I'm ready to buy--need advice

[caseyem67]

I have check in hand and am ready to buy DVC!!! A few last minute questions (I have seen all the great advice on these Boards over the last few months).

1. I already have a trip booked for early May. If I buy through Disney, what are the chances I will be able to use my newly purchased points for that trip, considering the short notice? (Even if I'll take ANY DVC resort) If Disney can't arrange this, I will wait for a resale even though I will be wasting the money on a room in May--I'd rather put that money toward my points purchase.

2. How hard is it to book at a resort that is not your home resort if you do as as early as you can (7 months, right?)? Does it depend on time of year? Are chances 50/50 or is more likely than not that I will be able to get something?

3. This might be a dumb question, but what if I don't have enough points even after borrowing if I want to do a full family trip in a Grand Villa? How would I get enough points? Renting?

Thanks for the input. I want to have as many facts as possible from people other than the sales rep. before I make the go ahead call today or Monday! I am REALLY excited!

 

[cobbler]

1. I am sure you will be able to find avail to stay for your trip in May. Most likely SSR and OKW but there might be others avail too. We bought in October of last year and used our points for a stay the next month in November. No problem.

2. Yes booking at your non home resort is dependant on time of year. Sometimes you will be successful, sometimes you will not. You can waitlist if you choose. I hear BC/BW is hard during Food and Wine. BW std is hard anytime and WL hard during December. I have seen success stories though.

3. You could rent more points. More specifically you could have points transferred into your account. Its just like renting, you pay the person with the avail points and then they call MS and have them transferred into your account.

Good luck!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

You guide will probably be able to check resort availability for you.

 

[CapeCodFam]

If you book at your home resort at 11 months, you'll almost always get a room. You can switch/waitlist at 7 mo. That way, you won't be shut out altogether and you can get airline tickets, etc. without worry.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I bought in Oct for a trip during President week. I had a cash ressie at VB and nothing at the BW. My guide, bless her, got my entire trip on points. 2 nights at VB (presidents weekend-no less) 3 nights in a 1 bdrm BW view at the BW and 1 night at the BCV (I wanted to try it to see if I wanted an added on there)in a Studio.

If you don't use your points at Disney during your use year, say you trade in or bank points, DVC will sell those points to Disney to use as a cash reservation. So for example in 2006 you decide to bank your points. If those 150 points would get 5 nights in a 1 bedroom, Disney buys them and sells the room for Cash. So if DVC wanted to make you happy they could buy back the points. However, since you are going w/in 60 days it could be a problem due to the 60 day rule ( they don't have too much flexiblility the last 60 days).

Good luck !!

 

[mikesmom]

Don't count on getting the room in May unless a guide can find some strings to pull. I just called for a ressie last week for a studio May 5 thru 8. SSR had the only studios available May 5 &6. There were NO studios available at any resort the remaining 2 nights.

 

[caseyem67]

Thanks, everyone. I will give it a shot. If they can't do it, I'm holding out for BCV through a resale.

 

[byoung]

1. I already have a trip booked for early May. If I buy through Disney, what are the chances I will be able to use my newly purchased points for that trip, considering the short notice? (Even if I'll take ANY DVC resort) If Disney can't arrange this, I will wait for a resale even though I will be wasting the money on a room in May--I'd rather put that money toward my points purchase.

Probally at SSR or OKW

2. How hard is it to book at a resort that is not your home resort if you do as as early as you can (7 months, right?)? Does it depend on time of year? Are chances 50/50 or is more likely than not that I will be able to get something?

Got VWL for May at the 7month with no problem.

3. This might be a dumb question, but what if I don't have enough points even after borrowing if I want to do a full family trip in a Grand Villa? How would I get enough points? Renting?

Renting is a good way. You can also bank and borrow gives you 3 years of points.