Odd newbie questions...

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm reading through some of the old threads trying to get more and more information but sometimes it's just leading to more questions. Here we go...

I keep hearing about how important it is to pick your home resort according to where you want to stay. Is this just because of the reservations open up earlier for your home resort? Is there any other reason? DH and I want to sample all the resorts, not just DVC resorts which leads me to my next question...

How difficult is it to take last minute trips or to be able to book what you want at the 7 month point? I know there are more an more people signing up every day which would lead me to believe that it may be difficult to get into some of the different DVC resorts we would like to try. Like others, my head is spinning!

The answers to these questions may also make me rethink my decision to just buy SSR direct through DVC. I'm just not quite sure of myself with the details of resale. I have seen a lot of stripped contracts with no points coming until 2005 that don't seem to be as good of a deal as buying direct. Back to my confusion

 

[spiceycat]

If you want a WDW resort for Dec 1-14 - buy where you want to stay.

this also includes - Thanksgiving, Easter (don't know for sure - just been told about this one)

If you want to experience an Epcot resort in the food and wine festavial - it is best to get that Epcot resort.

however if you can travel in Sept - just buy where you get the best deals.

also remember that SSR quits in 2054, the others quit in 2042.

 

[tamu91]

You seem to be on the right track so keep doing your research but here are my two cents.

You get a 11 month reservation window at your home resort vs. 7 months at the other DVC resorts. This helps if you want to travel during peak DVC times such as early December, Easter, Spring Break, F&W Festival, etc. As you mentioned, as more DVC members come on-board, it will only get more and more difficult to get into the smaller resorts so you buy where you want to stay the most in order to better your odds sort of speak.

From what I hear, reservation at 7 mos is not difficult but DVC will not work well if you are a procrastinator.

Buying direct from Disney vs. resale is a personnal decision IMO. There are pros and cons to both options. If ease of finance is a must and the extra 12 yrs. is important to you, buying direct from Disney might not be a bad option. You can also purchase other properties directly from Disney. Contact your CM and ask what they have on hand because several people on this board recently purchase BWVs from Disney so it can happen.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Luckymommyx2
I'm reading through some of the old threads trying to get more and more information but sometimes it's just leading to more questions. Here we go...

I keep hearing about how important it is to pick your home resort according to where you want to stay. Is this just because of the reservations open up earlier for your home resort? Is there any other reason? DH and I want to sample all the resorts, not just DVC resorts which leads me to my next question...

Yes, it's because of the home resort booking advantage. There really aren't any other reasons.

How difficult is it to take last minute trips or to be able to book what you want at the 7 month point? I know there are more an more people signing up every day which would lead me to believe that it may be difficult to get into some of the different DVC resorts we would like to try. Like others, my head is spinning!

It really depends on when you want to go. Spiceycat has given you some examples the more difficult times to book. (There are more, depending on the room category as well as the resort, time of the year and day of the week).

Many will agree with you that as membership continues to expand, there will be lots more competition at the 7 month window to get into the smaller resorts. FWIW, iIf you want to stay in a standard view or a guaranteed Boardwalk view at BWV, you will definitely need the 11 month window (or at least willing to "sweat it out" on the waitlist hoping to get lucky).

The answers to these questions may also make me rethink my decision to just buy SSR direct through DVC. I'm just not quite sure of myself with the details of resale. I have seen a lot of stripped contracts with no points coming until 2005 that don't seem to be as good of a deal as buying direct. Back to my confusion

If you really want a sold out resort, you'll need to call some brokers, tell them what you want and get on their lists. Most of the "better deals" (i.e., contracts that are not stripped) never make it to the websites. That's probably why you are mostly seeing the stripped contracts. Also, contracts for VWL, BCV and BWV do get snapped up quickly.

Best wishes -

 

[todsue99]

OK, here ia little different point of veiw for you.

Yes, it probably is important to buy where you want to stay, but I do not think it is as important as others think.

Let me just say we have most of our points at HH and added on some at the BCV, yet we have never even seen HH. We have stayed at BCV, and OKW(5 times) and are staying at VWL next trip. We have gone during the first week of december multiple times and have been during Xmas and New Years and even spring break. We have never had any trouble making a reservation. Now we always call right at 7 months. Most of the times we stay at OKW, so it is easier to get. We like staying at OKW the rooms are so much bigger. Now we have never tried to get a standard view at BW or anything like that which I am sure is impossible, but we have always been able to get what we want. Now maybe we have been lucky, but 7 trips so far with out any problems.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks a lot everyone! I really do appreciate all the different imput. I just got off the phone with my guide and started the ball rolling!! I'm so excited I can hardly sit still!!!



I'm not going to stress out much about the home resort. We are buying into SSR which we think looks great but like I said earlier, we still have some other resorts we want to try out. We always travel in the off season...September, end of February or very beginning of March, etc. One of these days I do want to try to go in the first week of December just so I can see the Christmas decorations.

My mind is racing but most of the "big" decisions are now behind me. Thanks again...everyone here is so great!!

:thewave:

 

[tjkraz]

Congrats. Welcome Home!