Questions about DVC...

[FSUGrad97]

Hi,

After spending 4 wonderful days at the WL last week, I started thinking about buying into the DVC, but I had a question or 2.

1. Would it be silly to buy into DVC if we are FL residents? We live about 45 minutes to an hour away but I think we will be doing a lot more weekend trips as we have APs.

2. How easy is it to book a quick trip? For example, if we wanted to go in February for a few days, would a room be available or would we have to book much earlier?

3. I LOVE the WL, but I read somewhere that the only DVC that was open was SSR. Would we have to buy there? If we do go DVC, I would love to have the VWL as our home resort - is that possible if everything is sold out?

I know some of these questions are probably pretty silly, but I figured you all would have the best answers for me.

Thanks!

I posted this on the planning board, but I thought I would post it here also.

 

[spiceycat]

weekend points are the most expensive - Fri/sat

Sun-thurs are a good bargin.

but weekends are not.

ex 8 points OKW studio sun-thurs
20 points fri/sat - OKW studio

it is this way at all DVC resorts.

for quick trip - I sometimes have great luck - other times I don't. If you don't care where you are staying and only want a day or two - then I think you will like DVC. especially if those days are fri/sat. although I might be tempted to rent my points and pay cash for those days - DVC members get a cash discount (if availability)

You can buy VWL resale.

 

[N&B'smom]

Hi there!! We became interested in DVC after a stay at WL as well. We stayed in the villas and LOVED it.

1. No, I don't think it would be silly at all to own DVC even though you live in Florida, you'd still want to stay at the resort, right?

2. This one I'm not so sure about, DVC'ers can book at their HOME resort 11 months from their date of daparture. Other can book there 7 months out. So, I guess depending on the time of year would depend on the availability at your resort. You may have to stay somewhere other than your home resort.

3. We felt that if we couldn't own at VWL we wouldn't want to own DVC, so due to the fact that it was sold out we went with a resale through the Time Share Store. (advertised above) They were great and it went through without a hitch. Disney can actually buy the contract and not allow you to buy the resale but we didn't have that problem. We figured it was worth a shot, plus if Disney snags it, you can always try again!!! You could also go through Disney and be put on a waiting list.

Hope this helped!!!

Shelby

 

[freediverdude]

Hi there- just thought I would throw my 2 cents in, as I live about an hour away from Disney and also have considered it.

From what I have heard, unless it's a peak time of the year, usually something is available on short notice, although it may not be the resort that you want or the type of unit that you want. For me, I'm not sure about this, because most of my reservations are made within 30 days of arrival, and usually I would only need a studio. The program does seem geared a little more towards people who make reservations much farther in advance and stay longer than a weekend.

I have also heard that if you insist that you don't want SSR, that they will begrudgingly put you on a list or sell you points at the other resorts. But I hear you have to insist pretty hard that you're not interested at all in SSR and won't buy unless you get another resort.

These are just my takes on what I've read on here over a long period of time.

 

[N&B'smom]

I must admit, when I first spoke with Disney about things (before going to the resale place) they REALLY pushed for SSR even though I was adamant about NOT wanting to buy there or stay there. I've heard of plenty of people though who have been put on a waiting list for points at the resort of their choice and have gotten it relatively quickly.

Shelby

 

[LIFERBABE]

Just want to reiterate, that if you are planning to book less than 7 months in advance then it really doesnt matter what resort you own.

If I lived in Fl. I would still be a DVC member, but I would also be more prone to booking for next week/weekend on a whim. Even at next month, VWL points would not matter, and you could end up owning a resort you cant book at because you are not using your 7-11 month priority window.

Less than 7 months prior to check in, a point is a point and affords you no priviledge at your home resort or any other.

If you want to go during Presidents Week, that is a very busy time and most resorts are sold out. Early December and Spring Break are other busy times.

You are close enough to WDW to effectively use the waitlist, so that is in your favor. If you call a week ahead and theres nothing available, you could get on the waitlist. If there was a last minute cancellation, you could be in WDW in less than 2 hours and not have to worry about air transportation. Most people drop their waitlists at 31 days because of transportation issues so there will be little competition for those short notice ressies.

 

[FSUGrad97]

Thanks for all of the great advice...now if I can just convince my DH

 

[bongo59]

approx 8% of DVC members are from FLA...............8% of 90K is 7200 families............so youre not alone. We have rarely had trouble booking short term vacations