Neophyte Need Help!

[Uferlives]

Been doing my research, and am seriously considering DVC. We are serious Disney-philes at this point (why deny who you are?), having made the DL trip 6 times in the past 4 years. Have never attempted the WDW trip-- too intimidating with soooo much to do and soooo many people-- but with our kids 6,7 and 12, "it is time" (as Rafaki would say). So, I am again seriously looking at DVC, and would really appreciate any input from the veterans. Here goes:

1) My biggest single reservation regarding WDW has always been the crowds. The unofficial guide books scare the bejeebers out of me on that issue. When are some "best bet" times of the year? I'd like to pick my use year accordingly. In other words, if mid-March (our spring break) is an OK time, I'd like to pick a use year that begins in April, to get my points in April and be able to make reservations for March soon after getting my points (it is 11 months for home resort, right?). If October is a better time to visit, we have a big school fall break then as well, and I might pick November as my use year. Any opinions on mid-March v. mid-October?

2) Resale or purchase from Disney. Resale is obviously cheaper, per point. Anyone know whether Disney is offering any good promos to compete with the resale market?

3) Home resort. Clearly points are cheaper at Vero vs. any of the WDW resorts. If we are likely to use our points for trips other than WDW, we get moe bang for our buck, so to speak, by buying in at Vero. Here's the kicker, howver, and I'm hoping for brutally honest answers. If we bought in at Vero, we could only make reservations at any of the WDW locales 7 mos in advance (is that right?), as opposed to 11 if we choose a WDW locale as our home resort. Do we have ANY HOPE AT ALL of getting into OKW, Boardwalk, Ft. Wilderness or BCV calling 7 mos in advance-- or will everything be gone to those who have these locales as their home resorts, and could reserve 11 mos in advance? Does the availability issue justify the WDW premium, v. Vero or HH?

4) If we go with a WDW home resort, whether through resale or direct from Disney-- which one? I realize this is an open-ended question, but just looking for general feedback on folk's experiences.

Really would appreciate honest feedback on these 3 questions. Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Uferlives
Been doing my research, and am seriously considering DVC. We are serious Disney-philes at this point (why deny who you are?), having made the DL trip 6 times in the past 4 years. Have never attempted the WDW trip-- too intimidating with soooo much to do and soooo many people-- but with our kids 6,7 and 12, "it is time" (as Rafaki would say). So, I am again seriously looking at DVC, and would really appreciate any input from the veterans. Here goes:

1) My biggest single reservation regarding WDW has always been the crowds. The unofficial guide books scare the bejeebers out of me on that issue. When are some "best bet" times of the year? I'd like to pick my use year accordingly. In other words, if mid-March (our spring break) is an OK time, I'd like to pick a use year that begins in April, to get my points in April and be able to make reservations for March soon after getting my points (it is 11 months for home resort, right?). If October is a better time to visit, we have a big school fall break then as well, and I might pick November as my use year. Any opinions on mid-March v. mid-October?

Use year has NOTHING to do with when you can call to make your reservation. You can always call 11 months ahead of your departure date for a reservation at your home resort and 7 months ahead of departure/check out date for other DVC resorts. You don't have to have points in your account when you call to make the reservation, they just have to be there when you arrive.

Use year is just the month you recieve your annual allotment of points. It also determines your banking deadlines. Because of that, it is generally to your advantage to have a use year that is a few months before your usual vacation time. Then if you have to cancel the vacation, you have longer to use the points before you lose them or you can bank the points into the next year.

IMHO, the crowds in October will be smaller (but not a lot) smaller than the crowds in March. However, the two weeks surrounding Easter are often very crowded. As you know, Easter sometimes falls in March. Both times of the year are very manageable with some advance planning. Having visited at least once over Easter, I personally prefer to avoid the Easter crowds if at all possible.

2) Resale or purchase from Disney. Resale is obviously cheaper, per point. Anyone know whether Disney is offering any good promos to compete with the resale market?

The only promotion that I am aware of is the Magical Beginnings program. With this program, you sell back your first year's allotment of points and get a credit that can apply to the purchase price. The credit varies according to the resort purchased. Right now, it appears tha only VB and BCV are available for new members to purchase through Disney. There are lots of posts on this and if you do a search, you will find quite a bit of information and opinions of this program.

3) Home resort. Clearly points are cheaper at Vero vs. any of the WDW resorts. If we are likely to use our points for trips other than WDW, we get moe bang for our buck, so to speak, by buying in at Vero. Here's the kicker, howver, and I'm hoping for brutally honest answers. If we bought in at Vero, we could only make reservations at any of the WDW locales 7 mos in advance (is that right?), as opposed to 11 if we choose a WDW locale as our home resort. Do we have ANY HOPE AT ALL of getting into OKW, Boardwalk, Ft. Wilderness or BCV calling 7 mos in advance-- or will everything be gone to those who have these locales as their home resorts, and could reserve 11 mos in advance? Does the availability issue justify the WDW premium, v. Vero or HH?

The most often repeated piece of advice is "BUY WHERE YOU PLAN TO STAY THE MOST." Unless you want to stay mostly at the VB resort, do not buy there. It can definitely be a problem to get into a WDW resort at the 7 month mark. It really depends on how flexible you are and what time of the year you plan to visit. For example, January and September might not be so hard to book, but you will probably not get a reservation during spring break time, October - December or any of the Holiday periods without using the waitlist. Waitlists can make it hard to find good deals on airfare and they don't always work, either.

VB might be cheaper, but the annual dues there are the highest of the DVC resorts and are very likley to remain the highest. That will eventually negate the lower buy in price, IMHO. That said, VB is truly a beautiful place. If you ever want to stay in one of the Beach Cottages, you will need the 11 month window.

4) If we go with a WDW home resort, whether through resale or direct from Disney-- which one? I realize this is an open-ended question, but just looking for general feedback on folk's experiences.

Really would appreciate honest feedback on these 3 questions. Thanks!

All of the DVC resorts are very nice and each has its pros and cons. It really boils down to personal choice - what appeals to me, may not appeal to you. Good luck with your decision process!

 

[MikeBW]

Uferlives,

You mentioned some concern about crowds. You can manage crowds by going to the parks early, avoid eating at "normal" meal times, taking midday breaks,etc. For DVCers, crowds shouldn't be a problem because if the line is too long to a certain attraction, skip it and go the next time you are in WDW - you will be back!!
You should definitely BUY WHERE YOU PLAN TO STAY THE MOST, because it makes it easier to plan your vacations with flights, cars, etc. Getting into other properties is not impossible - flexibility is the key.

 

[spiceycat]

VB has the cheapest starting price - but look at the MF (maintence fees) they are the highest and will continue to be - the maintence on a ocean condo is high and they are there own hotels -unlike VWL or BCV who joined with a WDW resort - VB is by itself. So your maintence fees must include everything.

don't forget to check the resale market - unless you must finance then I think Disney has pretty good options.

 

[karebear1]

To finance and do paper work through Disney is very easy and very efficient. From what I'm reading, if you buy resale, you're within cents of the price that you'd pay per point if you bought directly through the DVC using the MB program. We just bought BCV for $74.00/point using the MB program- I read on another thread that someone else bought resale and paid just under $74.00/point by the time closing cost etc. were added in. So, if you want totally uncomplicated, it would be easier to buy through the DVC. As for where to make your home- if you buy through DVC you could only make BCV , VB and possibly VWL home. The other resorts are only available through resale. Maybe it would be a good idea to try to rent points for your first visit to WDW and tour all the DVC's while you're there. As for the time of year - I like Oct- crowds are lower then March. Your family will ABSOLUTELY LOVE WDW!!!

 

[kda]

Re-think the use year situation. If you commonly vacation in March (for example), and have an April use year, that means you might have no wiggle room if you need to cancel the March vacation. Unless you canceled far enough ahead that you could then bank those points, or use them before March, you have a very short time to use the points or lose them (or try to rent them out, I guess).
As previously explained, use year has nothing to do with making the reservation at the 11 month window, but it has everything to do with when you need to bank points and possibly losing points if you don't have enough time to schedule a trip.
Good luck!

 

[ncligs]

Uferlives,

"Welcome to the DIS".....even though you are a "Michigan fan"
I would definately buy where you plan on staying the most as the above posters have stated. We bought at VB because we plan on going there at least every other year or a few days after a OKW WDW visit. We also wanted to have the 11 month booking advantage at both OKW and VB, in case we want a GV or Beach Cottage.

P.S. "Go Buckeyes".....

 

[JOC]

Uferlives,
I think my post was the one Karebear1 is referring to. We just got a BWV resale today for just under $74/pp once closing costs were figured in ($71/pp + $2.67/pp closing costs= $73.67/pp). We didn't buy resale thinking we would get it for a lower price or a better deal than buying BCV direct through Disney. In fact, from reading these boards, we knew that Disney was exercising their Right of First Refusal on a lot of contracts that were priced low so we didn't try to bid low. We wanted BWV for our home resort and Disney's not selling that anymore. We took a tour around BCV and BWV this past December and my husband and I agreed that we liked BWV more. Since he's not a big park fan, the Boardwalk area has ESPN Club to keep him happy!
We also wanted the 11-month window to try to book a BWV standard view for less points. Everyone on the boards says buy where you want to stay most, so that's what we did. Hope everything works out for you!

 

[geffric]

In response to going at certain times of the year, I have school age children so we are stuck to a school vacation times. This means that we are always there at peak times.
Take advantage of early mornings, leave when it is hot and go back to the resort, swim, make lunch, then later in the day take the bus back.. You will see more of the parks than anyone that arrives later and gets stuck in lines.

Also I will echo the BUY WHER YOU STAY theory. We love OKW .

 

[Uferlives]

Thanks everyone for the assistance. Sounds like resale has some bumps with the ROFR, so I may go direct through DVC. Trying to understand whether this MB is a good deal or not. You get a $1,500 credit-- but surrender your first year points, right? But aren't your first year points probably worth, oh . . . $1,500? Not sure that I grasp the advantage, but I may have a chance to check it all out in person, as I leave for Orlando tomorrow (for spring training, not for Disney . . . a solo trip without the kids). Think I'll pop in on the DVC and check it out in person.

Thanks again for the help; I'll probably have even more eye-rolling novice questions on my return. BTW, Nick and Cindy, pretty amazing that you could divine that I am a Michigan fan from my handle, but right you are. You obviously must know who Bob Ufer was. I am impressed, and congrats Bucks on your National Championship. I will be in Ann Arbor this November for the revenge bowl against the scarlet and grey. Go Blue!!

Uferlives

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Uferlives
BTW, Nick and Cindy, pretty amazing that you could divine that I am a Michigan fan from my handle, but right you are. You obviously must know who Bob Ufer was. I am impressed, and congrats Bucks on your National Championship. I will be in Ann Arbor this November for the revenge bowl against the scarlet and grey. Go Blue!!

Uferlives,
Here is a little secret for you , if you click on a posters "profile" at the bottom of the post, it will give you some info on the poster.
Have a good time at the spring training games!