Questions for all DVCers.

[RaySharpton]

Hello, everyone.

I guess that I'm using some nervous energy to take mind off the bluish-green sky and ten or more lightening strikes across the sky.

I've been watching all the local channels since 4:00 P.M. track the thunder storms and possible tornados (via their radar) as it travels through Alabama into Georgia.

I'm in my 19th floor apartment looking across the downtown Atlanta skyline, and watching TV weather reports.

Well, let's take my mind off these "rotating thunderstorms" as te weather people keep calling them.

I love going to Walt Disney World in December when they have all the holiday lights up in all the parks and resorts.

I really like the Epcot Candlelight Processional, the MK Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and the MGM Osborne Spectacle of Lights.

If I had to choose a Walt Disney World Resort to stay in during these holiday festivities, I tink that I would love to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

Which brings me to the point of entertaining the idea of staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge this December from Sunday, December 7, 2003 until Thursday, December 11, 2003 by buying points from someone.

I see that the points are 12-points per night for a studio at VWL for Sunday through Thuraday nights.. So if I were able to rent points for $10.00 per point, that would mean $112.00 per night. A lot less than a regular room at WL.

If December, actually the last week of November and the first week or two of December were going to be my prime time to want to use a Disney Vacation Club Resort at Villa Wilderness Lodge; how would I decide what "use month" would I need to decide to get to be able to make the most advance reservation for VWL for my preferred dates?

I always go in December. If I were allowed to make reservations as far in advance for this resort for my time, I would.

Could someone explain to me how early you could make a reservation for VWL?

And how advantageous would it be to choose a certain "use month"?

I would probably choose a studio just for myself during the Sunday through Thursday nights and maybe stay at AKL for Friday and Saturday night and then maybe back at the VWL for another five nights. Or I could just go back to work during the week-end.

I know that this probably sounds sorta cheap of me, but I could see myself doing this every December.

I love sitting in the lobby of the WL with the fireplace, decorations, huge five story christmas tree, and that special sitting area with fireplace above the WL entrance.

So, as I ramble on about this...watching all the weather reports and pictures of sidewise rain by the reporters...

1. What would be the best "use time", if that is the correct term, should I look for if I want to go in the first two weeks of December?

2. How many points should I get if I am just buying for myself and will probably choose a studio?

3. Should I buy from Walt Disney World or from a timeshare/resale type place?

4. How far in advance could I make a reservation if I wanted to stay at my home resort? (just dreaming...lol.)

5. What is the best way to establish myself with another DVC owner if I want to rent a DVC VWL from another DVCer this December for four weekday nights at VWL just to see if I would really be happy withVWL in December?

Oh my...the weather people are talking about baseball size hail to the west of Atlanta, but it looks calm outside the window.

All these tornado warnings around Atlanta, and I don't see any real wind outside.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

RaySharpton

 

[lenshanem]

I'm in Marietta, but nothing much here but rain and some lightening. Kids are watching Star Wars preparing for Star Wars weekend! LOL Guess I should listen to the news? Baseball size hail? Poor pizza guy I called to deliver... Wonder where he is???

 

[joyful1nh]

Hi Ray! Boy do I feel for you. My Mom lives in Massac County, IL -- which got hit hard last night. I don't miss that southern weather now (but I do complain about the snow all winter!)

We're going to WDW the same week as you again this Dec -- we'll have to hook up.

Check www.dvcbyresale.com -- I get the newsletter & they have one or two WL properties now. That's our fave too. I don't own DVC yet (DH won't let me), so can't help much with the rest of your questions.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, Ray. I'll try my hand at a few...

1) The best use year is one slightly before the time you like to travel most. This is true because if you cancel, you will still have plenty of time to bank your points prior to banking deadlines. Also, if you cancel inside 30 days, you will have more time to use the points in your holding account.

2) A week in a studio in December ranges from 104 - 181 points, depending on when in December. Would you be going once a year? You have to look at the point chart, figure the season ect... You should not cut it to the 'exact point'. Always buy a few extra. You may want to look at a 1br before you decide to buy only enough for a studio.

3) There may be money to be saved buying resale, but if you are looking for a smaller contract, it's probably not worth it.

4) 11 months prior to check-out date.

5) I don't know, but The Rent/Trade Board here seems pretty good!

Good luck with the weather......
And feel free to ask questions about DVC....

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Hi Ray!!!

How nice to see you on this board. I haven't been able to take time to visit here in a while myself, but it was great to see your post.

I don't know if you want a "salespersons" answer to all your questions, but I hope you will call me if I can help. I saw someone else posted my site so please stop by and get my toll free number if you want to chat.

I haven't read anything about DISCon, but I hope to see you this year....Mousefest will be going on Nov. 30th - December 7th....maybe you can come then.

All the best,
Shontell Crawford

 

[RaySharpton]

Hello, Shontell...I remember you. I would love to have you as my salesperson. But, financially, I am just not ready to buy yet. I promise that I will only go through you. We had such a good time at DIS-Con-II last year at the MGM Osborne Spectacle of Lights tour DIS-meet, except when the rain hit...lol. And the Illuminations party, too.

Thank you, Maistre Gracey, for all the answers. And I love using that Downey ball thing.

Thank you, joyful1nh, and the website that you gave me was very informative. I definitely would like to meet you and your Dear Family again this year.

And I got lucky with the weather going mostly to the south of Atlanta. I feel so sorry for all those that lost their homes to tornados and floods.

Ray

 

[spiceycat]

Hi Ray!

You are probably one of the nice and most helpful person on any of the dis boards.

I would go with Sept for your use year - but since you probably will have to go to resales - you might need to take what you can find!

I have a June use year - the only problem is I must bank (Ha yea - that likely) my points before Nov 30. Using a September use year you will have until the end of February. (this is the first banking window - where you can bank 100% of your points if you need too)

I happen to love WL/VWL and I think you will too - it is just as nice as WL and besides you own it!!!!!

the only problem is the time you want is very popular with DVC members so I post on the rent/trade board NOW!!!

hope you get what you want! the studios have a queen bed, a full sleeper sofa, TV, a small table and 2 chairs inside - 2 plastic chairs and the little table outside, a mircowave, a under-the-counter refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker - plus the stuff in a regular hotel room. oh paper plates, bowls, plastic knifes, forks, spoons, 4 glasses, 2 mugs, disher detergent.

there is a washer and dryer on the first floor that is for your use - it is free - the detergent is not - so bring some.

 

[Jimbo]

If December, actually the last week of November and the first week or two of December were going to be my prime time to want to use a Disney Vacation Club Resort at Villa Wilderness Lodge; how would I decide what "use month" would I need to decide to get to be able to make the most advance reservation for VWL for my preferred dates?

One common misconception is that the use year determines when you can make your reservation. It does not, it's the home resort that does that. You can make reservations 11 months in advance at your home resort, and 7 months in advance at any other DVC resort.

So if your home resort is WLV, for your trip on the last week in November, you can make the reservation at the end of the preceding December. If your home resort is somewhere else, you can make the reservation at the end of April on the year you'll be travelling. This is true regardless of your use year. The key thing is that the points must be in your account when you use them, but they don't need to be when you call to make the reservation.

Use year comes into play if you needed to cancel a reservation. You must do something with the points before the end of your use year, so if you're the type of person that cancels frequently, pick a use year just before you tend to travel.

In any case, though, I think picking a number of points to buy, and a home resort to buy them at, is the most important thing to decide on. If two resales are equally appealing, use the use year as a tie-breaker.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Hi Ray !
I remember meeting you outside The Prime Time Cafe last year when we had our large dinner. I didn't realize that was you that I was talking to outside. That was such a wonderful DIS meet - I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. You and I did not eat at the same time, though. I would have introduced myself as a mutual WebTv user also.

Anyway, I could be wrong on this, but since you plan on only
RENTING DVC points from a member, and not actually BUYING into the DVC, you don't really have to be concerned with "use year" or "use month". Please, someone correct me if I am wrong on this.

This past December ( my usual solo trip ) I took the BWV tour.
What I saw almost made me cry. I loved that one-bedroom room so much, and there was no possible way that I could buy into the DVC without winning the lottery. LOL ! I started to become obsessed with that one-bedroom unit and the jacuzzi tub inside. I REALLY wanted to stay there. On the advice of a local DVC member and DIS member, I watched the rent/trade board every day. On my 2nd try, I struck up a good deal.
So.....I will be spending December 5th, 6th, and 7th, at The Swan on the gov't rate. Then I will walk my luggage over the bridge
to the BWV, and check-in at a one-bedroom villa for December 8th, 9th, and 10th. Even though I'm going to be solo, I still want the larger unit because of the jacuzzi tub in the room. I rented for $10. per point. It is 66 points for all three nights at BWV.

If you plan on renting points for December, you better do it now. When my deal went through, there was not many left.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Hi Ray!
I think it is a great idea to try renting before buying. We bought in last March and we could not be happier! (We bought BCV as a pre-sale (before the resort was open). One of the perks was either cash back OR a 5 night stay at a deluxe. SO for DisCOn last year, I was at the BWI for 5 nights compliments of DVC!

The time that you are looking for in one of the busiest for the villas. Because it is low points and decorated sooo beautifully, it is in high demand. It may be difficult to get a rental (for anyone) at this 'late' date. So if you are interested, find someone that is looking to rent and have them check on availability SOON!!!

JImmy and I really like a studio. (As much as I want that jacuzzi, I am stingy with my points!!) When we plan our next trip though, we want to spend 2 nights at WLV in a studio and then move to the BWV for 5 nights in a one bedroom. So hopefully I will be able to use that tub soon!!

Good luck with whatever you decide Ray!!
{{{HUGS}}}

 

[iluvdisney]

Hi Ray - great to see you here on the DVC board. My dh and I have been DVC since 1992 and have not regretted a minute of our purchase. It allows us to go down a few times a year and we always have a wonderful room to stay in!
Shontell is a great person with info too - be sure and direct some of your questions to her - she'll have the answers for you.
There is a DVC chat every Sunday night at 9 pm - you can get a lot of answers there from Doc, DVCreg, and Robin, not to mention that a lot of DVCers might be able to help you also.