Hoping someone can answer a few questions for me....

[AnninIowa]

Okay, so staying on this February UY of 50 points now and 50 points in Feb 2010, would I then have 100 points to use for a May 2010 trip...or would the current 50 points expire by then?

 

[chalee94]

Okay, so staying on this February UY of 50 points now and 50 points in Feb 2010, would I then have 100 points to use for a May 2010 trip...or would the current 50 points expire by then?

you'd have to verify.

if they are current year (2009) pts, you could bank them into the 2010 UY (which includes using them for trips in may 2010).

if they are prior year (2008) pts that have been banked for use in the 2009 UY, then they would not be able to be banked into 2010.

 

[AnninIowa]

you'd have to verify.

if they are current year (2009) pts, you could bank them into the 2010 UY (which includes using them for trips in may 2010).

if they are prior year (2008) pts that have been banked for use in the 2009 UY, then they would not be able to be banked into 2010.

Got it - thanks!!

 

[chalee94]

Got it - thanks!!

actually, i just looked at the timeshare store listings, and they usually tell you whether pts are banked or not. it's still safer to double check, but from the looks of things, yes, they'd most likely be current pts that could be banked and used in may 2010.

 

[AnninIowa]

Yes, you will get 50 new points every February. Keep in mind that means you can go on the trip starting on February 1st. You can make the reservation 11 months before then.

I also think $92 is a little high now, but maybe not for 50 points.

Are all points the same? There are some Saratoga Springs ones for as low as 68 points. I'm not understanding the advantage of a "home resort" other than you can book earlier. Is there anything else? Those points could be used at an of the resorts, right?

 

[chalee94]

Are all points the same? There are some Saratoga Springs ones for as low as 68 points. I'm not understanding the advantage of a "home resort" other than you can book earlier. Is there anything else? Those points could be used at an of the resorts, right?

your home resort tells you 1) how much you pay in annual dues and 2) where you have a home resort booking advantage starting at 11 months out.

at 7 months, all points are the same. at 7 months, you will find it much more difficult to book standard view rooms at BWV and concierge rooms at AKV among others. VWL and BCV are smaller resorts that can be more difficult to book at 7 months as well.

if you're happy just to be onsite at wdw (or you can't book more than 7 months out regardless), then resale SSR pts are a great deal. if you would be disappointed to be "stuck" at SSR if a waitlist fails to come through...then you're better of "buying where you want to stay" (as we tend to say around here.)

 

[AnninIowa]

your home resort tells you 1) how much you pay in annual dues and 2) where you have a home resort booking advantage starting at 11 months out.

at 7 months, all points are the same. at 7 months, you will find it much more difficult to book standard view rooms at BWV and concierge rooms at AKV among others. VWL and BCV are smaller resorts that can be more difficult to book at 7 months as well.

if you're happy just to be onsite at wdw (or you can't book more than 7 months out regardless), then resale SSR pts are a great deal. if you would be disappointed to be "stuck" at SSR if a waitlist fails to come through...then you're better of "buying where you want to stay" (as we tend to say around here.)

Makes sense! We travel in the off seasons....wonder if availablity tends to be better then? We'd be looking at studios or 1 bedrooms at AKL probably - not caring about views.

 

[Sandisw]

Makes sense! We travel in the off seasons....wonder if availablity tends to be better then? We'd be looking at studios or 1 bedrooms at AKL probably - not caring about views.

Off season for the parks does not necessarily mean it is off season for DVC. For example, I have been told that the beginning of December is very popular for DVC. So is October when Food & Wine is going on at Epcot.

I am a teacher and will always be traveling in August for at least the next 10 years. When I changed my BLT contract to take advantage of the new incentives, I ended up having to rebook 5 nights I had at SSR and was able to get 5 nights in a studio at AKL. This was just a few weeks ago, so only 4 months before my travel dates. So, it is possible to get rooms.

If you really want AKL, have some flexibility in your travel dates, and can book right at the 7 month mark, you should be fine. You may also want to consider doing a smaller SSR contract to start and see how it goes trading out to AKL. If you find you have no issues, you can always add on more points.

Good luck!

 

[tvwalsh]

I wish someone had told me that there was a strong resale market for DVC contracts and because of that, there was less reason to worry about buying DVC than most other timeshares offered.