Question for long time DVC'rs

[JimmM]

Still trying to make up my mind about buying WLV now or waiting for BCV. I am leaning towards waiting because I know I will make resv for 2-3 times every year in advance and like the Beach Club area the most. If I bought now I would have to "gamble" at the 7 month window to change ressies from WLV to BWV or BCV. I do prefer the more Hotel-like qualities of WLV in comparison to OKW.

But my question is this...

After observing for a long time, posts on these boards, the DVC theme seems to be very much geared to planning 11 or 7 months ahead in order to get exactly what you want. This is a BIG part in my decision to wait for BCV.

However, it appears to me that it is now August 2001 and the point charts are not available for 2002 yet. Hmmmm! This is only 4 1/2 months away. If they (DVC) expect you to plan between 7 - 11 months out, I would expect their (DVC's) point structures to be available 11 months out atleast. Am I being unreasonable here? Is this usual, and really not a problem? Do you just make your plans and then just get a "point bill" from them when the charts come out. I would appreciate your thoughts.....Thanks

 

[PamOKW]

The charts for the DVC resorts are always available well in advance, usually a year ahead of time if I recall correctly. We've had 2002 charts for DVC resorts for a long time.

The problem is the non-DVC options. The "contracts" for these are renewed yearly and then new point charts established. I can't remember when they become available since I don't use them that often.

 

[CarolMN]

The 2002 point charts for the DVC resorts have been out for quite a while. I generally make my reservations 11 months in advance and do not recall ever not knowing what the points for my reservation would be. For example, I made my reservation for Feb 2002 in March 2001.

I think the confusion is over the points required for the Disney Collection - i.e., the non-DVC WDW resorts. Those point charts for 2002 are not out yet. Keep in mind that most members do not consider using DVC points to stay at a non-DVC resort to be a good value. Also, the points required to stay at a non-DVC resort are negotiated annually and are not at all guaranteed to stay the same.

If you want to stay primarily in the BW area, then it is a good idea to wait for BCV or buy a BWV resale. That 11 month window can be very important. The most often repeated advice on this board is to "Buy where you plan to stay the most".

Good luck with your decision.

 

[JimmM]

Good to hear...I have not been able to find the 2002 point charts online and they are not in my offer book from DVC. Does anyone know where I can find them?

The problem with the non-dvc resort exchange will not be a problem with me. I don't think that was a good value at all anyway. Especially with the Fl resident and passport discounts usually available when we go. I just want to be able to get-away a few times a year; relax at SAB, dine at Epcot and other great places, catch illuminations, Oh! and maybe go on few rides. IMHO, you can't get a more exciting, relaxing and interesting DELUXE vacation for the same value as DVC.

Cheers

 

[PamOKW]

The 2002 point charts are the same except for the season dates change for Easter, Christmas & Thanksgiving.

Premiere Season is March 24-31; April 1-6; December 24-31
Nov. 30 is in Choice Season -- November 27-29 in Magic -- Nov. 1-26 in Choice.

There may be some other minor date differences as well but the points in each seson remain the same.

If you have specific dates/resorts in mind I can tell you what season they fall under.

 

[Terry S]

I will be a new DVC'er too (I think). I have a question for some of the experienced DVC'ers related to JimmM's statement about relaxing in the SAB. Do you think the people staying at BCV will be able to go to SAB? I read something on this board about DVC not being able to Pool Hop????

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, if you're staying in the BCV, going to SAB wouldn't be pool-hopping....SAB is the BC's pool, and the BCVs are part of the BC. I have never pool hopped, but my understanding is that DVC members have no trouble with pool-hopping as long as the pools aren't filled with that resort's guests. One person said they called the hotel where they wanted to go in advance and spoke with some one who gave them the OK to hop. That might be a good idea, because then you have a name in case you run into difficulty.

 

[TrudyZ]

I am a relatively new DVcer, but have been lurking for awhile. Here is what I have gathered on the pool-hopping issue (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong):

Pool hopping is a privilege extended to DVC members. Early on, there seemed to be no restrictions on it. As time has gone by, however, the restictions have increased--no pool hopping at AKL, no (or limited) pool hopping during peak holiday times, etc.

The predictions seem to be that the restrictions on pool hopping will only increase over time, not decrease; with some DVCers predicting that it may eventially be eliminated.

As for pool hopping to SAB, there has been no official word on it yet. I would guess that the use of this pool would be included with the BCVs, as I don't believe there is any fantastic new pool being constructed with BCV.

Again, there is some speculation that pool hopping from other DVC resorts on site (OKW, WL, BWVs) to SAB may be discontinued once BVC opens--but that remains to be seen (as pool hopping to WL was not stopped once it opened, but SAB is a "major attraction" pool and seems to be the most popular for pool hopping).

Stay tuned, I am sure you will hear the latest news and rumors here!

Trudy

PS-- used to work at an engineering firm located in Laurel Park Place..

 

[Terry S]

Wow, Trudy... I can walk to Laurel Park from my house. Thanks for the information everyone. I guess I was assuming they would build a regular pool at BCV and you could only use that one.

 

[drusba]

When they announced BCV they said it would have all the same privileges of BC and use of all BC amenities, including use of the main SAB pool, as BCV will be part of the overall BC resort; it will also have its own pool --a smaller "quiet" pool (which guests at BC will also be able to use).

As to 2002 point charts, they are the same as 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 ... except that higher point Easter weeks and Thanksgiving dates move to their applicable time in 2002. We have had them for a long time (I believe they came to members in 2000); you cannot find them on-line primarily because the sites that have provided charts on-line have simply not put them in.

If you want the Epcot area, then wait for BCV or go resale with BWV. Don't assume you will easily be able to get a resort with the 7 month window--BWV has shown that can often be difficult.

 

[AnnK]

I agree with Drusba. We were looking to add-on since Jan. We thought about VWL, but it wasn't for sale in NY, and in the end we decided we prefer the Epcot resorts. We waited for a good BWV resale, but we weren't seeing what we wanted. Many were selling for 70.00 per point, no points available until 2002 and then add in closing costs, we just weren't seeing any good deals. We are getting BWV points though the recently held DVC lottery. I don't think I am getting any "deal" it just was a way of getting more BWV points, and I do get my 2001 points, no closing costs. I would list with the brokers and wait and see if anything good comes through, if not I am sure BCV will be great.

 

[Towncrier]

JimmM - If there's one recurring theme here on the DVC Board, it's that you MUST buy points where you want to stay. This is becoming more evident with BWV being sold out. The popularity of the BWV and the expected popularity of the BCV will undoubtedly make it difficult to get reservations at those resorts unless you make use of the 11 month window. Of course this is speculation on my part, but having tried to reserve 3 nights in a 2BR unit at BWV at the 7 month window last year and being told that there were only TWO units left, I think that you are smart to wait. Unless you can find a resale at BWV that meets your needs.

Regarding the 2002 point charts, by law the total number of points to stay in any one unit at DVC for an entire year can NEVER increase. DVC did shuffle the points costs at OKW a few years ago, making it more "expensive" to stay during Magic Season and reducing the number for the less popular seasons.

I guess that drusba said it all!!!

 

[PamOKW]

2002 point charts are available on-line at the member only site. But, that won't do you much good.

 

[Dean]

Buy where you want to stay even if you have to wait AND the price is higher. Otherwise buy an OKW resale and take your chances.