Q about new DVC membership

[fumipappa]

Hello,

I am still thinking about DVC is valuable for my family because of 11 month reservation policy.

Are all of you really booking your room 11 month ahead? Is it almost impossible to utilize DVC if I don't plan my vacation 11 month ahead?

From this board, all of DVC members sounded like people who has established their life in US because most of you already "can" plan your vacation of 11 month ahead. I am planning to stay US until I retire(meaning 35yrs more!) but
I am still struggling to settle down in this country. ( you know, "It's tough to be a foreigner". I don't know it is tougher than "bug")
So, I still cannot imagine that I plan my vacation 11 month ahead because of my personal feeling about settling down to this country.

I am also wondering how all of you are getting air tickets everytime. Are you going to get a ticket as soon as confirming the reservation or Are you waiting until last minute?

Appreciate your help,

p.s We went to WDW this Jan. My daughter, who is almost 2yrs old, fell in love with Disney characters. She can say all chracters name she met already! This is the main reason I want to consider DVC, her smile when she hugged Mickey was priceless.

p.s.2 My daughter also loved the Golden Carousel in MK. we got ride 6 times in a day!!

 

[wdwnut]

hi and welcome to the boards. there are a couple airlines that fly non-stop from newark to orlando. continental and delta are the two we've flown the most. continental still feeds you something while delta just gives out peanuts. to find good airfares, i've used the fare tracker on www.travelocity.com and had them e-mail me when the fares go below a certain $ amount. last sept., our airfare was $129 round trip; this may we had to pay $179 round trip. we cannot usually make our ressies at the 11 month mark, but we can usually do so between 3 and 7 months from our vacation. if you leave it go until the times we do, be aware that most of your standard view rooms at bwv will be taken by that time. we usually don't travel during "peak" seasons and are fairly flexible as to the days we can go. since your daughter is just an adorable 2 year old, you won't have to worry about conflicts with the school calendar for a couple years yet. dvc really does work best if you can plan ahead; if you cannot, then you must be fairly flexible with your travel times. hope this helped.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you can make ressie at 7 month window during the school year and try for OKW, you should be fine. I am not sure you would be able to get BWV without some trouble or major hoiday periods at that time frame, but most other times should be fine.

Disneydiane

 

[Disnydad]

Yes, we have booked at 11 months for our first DVC trip coming up November, 2001. Prior to joining DVC we usually booked our WDW resort vacations at the 12 to 13 month mark.

Airline tickets we used to get at the 11 month mark. That is usually as far in advance airlines sell. Now we book airline at the 6 to 5 month mark. That's the earliest Southwest books.

Don

 

[DKNY]

I just returned from OKW with a friend who had never been to Florida, let alone WDW. I called on 1/8/01 and made a 5 nite ressie for a 1 b'room 2/8 thru 2/13. I was pleasantly surprised that I could get a room at such late notice (plane fares were too good to pass up-NYC to Orlando for $131.50 r/t). I wont assume this would happen every you want to travel last minute, but it's good to know it's possible. The weather was perfect, it was my first time in a 1 b'room and it was great!

 

[Richnj]

As pilot's say: Plan the flight and fly the plan. Make a commitment and just do it. I have two kids also and this was one of the best things I could do for them and us. Did you know the carousel came from Olypic Park which was in Mapplewood New Jersey? I think it was built in the early 1900's. I remember riding it in the ealy 50's and it was old then. W.D. bought it when the park closed and rebuilt it. I'm trying to find a picture of it the way I remember it it as a kid. Your heart knows the answer to your question! Just do it

 

[fumipappa]

Thank you for quick response from all of you.
I really appreciate all of your warm and kind responses. More I saw your posts, more I am leanng toward to "Join" in your community.
Yes, it is one another reason I am seriously thinking about DVC, great friendly community!!
Hopefully I join you guys soon!!

Thanks again

 

[Peggy Sue]

RichNJ..I lived in Maplewood, NJ in the late 50's early 60's and I too went to Olympic Park and rode the carousel! Small world!

Fumipappa...Welcome! We normally do try and book at the 11 month window, however, we have had success booking at 7 and 5 months out too. We normally book our airfare between 8-6 months in advance, and usually can get some excellent fares from Boston. We also belong to the frequent flyer programs, so that helps reduce costs from time to time with free tickets etc. Normally, or air fares range between 175 - 230 depending upon the time of year we travel.

Good luck with your decision..don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about DVC here..This group is a great resouce of information! We look forward to welcoming you home!

Have a wonderful day!

 

[chris1gill]

Hi & Welcome to the boards!!!

DVC is wonderful, and we personally (meaning I) make our plans 11 months in advance.... we have our favorate times to go (Early December & Early November)... I make the dates & it's done, just plain old done!! And no matter what comes up those are the days we stick to!!! The first few years were worse, because we didn't really have a good idea of what months we WANTED to travel... I can't stand the heat, so basically, from November through February are the only times I will consider going to Florida for a vacation... vacation meaning, I'm gonna spend a lot of time outside!!! So yes, we have determined our vacation months, and it's now very easy for us to use the 11 month window....

I think the 11 month window is very important for us because we plan 2 WEEK VACATIONS.... Booking 2 weeks straight at any Disney resort can be tough... if you only want to get away for 4 or 5 days, it's very easy to get a reservation closer to your check in date. You might not get your first pick of resorts, but generally you can get a resrevation on shorter notice....

As far as airlines & stuff... we fly Southwest, they are great for us, times & dates are really very good from where we are (Manchester NH)... As soon as our dates are available to book on the Southwest site, that's what I will do... recently the rates have been GREAT...we paid 110.00 per person a few months ago... what an awesome rate... we were going to drive til I got that airline rate!! It was worth flying at that price!! But we were ready & more than willing to drive, so we only booked those tickets about 3 weeks before we left!!! Having flexibility in your planning is a major plus!!

Hope this helps!

 

[musical2]

I booked in Mid-December for Mid-May ressies for 6 nights at OKW. This is only 5 months out. I understand that BWV may be harder to get though.

Bart