New member questions-can anybody help?

[StacyPop]

I am getting ready to close on my purchase of a resale HH membership. Apparantly, I did not do my homework. I am confused about the booking window. Am I to understand that I am going to have a difficult time getting into one of the WDW resorts if my home resort is HH? I will most likely never go to HH, but I go to WDW about 5 times a year. I chose HH for the low maintenance fees as well as some other perks that came with my package. Can someone help me out here?

Also, on the banked points. How long are they banked for? Do they expire after a certain time if I don't use them?

Yikes! I hope I am just nervous about the whole purchase!

Help!

 

[Granny]

First of all, welcome to the DIS boards. You've definitely come to the right place to get your DVC questions answered.

I am confused about the booking window. Am I to understand that I am going to have a difficult time getting into one of the WDW resorts if my home resort is HH?

I wouldn't say you will have a difficult time as long as you are flexible as to which WDW DVC resort you stay at. Also helps if you are somewhat flexible with the dates.

Home resorts get to make reservations at the 11 month window prior to a reservation check out date. Everyone else gets to make reservations at non-home resorts (in your case, any WDW resort) at the 7 month window. So yes, at certain times of the year it can be a challenge to get a reservation.

What you will often hear on this board is to "buy where you want to stay the most". If you want to stay at WDW primarily, most would advise you to purchase a WDW resort. If cost is your main concern, you might want to look at OKW resales...they also have the lowest annual dues....and you would have an on-site location that you could reserve at the 11 month window, and switch to another location if you wanted to at the 7 month window.

If you're going 5 times a year, I'd definitely purchase an on-site DVC resort at WDW. Just my opinion.

Also, on the banked points. How long are they banked for? Do they expire after a certain time if I don't use them?

Points are given to members on the first day of the month that they have for a use year. So a February use year gets their points for the year each February 1.

Once points are banked from use year 1 to use year 2, they must be used by the end of use year 2 or they expire and cannot be used ever.

BTW, the same rule applies to borrowed points. If you borrow from use year 3 to use year 2, you have to use any borrowed points by the end of use year 2 or they expire.


I don't know what perks came with your package, but if you don't think you'll be going to HH much, I don't think it's a good fit for you.

Good luck in your decision. And ask more questions!!

 

[StacyPop]

thanks for the help-unfortunately too late to change my purchase. However, I am VERY flexible as to where I want to stay, I will pretty much take whatever is available. I usually know far in advance when I am going so I should have no problem booking right at the 7 month window. When I call for a reservation will they tell me what my choices are for availability?

Also, the banked points. If my use year is 3/1, and I have points that were banked from 2003, does that mean I need to use them by 3/1/05? Just want to make sure. I have a wedding coming up in November that we are going to at WDW, so I will definitely use them all up with no problems, just want to know how fancy to get on this trip

 

[Synonymous]

Stacy, I wouldn't worry. We have stayed at our main home resort only once out of all of our trips, and we don't really intend to go back there. HH is no worse than any of the WDW resorts for that purpose. You've said you can be flexible and plan ahead, so you won't have any problem.

Member Services will tell you what is available, and they will also offer you a wait list if your first choice isn't open. You can make a reservation at whatever is available, then get on the wait list for your first choice. Most people have great success with the wait list.

If you call at 7 months, you should pretty much always be able to get into at least one of the WDW resorts. The only exceptions might be very busy times of the year, like christmas, and even then the wait list has a good chance of opening up for you.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Yes, if you are flexible about where you want to stay, book at 7 months and utilize the waitlist you should be fairly successful except in the busiest of times.

Since you have already purchased, I would consider any future add-ons be for onsite properties.

What I've found out recently, is that while waitlisted, you are in limbo. I had to piece together a ressie for MH so that I could make my travel arrangements and then wait anxiously to see if my complete ressie at 1 resort would come through. Otherwise I would have to move in the middle of my trip. I was inside of the 7 month window and going at a busy time, so this may not apply to your style.

 

[StacyPop]

thanks everyone for the re-assurance. I was beginning to think I may regret my decision. Since I only live 3 hours away, and mostly go during the slow times I think I will be ok. I am really looking forward to using my new membership now!

Is there a big difference between the villas that are for DVC members and the other rooms? For instance, BCV compared to the regular room at BC? Is the point difference the biggest difference? Or are there other big differences between the "villas" and the regular "resort".

Boy, I feel really un-informed after reading these boards!

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[cmrules]

Yes, there is a HUGE difference between a villa and a "regular" room. One bedroom villas have a full kitchen and washer dryer! Studios have a fridge and micro. Your gonna love it.

 

[Frozenfingers]

Also, the banked points. If my use year is 3/1, and I have points that were banked from 2003, does that mean I need to use them by 3/1/05? Just want to make sure. I have a wedding coming up in November that we are going to at WDW, so I will definitely use them all up with no problems, just want to know how fancy to get on this trip

You have till the end of UY04 to use the banked points. In other words, if you haven't used them by Feb 28, 2005.. they are gone forever..

Good luck with your purchase, I wouldn't do it myself because I hate the loss of control and the uncertainty the waitlist forces on me.. but then, we need to get airline tickets, car rentals, etc.. To us, the 11 month window is all important, and haven't even considered staying at another resort yet (just love the BCV). Aside from needing to make other reservations, the 11 month window allows us to lock in the type of rooms we need. So far we have needed them all, depending upon who is coming and how many..(haven't booked a GV yet) I wish you luck for ressies during the food/wine festival..

and yes, there is a big difference between the regular "deluxe" rooms and the villas.. I think you will find that if you stayed at Y&B club regular rooms, then stay in a studio.. you will not want to go back to a regular hotel room (smaller, no kitchenette, etc). The same has been said for a studio vs the one bedroom.. DW did agree to a studio next trip ONLY because of a point shortage.

 

[StacyPop]

No Food & Wine festival this year for me on account of a big trip for a friend's wedding in early November According to your reviews, since I usually stay at the All-Star resorts, I guess I will really be happy!

And yes, no plane reservations for me-thankfully, since it is just usually me and my kids (4 years and 9 months), my husband works weekends (we bring him souveniers ).

 

[Synonymous]

Originally posted by Frozenfingers
I wish you luck for ressies during the food/wine festival..

We've gotten rooms at far less then 7 months for F&W Festival. Last year we booked Jersey Week, which is the first week of November, during F&W, at about 2 months out. We wait-listed for part of it, but it came through.

 

[Dean]

If you want certain times of the year and/or certain resorts you may still regret your decision to buy off site. Still, you should be able to get something most years at 7 months out. Xmas, Easter and early Dec are likely to be the most difficult times for you.

 

[StacyPop]

That is good to know, I generally try to go at the slower times of year, and as far as where to stay, I will take whatever is available for the most part.

I am still looking forward to membership, despite all the things I have read.

 

[Granny]

I think with your flexibility on where to stay, and since you live close enough to be flexible with your travel plans, you will be okay with your DVC purchase. Please don't take any of our comments to make you feel like we think you "made a mistake".

We just tend to point out any pitfalls to perspective buyers to make sure that they understand some of the nuances of DVC.

And HH is a great resort...you might not have it in your plans now, but who knows what 38 years will bring? Getting a reservation at HH is difficult in the summer if you don't own there.

Let us know when your purchase is final so we can welcome you home properly!

 

[StacyPop]

Thanks for the re-assurance. I WAS beginning to wonder if I was going to regret my purchase. I think you are right. My vacation style is more flexible, and my trips are much shorter unfortunately.

It seems like most of the members I see posting use their points only at the "DVC Villas", and not at the other WDW hotels (Contemporary, etc.). Is there something else I am missing? Are the points so much higher that it is not worth it, or are the Villas just that much nicer?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by StacyPop
It seems like most of the members I see posting use their points only at the "DVC Villas", and not at the other WDW hotels (Contemporary, etc.). Is there something else I am missing? Are the points so much higher that it is not worth it, or are the Villas just that much nicer?

The answer to that is BOTH! The villas are much nicer than a hotel room. You get in-room laundry facilities and a full kitchen as well as your own Jacuzzi. Remember that staying at the other WDW resorts are exchanges, so that is why they cost more points than staying within the timeshare group. The point values of the WDW resorts is re-negotiated annually, so they could go up or down depending one what each individual resort negotiates.

 

[StacyPop]

Thanks-that is good to know. I can't wait to try it out. Tonight we are staying at the All-Star Music for a quick weekend trip. I guess I will feel spoiled when I finally get to use my points!!

It sounds great!!

 

[Synonymous]

I've used points to stay at AKL, but I doubt I'll do it again. It was nice to stay there, but paying more points for a tiny little hotel room just rubs me the wrong way.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hi StacyPop -- Welcome to the "DIS".

Don't have any second thoughts about signing on the dotted line. If you travel off-season you shouldn't have any difficulty getting ressies at a DVC resort. As mentioned earlier, you might need to be flexible but all the resorts are fabulous.

If you do decide to travel at Christmas or during another busy time, another option you have is going to the Rent/Trade Board and posting a thread to see if anyone that owns on-site @ WDW might want to trade. They would make a ressie for you at their home resort w/the 11mo. window and you would do the same for them @ HHI. See -- problem solved!!!

Also, as soon as you close escrow you should be in the DVC system in about 5 working days so don't be shy about calling for ressies in November (or whenever your next trip is).

ENJOY!!!

 

[StacyPop]

Thanks!! That is very encouraging.