Primer?

[hillview]

I have read the stickies, lurked on a number of posts but am still looking for some pretty basic 411 on DVC stuff. Is there a thread or site I am missing?

I am wondering:
- if I plan to take kids every year -- is there a calculator or something I should look at?
- how hard is it to book your time?
- I like the Bay Lake Towers but all I can find on disney's site is the virtual tour etc -- no prices etc.
- can I do the meal plan with DVC?
- what sort of discounts (dining/park passes) do you get?

I would love some links -- I feel like an idiot (as usual).

I am interested in DVC because I LOVED our first trip and my kids are 1 and 3 so thinking it could make sense?
THANKS!
/hillary

 

[hakepb]

Welcome Home!

I have read the stickies, lurked on a number of posts but am still looking for some pretty basic 411 on DVC stuff. Is there a thread or site I am missing?

I am wondering:
- if I plan to take kids every year -- is there a calculator or something I should look at? Children 3 and older are just an occupant in a DVC unit, does not matter if they are 3 or 33 years old (unlike Disney cash resorts that may charge extra for older children)
- how hard is it to book your time? I've never had difficulty if booking at 11 (home resort) or 7 months (other DVC units). There is less to no selection booking last minute, but my most recent trip was booked about 2 weeks out and worked OK. However DVC popular times are often different than Disney peak periods. DVC busy are Christmas week (to NYD), Easter/Spring break, Thanksgiving, the rest of December.. If you must have a specific resort and unit, then you need to book your home resort 11 months out. If you are not picky then you will be happier booking at shorter notice
- I like the Bay Lake Towers but all I can find on disney's site is the virtual tour etc -- no prices etc. BLT is still under construction. Current Disney pricing is here: http://dvcnews.com/content/view/227/173/ You can also buy DVC on the resale market (check out Timeshare Store at the top of this screen)
- can I do the meal plan with DVC?Yes, you may add the QS DDP, DDP and DDxP and you do not need to add a ticket package!
- what sort of discounts (dining/park passes) do you get?
Currently, DVC members get $100 off Annual Passes, there are no other DVC specific park admissions. DVC dining is mostly some lunch 10% discounts, Remember perks are bonuses, and can and do change. Do not buy DVC for perks. The best dining discount may be the $75 Tables in Wonderland card that AP holders can buy. TiW is 20% off most table service meals (except a few holiday blackouts)

I would love some links -- I feel like an idiot (as usual).
Reading the DVC boards here for a month or so will give you a wealth of information and please feel free to ask more questions. I believe there is a faq here, but cannot locate it. dvcnews.com, the timeshare store (dvc-resales.com) and mousesavers.com also have a bunch of DVC primer info..
I am interested in DVC because I LOVED our first trip and my kids are 1 and 3 so thinking it could make sense?
THANKS!
/hillary

 

[Sandisw]

Welcome to the boards! Asking questions is very important and sometimes reading all the threads can be overwhelming.

If your plan is to take the children every year, and like BLT, I would start off by looking at the point chart for this resort (be sure to look at the 2010 one as it is a little different than 2009). There is a link at the top of this page.

That will give you an idea of how many points you will need to vacation each year, during certain seasons, and for the different typs of resorts.

For example, I travel in the summer (Magic Season) because I am a teacher. To go for 5 nights in a 1 bedroom, it costs 170 points (standard view at BLT) so I bought 180 points. Of course, if I decide I want to go in a studio, then I go for 8 nights. If I travel at times when point cost is less, then I could get more nights. And, if I decided I wanted to stay in a two bedroom, I could borrow points and just go every other year.

The great thing about DVC is the possibilities are endless. I will say that the point cost per night at BLT is a bit higher than some other resorts. So, be sure you look at all the resorts.

One of the things that helped me when I was interested was to call DVC and get the book they have. It has all the resorts, the room sizes, and all the point charts.

As far as booking, it really does depend. DVC works very well for people who can plan in advance. You should not have many issues booking what you want at your home resort at 11 months. Trading out at 7 months is hit or miss depending on where you want to stay (that is why you will see people talk about being on a wait list). The closer you get to your vacation time, the less availability there will be. But, there are times you can get a room. I just changed a few weeks ago my room at AKV at 3 months out.

Good luck!!!

 

[disneynutz]

I have read the stickies, lurked on a number of posts but am still looking for some pretty basic 411 on DVC stuff. Is there a thread or site I am missing?

I am wondering:
- if I plan to take kids every year -- is there a calculator or something I should look at?
- how hard is it to book your time?
- I like the Bay Lake Towers but all I can find on disney's site is the virtual tour etc -- no prices etc.
- can I do the meal plan with DVC?
- what sort of discounts (dining/park passes) do you get?

I would love some links -- I feel like an idiot (as usual).

I am interested in DVC because I LOVED our first trip and my kids are 1 and 3 so thinking it could make sense?
THANKS!
/hillary

The DIS Boards is the primer. I know that there are more posts than you care to look at but taking time to read them really is the best way to learn the good and not so good about becoming a DVC member.