New DVC members have questions

[deerislemaine]

We just found out that we passed ROFR for a resale purchase of 250 points at SSR, and we hope to close in the next week to two weeks. We have 2 banked points, 250 points from 2010, and 250 points coming 6/1/11.

We have some questions about how long it will take to get into the Disney system. We hope to plan a last-minute trip in to arrive January 16th. Can anyone give us advice on what to expect with getting into the system and making reservations within the 60 day period?

Our first preference is a two-bedroom at OKW, but we'd be fine with SSR too. We'd be willing to switch rooms if necessary, but would rather be in one place.

Thanks for your advice and tips.

 

[erionm]

After closing, it could take seven to ten days before you are in the system.

 

[hakepb]

In regards to short notice reservations, do not get discouraged if your first call is not successful. It may talk many calls, checking, perhaps daily, for one or more additional days, and using the waitlist. Keep your banking window, 31 days out (last day to cancel before points are restricted use, and I think it cancels your waitlist, but you can get another w/l until 7 days) and 7 days out (last day any waitlist is effective). All of those periods can mean additional rooms if someone else cancels/changes or moves.

 

[pmcpmc]

We just found out that we passed ROFR for a resale purchase of 250 points at SSR, and we hope to close in the next week to two weeks. We have 2 banked points, 250 points from 2010, and 250 points coming 6/1/11.

We have some questions about how long it will take to get into the Disney system. We hope to plan a last-minute trip in to arrive January 16th. Can anyone give us advice on what to expect with getting into the system and making reservations within the 60 day period?

Our first preference is a two-bedroom at OKW, but we'd be fine with SSR too. We'd be willing to switch rooms if necessary, but would rather be in one place.

Thanks for your advice and tips.

Even with the size of ssr it can be difficult to get into at this time of year at short notice, for us dvc members being 2months.
DVC membership is about planning ahead.
Welcome home!!!!
My sons love to stay ssr because of its closeness to downtown disney.

 

[DVC Dude]

You may have a problem with gettin a 2 bedroom unit around those dates as that is MLK weekend and I believe all the 2 bedrooms are sold out that week.

DVC works best if you can plan 6-11 months in advance.

 

[hollis]

I agree with hakepb. Don't be discouraged. Obviously it would be great to be in the same room for the whole trip. But as you indicated, you are willing to switch rooms. So with the wait list and daily checking strategies indicated, there is a good chance you will get a 2-bdrm for most (if not all) of the nights you want. I do this all the time. So far have been pretty fortunate with most wait lists at WDW. The exception is the wait lists for GCV with short notice. Inventory in California is just a lot less.

 

[sanibel93]

I closed on 11/4. Was in the computer system on 11/10, points were in my account 11/13. Passed ROFR 10/26. Hope this helps in your planning.

 

[deerislemaine]

I closed on 11/4. Was in the computer system on 11/10, points were in my account 11/13. Passed ROFR 10/26. Hope this helps in your planning.

Thanks. That's extremely helpful. We passed ROFR on Friday, Nov. 12th. We'll see how fast we can close. It appears that both sellers and buyers would like things to move quickly, but we're trying to be patient and not worry.

 

[deerislemaine]

In regards to short notice reservations, do not get discouraged if your first call is not successful. It may talk many calls, checking, perhaps daily, for one or more additional days, and using the waitlist. Keep your banking window, 31 days out (last day to cancel before points are restricted use, and I think it cancels your waitlist, but you can get another w/l until 7 days) and 7 days out (last day any waitlist is effective). All of those periods can mean additional rooms if someone else cancels/changes or moves.

Thanks for the advice. We didn't know about the 31 days out window, but that makes sense that things might open up at that time. It's also nice to know about the 7 day window. We're pretty flexible people, so we'll hope for the best. We're try to plan more on future trips, but we're also excited about getting out of the cold in Maine in January this year.

I do have one other question-- is it better to call or use the online system to check availability?

Thank again for the encourage (and to everyone else as well).

 

[JimMIA]

CALL. "Online" is nothing more than an email...which will be answered in due time.................

 

[CarolMN]

CALL. "Online" is nothing more than an email...which will be answered in due time.................

And if by online you mean disneyworld.com, know that the rooms available for cash are in an entirely separate inventory than the rooms available for points. You can't tell a thing about points rooms from looking at the inventory of cash rooms.

When you call MS for a reservation, be sure to ask if there is availability anywhere (not just SSR or OKW) - you might be surprised to find a 2 bedroom at one of the smaller resorts. Availability changes often and there are often surprises in unexpected places. If what you can get isn't what you want, don't be afraid to use the waitlist. You never know.

Also, be prepared to change resorts. That is often necessary for short notice reservations. (Wont' be a problem after you are in the system and can book farther ahead).

Congratulations on your purchase - hope you get in the system quickly and find something acceptable. Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

We just found out that we passed ROFR for a resale purchase of 250 points at SSR, and we hope to close in the next week to two weeks. We have 2 banked points, 250 points from 2010, and 250 points coming 6/1/11.

You will have until 1/31/11 to bank any remaining 2010 points.

 

[MickeyT]

And be sure to call MS (frequently) and ask "Is anything available?". We just went through the same with a closing at the end of Sept. Booked 2br for Jan 7 but when I called they kept saying nothing available. Put me on waitlist. But while I was talking with MS one day she says 'Wow. I have an opening'. So hang in there and, I get to say it, "WELCOME HOME"!

 

[deerislemaine]

Even with the size of ssr it can be difficult to get into at this time of year at short notice, for us dvc members being 2months.
DVC membership is about planning ahead.
Welcome home!!!!
My sons love to stay ssr because of its closeness to downtown disney.

Thanks to all for their advice and help. I'm pleased to report that less than a month after my posting, we have closed, gotten into the DVC system, got our points, and made reservations for January. There was plenty of room at SSR throughout January, but we wanted to stay at OWK for part of the time. We thus have to move around some, but we were able to get the date we wanted in January on short notice.

Next year we'll plan ahead for late December/ early January 2012 (and be able our annual passes for a second extended stay.

Again, thanks to everyone for their encouragement and advice. We're glad to be part of the club.

 

[MickeyT]

Woo Hoo! Congratulations.......Feels good don't it!