Newbie trying to figure it all out - VGC??

[HIRyeDVC]

It's crazy, i was looking into SAP & SSR & OKW are more than what i paid for BRV. lol

It’s always handy to have some SAP. Mine are Aulani subsidized and BLT!

 

[disney-inspired]

BRV points are cheap! Go buy some! Trust me. You don’t want to be using your VGC points at BRV. We may not be able to be friends

They are cheaper but their dues are higher.

 

[ClaraOswald]

BRV points are cheap! Go buy some! Trust me. You don’t want to be using your VGC points at BRV. We may not be able to be friends

If my son really enjoys WDW when we finally visit, we might consider buying a small contract to use every couple years. Not sure how the timing would work to bank/borrow. I don't think I'd buy before that though. He's autistic and we do worry that when we go to WDW, he'll be confused/upset by a lot of his favorite Disneyland rides not being there. So there's still a chance of us going once and that being it for a long time.

We will likely use our VGC points for our 2025 WDW trip simply because we'll have a lot of extra points that year. Not sure which resort we'll end up at since it depends on availability.

No park next-door.


I think you can get a studio at 7 months, but just not in the fall/xmas time. I bet you can in the winter )Jan/Feb)


It's crazy, i was looking into SAP @ SSR & OKW are more than what i paid for BRV. lol

I hope you're right about getting a studio at 7 months. Our top choices would be BRV and BC. I can't decide which of those I'd try first though.

 

[nalabear]

If my son really enjoys WDW when we finally visit, we might consider buying a small contract to use every couple years. Not sure how the timing would work to bank/borrow. I don't think I'd buy before that though. He's autistic and we do worry that when we go to WDW, he'll be confused/upset by a lot of his favorite Disneyland rides not being there. So there's still a chance of us going once and that being it for a long time.

We will likely use our VGC points for our 2025 WDW trip simply because we'll have a lot of extra points that year. Not sure which resort we'll end up at since it depends on availability.


I hope you're right about getting a studio at 7 months. Our top choices would be BRV and BC. I can't decide which of those I'd try first though.

You'll come ahead if you rent out the VGC and rent points for any of the desired places. Also, if your son doesn't mind change, split stays at closer resorts maybe a thought and Disney moves your bags for you with on-site stays.

eg: Monorail stay like VGF for MK; BC for Epcot/HS; AKV for AK -- really lowers the packed transportation and gives walking options (though more like DH than VGC level walks).

Our son also on the spectrum actually enjoys experiencing differences between the rides where we make it an observational talking point to discuss before and after the rides -- especially since Big Thunder is his fav; we've done that for several parks now.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Will you only come out ahead if you rent the points out yourself? Because I would only want to do it through a website and it looks like you can't get more than $18pp doing it that way.

No, our son would think it's time to go home if we switched hotels so that isn't an option for us.

 

[Chili327]

I hope you're right about getting a studio at 7 months. Our top choices would be BRV and BC. I can't decide which of those I'd try first though.

We’ll see in a couple months, just start checking 7 month availability for Jan/Feb. i just bought BRV, so i will be keeping an eye on that as well, to know whether ill need another specific home resort (BWV/BCV/Poly), or if any points will work (SSR/OKW), in order to do some split stays.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Once I get a DVC account set up, is it easy to just check availability at all the resorts anytime I want?

 

[Matty B13]

Once I get a DVC account set up, is it easy to just check availability at all the resorts anytime I want?

Yes, you can check all the resorts availability. But you will only be able to book within the timeline of your contracts.

 

[nalabear]

Will you only come out ahead if you rent the points out yourself? Because I would only want to do it through a website and it looks like you can't get more than $18pp doing it that way.

No, our son would think it's time to go home if we switched hotels so that isn't an option for us.

Yeah, setting up situation of change is hard. DS did not get it until his tweens on agenda planning and ability to split stays or different hotels within a same trip. I do wonder how he processed cruising and showing up at different places each day during our early years where we cruised A LOT.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

You'll come ahead if you rent out the VGC and rent points for any of the desired places. Also, if your son doesn't mind change, split stays at closer resorts maybe a thought and Disney moves your bags for you with on-site stays.

eg: Monorail stay like VGF for MK; BC for Epcot/HS; AKV for AK -- really lowers the packed transportation and gives walking options (though more like DH than VGC level walks).

Our son also on the spectrum actually enjoys experiencing differences between the rides where we make it an observational talking point to discuss before and after the rides -- especially since Big Thunder is his fav; we've done that for several parks now.

Addonitis is INEVITABLE. Clara will buy more SAP points.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yes, you can check all the resorts availability. But you will only be able to book within the timeline of your contracts.

That's good. It will be fun to just look. This summer I can see what January 2024 looks like to give me a general idea for January 2025 and maybe keep my expectations in check.

Yeah, setting up situation of change is hard. DS did not get it until his tweens on agenda planning and ability to split stays or different hotels within a same trip. I do wonder how he processed cruising and showing up at different places each day during our early years where we cruised A LOT.

Our son gets really stuck on routines and he may have OCD. The problem with all vacations is that every morning, he thinks it's time to go home and back to his normal routine. He still ends up having fun every day but we definitely struggle a lot. I hope that if we just keep taking trips he'll eventually get more used to it.

As for SAP.....only time will tell! Ha!

 

[nalabear]

Addonitis is very real. We also started with VGC; then added 500+ points to AUL over 4 more contracts -- VDH on deck now to get blue card bennies.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Addonitis is very real. We also started with VGC; then added 500+ points to AUL over 4 more contracts -- VDH on deck now to get blue card bennies.

You are most certainly not alone. It’s a sick but exciting habit

 

[Chili327]

You are most certainly not alone. It’s a sick but exciting habit

And there are worse habits to have.

 

[AZMermaid]

While those VGC points are worth more, to me for a one off trip where you have flexibility on where you stay, I’d just use your own points. It’s easier. I’ve done the rent mine out to rent someone else’s twice for resort specific WDW vacations (BWV both times actually and we didn’t like it either time, lol, but location!).

I used Davids and did it on my own. Both times I rented from people on disboards though. When I used David’s, it was basically even- just getting the 11 month window. When I did it myself, I did get an extra $3-4 a point, so I guess it comes down to is it worth $300-400 for you. I was pretty flexible and switched resorts and dates and then waitlisted for my renter. It wasn’t super quick and easy. But I dont mind the hunt! Davids was super easy. I used him prepandemic. I wouldn’t use him now…. He was pretty shady during that time. Now one could say noone could have expected a full resort shut down, so I might give him some grace… but I’d read his (or anyone’s) contract REAL carefully. I believe it now says something like youd give all the money back regardless of point status but the renter still only gets a future voucher, not a refund. Now hopefully there’s never another closure… but it makes me want to just rent myself.

You’d have much more control over things if you just use your points. Rentals are generally non refundable and non transferable, especially with an agency.

 

[ClaraOswald]

While those VGC points are worth more, to me for a one off trip where you have flexibility on where you stay, I’d just use your own points. It’s easier. I’ve done the rent mine out to rent someone else’s twice for resort specific WDW vacations (BWV both times actually and we didn’t like it either time, lol, but location!).

I used Davids and did it on my own. Both times I rented from people on disboards though. When I used David’s, it was basically even- just getting the 11 month window. When I did it myself, I did get an extra $3-4 a point, so I guess it comes down to is it worth $300-400 for you. I was pretty flexible and switched resorts and dates and then waitlisted for my renter. It wasn’t super quick and easy. But I dont mind the hunt! Davids was super easy. I used him prepandemic. I wouldn’t use him now…. He was pretty shady during that time. Now one could say noone could have expected a full resort shut down, so I might give him some grace… but I’d read his (or anyone’s) contract REAL carefully. I believe it now says something like youd give all the money back regardless of point status but the renter still only gets a future voucher, not a refund. Now hopefully there’s never another closure… but it makes me want to just rent myself.

You’d have much more control over things if you just use your points. Rentals are generally non refundable and non transferable, especially with an agency.

I'm curious about why you didn't like BWV.

Yeah, I've heard some not so great things about David's recently. There's another site I'm looking at but I can't remember what it's called off hand. Might be affiliated with the sponsored site here.

 

[AZMermaid]

We were on the end both times and the hallways are looooong with just one elevator bank. We had this huge corner one bedroom but it was very dark in there. The quick service options are all on the boardwalk and felt “off site.” I acknowledge that it might actually not be further than other places. We like quiet vs the hustle bustle of the boardwalk even though the room was quiet. We don’t love the carnival vibe.

I’d stay there again if location was critical. One of our stays was NYE 2021/22 and being able to walk back from World Showcase that night was worth way more than a long hallway!

Others love it so Id say try it yourself if it’s on your list! We did like the community hall a lot.

 

[ClaraOswald]

The seller returned their closing docs so we are wiring the money over today and I'm kind of freaking out about it! For one, I hope we do it right! And two...it's a lot of money that feels like it just goes *poof* since we won't be using points anytime soon.

 

[E2ME2]

The seller returned their closing docs so we are wiring the money over today and I'm kind of freaking out about it! For one, I hope we do it right! And two...it's a lot of money that feels like it just goes *poof* since we won't be using points anytime soon.

Yuup - "POOF", and your $$$ is gone in a puff of smoke.
That's a natural buyer's remorse, and I experience it on any purchase greater than $500 !!
But hey; "It's Only Money" & "You Can't Take it With You" - - YOLO

 

[ClaraOswald]

Ha! True. I am like this with all big purchases.

I just realized I have a wiring limit when I tried to do it on the bank website so I guess I need to go down there later. Boooo!