I'm confused!

[lnb1230]

We are considering buying into the vacation club and I have been pouring over all these posts trying to weigh the pros and cons. I have something I am confused about and a question:

1) I keep reading where early December it is hard to book a resort with DVC. Why would that be when usually that is one of the slowest times of year at Disney World? I thought things did not get crazy until Christmas.

2) I have not been able to find any concrete numbers on the point values for staying at resorts other than the DVC resorts. For instance, although I know it is not considered wise to use your points for cruises, how many points is it? Are there any other options for spending your points?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by lnb1230

1) I keep reading where early December it is hard to book a resort with DVC. Why would that be when usually that is one of the slowest times of year at Disney World? I thought things did not get crazy until Christmas.

True, although that is the exact reason why most DVC members want to spend time at WDW. We want to try and avoid the crowds (at least we do) as much as possible. Plus, you get to see the Christmas decorations already in full swing.

You would think that October and early November would be slow as well, but that's the Food & Wine festival (Epcot) time of the year and is very popular with DVC members. So, those aren't the easiest times to get ressies for, especially at the BCV or BWV because of the short distance to Epcot.

2) I have not been able to find any concrete numbers on the point values for staying at resorts other than the DVC resorts. For instance, although I know it is not considered wise to use your points for cruises, how many points is it? Are there any other options for spending your points?

There are so many options. I'll let someone else get into that portion of it with you because I'm not the 'expert' when it comes to the Interval Exchange and other programs within DVC.

Good luck with your purchase/research!

 

[donald@home]

DVC uses the point system to balance out attendance during the year. The usually slower WDW times cost less DVC points thereby making those times of year more attractive to DVC members. Early Dec is one of those times.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by lnb1230
We are considering buying into the vacation club and I have been pouring over all these posts trying to weigh the pros and cons. I have something I am confused about and a question:

1) I keep reading where early December it is hard to book a resort with DVC. Why would that be when usually that is one of the slowest times of year at Disney World? I thought things did not get crazy until Christmas.

Things in the parks don't, but as ArnyVee has pointed out, DVC is busy at that time. Note that it's not impossible to get ressies, but getting exactly what you want might be. Being flexible in the choice of resort helps...most people would _like_ a BW standard room OR a BW Boardwalk view room if they want to stay at BWV, but they're not always going to be available if you don't own at BW and look to make ressies at 11 months out. Same thing with any Grand Villa. This is why most of the old timers around here always state 'Buy where you want to stay the most'.

I don't have exact figures and timelines, but as a general rule, if you're looking to make a ressie in October for the first week of December, your chances are diminished vs. being able to get a ressie at the 6-7 month mark.

The common wisdom seems to be that those who plan early have a much better shot at getting what they want than those who plan more spontaneously...but that's true of any Timeshare.

I hope this explains things more clearly.
Joe

 

[PamOKW]

The points needed to use non-DVC options are subject to change. (DVC resort point costs cannot change -- they can be adjusted but any time something goes up, something else must go down.)

There are all kinds of options available (type of room/cabin; time of year, etc. ) so I'll just pull a few to give you a rough idea.

The 3-night Cruise to the Bahamas ranges from 62 per person to 229 per person. This is the rate for the first 2 people. The 3rd & 4th person costs differ for adults, children 6-12, children 3-5 and children under 2. This ranges from 16 to 100 points. It is possible to pay cash for some travelers.

The 7-night Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean ranges from 123-371 points per person with additional passenegers 22-190 points.

The World Passport Collection (trading 7 night intervals with II resorts) has been put into a chart (it used to be case by case). Low Season -- 1 Bed/124 Points 2 Bed/207 Points
Mid Season -- 1 Bed/144 Points 2 Bedroom/252 Points
High Season -- 1 Bed/160 Points 2 Bedroom/270 Points

You can stay at The Plaza in New York for 49-94 points per night (for the room) or at the Dorchester in London for 73-79 points. Stay at Mauna Lani Bay in Hawaii for 49-73 points per night.

An African safari will run 458-493 points per person.

This is just a quick sampling of the many, many options.

 

[bobbiwoz]

lnb1230, about your #1.

I began reading these boards last summer about the time we joined DVC. We had never gone to WDW in December because I never knew that WDW did anything special for Christmas. The TV parade on Christmas Day was it, as far as I knew. So, we all would meet in Nashville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlenburg Tennessee, where they do do Christmas in a big way.

In '01, we had a big family gathering in WDW in November because of the FW festival, and that's when we learned about Christmas at Disney. We noticed some behind the scenes preparation for Christmas and we inquired. We've gone back to Disney in December ever since. So, there must be people like we were, who just don't have a clue that Disney does dress up and celebrate Christmas. The Candlelight Processional just blows our mind, it's so beautiful, we would never get tired of the music. We're having a Grand Gathering, 18-20 people in our group going down before Christmas this year, staying in DVC, I've booked 5 rooms, and maybe will be trying for 1 more. So DVC families take advantage of the low points at such a great time to go.

bobbi

 

[lnb1230]

Thanks so much for all the great responses! PamOKW, how do you find out about the other travel options? Does Disney send info to you? Is there a chart with all the different possibilities?

Thanks again EVERYONE!

 

[PamOKW]

Once you are a member you get updated charts with all the point requirements. They are also available on the member website. DVC might send you copies of the charts to use in your purchase decision. Someone here might also be able to provide you with "unofficial" sites that have this posted as well.