Need help with UY

[debit34]

I've just about made up my mind on everything except a use year. I just can't decide what would be best for my family.

Here's the deal, we have a 4 year old daughter, while we are free to go on vacations whenever now, she'll be in kindergarten next year and I'm sure we'll be limited by when we could go. My preference is vacationing in December but I realize this could be a problem as she gets older.

Does anyone have advice on how to pick a UY?

 

[drusba]

Go here for discussion of use year:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=27480894#post27480894&highlight=

 

[disneynutz]

UY should be just prior to the period that you will take the majority of your vacations. We vacation Nov - April so we have an Oct UY.

 

[bookwormde]

If you are thinking summer WDW vacations and other school holidays other than Thanksgiving are in your future then December would be your ideal UY for cancellation and booking reasons. The general rule is to pick a UY month for which you do not intend on traveling in the preceding 3 months.

bookwormde

 

[lisah0711]

UY should be just prior to the period that you will take the majority of your vacations.

Same here. We vacation in January/February and have a Dec UY.

I didn't really get a choice in UY because I bought VWL from Disney last year. It's worked out fine for us and we got extra points when we purchased because in a Dec UY you are always behind, i.e. we are still in our 2007 UY now. I have 260 points and have stayed at GC Californian 3 nights, VWL six nights 2 bedroom, DLH 3 nights and an upcoming 6 nights GC Concierge -- all since October 2007! (One of those trips was on AKL developers points).

We love our DVC! Enjoy!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

My husband is a teacher, and if you're thinking about vacationing around the traditional school year, Dec is almost ideal. We have an Aug UY, and if I had it to do over again, I would purchase Dec. Here's why:

* Current UY points can be banked through the end of July. This gives you plenty of time to plan trips during Christmas break, spring break, or June/July/Aug.
* If you have to cancel any of the trips, current UY points will be restored, and you'll still have through the end of July to bank if you can't reschedule. If you are dealing with banked points, you'll still have through the end of November to reschedule your trip.
* If you travel mostly in Dec, a Dec UY is ideal. You are traveling the first month of your UY. It gives you the most flexibility with rescheduling or banking.
* If you borrow points from the next UY, you'll more than likely borrow them for Christmas, spring break or summer. If you have to reschedule, you'll still have plenty of time.

I hate my UY, not because of worrying about cancelling, but dictating when I travel. With an Aug UY, if I bank, I have to use those points by the end of July or they expire. I've run into this 2 of the 3 years we've owned, so it's very aggravating! It's a great thing you're asking, and thinking through the best options for you and your family. Best of luck with your future purchase!

 

[disneynutz]

No one plans on canceling their vacation, but it can happen.
All it takes is for one family member to catch the flu, or work schedule change, just before your trip.

Being able to bank your points and not loosing them is worth the time that it takes to pick the correct UY.

 

[debit34]

You guys are the greatest - all of your responses have been very helpful. It's really sounding like a Dec UY is right for us.....