Newbie questions

[photobob]

I've just joined SSR and have been reading a alot of posts to try to get a feel for how things actually work with DVC. I understand the basics but will have to do a bit more studying about fine print details.
Sorry if some of these questions may be basic repetitive things that have explained many times before.

-Banking points, I will bank my points for this use year meaning starting in February 2007 I will have 360 points avialable since I bought 180. I will have to use 180 points during that use year because you can only bank I full use year of points at a time. Is that correct? If that is so that means the most points I could ever use at one time would be 540. One year banked+current use year points+borrowing from the next use year. Is that correct?

If you decide to take a trip and the time frame is just say 3-4 months out and call member services and say I'll take any DVC property at WDW for a one bedroom, how likely or unlikely is getting a room going to be? I know different times of the year are harder to get than others, but just in general.

Sounds like I'm going to have to plan a little sooner than usual. Do y'all mark your calender for 11 months out and 7 months out to keep track?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[RobDoc]

...
-Banking points, I will bank my points for this use year meaning starting in February 2007 I will have 360 points avialable since I bought 180. I will have to use 180 points during that use year because you can only bank I full use year of points at a time. Is that correct? If that is so that means the most points I could ever use at one time would be 540. One year banked+current use year points+borrowing from the next use year. Is that correct?

...

Yes, you are correct on both questions. Points may be banked into the following Use Year, but must be used during that Use Year or they will expire.

With banking and borrowing, you could have 540 points available to use in one year if you have 180 points in your contract. There are situations where more points could come into play, but those are pretty specific situations and are not practical for your questions at this time. (If a reservation straddles your Use Year, points from a 4th Use Year could be used and if a point transfer were made into your account from another member, even more points could be available at one time.)

If you have little concern for which resort or room type, you will usually have success within 3-4 months. Flexibility is a key component of using DVC. In addition, using points at non-DVC resorts at WDW could also be an option if nothing is available at a DVC resort - even though the points used would likley be greater than similar accommodations at the DVC resorts.

Enjoy ... and WELCOME HOME!!

 

[RealMickey]

Sounds like I'm going to have to plan a little sooner than usual. Do y'all mark your calender for 11 months out and 7 months out to keep track?

photobob, as a matter of fact, I do mark my special vacation calander at 7 and 11 months ahead of possible dvc trip dates. Don't dispair I have also been known to call 5 or even 2 months before a trip, and have been lucky enough to get everything I have wanted so far! As Webmasterdoc says flexibility is the key! That and avoiding peak dvc times and resorts, unless calling way ahead.