new DVC member ?'s ....

[Glorydaz]

my bf and I are just back and have decided to buy into DVC...after reading many many posts on these boards as to what to buy, how many points, booking windows ( my head is spinning, can you tell?!) ....I have just a couple ?'s of my own...

..our paperwork came in the mail but I called our guide and changed from 160 to 200 points for more flexability so now I am waiting for new paperwork!

we bought into SSR because we really liked the layout.. our kids are all grown so we are not worried about walking to Epcot or a quick boatride to MK... even though Epcot is our favorite destination in the world..but I figure our children and theirs will greatly appreciate the additional 12 years SSR offers...and enhancements and further development seems to be a given here

..my thinking is that if we're going for this, then we will want , at the very least, a 1 bedroom whenever we visit ( off-season works best for us) ... we are Sun-Thurs people so a 5 night stay for our season runs 22 points a night... do most of you book studios or 1 bedroom? what are the pluses/negatives? or are there any?? just curious...

also, point values as printed now will not change in the future, correct? just dates as pertaining to holidays..

also, most important: as a DVC member, will there ever be a time we cannot get a room - in any of the resorts? even with an 11 month window in our home resort is a room pretty much guaranteed? I do believe as other locations are added/opened - availability will be there. however, the sheer number of people buying into this makes me wonder...

any thoughts on this?

 

[sleepydog25]

..my thinking is that if we're going for this, then we will want , at the very least, a 1 bedroom whenever we visit ( off-season works best for us) ... we are Sun-Thurs people so a 5 night stay for our season runs 22 points a night... do most of you book studios or 1 bedroom? what are the pluses/negatives? or are there any?? just curious...

First, let me say congratulations and welcome home! I'm not the most experienced poster on here by far, but since no one else has stepped up, I'll answer what I know. My wife and I have a 5-yr old daughter, so we go for 2BRs. That gives our daughter her own room and bathroom, as well as the master for us. We are also largely Sun-Thurs people, though we usually stay at VWL. Even so, our points only run around 170. As I'm sure you know, the main difference in the 1BR and studio is the overall size and the lack of a full kitchen in the latter. We like to spread out when on vacation, thus the reason for a 2BR. If the wife and I were alone, I think we'd opt for the 1BR for the same reason. After rubbing elbows with thousands of our closest friends in the parks, we truly enjoy space at the end of a day.

also, point values as printed now will not change in the future, correct? just dates as pertaining to holidays..

That's essentially correct. The overall point values can't go up, but they can adjust the point values within any given season. For example, if it costs 22 points a night for a studio during your typical travel season right now, they could raise that rate at a later time to, say, 25 points a night. However, there must be a corresponding drop in points per night in another season to even things out.

also, most important: as a DVC member, will there ever be a time we cannot get a room - in any of the resorts? even with an 11 month window in our home resort is a room pretty much guaranteed? I do believe as other locations are added/opened - availability will be there.

I doubt DVC would ever use the word "guarantee" about anything. There always exists the possibility that at some point in the future, should you call right around the 11-month point, you might not get a room if the demand is peculiarly high. However, that being said, the likelihood of that happening remains low. I can't speak to all the resorts, but I've not heard of any real issues folks have at being unable to get into their home resort 11 months out (there may be a few exceptions such as Christmas at VWL). We called 7 months out to book VWL for a trip this June and had no problems. DVC has not said whether they'll ever add more locations, but given the success of the program thus far, it's hard to imagine a scenario where they won't. And currently, SSR hasn't even finished building, so there is plenty of availability now and in the foreseeable future.

You aren't alone in voicing your concerns about the increasing number of folks joining DVC. But, I feel relatively confident that Disney will continue to grow this particular aspect of their business. Only time will tell, however. . .

 

[byoung]

Congrats and WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Glorydaz]

thanks guys!! it's GREAT to have neighbors like you... ...and it's so nice to call this "home" ....

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi! I don't know where to post this - so here goes. We purchased in Dec and are looking forward to going to DL in Aug, and WDW May 2007 with my sis and her kids.

What I want to know is, are there parking perks for DVC members? I think some of the resorts have free Valet parking. What about SSR or VWL?

Any discount for parking at the parks? Trying to figure out if we will rent a car or not. Thanks!

 

[sleepydog25]

What I want to know is, are there parking perks for DVC members? I think some of the resorts have free Valet parking. What about SSR or VWL?

Any discount for parking at the parks? Trying to figure out if we will rent a car or not. Thanks!

DVC members get free valet parking at BCV, BV, and VWL, though tipping is not part of that perk. In other words, you'll still need to tip the person parking the car for you. And, yes, you get free park passes during your stay. You'll receive a pass for the windshield of your car at your resort that allows you to park free at each of the theme parks--not an unsubstantial sum! Of course, there are buses at each resort to take you to the parks, and a boat at VWL to get you to MK, as well.

 

[cobbler]

Well last year we bought SSR in October, I booked a one bedroom the last week in October for the week after Thanksgiving - just 5 weeks away without any problems. Now that may not be something that can always be done, but it was nice to get that at 5 weeks out.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks Sleepydog! That will be a great perk! We used the bus and monorail system in 2004 - it was pretty good, although we felt like we wasted alot of time waiting for transportation. Toying with the idea of renting a car next May. We probably wouldn't really use it much, and my niece and nephew would probably like the monorail and boats, anyway!

 

[smsnorthup]

We usually book studios (DH, DD4 and myself) mainly because we live about 5 1/2 hours away so I like to use less points and get more stays out of my points. We also do 3-4 night trips so if we stayed more nights on each trip we'd probably want more space. As far as us having trouble booking, this is something I was very concerned about, but have been pleasantly surprised at the availability. I just got SSR the other day for Apr 4-7 and OKW was also available. Even though I want to try all the DVC resorts, I would be happy to stay home (SSR) everytime and there seems to be more availability at the bigger resorts.