The limit used to be 64 choices as a combo of weeks and resorts. For example it could be 64 resorts for one week or 64 weeks at one resort. This was a computer limitation and I'm pretty sure it's been expanded but I don't know to how much. But once you get ONE exchange, that is done. You can't do one search and get two exchanges. If you truly want something both years I'd do two exchange requests. You'll get your money back if you cancel without a match or not match ever occurs.
Those 2 weeks are tough just about anywhere you want to go that is either warm or Ski areas, along with week 7, likely the most difficult overall. I'm not sure if Atlantis even deposits those weeks. You can make changes anytime you want without losing your trade priority. Never list a week or resort you won't be happy with as that's the one you'll get.
They don't take your points until you get a match so no problem if you don't match.
DVC takes the points based on the actual dates of the exchange travel, not the time you actually get the exchange. It's from the UY of the dates of the exchange travel. So you may have points that will expire fairly soon, get an exchange, and still not be able to use THOSE points.
I always recommend 2 years out if possible. My next advance date would be 13-14 months, esp if you include Marriott's on your list. For this type of exchange, I'd consider anything less than 12 months out to be short notice. If you're looking for Christmas 2008, you're already VERY late but you never know. If you're looking for a year later, you're just about perfect. I'd say get your request in now for your core choices.
President's week normally. Your trade power is determined in part by your underlying week and resort. Think algebra with the components being unit size, demand of the resort, demand of the week and when you place the request. DVC has generic trade power so the only things you can control in the equation is how early you request along with the resorts and unit sizes you list. II arranges the order of priority of the participants and it changes every time someone gets on the list for the same resort/week/unit type you request. It is not a first come/first served. It works much the same way that airlines use to determine who gets an upgrade. Another consideration is what unit size you need, esp when trading II. If you only need a 1 BR but search for resorts that only have 2 BR, it'll cost you 270 points. Do realize that there are few of these ski weeks deposited because most who own those (or are lucky enough to get a reservation) either use or rent them out.
The earliest you could find out depends on how early a given resort can deposit. Most are 12 months out, some are 18 months and a few are 2 years. Marriott's floating week resorts are officially 12 months out but as soon as you have a res #, II will take it thus effectively making it up to 14 months or longer. My experience suggests that there are peaks of matches at certain spots along the way. These include as early as the resort can be deposited, 12 months out, when dues are due (for those that can't be deposited without paying the dues), at 6 months out and at 2 months out. Certainly matches can happen at any time once a given resort can be deposited.
The answer depends on your specifics. Yes you can put in a request for multiple different and unrelated options for one search fee. But once you get ONE of them, that search is completed. What you can't do is get more than one week as a match for a single fee and search.
