I hate having two different use years!

[emacman]

I have been a DVC member since 2000. All of my points are a December use year. Last year I acquired an additional membership through a resell. I absolutely love OKW so I love that, but I acquired a March use year. I hate it!

Everytime I call to make a ressie it is confusing, cumbersome, and a general pain. Perhaps I'm just dumb!

Has anybody else had this much trouble? Anybody else have a positive experience? I've had it with the two use years.

I'm eager to hear if I'm just a dummy?

 

[jarestel]

Some people here claim they don't mind having 2 different use years, but I'm with you... one use year is much easier to keep track of, so my 5 contracts all have the same UY. I like things simple, I guess!

 

[Granny]

No, you're not a dummy.

Two use years does take a little extra planning. A good point tracking software program like Dave Frederick's makes it much easier. Here's where to download that: http://hometown.aol.com/dmfredrick/Download.html


We own two resorts and two use years and have no problem with it. I will say that one thing we did was to purchase nearly identical sized contracts at each. Then we bank one contract and borrow from the other to make a reservation. The following year we reverse the process. It works great, and easily.

Personally, I wouldn't sell and rebuy because you'll take a pretty good little loss in the transaction due to fees, commissions, etc . But if you really are struggling with this, it might be worth it to avoid 38 more years of headaches.

Good luck to you!

 

[ronw]

It is somewhat more trouble but what I do is book days from my earliest use year first then use the later use year. I usually bank the fractional days from each use year. On occasions where I need all the points, or even need to borrow, I will transfer the remaining points from the earlier use year to the later and if necessary borrow from the later year. It is a bit of a hassle but I think most of the burden is on the poor MS CM!

 

[emacman]

Granny, I did download the software and it appears to have potential to help someone like me. I'm actually quite good with numbers. The rules that apply (borrowed, banking, time restrictions, transfers) are all compounded with two memberships and two use years. I have a total of four contracts, 3 in december and the other in March.

What about doing the transaction of selling without a broker, just following the member transfer directions with the fee to Disney. Is that workable? Anybody have experience there?

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree that it's difficult having different use years. I have Feb, March, and August use years, and I have become an accountant, it seems like. I keep a notebook with all the transactions in it that I make. That's the only way I can keep track of everything. but if you decide to sell that March contract, let me know!

 

[emacman]

I thought I had it rough! Three use years would send me over the edge! I feel better now Cruella!

 

[Dean]

IMO, there are a few advantages and a few disadvantages to having different use years. If they are different resorts, the only advantages to having them linked together is that your banking percentages are based on the totals and you only have to rememember one set of banking deadlines. If they are the same resort, you also have the advantage of being able to use them together seamlessly.

OTOH, having different use years has advantages. If you have staggered use years, you can chose the contract to use that has a better situation if you have to cancel. I find that keeping up with 3 use years and two resorts is no different than balancing a checking account and two savings accounts, which I also do. Obviously at some point this becomes and issue but I'd say 3 or 4 is not that bad and most anyone can do it if they try. As for contacting DVC, just give them the use year contract number you want to use, confirm the points costs and balances and you're all set.

If you get creative with transfering and have a sense of Adventure, you can really take advantage of the shortcomings of the current MS computer.

 

[JimC]

We have two use years as well. Dave Fredrickson's program is very good at managing contracts. Granny posted the link earlier.

 

[jekjones1558]

emacman,
If you use a mac, as your name seems to suggest, I would like to know what program you have installed to make Dave's point manager work. I can't figure out how to use it on my mac.
P.S. I have an original and 4 add-on contracts, same resort, same use year, just to make life easy!

 

[emacman]

jekjones - my emacman is a nick name I had long before apple or Mac computers. I have zero working knowledge of a mac. I use a Sony vaio PC.
It is odd you say that because I've never though in those terms before now. We live and learn everyday!
I did download the program and I'm playing with it. The hard part is where do you start? Kind of like balancing a checkbook. I have reservations spread all over the place. Do I start with a full years points and deduct the reservations? Or perhaps ignore those already made and start with I have now? There are a lot of options I'll have to sort out.

 

[slimplaw]

Ernie-Good to see your post. I'd love to be in the position to have 2 use years, but not until my kids are out of college. BTW, my sister and her DH with the daughter from China recently bought a contract at SSR. We're already planning a Dec. '05 trip for Leanne's 3rd birthday. Hope you and your family are doing well.
Susan

 

[emacman]

Hello to you Slimplaw!
I am thrilled to hear that Leanne will looking forward to many Magical trips with her family. It will be hard to say who is the happiest I'm betting.
As far as the two use years...DW mentioned something at dinner similiar to what you said. Better to have an issue with two use years than have no use years with no problem!
OK I'll stop whining. But I would still like to move the March use year!
Ernie

 

[emacman]

Does Dave Fredrickson have a DIS name?

 

[dyingtodisney]

Ernie, Where have you been? We did an addon at VWL a few months ago and I told them to only call me with Dec. use years because I didn't want the headache either, but then again what a wonderful headache to have!

 

[emacman]

Dyingtodisney, Congrats on your addon. VWL is a beautiful place for sure. I just added on at SSR this week and I promise it is a DEC use year!