my first time using my points

[marcoi]

I just bought RR in January . my first visit in January 21. I'm coming up on seven months do you guys feel I should stay at my home resort first? wanted to stay at BLT. just wanted some ideas thank you. hope all stay safe.

 

[RedOnion]

We bought now-Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (then just "The Villas at Wilderness Lodge") in 2012 and didn't actually stay there until Thanksgiving 2018, 6 years later.

• 2013 (first trip): Aulani followed by Grand Californian (Disneyland) on the way back home
• 2014: Bay Lake Tower, Saratoga Springs (separate trips)
• 2016: Grand Floridian
• 2018: Boulder Ridge Villas

I say, stay where you want to stay. We wanted a very impressive first DVC member trip for our family of 4, and for us, nothing was more impressive than Hawaii for the first time, especially at the then-very-new Aulani.

Plus, at 7 months, there is no benefit to staying at your home resort. The benefit is that your home resort may be booked 11 months in advance. If you didn't book at 11 months, there is no guarantee that you can get into your home resort at 7 months anyway, depending on popularity (although January may be fine).

If you do want to book at Rivera, I suggest booking right away before the 7 month window opens to everyone else. You may have a limited benefit still.

Which helps me realize a potential difference between your experience and my family's: we bought at an older resort when there were newer ones just opening. You bought at the newest resort … so that may already be your best, most impressive trip!

Whatever you do: enjoy! We're there in January as well, at our 2nd contract (just bought in 2019): Old Key West.

 

[aokeefe]

Have you booked for January 2021 using RR points yet? If not, I definitely would to secure a room and then see what is available at the 7 month mark.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Book your home resort right now if you haven't. Then, when you get to seven months out, see what you can get. If you are looking for Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays, I wouldn't expect to be able to get BLT.

 

[AnnaS]

I just bought RR in January . my first visit in January 21. I'm coming up on seven months do you guys feel I should stay at my home resort first? wanted to stay at BLT. just wanted some ideas thank you. hope all stay safe.

If you will be happy at staying at either one and want to try other resorts, try BLT if it's available when your seven month window opens up. You own at RR so you know you have home advantage and can stay there in the future.

Good luck and stay safe!!!