Quick Newbie Question

[huskies90]

Thinking about dipping a toe into the DVC pool. If I buy a small 50 point resale, with banking and borrowing, the maximum points I can use at one time is 150. Is that a correct statement?

 

[Sandisw]

For the most part yes...However, there is actually a scenerio, if you trip straddles your UY, that you could end up having access to that 4th year because part of the trip takes place in one UY, and the other part takes place in the next.

But, I think that would be a very unique situation and traveling like this, especially with borrowed points, is very dangerous if a cancellation happened.

 

[Sheribo]

Yup - you got it! 150 points every 3 years.

 

[robertdangelo]

That's a good way to start. Good luck!

 

[huskies90]

Thanks! I have one more quick question:

I have a trip planned for August. I was planning to stay at WL and hoping for free dining. If I find a resale that has some banked points and the use year is Aug or sooner (meaning more available points by the time we go), could I use them for the upcoming trip? Like what is the closing turn around time? Is there a way to see availability for that week? Can I just go to the normal Disney reservation website? Could a DVC room be reserved as a cash reservation then transfered to using points?

Wow I guess that is way more than 1 additional question. Sorry.

 

[5forDiz]

Thanks! I have one more quick question:

I have a trip planned for August. I was planning to stay at WL and hoping for free dining. If I find a resale that has some banked points and the use year is Aug or sooner (meaning more available points by the time we go), could I use them for the upcoming trip? Like what is the closing turn around time? Is there a way to see availability for that week? Can I just go to the normal Disney reservation website? Could a DVC room be reserved as a cash reservation then transfered to using points?

Wow I guess that is way more than 1 additional question. Sorry.

Usually 6 weeks for resale process; sometimes a bit less and sometimes it could take longer. DVC availability changes literally minute to minute so there would really be no great benefit checking now for what may or may not be available for August and besides member services would not check for you until your resale closes.

Even if you see villas available for cash by reservation through Disney's Central Reservations(either on website or by phoning the main Disney reservation number) this is "their" meaning CR's inventory of DVC villas & not for booking on points. Member Services, ie DVC's inventory is separate from what you would see on Disney's site(or what you'd be told about if you called Disney's main reservation #). You cannot substitute your points for a cash reservation that you have made; but you could call MS and reserve with your points and then call CR to cancel your cash reservation if you aren't beyond the cancellation deadline.

Also, just wanted to mention that when you use your DVC points to reserve villa you can't get free dining because points reservations are not eligible for free dining. Those free dining promotions are only available with a cash reservation.

 

[ToddyLu]

THere is also a rule where you cannot Book AND stay in the last 4 months of your UY. You have to book in advance of those last four months and then you can travel during them. It is called the "rule of four". When buying direct form Disney I am sure that a Guide could remedy this ensuring a sale, one time to ensure you got a "cool" reservation

 

[5forDiz]

THere is also a rule where you cannot Book AND stay in the last 4 months of your UY. You have to book in advance of those last four months and then you can travel during them. It is called the "rule of four". When buying direct form Disney I am sure that a Guide could remedy this ensuring a sale, one time to ensure you got a "cool" reservation

The Rule of 4 does not apply to reservations at DVC Resorts.

A member can book and stay ~anytime~ at any DVC Resort with points ( the exception is, of course, that during owner's priority booking window which is 11mos - 7mos+1day before checkin date wanted you may only book at your Home Resort)
So you can both book at any DVC resort during the last 4 months of your UY and stay during those last 4 months of UY if there is availability and if you have the points to cover the stay.

The Rule of 4 is only for reservations made for properties in the Concierge Collection, Adventurer Collection or Disney Collection except for DisneyLand Resort hotels; (DVC Resorts are not part of the Disney Collection so this rule does come into play for DVC Resort reservations). If a member wanted to use their points to book a property in one of these Collections then that booking does need to be made during the first 8 months of UY but the travel can then take place during the last 4 months of the UY if they'd like.

 

[nhsuzanne]

Another option would be to find a contract with 2008 points expiring around September. At least some of the DVC resale companies have experience with combining a rental with a purchase. You would pay a set rate, likely $10 per point for the number of points needed for your stay. However, that total amount would then be applied to your purchase price for the points. For example- buy $10,000 contract, pay $1,500 for rental, owe only $8,500 at closing. Still have to pay an additional deposit though, but that too would be applied to the final contract price. If Disney exercises right of first refusal for the contract, you still get a 100% refund of both deposits.