There will a few times when booking at 7 months is a challenge.

Getting a Grand Villa at 7 months is difficult and at certain times of the year and certain locations impossible.

Getting an Epcot resort during Food and Wine at 7 months is very hard too.

Getting VWL in December is very difficult also.

At certain times and certain views BLT is very difficult at 7 months but all the inventory has not been declared yet so that might improve some.

That said there are many months that getting something at 7 months is not hard, right now as long as you call 7 months on the date.

The future is hard to predict. But yes getting HHI in the summer is very, very hard at 7 months.

I have an October Use year and most our trips are in June, July or August and therefore I wish had another Use Year. If I have to cancel I can not bank during that time period.

 

[Sandisw]

I definitely think your inline with your plan. I do agree that it might be harder to get HH in the summer, then getting WDW at 7 months. It sounds like you are okay with getting whatever resort is available at WDW when you go so that is a good thing.

Getting a UY that falls right before your typical travel offers you the most flexibility, IMO, if you want to change a trip or need to cancel a trip, especially one that has borrowed points.

We travel in August so got a June UY. If I ever had to make changes, it is not an issue as I am still well within my banking window. And, if I had to cancel the trip and it had borrowed points, I would still have a full 10 months to reschedule the trip with those points.

When you travel toward the end of the UY (or outside the banking window), you lose the flexibility to reschedule or use up the points. For example, if you have a Sept UY with a July trip and cancel, that leaves you only August to use up points. Getting DVC reservations in a months time can be a challenge.

Of course, travel can and does change over time so no UY is perfect for all situations, but if you know you have set travel patterns for awhile, and can choose your UY, picking one that works well for what you want to do can be a plus.

Good luck!

 

[TisBit]

Your reasoning sounds fine. As long as you are ok staying at any resort at WDW (obviously you will have favorites, but if you are open, they are all nice) and if you didn't buy at HHI, you are almost guaranteed to have a hard time booking there.

Maybe if you enjoy DVC and you wanted to, you could add on at WDW (most people get addonitis pretty quick).

 

[chalee94]

2) I'm confused by the term use-year. Can someone point me to a link that explains it?

if you still need it, this link is very helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942668

 

[quentina]

I've been reading a ton since our September trip to BLT (non-DVC), and now I'm seriously thinking about buying into DVC. We had a wonderful time and already want to go back to Disney. Here are a couple of questions for you veterans:

1) We live in SC. About a 3 hour drive from Hilton Head, and 8 hours from WDW. My family loves HHI, but we've never been to the Disney Resort there. I could see us going to Disney World one year, and HHI the next (alternating years). Because the prices at HHI are so reasonable in the resale market, I'm seriously considering buying HHI as my home resort. My thought was that there is only one HHI resort, but 7 or 8 resorts at WDW. Although I may not always be able to get my first choice at WDW, I should be able to get a reservation SOMEWHERE at 7 months out. On the other hand, if I were to choose a WDW but want to go to HHI, I may be locked out at 7 months (especially during the summers when we like to go to the beach). Is this logic flawed? The only resort I've ever seen is BLT and we love, love, love it. But I wouldn't say that we would HAVE to stay there every time, especially as my kids get older and probably outgrow the Magic Kingdom. We wouldn't mind checking out some of the other resorts on our trips to WDW. I realize the fees at HHI are higher, but certainly not high enough to make up the $50 point price difference between HHI and BLT. Does anyone own at HHI that can give me some perspective?

2) I'm confused by the term use-year. Can someone point me to a link that explains it? Is it really just "use month"? What is the best strategy in choosing a use year?

Thanks in advance!!

Our biggest contract is HHI...best thing I ever did. We LOVE it there. I have never not been able to get a room at WDW. I do own at VWL so, I can book there at 11 months if needed. We have an April use year and historically have traveled to HHI in July. Next year, we are going in May to try something different. Just be open to availablility in WDW...SSR and OKW seem to have rooms the longest as they seem to not be as sought after.

 

[saphyre]

Old Key West - the original DVC property is very similar to the room types at HHI. Although the other DVC properties might be more popular I prefer the spacious rooms and property set up of OKW. Consider that when deciding where to buy