Newbie Question

[traceyg]

We are seriously considering taking the plunge into DVC. We are taking a trip to WDW Dec 29-Jan 5.

My question is...we will have 8 in our party during this trip so we will either need 2 studios or a two bedroom. Let's say we buy 120 points, which is enough for one studio at AKL (assuming I can get availability). Can I borrow my 2013 points at this time to reserve the other studio? Does Disney exclude you from borrowing your next year's points the first year you buy? I can't remember what the DVC guy told us during the tour and I can't find my answer on here so far.

Also, how far out were your points placed in your account and what month did you start and what month did you end up with? I don't want to purchase today and not be able to use it. We're willing to get started asap.

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

 

[DebbieB]

We are seriously considering taking the plunge into DVC. We are taking a trip to WDW Dec 29-Jan 5.

My question is...we will have 8 in our party during this trip so we will either need 2 studios or a two bedroom. Let's say we buy 120 points, which is enough for one studio at AKL (assuming I can get availability). Can I borrow my 2013 points at this time to reserve the other studio? Does Disney exclude you from borrowing your next year's points the first year you buy? I can't remember what the DVC guy told us during the tour and I can't find my answer on here so far.

Also, how far out were your points placed in your account and what month did you start and what month did you end up with? I don't want to purchase today and not be able to use it. We're willing to get started asap.

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

There are no restrictions in the first year. You can borrow 2013 as long as your dates of stay are in your 2012 use year. You may have issues with availability over New Years. If you buy direct, I would make it a condition of the sale that the guide get you reservations, they can sometimes pull rooms out of developer inventory.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are seriously considering taking the plunge into DVC. We are taking a trip to WDW Dec 29-Jan 5.

My question is...we will have 8 in our party during this trip so we will either need 2 studios or a two bedroom. Let's say we buy 120 points, which is enough for one studio at AKL (assuming I can get availability). Can I borrow my 2013 points at this time to reserve the other studio? Does Disney exclude you from borrowing your next year's points the first year you buy? I can't remember what the DVC guy told us during the tour and I can't find my answer on here so far.

Also, how far out were your points placed in your account and what month did you start and what month did you end up with? I don't want to purchase today and not be able to use it. We're willing to get started asap.

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

Unfortunately, you are too late for Dec 2012. If you are talking about Dec 2013, it's possible. Most members booked those days in January.

 

[coup2516]

There are no restrictions during your first year regarding borrowing points. I copied a section from the DVC member site regarding borrowing points:

What do I need to know about borrowing Vacation Points?
•You may borrow Vacation Points only when confirming a reservation and can only borrow the number of Vacation Points needed to make that reservation.
•If you have not completed travel on borrowed Vacation Points by the end of the Use Year they've been borrowed into, they will expire.
•You cannot return borrowed Vacation Points to their original Use Year.
•You cannot bank or transfer borrowed Vacation Points.
•You may apply borrowed Vacation Points to all Member Getaways reservations.
•All borrowing transactions are final.
•In order to borrow Vacation Points, you must be current on your Annual Dues and monthly loan payments (if applicable), and cannot have any other overdue balances related to your Membership.
•Borrowing may be suspended or limited from time to time in order to maintain a proper balance of Vacation Points in the Central Reservation System.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sandisw]

We are seriously considering taking the plunge into DVC. We are taking a trip to WDW Dec 29-Jan 5.

My question is...we will have 8 in our party during this trip so we will either need 2 studios or a two bedroom. Let's say we buy 120 points, which is enough for one studio at AKL (assuming I can get availability). Can I borrow my 2013 points at this time to reserve the other studio? Does Disney exclude you from borrowing your next year's points the first year you buy? I can't remember what the DVC guy told us during the tour and I can't find my answer on here so far.

Also, how far out were your points placed in your account and what month did you start and what month did you end up with? I don't want to purchase today and not be able to use it. We're willing to get started asap.

Thanks for your help!
Tracey

Not sure of when you typically travel, but if you were to buy from Disney today with a Dec UY--a good UY for Dec through Aug travel--you would actually have 2011 UY points (that you would ask to be banked) and then still have all your 2012 UY points--borrowing might not be necessary since that trip would take place in a Dec 2012 UY. Of course, if you needed more than the 240, then you would be able to borrow from the 2013 UY as well.

It would be the same if you bought today with a September, or Oct UY as well because we are still in the 2011 UY for those too.

As mentioned, availability is slim, but Disney guides have a way to access inventory for new buyers and I have a feeling, especially since AKV is not sold out yet, that you could possible get that 2 bedroom or the studios.

Good luck!

 

[Jkpark]

but if you were to buy from Disney today with a Dec UY--a good UY for Dec through Aug travel

Why are different use years better for different travel times of year? I think you have to make banking decisions based on your use year, and you are limited in booking and traveling towards the end of the use year, but if you are a planner - does it have a real impact? Asking because I thought it wouldn't matter - but I see some people buy a second resort based on use year - so I'm wondering what I'm not thinking about.

Thanks.

 

[Sandisw]

Why are different use years better for different travel times of year? I think you have to make banking decisions based on your use year, and you are limited in booking and traveling towards the end of the use year, but if you are a planner - does it have a real impact? Asking because I thought it wouldn't matter - but I see some people buy a second resort based on use year - so I'm wondering what I'm not thinking about.

Thanks.

When you have a UY that starts just before your typical travel time, it allows the most flexibility if you have to cancel or change a trip. This way, you can still bank points or have a lot of time to reschedule your trip. In terms of travel, there are no restrictions when staying at a DVC resort. Those restrictions for end of UY have to do with trade out options.

For example, I have a June UY at BLT. I travel in August because I teach. If I have to cancel that trip, I have until January 31st to bank points. I would also have until May 31st to rebook that trip if there were banked and or.borrowed points, since those expire at the end of the UY. Now, say, I had an Octorber UY and have to cancel an August trip, First, I'd beyond my banking window so all points would expire September 30th. The would really only give me one month to rebook.

No one UY will be good for all travel so if you travel all different times, it may not be as much as an issue. But, if you know going in when you will travel a lot, choosing a UY can at least help down the road if changes to a trip need to happen.

 

[chalee94]

...you are limited in booking and traveling towards the end of the use year...

no limitation here at all as far as DVC resorts are concerned. you can book the last night of your UY at 6pm if there is availability. (IF...)

but you cannot trade out of the DVC system after your banking window closes (called "the rule of four"). DVC needs time to turn your pts into cash to pay the hotel or cruise division for your trade, so you can't book and travel at the last minute...but again, that only applies to trading out of the DVC system.

 

[traceyg]

All this information is really making my head swim! lol Thanks for clarifying the banking/borrowing system. I know it was explained in the tour but there was so much information flowing that I know I didn't absorb half of it.

I'm a speech pathologist in a school district and we have kids in school so I'm afraid that we probably will always go during peak seasons...sigh. Once we set dates down we are usually pretty consistent with carrying through.

If you want to share any further knowledge I'm game for trying to get it all down.

Thanks again!