Interested but Cautious -or- The Devil's in the Details

[jms3]

This sounds like a good deal on the surface, but I know Disney isn't doing this to be nice, so I'd like some more info before I subject myself to their Open House. (Is it a typical high-pressure smoke & mirrors open house?)

Let me explain my situation. I live about 3 hours from Disney and typically go 4 or 5 times a year for 1 or 2 days each (but I wouldn't mind going more if rooms were cheaper, I have a season pass). Since I have a season pass, the most popular WDW dates are blocked out, which is fine with me because I prefer going when it's not so crowded anyway. I never make reservations more than a month ahead of time, and sometimes less than a week ahead. I'm just as happy staying at the Pop Century as I am the Grand Floridian, so the type of room I get doesn't matter. If I decide to join DVC, I'm going to buy an el-cheapo 150 point resale for under 10k (assuming they're still there by the time I decide). Anyone have an opinion as to whether the DVC would be a good deal for me?

Now the specific questions:
Does anyone have any specifics as to the ratio of rooms typically still available a week in advance for the various months?

Can I use my points to make reservations for someone else who isn't a DVC member? (IE, can I use my points to send Mom & Dad to WDW without going myself?)

Can I use my points to get several rooms at the same time? (IE, can I use my points to go to WDW and get separate rooms for Mom & Dad, Brother & Family?)

Thanks for any feedback you can provide. This looks like a really great board for DVC info.

 

[DVCLiz]

You can make reservations for others using your points - you'll have to make the reservation in the name of the person/s who will be using the room. I don't know about the availability of rooms- DVC is very popular, but if you go during "off" times, you may be able to get a villa fairly easily. Of course, your chances are better if you are willing to take whatever is available - and I assume you're inquiring about a studio. It may be that studios are booked, but a one bedroom would be available, so you might want to consider whether you'd ever take more than one category of room, depending on which was available. Finally, others will tell you and I'll agree that "off" season at WDW doesn't necessarily correspond to "off" season at DVC. Many of the off times are busy DVC times because of the low point costs.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[bavaria]

Hello! I can't answer everything, but here goes.... if I am correct, you were looking into this awhile back? (or it was someone else who lives 3-4 hours away and plans short trips!)

I am in a similar situation. Since I travel 300 days/year and my schedule changes regularly, I can't book far in advance. Today I am planning a trip for mid-October. Will I be able to use points for that trip the way I'd like? doubtful - right now I can only get a 1 bedroom for 2 nights, which is too big for this trip.

Can I use my points in future? Sure. I can hope for a week off in January and book something, and then if I need to cancel follow the rules for cancellations and holding accounts (I'm not really clear on that yet!)

So why did I buy? I can use my small number of points for various days. I don't mind booking 1 night at a time and moving. I could gift them to a family member or friend for their trip. I could rent them.

While I don't fit the typical DVC owner profile right now, my travel patterns will change eventually. I plan to get off the road in about 10 years, and by then I'll be ready to stay at DVC every month or so!

Did I answer your questions? no, probably not, but I can only share my experience.

Best of luck with your decision, and feel free to ask away!!

 

[PamOKW]

DVC is surprising in the "under sell". Heck, you don't feel like you are being "sold" at all. And, I experienced absolutely no pressure what so ever. No need to fear a salesperson who won't let you leave.

I think you owe it to yourself to at least explore DVC as an option.

I never make reservations more than a month ahead of time, and sometimes less than a week ahead.

This could be your biggest problem. Theoretically, a member should be using a unit every day of the year. If they "traded" their use for another option, that villa becomes available for cash rental (that's how DVC "pays" for the members non-DVC experience). If you're open to any room at any resort, you may be successful most of the time. However, chances of booking in that final month or week will pretty much depend upon another member cancelling at the last minute.

Now the specific questions:

Does anyone have any specifics as to the ratio of rooms typically still available a week in advance for the various months?

I don't think any of us has access to actual occupancy figures.

Can I use my points to make reservations for someone else who isn't a DVC member? (IE, can I use my points to send Mom & Dad to WDW without going myself?)

You most certainly can reserve rooms with points and let others use the reservation. You just put their names on the room. The actual confirmation letter must come to the members' address but can have someone else's name on the reservation as well.

Can I use my points to get several rooms at the same time? (IE, can I use my points to go to WDW and get separate rooms for Mom & Dad, Brother & Family?)

You can book as many rooms as are available and for which you have points to spend!

Feel free to keep asking questions as you make a decision!

 

[crisi]

Are a lot of your trips over weekends? Its then difficult to break even. If you are truly just as happy at Pop, its difficult to break even. And the short notice trips are a little disturbing to me too - DVC works best when you can plan ahead - you don't want to be at the end of your use year, unable to use points because the rooms are booked, and have your points disappear.

 

[mikesmom]

Also an 150 point , under $10000 "el cheapo" contract may not exist. Disney can and does use its Right of first Refusal (ROFR) to keep the value of DVC up in the resale market. What you are describing would be a contract at less than $67 point. While I haven't looked at the going resales in a bit, it seems to me that $67 is flying under the current ROFR rate.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree, you will not find a contract for $67, except possibly at Vero. On-property resorts are going for around $75 on the resale market, and the prices are going up. Some are selling for $83 or even more. As noted, Disney uses their ROFR--I bought in 1997 for $54, and the costs are up to $80 now, so if you really want a cheap contract, and you are not picky, perhaps Orange Lake Country Club, Vistana, Blue Tree, etc. would be appropriate. You can pick up their contracts for around $3,000 for a week, although they are very restrictive. Disney is known for being a quality timeshare, and their price on the resale market reflects that.

 

[jms3]

Thanks to everyone for your great information. I think I'll just have to sit down and do some serious number crunching, now that I know more of the pros & cons.

One more question I just thought of, which made me think of a couple more:

Assuming I just got all my points, could I go ahead and book a week or so 11 months out, then cancel the reservation day-by-day if I manage to get an impromptu reservation as needed? How about same scenerio but making a bunch of 1 day reservations instead of 1 long reservation at the onset?

Are there any fees/penalties/restrictions for canceling an existing reservation?

Thanks again for all your advice.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks to everyone for your great information. I think I'll just have to sit down and do some serious number crunching, now that I know more of the pros & cons.

One more question I just thought of, which made me think of a couple more:

Assuming I just got all my points, could I go ahead and book a week or so 11 months out, then cancel the reservation day-by-day if I manage to get an impromptu reservation as needed? How about same scenerio but making a bunch of 1 day reservations instead of 1 long reservation at the onset?

Are there any fees/penalties/restrictions for canceling an existing reservation?

Thanks again for all your advice.

Sure, as long as you cancel at least 31 days before the ressie begins. You want to watch your banking deadlines (dependant on use year) to make sure you don't lose any points. It isn't all that difficult to get ressies on short notice as long as you aren't too particular about which resort. The only times that need the 11 month booking windows are F&W (especially for Epcot resorts) and the first couple of weeks of December. Holidays will be tough too.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You might want to read the frequently asked questions thread at the top of this page. It might bring up some other questions that you can come back here and ask.