Please Clarify for us new to DVC

[Loco4Disney]

1. What is "day by day" when referring to reservations?

2. What does CRV stand for?

3. Why is everyone mentioning 2006 points? It's 2007...I just bought in 5 hours ago for 200 points at SSR directly with DVC with a December use year(Woo Hoo!!) , but I guess I don't have a clue when I get my points, or for when they actually apply.

4. What does SAB stand for when reffering to resorts.

5. Who did I purchase from? A "Guide" or a "MS"....and what is "MS" anyway?

6. My "Guide..."MS", whatever she is, let's call her "Judy" since that's her name and is very nice, said that she was going to request a hold for a reservation I wanted to make. Is that a reservation? or something different? She called it a "hold". They were very busy with Animal Kingdom requests so I didn't ask at the time, plus there is so much to forget to ask.

7. My "Hold, or Reservation", I didn't get a chance to ask about non-smoking or view. Should I call back immediately, or wait until I hear from them?

8. No more questions...just want to thank everyone on the board for all of their advice and help. I'm really excited! Thanks!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

1. What is "day by day" when referring to reservations?

That means that you call for a reservation every day,adding a day on each day that you call until the reservation is complete. This is usually reserved for high demand times like New Year's Eve, etc.

2. What does CRV stand for?

This is the name of the "not yet announced but highly rumored" Contemporary Resort Villas.

3. Why is everyone mentioning 2006 points? It's 2007...I just bought in 5 hours ago for 200 points at SSR directly with DVC with a December use year(Woo Hoo!!) , but I guess I don't have a clue when I get my points, or for when they actually apply.

Depending on your use year, if you bought today, you may get 2006 use year points to use in your account right away. This means that if you have a sept use year, the points put in your account right away are 2006 use year points. This means that they would have been put in your account in Sept. 2006 if you had owned then, but Disney lets you have them right away and prorates the maintenance fees from the day you purchased. Your 2007 use year will begin this September. If you have a February use year, then the points in the account that you get upon buying are Feb. 2007 use year points. Hope this makes sense. A use year runs from the 1st day of the month you are given for 1 year. Like a Sept use year runs from Sept 1 to August 31.

4. What does SAB stand for when reffering to resorts.

Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club Villas is referred to as SAB.

5. Who did I purchase from? A "Guide" or a "MS"....and what is "MS" anyway?

You purchase from your guide or salesperson. MS stands for Member services when you make reservations and so forth. Two different entities.

6. My "Guide..."MS", whatever she is, let's call her "Judy" since that's her name and is very nice, said that she was going to request a hold for a reservation I wanted to make. Is that a reservation? or something different? She called it a "hold". They were very busy with Animal Kingdom requests so I didn't ask at the time, plus there is so much to forget to ask.

I am assuming that she is holding the room until the paperwork is done to get the points in your account so that the reservation can be made properly by MS.

7. My "Hold, or Reservation", I didn't get a chance to ask about non-smoking or view. Should I call back immediately, or wait until I hear from them?

In a few days, you can call MS and ask that this be added as a request to your reservation.

8. No more questions...just want to thank everyone on the board for all of their advice and help. I'm really excited! Thanks![/QUOTE]

Don't hesitate to ask questions. We all want to help.

 

[RobDoc]

1. What is "day by day" when referring to reservations?

For some villa types at some times of the year, it may help to make reservations daily to secure the room for the desired dates.

2. What does CRV stand for?

Contemporary Resort Villas. A wish list resort for some, but nothing announced by DVC at this time.

3. Why is everyone mentioning 2006 points? It's 2007...I just bought in 5 hours ago for 200 points at SSR directly with DVC with a December use year(Woo Hoo!!) , but I guess I don't have a clue when I get my points, or for when they actually apply.

Except for those with a February Use Year, all other members are still in their 2006 Use Year.

4. What does SAB stand for when reffering to resorts.

SAB is Stormalong Bay, the resort pool available to guests staying at YC, BC and BCV. It is not available to DVC members for pool hopping.

5. Who did I purchase from? A "Guide" or a "MS"....and what is "MS" anyway?

You purchased from a DVC guide (or by resale). MS is DVC Member Services, where you will call to make any reservations.

6. My "Guide..."MS", whatever she is, let's call her "Judy" since that's her name and is very nice, said that she was going to request a hold for a reservation I wanted to make. Is that a reservation? or something different? She called it a "hold". They were very busy with Animal Kingdom requests so I didn't ask at the time, plus there is so much to forget to ask.

It sounds as though Judy has tried to help you secure a reservation. If you have already paid your deposit, you can also call MS to make reservations yourself.

7. My "Hold, or Reservation", I didn't get a chance to ask about non-smoking or view. Should I call back immediately, or wait until I hear from them?

I would call MS (Judy can provide the contact phone number) to add any requests to your reservation.

8. No more questions...just want to thank everyone on the board for all of their advice and help. I'm really excited! Thanks!

Enjoy!

 

[Loco4Disney]

[/QUOTE]
That means that you call for a reservation every day,adding a day on each day that you call until the reservation is complete. This is usually reserved for high demand times like New Year's Eve, etc.[/QUOTE]

I see, but I guess I don't understand how that helps you better secure a reservation. Mine is for a high demand time....Dec 28th - Jan 1st. I may have to go through this process, but still don't understand it.

[/QUOTE]
Depending on your use year, if you bought today, you may get 2006 use year points to use in your account right away. This means that if you have a sept use year, the points put in your account right away are 2006 use year points. This means that they would have been put in your account in Sept. 2006 if you had owned then, but Disney lets you have them right away and prorates the maintenance fees from the day you purchased. Your 2007 use year will begin this September. If you have a February use year, then the points in the account that you get upon buying are Feb. 2007 use year points. Hope this makes sense. A use year runs from the 1st day of the month you are given for 1 year. Like a Sept use year runs from Sept 1 to August 31.[/QUOTE]

I guess I need things put into pictures for me, because I still have no idea about my points, but thanks for trying! I have a December Use Year and I made my deposit today. I was able to make a reservation for Dec 28th - Jan 1st, but really don't know when I'm getting my first batch of points, or when I'm getting more. Can you help me figure it out with that information, or do you need more? Thanks!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I see, but I guess I don't understand how that helps you better secure a reservation. Mine is for a high demand time....Dec 28th - Jan 1st. I may have to go through this process, but still don't understand it.
[/QUOTE]

Okay. I am going to give this a whirl, but I tend to be confusing in my explanations.

You want a reservation for 12/28-1/1. You are able to call for this at 11 months out. For the sake of the example, say I want a reservation from 12/24-12/31 for the same room type and resort.

Instead of calling day by day, I decide to wait until 1/31 to call and book the whole thing at once.

In the meantime, you have called on 1/28, 1/29. 1/30 and booked each day.

Now when I try to call on 1/31, you have already booked that room. KWIM?

Another way to look at it is this.....you want 12/28-1/1. So, you would have to call on 2/1 to book the whole thing at once.

If I want 12/24-12/31, I would have called on 1/31, and possibly booked the room you wanted. But if you had called each day (1/28, 1/29, etc) you could have gotten it for those days if you got through to MS first.

Day by day is not DEFINITELY necessary. But it is one way to make sure that the scenario above does not happen to you, especially for a peak time.

 

[RobDoc]

I see, but I guess I don't understand how that helps you better secure a reservation. Mine is for a high demand time....Dec 28th - Jan 1st. I may have to go through this process, but still don't understand it.

For a high demand time like New Years, you would call for the first day on January 29, the second day on January 30, the third day on January 31 and the last on February 1. Reservations may be made 11 months from the checkout day at your Home Resort. The checkout date for December 28 would be January 29.

For most of the year, day-by-day reservations are not necessary - but for high demand dates and high demand accommodations (GVs, BW view, BWV Standard View) day-by-day may be needed.

 

[Loco4Disney]

I see, but I guess I don't understand how that helps you better secure a reservation. Mine is for a high demand time....Dec 28th - Jan 1st. I may have to go through this process, but still don't understand it.

Okay. I am going to give this a whirl, but I tend to be confusing in my explanations.

You want a reservation for 12/28-1/1. You are able to call for this at 11 months out. For the sake of the example, say I want a reservation from 12/24-12/31 for the same room type and resort.

Instead of calling day by day, I decide to wait until 1/31 to call and book the whole thing at once.

In the meantime, you have called on 1/28, 1/29. 1/30 and booked each day.

Now when I try to call on 1/31, you have already booked that room. KWIM?

Another way to look at it is this.....you want 12/28-1/1. So, you would have to call on 2/1 to book the whole thing at once.

If I want 12/24-12/31, I would have called on 1/31, and possibly booked the room you wanted. But if you had called each day (1/28, 1/29, etc) you could have gotten it for those days if you got through to MS first.

Day by day is not DEFINITELY necessary. But it is one way to make sure that the scenario above does not happen to you, especially for a peak time. [/QUOTE]

O.k., I had to read it like 5 times (seriously) , but I think I finally understand it. I think what was tripping me up is, that it seems to work differently than a regular hotel reservation. I reservations is just looking at inventory each day you call, not a particular unit, so they are able to keep adding on days as long as their is availability. Anyway, thanks for the info, it's really nice of you to hang out on these boards and help complete strangers with the same questions over and over and over.....

Now, if someone could just explain whether I have points now, or no points until Dec '07, I'll be all set. Although, after thinking about it, it makes no sense that I would have to pay dues all year long, if i don't even have points until December, so I probably just answered my own question. I hope anyway, because that is the answer I'm hoping for. Oooh, my head hurts, but I'm so excited I don't care. I have NO buyer's regret like I thought I might!

 

[Loco4Disney]

For a high demand time like New Years, you would call for the first day on January 29, the second day on January 30, the third day on January 31 and the last on February 1. Reservations may be made 11 months from the checkout day at your Home Resort. The checkout date for December 28 would be January 29.

For most of the year, day-by-day reservations are not necessary - but for high demand dates and high demand accommodations (GVs, BW view, BWV Standard View) day-by-day may be needed.

Well, looks like I've already missed that opportunity to secure a reservation day by day, and mine is for a very high demand time 12/28 - 1/1 at SSR. Well, I'll just have to wait and see.

P.S. Whew! Looks like I've got some posting issues to work out, don't I webmaster_doc! I'll try to figure this out before I post again. I'm making a mess out of these posts and replies!!!

 

[RobDoc]

O.k., I had to read it like 5 times (seriously) , but I think I finally understand it. I think what was tripping me up is, that it seems to work differently than a regular hotel reservation. I reservations is just looking at inventory each day you call, not a particular unit, so they are able to keep adding on days as long as their is availability. Anyway, thanks for the info, it's really nice of you to hang out on these boards and help complete strangers with the same questions over and over and over.....

Now, if someone could just explain whether I have points now, or no points until Dec '07, I'll be all set. Although, after thinking about it, it makes no sense that I would have to pay dues all year long, if i don't even have points until December, so I probably just answered my own question. I hope anyway, because that is the answer I'm hoping for. Oooh, my head hurts, but I'm so excited I don't care. I have NO buyer's regret like I thought I might!

It sounds as though you have a December Use Year- which means you already have a full compliment of points from December, 2006 - ready to use to make reservations. You will be paying maintenance fees for 2007 and will get another compliment of points on December 1, 2007 - which you can use right now to make reservations.

Enjoy!

 

[BroganMc]

Well, looks like I've already missed that opportunity to secure a reservation day by day, and mine is for a very high demand time 12/28 - 1/1 at SSR. Well, I'll just have to wait and see.

P.S. Whew! Looks like I've got some posting issues to work out, don't I webmaster_doc! I'll try to figure this out before I post again. I'm making a mess out of these posts and replies!!!

Loco4Disney, I also have a December Use Year and it confuses my dad (my co-owner) all the time. You will get a major headache.

Try to do this (visual aids help), make a calendar and instead of starting with January start with December. Give it the year December is in and that is the entire length of your use year. It's like making a weekly calendar but starting on Monday instead of Sunday. Or working the nightshift and your day ends at 6am (you'll still call midnight - 6am "today" and 8am "tomorrow").

Here's the tricky part for your reservation. You actually want to book a vacation in your next use year. (Anything December 1 on is the next calendar year.) So you'll have to bank this year's points to next year. You won't be able to do that until the downpayment is made and paperwork signed (I believe).

Since Member Services (MS) is taking bookings for those dates right now (I booked Dec 30-Jan 2 this morning... oops that's yesterday morning for you, I'm a nightshift worker so my day hasn't ended yet), your Sales Guide Judy has put a hold on a room for you so that you may book it when the ink dries. That was very nice and helpful of her. It means you probably are in good shape for getting that first ressie already. They're holding a room for you to confirm and keeping others (like me) from snatching it.

You still with me there?

As for day-by-day and peak times, keep in mind it also depends what resort you are going to. The Beach Club (BCV), Boardwalk (BWV), Wildnerness Lodge (VWL) are small resorts with limited availability to start with. They also experience high demand, especially at peak times like Christmas and Easter. People wanting to book there tend to be well practiced in the day-by-day ressies. Old Key West (OKW) and Saratoga Springs (SSR) are larger so they can accommodate higher demand. I've yet to even bother with day-by-day and I've been able to get all my SSR reservations... yes even for New Years. (And I also needed a handicapped accessible studio thereby limiting my accommodation choice even more.)

So when we say YMMV (your mileage may vary) we mean it.

 

[BroganMc]

It sounds as though you have a December Use Year- which means you already have a full compliment of points from December, 2006 - ready to use to make reservations. You will be paying maintenance fees for 2007 and will get another compliment of points on December 1, 2007 - which you can use right now to make reservations.

Enjoy!

That poses a question.

Loco4Disney, when you do call Member services (1-800-********... wait till you have your Member ID number as they ask you for it) ask whether the hold has been made with any particular Use Year points in mind.

If you want to take another vacation before Christmas (like the summer), you can use your current Dec 06 points and save the Dec 07 points for Christmas. Then you don't have to bank first.

When I bought, I had all my remaining vacations booked and just wanted a Dcember stay. So I had to bank all my current points into the next year. Because of that, I'm working with a 100+pt credit for all my current years.

 

[Loco4Disney]

That poses a question.

Loco4Disney, when you do call Member services (1-800-********... wait till you have your Member ID number as they ask you for it) ask whether the hold has been made with any particular Use Year points in mind.

If you want to take another vacation before Christmas (like the summer), you can use your current Dec 06 points and save the Dec 07 points for Christmas. Then you don't have to bank first.

When I bought, I had all my remaining vacations booked and just wanted a Dcember stay. So I had to bank all my current points into the next year. Because of that, I'm working with a 100+pt credit for all my current years.

"Working with a 100+ credit for your current years"......That's a good thing, right? I can't tell if you are saying that is good or bad. But, it sounds really good. But, either way, I have finally gotten my question answered. It's finally clear! Thank you so much! I was worried there for a while, because there were some other postings that lead me to believe otherwise.

Dec is the first trip we will take, so I guess I get to bank my 2006 points, or use them and not have to use my 2007 points. Either way, sounds good to me.

I'm still going to have to call Member Services quickly though, because Judy, the Guide, said she would hold a 1 bedroom and I said a studio was fine also, so I don't know which one she held. But, after looking at the point charts, I know I would DEFINITELY prefer a studio. The 1 bedroom will cost DOUBLE the points at that time of year. Seems like a waste and there is just my husband, myself and a 5 and 3 year old, so a studio will be fine for us. If she held a 1 bedroom, I hope there are studios left to exchange with.

Well, it looks like we will be there at the same time! I'm so excited to have finally joined the Disney Family!!!

 

[Loco4Disney]

It sounds as though you have a December Use Year- which means you already have a full compliment of points from December, 2006 - ready to use to make reservations. You will be paying maintenance fees for 2007 and will get another compliment of points on December 1, 2007 - which you can use right now to make reservations.

Enjoy!

Aah, "Compliment" of points. I like the sound of that. Sounds better than my word..."batch". I'm still digesting all of this new DVC terminology. I'm even noticing that I'm able to browse the posts much quicker now that I've memorized a lot of the abbreviations! Whew, when you first discover this forum however, it's like trying to read a medical report!! Anyway, I am clear about my points situation now. Thanks a lot! BFN (that's By For Now)

 

[BroganMc]

"Working with a 100+ credit for your current years"......That's a good thing, right?

Yes, it's a good thing. If you get to be a good squirrel nut horder, you end up with a comfortable pad of points to use.

I ended up with an extra 100 pts this year and still took my intended stay in December. That allowed me to not worry if I wanted to add an extra day to my May stay and book a 2 bedroom in October so I could take my sister's family to the Halloween festivities. And I still saved enough that next year I had 125 extra points. Now I used 45 to book a studio on New Year's (just because folks here told me some secrets about enjoying that time of year).

Now if I am a point horder next year, I can save a little more. Or I can just tell myself I have that Use Year's allottment as my budget. Depending when you book and length of stay, you almost never end up with an exact amount. So you end up banking a few points.

Disney is so efficient that when they make a ressie, they use your banked points first. The one rule here is that banked points can be saved only one year and they expire. So at any one time, you can never have more than your entire contract amount banked. (I own 320 so my max is 320 banked.)

You can see how being a point saver and banker will lead you to comfortable longer or bigger room stays rather than bartering your future with borrowing. if you go every year like I do, borrowing is a bad cycle to get into.

(Mind you I also save a few dollars a month so I'm a saver by nature. Hence I hate financing things, always pay cash outright, and never get myself in trouble. Since college I learned to use my credit cards as debit cards and pay the bill at the end of the month. Those reward dollars become extra income for me.)

But, after looking at the point charts, I know I would DEFINITELY prefer a studio. The 1 bedroom will cost DOUBLE the points at that time of year. Seems like a waste and there is just my husband, myself and a 5 and 3 year old, so a studio will be fine for us. If she held a 1 bedroom, I hope there are studios left to exchange with.

Studios do go fast since they are cheaper and accommodate the same amount as a one bedroom. But which is better depends.

I had wanted a studio, but ended up with a 1 bedroom this past December. It was 3 adults for 5 days (well 2 for 4 of those days). Still we found we liked it so much better. Why? Having our own laundry and two TVs. There were no fights if someone wanted to stay up late and watch TV. And since I've been timeshare vacationing, I've learned to use my laundry regularly. You pack less, just toss in your dirty clothes and switch over loads on the way to the bathroom and back.

When I travel with my sibling's families, they swear by the laundry and kitchen. They all have kids 3-9 years old. My sister serves her picky eaters their breakfast cereal and packs snacks for their lunches. And we all just toss in dirty clothes as needs washing. Those kids do tend to get awfully dirty. And when they are tired, we just tuck the kids in their bed and retire to the other room.

Still, I vowed that for short 2-3 stays, I'd point save and get a studio. But for my regular 12-14 day vacations, 1 bedrooms are a must. Note, I am did book a studio for my New Year's Eve trip, but then it is a) pricey on two nights, b) only 3 nights, and c) one trip I expect to be out and about more than sleeping in.

Well, it looks like we will be there at the same time! I'm so excited to have finally joined the Disney Family!!!

Yup, you have. One of the coolest things I discovered was the Welcome Home parties they had outside Epcot on Wednesdays (or was it Thursday?). I stopped by one of those DVC booths to chitchat with the lady and she clued me in. The party had live music, tons of characters, games for the kids, free cookies and hot cider, and caroling. So much unexpected fun.

If you are staying at saratoga and see a speed demon on wheels (I use a powerchair), say hi! I'll probably be having way too much fun, as usual.

Oh, and we haven't decided which lucky guest gets our pull out sofa. It's our own little sweepstakes prize. (Did I mention I have a close extended family of 15, and many more friends and less extended family.)

 

[Loco4Disney]

Yes, it's a good thing. If you get to be a good squirrel nut horder, you end up with a comfortable pad of points to use.

I ended up with an extra 100 pts this year and still took my intended stay in December. That allowed me to not worry if I wanted to add an extra day to my May stay and book a 2 bedroom in October so I could take my sister's family to the Halloween festivities. And I still saved enough that next year I had 125 extra points. Now I used 45 to book a studio on New Year's (just because folks here told me some secrets about enjoying that time of year).

Now if I am a point horder next year, I can save a little more. Or I can just tell myself I have that Use Year's allottment as my budget. Depending when you book and length of stay, you almost never end up with an exact amount. So you end up banking a few points.

Disney is so efficient that when they make a ressie, they use your banked points first. The one rule here is that banked points can be saved only one year and they expire. So at any one time, you can never have more than your entire contract amount banked. (I own 320 so my max is 320 banked.)

You can see how being a point saver and banker will lead you to comfortable longer or bigger room stays rather than bartering your future with borrowing. if you go every year like I do, borrowing is a bad cycle to get into.

(Mind you I also save a few dollars a month so I'm a saver by nature. Hence I hate financing things, always pay cash outright, and never get myself in trouble. Since college I learned to use my credit cards as debit cards and pay the bill at the end of the month. Those reward dollars become extra income for me.)



Studios do go fast since they are cheaper and accommodate the same amount as a one bedroom. But which is better depends.

I had wanted a studio, but ended up with a 1 bedroom this past December. It was 3 adults for 5 days (well 2 for 4 of those days). Still we found we liked it so much better. Why? Having our own laundry and two TVs. There were no fights if someone wanted to stay up late and watch TV. And since I've been timeshare vacationing, I've learned to use my laundry regularly. You pack less, just toss in your dirty clothes and switch over loads on the way to the bathroom and back.

When I travel with my sibling's families, they swear by the laundry and kitchen. They all have kids 3-9 years old. My sister serves her picky eaters their breakfast cereal and packs snacks for their lunches. And we all just toss in dirty clothes as needs washing. Those kids do tend to get awfully dirty. And when they are tired, we just tuck the kids in their bed and retire to the other room.

Still, I vowed that for short 2-3 stays, I'd point save and get a studio. But for my regular 12-14 day vacations, 1 bedrooms are a must. Note, I am did book a studio for my New Year's Eve trip, but then it is a) pricey on two nights, b) only 3 nights, and c) one trip I expect to be out and about more than sleeping in.



Yup, you have. One of the coolest things I discovered was the Welcome Home parties they had outside Epcot on Wednesdays (or was it Thursday?). I stopped by one of those DVC booths to chitchat with the lady and she clued me in. The party had live music, tons of characters, games for the kids, free cookies and hot cider, and caroling. So much unexpected fun.

If you are staying at saratoga and see a speed demon on wheels (I use a powerchair), say hi! I'll probably be having way too much fun, as usual.

Oh, and we haven't decided which lucky guest gets our pull out sofa. It's our own little sweepstakes prize. (Did I mention I have a close extended family of 15, and many more friends and less extended family.)

I'll definitely keep an eye out for you! That Welcome Home party sounds great! I love all the perks that come along with ownership! I still don't know if I'll have a studio or 1 bedroom yet, but my Guide is calling me back this afternoon with my membership number. So then I can confirm. When I left a message for her this morning, I did ask to clarify whether the points for the December stay would be from 2006 or 2007 points. Because you had made a good point about this, regarding banking issues. I definitely want to stay in a surplus situation, rather than a borrowing situation. Thanks again! P.S. Oh, yes, the washer and dryer and kitchen look very nice and a definite must for longer stays!