How long did you wait for first trip home?

[jmminarik]

Bought September use year in November 2000 at VB, sold the points back through MB's. Bought another 50 @ WVL sometime summer of 2001.

We didn't go home until Christmas week 2001, but we sent our best friends on their honeymoon 2nd week of December 2001...which just reminded me we had gotten a 1BR@BWV on 3 months notice, no wait-list.

-Joe

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We stayed on a Saturday, Sunday and Monday night at the VWL and loved it (cash reservation). On Tuesday we purchased points and used points for that night through Friday night.

So it took me about 45 minutes for my first trip home. That is how long it took to get back there after signing the papers over at the BWV.

HBC

 

[auntsue]

741 DAYS! It was excruciating, for sure, but we are making up for lost time now.

We bought on the last day of our Nov 99 trip, then did not go 'home' until Thanksgiving 2001. For that trip we bought our first APs which were extended for 15 months because of 9-11 so they are good until Feb 03. Well, we just returned from our second DVC trip celebrating my graduation, then we will be returning in Oct, Dec & Feb. Five trips in 15 months, from NJ, more than makes up for the 2+ years of waiting.

 

[Towncrier]

We did have to sign one additional document that stated that if we changed our minds, or for some reason the contract wasn't completed, we would be charged on our credit card $xxxx.xx dollars (I forget the exact amount) for the 1-B/R villa we were staying in. (That of course was another big incentive NOT to change our minds..... )

We had to sign a similar document because the 30 day (or whatever it is) cooling off period had not elapsed and we could have legally backed out of the deal. Of course, we spent something like 7 nights in a 2-B/R villa and I seem to remember the amount that we would have had to fork over would have paid for a huge hunk of our initial 210 point purchase.

Mouse Ears - I didn't intend on undermining your purchase. When we bought a resale in 1999, we did so know that we would not be able to use the points until the following year. We were able to bank and borrow enough points to go on the inaugural 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise of the Disney Magic in a Category 4 cabin with 3 adults and 2 children. If I remember correctly, it took 725 points to pull that off. Not possible without some careful planning and a bit of patience on our part. Good luck in your decision and know that whenever you make your first trip home, it will be well worth the wait.

 

[thepalagis]

We bought a resale sight-unseen in July 2001 and added on in February 2002 . (That add-on I blame entirely on the enthusiastic DIS board, by the way!!!) So we have 350 points at BWV and we are making our first trip home, with the entire family, this September. We have a two bedroom standard view and a 1 bedroom preferred view. What are our chances of getting them close together?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

this September. We have a two bedroom standard view and a 1 bedroom preferred view. What are our chances of getting them close together?

thepalagis:

Make sure you have on the reservation a request for each to be close to the other one, fax another request a few days before you arrive and check in as early as you can, have that be one of the first things you say to the CM behind the desk. If you can't be there early, call them on your way or from the car or airport.

The place is huge and I have had two rooms booked which were on the same floor but quite a distance away. We could have moved closer, but it would have meant having to move one of the rooms a couple days into the trip.

Have fun and good luck.

HBC

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We bought BWV at the end of July 2000 after our June 2000 trip (took DH a lot time to be persuaded ). Took our first trip to BWV in June 2001. Before the price hike in early June 2001, bought a small addon at VWL--and spending two days there this July. Probably won't go to either "home" again until 2004 because I'd like to cruise in 2003.
Robin M.

 

[Mouse Ears]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I am still anticipating making the purchase this month and cannot wait to be welcomed home, even if it takes 18 months or so.

Towncrier, I knew there would be some who didn't have to wait. I can't imagine how gratifying that would be to buy in and head over soon or even apply points to the rest of the trip as some report. Wow!

Rock'n Robin, I remember you desparately trying to convince your husband to join DVC. That was happening around the time I started reading these boards. At the time, I just found it amusing. Now, I understand completely as I try to make sure the DW is on board with this deal.

M.E.

 

[Cinderella]

We bought in January 2001 at WLV. We were staying in the Hyatt Orlando at the time, so we asked if we could stay our last four nights in a one bedroom at OKW on points and they had availability.

Then in May 2001 we used points for a two night stay at Disneyland Paris with park passes included.

Then in May 2002 we stayed one week in a three bedroom on points at the Four Seasons Fairways in Portugal.

We have yet to stay at our home resort but, hope to go sometime between January and May 2003. I think we have done ok in the meantime though!

 

[KNWVIKING]

We purchased while staying at PO in Nov/Dec '97, first trip home was Dec 98.

 

[dkellumw]

One Year.

We bought sight unseen last November 2001 at VWL.

We will be there this November. 158 days (but whose counting).

 

[rbuzzotta]

3 months before we used points (stay at DxL) and 6 months before we went "home" to OKW!