Question for the DVC experts!

[BlissfulMama09]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are seriously looking into becoming DVC members but have a question regarding the RCI/World Passport vacations. We just got back from our 4th WDW trip and sat through the DVC presentation for the second time but figured we'd talk about it more once we got home. We took our 10 month old for her first Disney trip and just love the thought of being able to take her often! Ideally we'd like to vacation in WDW every other year and take trips using the Passport collection the other years.
Our guide has been super helpful but I figure I'd ask some of you members how you like the Passport Collection and how your experiences with it have been.
Is it easy to book? I assume that very popular places fill up fast depending on the season, but could you compare it to the busy season at a regular hotel? We were thinking we'd start out with just enough points to get us a studio at the WL during the magic season and a week at an RCI resort during peak season so that we could alternate every other year. We usually can't book more than 5-6 months ahead because my husband is in the Army and leave is always up in the air!
I've been reading lots of useful information on this board so I hope the experts here can help us!
Thanks everyone!

 

[Sandisw]

DVC provides the best value when you use it to stay at the DVC resorts. If your plan is to use it regularly for the other options, most would tell you to simply buy less points and either look in to a different timeshare for those other trips, or just pay cash on the off years.

My understanding is that you do have to deposit your points farther out with RCI to get things and with your 5 - 6 month time frame, I don't know how well that will work. We have never done it so I am speaking based only on what I have read.

But, even with DVC, if you are going to routinely need to book only 5 - 6 months in advance, getting VWL all the time may or may not be possible because at that point, all owners can book all resorts. And, certain times of the year require booking 11 months out.

The farther out one can plan, the better DVC works in getting what you want. But, given what you said, I would look in to buying SSR resale. It is a great price, expires in 2054, and the MF's are one of the lowest. Since you won't be able to take advantage of the home resort booking period (7 - 11 months), where you own is of less importance.

Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is really good at selling you on what you could do, not on what you will be able to do. As Sandi said, buy DVC points for your DVC resort stays and find other ways to stay elsewhere.

Bill

 

[BlissfulMama09]

Thank you both so much for your answers! I guess I will do some more research. I saw on the information our guide sent us that we could get a 1 bedroom at peak season for 160 points but like you guys said we might get better deals elsewhere.
I'm trying to learn as much as possible about DVC before we jump in, but I'm just wondering; if we plan to go to WDW every other year and plan to stay in a studio at the WL (127pts) could we buy half that amount and just bank for a year so that we'd have the full amount of points needed after combining points from both years?
Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions, just trying to be informed before we buy!

 

[disneynutz]

Thank you both so much for your answers! I guess I will do some more research. I saw on the information our guide sent us that we could get a 1 bedroom at peak season for 160 points but like you guys said we might get better deals elsewhere.
I'm trying to learn as much as possible about DVC before we jump in, but I'm just wondering; if we plan to go to WDW every other year and plan to stay in a studio at the WL (127pts) could we buy half that amount and just bank for a year so that we'd have the full amount of points needed after combining points from both years?
Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions, just trying to be informed before we buy!

The key is in the wording, you said that you could get the correct wording is you might get. Booking is not guaranteed.

Bill

 

[cush1]

My wife and I just joined DVC this spring and we have a 10-month-old, too. I just wanted to say "Hi." We are planning our first trip home in January. I don't know if you have thought about it, but we chose the five year payment plan instead of the typical ten year. For an extra hundred bucks a month we will have the DVC membership paid for before our sweet Lilly begins kindergarten.

 

[BlissfulMama09]

Hi to you too! Congratulations on your DVC membership! We were planning on doing it in 5 years too. Enjoy your trip, our 10 month old had a blast - she especially loved the fireworks

 

[ldo]

if you will only go to WDW every other year in the near future, then buy enough points (with a few extra for cushion) to go every other year. I have traded with RCI (non DVC) for 10 years---and your success in with RCI really depends on where you want to go. Hard to get places are when school is out (Christmas break, Easter, June-Aug.) if you want peak places--skiing for Christmas, beach in summer, etc. If you can go in May or Sept to the beach, then you will have luck. Also, an overbuilt area, Williamsburg, Branson, will be easier during peak season.
So, I would really advise to buy enough points to enjoy WDW every other year---and not plan on every other year trades. have fun. Elaine