Questions

[SWB]

Hello guys,

There is a great wealth of info here, but I have a few questions that I can't find specific answers too.

1) I need to understand the banking/use of banked points better. Example, if I have 100 annual points and use 80 points each year - 80 points in 2008, I can bank the 20 points to 2009? Then in 2009, I can use the 20 2008 banked points, use 60 2009 points and bank 40 points to 2010? Then in 2010 use the 40 2009 banked points, use 40 2010 points and bank 60 points to 2011?

2) Once points are banked, one cannot use those points until the next year?

3) I know the maintenance fees increase, but do the number of points needed to stay per night at the resorts go up over time? Example, A Friday night at OKW in Jan would be 20 points in 2008, will this go up?

4) There are no sales taxes on the purchase?

5) Can points be sold in amounts less than the original amount purchased? Example, buy 200, sell 50 in the future.

6) If the Beach Club is not a members home resort, how hard is it to book it in early June, Sept or Oct?

Thanks for all the help and great info on these boards!

Steve

 

[thepops]

1) Correct
2) Correct
3) no, unless you cross "seasons". (typically around where Easter and Spring break fall). Disney does have the option to raise points for a particular room/season but then they'd have to reduce the points needed somewhere else at that resort so that the total points at a resort stays constant. I think that has only happned once.
4) not sure
5) no can do. If it is a 200 point contract, it must be sold as a 200 point. But there's no reason you can't initially buy it as a 160 and a 40 right at the beginning.
6) I'll pas on that one as I don't have the experience to give you a good answer.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Hello guys,

There is a great wealth of info here, but I have a few questions that I can't find specific answers too.

1) I need to understand the banking/use of banked points better. Example, if I have 100 annual points and use 80 points each year - 80 points in 2008, I can bank the 20 points to 2009? Then in 2009, I can use the 20 2008 banked points, use 60 2009 points and bank 40 points to 2010? Then in 2010 use the 40 2009 banked points, use 40 2010 points and bank 60 points to 2011?

Yes, that's exactly how it works. Just remember, though, the 20 points you bank into the next UY expire at the end of the UY, they cannot be banked again. So, if you keep going in the scenario, you'll eventually get to the point where you're banking all 100 points into the next UY. When you get to the point, you'll have to use all 100 the next UY or you'll lose whatever you don't use.

2) Once points are banked, one cannot use those points until the next year?

That's correct. We have an August UY and points are deposited every August. So, this August I'll receive more points. Those points are good for vacations from Aug 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009. If I choose to bank those, I cannot use them until Aug 1, 2009 and must use them by July 1, 2010 or I lose them. They cannot be re-banked. However, if I needed points after I banked, I would borrow points that will be deposited on August 1, 2009 in 2008, just not the banked ones.

3) I know the maintenance fees increase, but do the number of points needed to stay per night at the resorts go up over time? Example, A Friday night at OKW in Jan would be 20 points in 2008, will this go up?

The way it works is that a set number of points apply to a resort. So let's say that OKW has 1,000,000 points (totally fabricated number!!!) that it applies to all of it's rooms for a year. They could allocate that 1,000,000 points anyway they want to (charging a different amount of points for week night stays versus weekends and different amounts for studios, 1-BRs, 2-BRs and GVs). So, they can raise points for rooms on major holidays, during the summer, etc. However, at the end of the day, they cannot exceed 1,000,000 points. From what I've read on the boards, they just don't usually change. To answer your question, though, if I go every July 4th and use 296 points for a 2-BR at OKW, it's not guaranteed to be 296 points for that week for the rest of my contract. They could decide to raise that week and call it a holiday week, however, they would have to lower the points required somewhere else throughout the year. Bottom line, it has to add back up to total 1,000,000 points.

4) There are no sales taxes on the purchase?

No, no sales tax through Dis or via resale.

5) Can points be sold in amounts less than the original amount purchased? Example, buy 200, sell 50 in the future.

If you buy a 200 point contract, it has to be sold as a 200 point contract. You can't break one up and sell a piece of it. Many people recommend purchasing several small contracts via resale or breaking up the 160 point minimum purchase through Dis into several small contracts (e.g., 50/50/60 or 80/80. Smaller contracts fetch a higher price via resale and it allows you more flexibility if you decide to sell.

6) If the Beach Club is not a members home resort, how hard is it to book it in early June, Sept or Oct?

Sorry, someone else will have to answer this one. I'm not sure about BC.

Thanks for all the help and great info on these boards!

Steve

 

[crisi]

Early June and September, not an issue if you call within the first bit of the window opening - and a good time of year if you call with shorter notice to "get lucky"

October, food and wine - everyone and their mother wants to stay at the Epcot resorts during food and wine. There is always some availability when the window opens - but getting those rooms can be a little like trying to get Cindy's breakfast.

 

[Lynne M]

#6...I can't speak for July, but as a VWL owner, I've made several attempts to get a BCV studio in October since BCV opened, and I've never managed it. This last time, I called a couple of days after the 7 month window opened....nothin'.

Not that I was surprised; BWV and BCV are very difficult to get during the Food & Wine Festival.

I did get a studio at BCV for mid-September.

 

[SWB]

If you buy a 200 point contract, it has to be sold as a 200 point contract. You can't break one up and sell a piece of it. Many people recommend purchasing several small contracts via resale or breaking up the 160 point minimum purchase through Dis into several small contracts (e.g., 50/50/60 or 80/80. Smaller contracts fetch a higher price via resale and it allows you more flexibility if you decide to sell.

I didn't know the 160 min point contract through Disney could be broken up into smaller contracts. I assume that I would have to purchase all contracts at one time so it totals 160?

Thanks for the info - it has really helped!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you buy a 200 point contract, it has to be sold as a 200 point contract. You can't break one up and sell a piece of it. Many people recommend purchasing several small contracts via resale or breaking up the 160 point minimum purchase through Dis into several small contracts (e.g., 50/50/60 or 80/80. Smaller contracts fetch a higher price via resale and it allows you more flexibility if you decide to sell.

I didn't know the 160 min point contract through Disney could be broken up into smaller contracts. I assume that I would have to purchase all contracts at one time so it totals 160?

Thanks for the info - it has really helped!!

I actually do not think you can do that. I think if you buy from Disney you musts buy at least a minimum of 160 in one contract, but any add-ons after that can be broken up into any increment you want.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

If you buy a 200 point contract, it has to be sold as a 200 point contract. You can't break one up and sell a piece of it. Many people recommend purchasing several small contracts via resale or breaking up the 160 point minimum purchase through Dis into several small contracts (e.g., 50/50/60 or 80/80. Smaller contracts fetch a higher price via resale and it allows you more flexibility if you decide to sell.

I didn't know the 160 min point contract through Disney could be broken up into smaller contracts. I assume that I would have to purchase all contracts at one time so it totals 160?

Thanks for the info - it has really helped!!

I've seen mixed info on this. If you go through Dis, insist (if you really want to) that they allow you to do this and see what happens. Worst they can say is no. I do think, however, that I've read posts on the boards where people have been successful doing that. I think just from a planning perspective that would be nice. If I wanted to leave contracts to my kids, it would be much easier willing each an 80 point contract versus having them joint own 160 points. If you have kids or family that you want to will it to, use that as an excuse!!!