New to DVC and have a couple of ?'s

[DISFANINNC]

Hello I am new to this so sorry for the probably dumb and already asked a thousand times question. We are getting ready to buy in and were given a Feb UY we normally vacation in October. From what I have read it sounds like I will be okay with that UY but wanted to ask before I signed. Is that an okay UY? what if any would be a negative to that UY. Also here is an off the wall question our guide was telling us that Disney finances and that it is a transparent loan. Basically it doesnt show on your credit. Is that true? Getting excited about finally buying in after many years of staying there. It is crazy when I think about it if I had only bought when I first started going to disney....

thanks

 

[browniemtb]

First off welcome to the DIS and there are no dumb questions...ask away. Your UY question is a valid one and many have different points of view on this. For us UY didn't really matter much for others it does. This being said, the general feeling about UY is that you should have one just prior to you usual vacation time frame. This gives you the ability to cancel, with in the DVC rules, and still be able to bank. You do not want a UY that would put your travel and banking deadline in the same time frame.

The second question is yes...the loan is transparent on you credit history. I would assume Disney does this because if there is any defualt what so ever they can just take your points back and cancel your membership number so reservations can no longer be made. Disney has complete control...

 

[dianeschlicht]

While it's true that a use year just prior to your usual vacationing time is preferable in case you have to cancel, I will tell you that in nearly 12 years of DVC membership, we have never once had to lose points because of this, and we have a use year that most would consider to be exactly wrong for the times we prefer to travel.

Just remember also that your travel habits are likely to change over the next 50 years anyway, so what is convenient now might not be a few years from now.

 

[mikesmom]

Another point of view on how it COULD be a problem. We have a February use year. We always travel in October. Banking is end of September. Anyway, we have had it happen that we had to cancel the October trip. A couple of times DH had health issues, another time our friends who were coming along cancelled within the 30 day mark (don't get me started on that one!).

So there we were with points in October. Have to use 'em before February. November - full up between the end of Food & Wine and the start of the Holidays. December - not a chance. January - 1st week still full because kids are not back to school, then the Marathon.....

See where I'm going with this? There is a possibility of rescheduling in January, but it's a real pain finding open dates. If I had to do it over I would have grabbed a May or June use year so I would have more chance of re-scheduling or banking if the October trip got cancelled.

 

[disneynutz]

This debate will exist for as long as there is a DVC. Many people post that UY doesn't matter and that they have never had a problem.

My take on this is, just because you have never had a problem, doesn't mean that someone else won't.

The better answer would be, take advantage of being able to choose the best UY based upon your vacation patterns. You may never need it, but in case you do, you will have the best UY advantage.

 

[kdzgon]

And then again, Disney can always change the rules... We have an April use year. The new banking rules mean I must commit by the end of November, rather than the more graduated schedule that previously applied. It has meant some adjustments and required better planning on my end this year, but I'm sure for others it "saved" them if they forgot to bank at the original timeline.

One issue I have not seen mentioned is if you choose a Sept year, your points start in Sept. Unless you are receiving current yr points as well, you will not be able to book a stay that begins before Sept 1, 2009.

I'd suggest if you have a choice, then choose based on your best guess as to your current needs. I would not stress too much though if for whatever reason you do not end up with what would be your "optimal" year.

 

[DISFANINNC]

thanks for all of the great advise. I think I could read forever on here. I still am not sure if I am going to change my UY yet. Looks like we still have some figuring to do.

thanks

 

[chalee94]

here is a very detailed explanation of UY if you'd find that helpful...