New Member package

[Jeanine3kids]

I just became a member and I was wondering what kind of package DVC was going to be mailing to me? Also does anyone know what the dates are for the christmas party? Also is the end of november into early dec a good time to visit?

 

[Lucky 11]

Welcome Home

The best part is not knowing what is in the package until you get it.

Enjoy your new membership,

John

 

[Doctor P]

I just became a member and I was wondering what kind of package DVC was going to be mailing to me? Also does anyone know what the dates are for the christmas party? Also is the end of november into early dec a good time to visit?

With respect to your latter question, that is a very popular time to visit. In fact, many of the resorts are apparently already sold out for that time this year and we haven't reached the 7 month mark yet.

 

[BroganMc]

I just became a member and I was wondering what kind of package DVC was going to be mailing to me?

The packet contains a cardboard folder box with literature on the resort (POS and other resort statements), a how to membership magazine explaining banking/borrowing and reservation windows, a DVC Planner to help you keep track of your points and use over the years, and the latest issue of the member magazine. I believe you also get the latest point charts for the resort. And of course the signature DVC member tote bag. You also get a copy of your contract to sign (they mail back the signed filed copies later). And if I'm not mistaken you get a DVC Club pin.

Also does anyone know what the dates are for the christmas party?

Intercot lists them as:

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Magic Kingdom
November 13,15,16,26,27,29,30
December 3,4,6,7,10,11,13,14,17,18, 20 & 21

Also is the end of november into early dec a good time to visit?

Dec 1-14 is good point-wise but tends to be a busy season for DVC members. The smaller resorts like VWL and BCV (and BWV) tend to book first. SSR and OKW will have better availability. AKV will be in limited availability then, most likely claimed by all the new AKV owners.

As soon as you can (I think once the down payment is processed), call Member Services and see about booking your home resort. I bought in May last year and called a few days into the 7 month booking window. They had rooms at VWL (don't expect that), BWV and SSR. (I never asked about OKW.) I chose my home resort of SSR. Stayed Dec 10-15. One bedrooms will be more plentiful than studios. (More points but same room occupancy)

I believe the first weekend in December tends to book faster because that's when they film the Christmas Day parade in Magic Kingdom. The place was packed last December.

Oh it was also far too chilly for us Marylanders. We like pool weather. December tends to be hit or miss. You can get a heat wave in the high 70's/low 80's or a cold snap in the 50's/60's.

 

[brightspark]

Welcome Home!!

Dh and I have just booked SSR for 24th Nov - 3rd Dec. We however are hoping to change to OKW at the 7 month window as it's better for us points wise! We heard that the week after thanksgiving is often the quietest of the Christmas period... everyone's gone home from Thanksgiving but it's still a bit early for Christmas. The Kids football thing (can't remember the name -sorry) that world wide world of sports hosts, is the first week in december, so that can be rather busy (apparantly).

We were just there in Jan, and although some days I wore hat gloves and scarf in the parks we came back to SSR in the evening and went for a swim or in the hot tubs... and it was great fun! So don't get put off by changeable temperatures. We were able to do so much more because it was cooler than I could cope with when we've been before (Spring Break, late August, and even late September).

If you really want to do those weeks, book at your home resort asap and then if you want to stay somewhere else change your booking at the 7 month window. We were told that downgrading (ie going to OKW where you need less points) is more likely to be available at the 7 month window than upgrading (somewhere like BCV or BWV where you need more points).

Hope that makes sense and is helpful.