Question on making reservations

[tinker&belle]

I am looking into a DVC purchase because the research I have done makes it seem like it might be a good fit for our family. I understand that I can make reservations at my home resort at 11 months but for other resorts I have to wait until the 7 month window. How set in stone are reservations? I am assuming moreso than a typical hotel reservation. I was wondering specifically about a split stay.

If I wanted to do a split stay between my home property and another but I want to guarantee my dates can I make a reservation at 11 months and then change it on the 7 month mark? Or could I make a split stay within my home resort and then change one of the stays at the 7 month mark?

I really have no idea how all of this works and am a complete newbie with trying to understand the DVC system so if this is taboo (like pool hopping or mug reusing) please feel free to slap me with a wet noodle.

 

[Disneypubgal]

I am looking into a DVC purchase because the research I have done makes it seem like it might be a good fit for our family. I understand that I can make reservations at my home resort at 11 months but for other resorts I have to wait until the 7 month window. How set in stone are reservations? I am assuming moreso than a typical hotel reservation. I was wondering specifically about a split stay.

If I wanted to do a split stay between my home property and another but I want to guarantee my dates can I make a reservation at 11 months and then change it on the 7 month mark? Or could I make a split stay within my home resort and then change one of the stays at the 7 month mark?

I really have no idea how all of this works and am a complete newbie with trying to understand the DVC system so if this is taboo (like pool hopping or mug reusing) please feel free to slap me with a wet noodle.

Not taboo at all... you can change dates as much as you would like (including adding split stays at 7 month mark) you just need to consider your use year and changing within 30 days of reservation (holding comes into play)... You also want to make sure any changes don't leave you in a position where you end up with pts that need to be banked and you are past the banking window... For example say you have a June use year and you book a trip at your home resort (for this example lets use BCV) for May, in April you change to a standard room at BWV which is LESS pts than your BCV room... you would be using fewer pts but you would be outside your banking window and would not be able to bank them into the next use year, does that make sense?

Try not to buy pts that have a use year within 3-4 months of when you travel... If you always go away in Feb try for a Oct-Jan use year, this way if your plans change you still have an opportunity to use or bank pts (assuming they aren't borrowed pts)

 

[adminjedi]

If I wanted to do a split stay between my home property and another but I want to guarantee my dates can I make a reservation at 11 months and then change it on the 7 month mark?

You got it!
This is exactly what you do! You get your dates booked and you know you have rooms so you can make travel plans etc. Then, at 7 month window you can call and use those points to change a few or all days to a different resort (based on availability).

If it is during a more busy DVC time, be sure to call first thing in the morning for best shot at availability!

 

[tinker&belle]

Thanks for the help. We are thinking of buying a small contract (50 points maybe to get started.) I don't know if we will do it before the next trip or not. I had heard rumor that there my be a GF DVC property. I have always wanted to stay at the GF, so I am intrigued by this.

From looking at the charts it looks like with the AKV there is a lot of 'bang for you buck' with the value rooms there so that would be another possibility to make that our home resort. (I think the property belongs to us longer at AKV?)

How much do the dues change yearly?

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay, if you don't know where that is yet, don't buy, rent. You wouldn't buy a car sight unseen would you?

Dues increase an average of 3% per year.

Don't buy based on expecting to get a certain category of room. The values may always be booked.

The purchase price is the smallest cost. Dues, travel, food, and admission can cost you $2000 and more per year for the life of your ownership.

Buy resale unless you have to buy direct to get financing. The cost of financing and the inflated purchase price when buying direct should make you think twice about buying.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

Last year I changed a reservation 4 times.

First, I made it for early May at BWV
Then my brother was supposed to get married that week, so I moved it to late April
Then I changed it to AKV Jambo @ 7 months
Then a friend was planning a birthday trip for June, so I changed it to June @ 7 months for that date for AKV Kidani (it had just opened).

 

[tinker&belle]

Last year I changed a reservation 4 times.

First, I made it for early May at BWV
Then my brother was supposed to get married that week, so I moved it to late April
Then I changed it to AKV Jambo @ 7 months
Then a friend was planning a birthday trip for June, so I changed it to June @ 7 months for that date for AKV Kidani (it had just opened).

Wow, I had no idea it was THAT flexible! Is there a certain amount of time you can't cahnge it before the reservation time?

 

[RobDoc]

Wow, I had no idea it was THAT flexible! Is there a certain amount of time you can't cahnge it before the reservation time?

No, members may change their reservation right up to arrival date. Cancellations within 30 days would go into the Holding Account, but changes (based on availability) have no penalty. The Holding Account means that you can only use those points for reservations made within 60 days of arrival. Only reservations canceled within 30 days of arrival will impact the Holding Account.

Enjoy!