New DVC member needs help!

[ghunttaylor]

On our last Disney trip in March 2011 we stayed on the concierge level of the Yacht Club and ended up purchasing 270pts of DVC. We were hoping to use our points to go on the new Disney Dream but found out that point availability is booked until late 2012 (obviously not mentioned during the sales pitch). My wife likes the higher end resorts and can't figure out the best way to use our points. We have 5 & 6 year old children and can borrow so that we can spend 540pts if necessary.

So with 540pts looking to spend about a week in nice accomodations what is recommended? Cruise, Adventure, Park?

Will all of the massive experience the group has I am asking for some guidance with a vacation that really impresses.


Thank you in advance.

 

[kjd469]

You would be better off to post this question in the DVC forum as I'm sure there are plenty of members there with experience in booking cruises, ABD, or resorts using their points. That being said, as a DVC member myself, I would say using your points to book anything other than the DVC resorts is generally considered to be a poor use of points and not really the best thing to do. Check the DVC forums and you will find many threads related to this topic...good luck

 

[sayhello]

Hi, ghunttaylor! Welcome to the DISBoards. I've moved your post to the DVC Planning Board. There are tons of people here who can help you with your DVC questions!

Enjoy!

Sayhello

 

[disneynutz]

If you intend to use you points to stay at a DVC resort at WDW or Hawaii, you are in great shape. If you intend to use your points for other locations or programs, you will have many disappointments and you probably should not have become a DVC Member. What's your home resort?

Bill

 

[ghunttaylor]

Thank you. I am a bit clueless with msg boards.

 

[ghunttaylor]

Home resort is Saratoga Springs.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'm going to give you the same message as Bill, but put a velvet glove on it.

DVC guides (salespersons) make it a point to taut the flexibility of the DVC program, and the ability to use your points at both DVC resorts and other destinations around the world. This is true. Your points can be used for cruises, Adventures by Disney, RCI timeshare locations, and other destinations. However, if you're not planning to use your membership at DVC resorts a majority of the time, you're losing a lot of the cost benefit of the program.

Non-DVC destinations give you flexibility to use your points at other destinations if you don't want to visit Disney World every single vacation. But when you do the math, you'll probably see that you'd have been better off paying cash for those trips instead of points. The point exchanges aren't very good.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you visited any of the DVC resorts and seen the villas? That would have been my first thing to do before I bought. Any of the DVC resorts at WDW would be excellent. You could get a two bedroom villa and the kids could have the second bedroom and you and the wife have the master bedroom.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I would definitely do a 2 bd villa stay. You will love all the room and you'll have 2 bathrooms and laundry in your room which is great with little kids. It's such a treat to have room to move around and not have the kids under your feet. My kids have loved all the DVC resorts they've stayed in so far, OKW, SSR, BLT and BWV. I asked my son today which is favorite one was and he said he loved them all! Have fun finding your favorite and enjoy bigger accomodations!

 

[adminjedi]

On our last Disney trip in March 2011 we stayed on the concierge level of the Yacht Club and ended up purchasing 270pts of DVC. We were hoping to use our points to go on the new Disney Dream but found out that point availability is booked until late 2012 (obviously not mentioned during the sales pitch). My wife likes the higher end resorts and can't figure out the best way to use our points. We have 5 & 6 year old children and can borrow so that we can spend 540pts if necessary.

So with 540pts looking to spend about a week in nice accomodations what is recommended? Cruise, Adventure, Park?

Will all of the massive experience the group has I am asking for some guidance with a vacation that really impresses.


Thank you in advance.

We booked our 2012 cruise with DVC points in March, so it isn't necessarily that you were mis-informed rather an issue of booking status changing all the time. They are DVC sales not booking.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope you really like the DVC resorts, since most here will tell you that's the best place to use your points. Many people have used points for other things, and they usually preface their remarks by starting out "I know it's not the best use of points" but I went __________ and had a great time, (or not).

You spent a lot of money, and you apparently love Disney, so plan on using your points at the DVC that appeals to you the most. You may not be able to book what you want at 7 months the first time, but as you become familiar with DVC busy seasons, you should be able to get into a particular resort at some time of the year.

For me, I own at 7 different DVCs, but not BLT, and I'm not likely to buy there, but I would like to stay there sometimes. I've been able to book BLT for part of my January 2012 stay.

As you read these forums you'll find people who use their points for other things, I've used points for cruises with no regrets at all! Just do your homework and use your membership in the way your family gets their enjoyment!

Bobbi