Is There a "Newbie" Thread Around...?

[Delaware Mike]

Good morning, everyone!

We just received our closing paperwork to file for a SSR membership bought through resale. I can only imagine the "fun" we'll have making our very first ressie (and here I thought the resale process was "fun". )

Is there a specific thread dedicated for all the "newbie" planning questions that appear on the board? My thinking is my questions might be answered by reading everyone's first-time experiences, learning from their mistakes and successes. Having that information in one place might prove valuable, and less time consuming than combing threads for answers.

...thank you for allowing me to think (and question) out loud...

Mike

 

[spiceycat]

try this one first.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1073248

if you can't find what you want.

just ask!

Welcome Home!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Go ahead and ask your questions. We were all beginners once. If we're feeling like nice DVCers, we'll respond happily. But if we're feeling a bit devilish, we'll give you some obtuse answer with the real answer hidden between the lines.

 

[Delaware Mike]

Go ahead and ask your questions. We were all beginners once. If we're feeling like nice DVCers, we'll respond happily. But if we're feeling a bit devilish, we'll give you some obtuse answer with the real answer hidden between the lines.

Thanks for replying to my post and for your welcome home! Hopefully you're filled with glee, or something other than devilishness....

Okay, we realize the very first step is to be in the DVC database as members. That much is intuitive to us. After that, things become a new experience for us.

Once we're in the database, and wish to make our very first ressie at our home resort, SSR, do we have to wait until 11 months prior to our requested arrival date, or departure date? Let's say for example, we wish to arrive Friday, October 26, 2007 and depart Saturday, November 3, 2007. When would we call to reserve a Studio? (It's only the DW and myself....no kids, so a studio would be prefect for our first try.)

Additionally, since we've never stayed at SSR before, we have no insight as to views, location of resort dining, pool, et cetera. Since we always get a rental car, the bus stop isn't a concern to us. Any request recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Okay, once armed with everyone's valued recommendations, can someone briefly describe the process...from when's the best time-of-day to call MS, through what to expect during our MS call, to post-call procedure? Do we need to call to confirm everything prior to arrival?

For background, we'll have 120 points with an October UY. All 2006 and 2007 points are available...if that helps develop answers to my feeble, newbie, questions.

Thank you again!!!

Mike

 

[Delaware Mike]

try this one first.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1073248

if you can't find what you want.

just ask!

Welcome Home!!!

Although the link provides good information, it's not the type of information I had in mind. Hi and thank you for responding!

 

[spiceycat]

for your oct/nov trip - you need to call ms dec 3, 2006 to make the reservations - 11 months before you departure date from the resort.

Nov and Dec are pretty popular so don't wait too long after Dec 3 to get it.

Monday is generally the busiest day.

January is very, very busy - not only because of Dec - but some members wait until then for their year's reservations (work issues). So instead of just making one reservations sometimes they made 3 or 4 at once.

Dec can get busy too - but generally closer to end (thankgiving next year)

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are not going to use your Oct 2006 points during this use year (Oct 1, 2006 to Sept 30, 2007), make sure you bank them before six months into your use year. Should be April 1. You can get all the info about banking deadlines and reservation dates on the DVC Member website under My Points (well, your points, not my points actually).

 

[Granny]

Once we're in the database, and wish to make our very first ressie at our home resort, SSR, do we have to wait until 11 months prior to our requested arrival date, or departure date? Let's say for example, we wish to arrive Friday, October 26, 2007 and depart Saturday, November 3, 2007. When would we call to reserve a Studio? (It's only the DW and myself....no kids, so a studio would be prefect for our first try.)

As stated, you should call on December 3, 2006....except that date is a Sunday so December 4 would be your first calling date to make the entire reservation. At SSR, I don't think you'll have a problem booking on that date. For smaller resorts, many people call day-by-day meaning they would (in your example) call on November 27 and book the first night and then call back every day to add another day to the trip until complete. That gives you the full 11 month booking advantage for every day of the trip and not just the last day. But as I said, you really shouldn't have to worry about that at SSR.

Additionally, since we've never stayed at SSR before, we have no insight as to views, location of resort dining, pool, et cetera. Since we always get a rental car, the bus stop isn't a concern to us. Any request recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't stayed at SSR either, but personally our requests always start with smoking/non-smoking. Yes, that is a non-guaranteed request so we always list it first (MS assumes that the first listed request is the most important). Others request that they not be assigned to a handicap-accessible villa (unless they need it) because it cuts down on the storage and eliminates the tub. And others are into the views and ask for specific areas. If you do a search on this site on SSR Views or SSR Location you will probably find lots of advice.

Okay, once armed with everyone's valued recommendations, can someone briefly describe the process...from when's the best time-of-day to call MS, through what to expect during our MS call, to post-call procedure? Do we need to call to confirm everything prior to arrival?

The busiest day of the week for MS is Monday morning, so unless you have pressing business you will want to avoid that time. What to expect is a DVC professional who can make your reservations (including ADR's) and answer questions about point balances, etc. You will get a written confirmation of the reservation in the mail a couple weeks after the call. There is no need to call again to confirm anything...that confirmation number is all you need. And you can always log on to the official member's site and see your current point balances and any reservations you have.

Mike...nothing wrong with your questions. DVC is a large purchase and it's only right to ask questions. Read this board, and post questions as you go.

One other key that many newbies either don't know about or don't want to use....and that is the search feature. Many questions have been asked and answered many times, and often a search can provide a lot of insight into a question that you might not have even considered. I encourage you to use that feature too.

Last but not least....WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Delaware Mike]

Thank you very much for all your valued advice, and for your welcome, Granny!

I appreciate the time you took to provide it.

 

[jjohnson]

Hi Mike! Welcome Home. You have officially crossed over to the other side

AFA location requests I prefer Springs but we use ME and with 4 children prefer to be close to the main pool & carriage house.

My second choice would be Congress Park with DTD view.

I don't see it mentioned here but since your going at a busier time book your reservation day-by-day then link them all together on your last phone call.

Did you download Caskbill's vacation planner? It's fantastic.

Joyce

 

[Delaware Mike]

Hi Mike! Welcome Home. You have officially crossed over to the other side

AFA location requests I prefer Springs but we use ME and with 4 children prefer to be close to the main pool & carriage house.

My second choice would be Congress Park with DTD view.

I don't see it mentioned here but since your going at a busier time book your reservation day-by-day then link them all together on your last phone call.

Did you download Caskbill's vacation planner? It's fantastic.

Joyce

Hi'ya Joyce!

Nice to see you on a non-DDP thread!

Thanks for your help, and welcome, and I'll have to look for that planner.

Mike

 

[jjohnson]

Here you go:

http://web.nalu.net/~wneth/dvcplanner.htm

 

[Caskbill]

Here you go:

http://web.nalu.net/~wneth/dvcplanner.htm

Or more simple, use Caskbill.com

Or click the link in the signature below.