Rookie Questions (I tried searching, honest!)

[SkyMedik]

Hello kind folks,

As of today I have been sent to ROFR for my first contract (BCV, October use year). Got a few quick questions for you:

1) I was looking at a page from another website specializing in DVC info, and they had a chart indicating that as your use year goes along, you can only bank a certain percentage of your points. For example, at 9 month mark you could only bank 75% of points, at 6 month mark you could only bank 50% of points, etc. I don't recall the exact details and can't relocate the website. Is this old information? I believe I'll have 8 or 9 months to bank all my points, and thereafter cannot bank at all?

2) In regards to one-time use points, some of the verbage from Disney states that your membership contract must be 'closed'. Does this mean that the documents are finalized and you have your shiny new membership card, or that your membership must be paid off (meaning no financing loans open). I wouldn't think my loans would be of any concern to them.

3) If all goes well with ROFR, we are looking at closing in late July / early August. The wife and I were able to jump on one of Frontier Airlines' specials for their new service out of DC and got $30 round trip tickets to Orlando! But, after closing, we won't be able to afford a cash vacation. So we're relying on our points being available sometime in August. The airline tickets are for early November and are for 7 nights. Will we be able to get anything just 7-9 weeks out? We obviously wouldn't be picky, AKV or SSR or whatever, as long as it's 7 nights. We'd consider a split stay too. If it doesn't work out we figure we only lost $60 bucks gambling on cheap airfare.

4) Can I safely assume that the extra special annual pass discount for the year will not return until 2015 if at all? I know we get a discount anyway but am sad to have missed the PAP deal, it was amazing. I'm guessing nothing like it will be offered this fall/winter.

Lastly, I cannot tell you guys what an invaluable resource you have been. I have dreamed of being a Member since I was 14 years old and remember walking past the booths and yelling at my parents to stop so I could discover the 'best kept secret'. It's been hard navigating the resale waters, and you guys are the BEST!!

 

[JimMIA]

1) I was looking at a page from another website specializing in DVC info, and they had a chart indicating that as your use year goes along, you can only bank a certain percentage of your points. For example, at 9 month mark you could only bank 75% of points, at 6 month mark you could only bank 50% of points, etc. I don't recall the exact details and can't relocate the website. Is this old information? I believe I'll have 8 or 9 months to bank all my points, and thereafter cannot bank at all?

Don't know what site you are looking at, but they are obviously NOT caught-up....which would concern me in several ways

The banking rules were changed a number of years ago to a straight 8-month period. You can bank up to 100% of your points in the first 8 months of your Use Year; zero after that.

Except for the super-secret, one-time-only, exception...

 

[JimMIA]

3) If all goes well with ROFR, we are looking at closing in late July / early August. The wife and I were able to jump on one of Frontier Airlines' specials for their new service out of DC and got $30 round trip tickets to Orlando! But, after closing, we won't be able to afford a cash vacation. So we're relying on our points being available sometime in August. The airline tickets are for early November and are for 7 nights. Will we be able to get anything just 7-9 weeks out? We obviously wouldn't be picky, AKV or SSR or whatever, as long as it's 7 nights. We'd consider a split stay too. If it doesn't work out we figure we only lost $60 bucks gambling on cheap airfare.

I think you would probably be able to get something. But you have the right attitude about it -- if so, great; if not, oh well. Keep in mind that timeshare ownership is a long-term gig and the incidental short-term stuff really means nothing.

4) Can I safely assume that the extra special annual pass discount for the year will not return until 2015 if at all? I know we get a discount anyway but am sad to have missed the PAP deal, it was amazing. I'm guessing nothing like it will be offered this fall/winter.

You know what happens when we assume...right? Never assume anything about a perk like pass discounts. If they materialize...cool. If not, not.

Have a safe shift.

 

[disneynutz]

To buy one time use points from Disney you have to have your account set up, they don't care about loans.

The premium AP deal is over but you can still buy AP's at a DVC discounted price.

Bill

 

[LisaS]

2) In regards to one-time use points, some of the verbage from Disney states that your membership contract must be 'closed'. Does this mean that the documents are finalized and you have your shiny new membership card, or that your membership must be paid off (meaning no financing loans open). I wouldn't think my loans would be of any concern to them.

I don't have the information in front of me but there is probably something in there about your account being up to date or in good standing or something along those lines. In other words, you need to be up to date on your annual dues and on your loan payments if you financed through Disney, you cannot have an outstanding balance for meals, etc. charged to your room on a prior stay or for any damage to the room caused by you or any of your guests.

ETA: I looked up the line and it reads: "One-time-use vacation points are only available for Members whose contract is closed and in good standing.". As a resale buyer you cannot make a reservation until your sale has closed and your contract is set up in Disney's system so for you it's a moot point. Those who purchase directly from Disney can make reservations once they pay their deposit, weeks before their contract closes. So that wording indicates that those who make a reservation prior to their contract closing cannot buy OTU points for that reservation.

 

[jessicacavalier]

Thanks!

 

[jessicacavalier]

Got a lot of good info!

 

[SkyMedik]

Yes, thanks to all!! Appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

 

[skier_pete]

We just got our points and were able to book a weekend in October. I've been messing around with looking at availability and even right now there is very little avaiable early November. In fact, I couldn't find anything open (studio or 1-bedroom) for the first weekend in November (7th and 8th), but that is the Food and Wine 1/2 Marathon weekend. If your dates fall across those, you probably won't be able to get anything two months ahead of it.


Before that is spotty. After that seems more available. Again, though I'm new to this, I would say that during that time of year you will have a hard time getting 7 consecutive days on short notice, but since you are only out $60 it might be worth the chance.

 

[Timeflys4us]

I've been messing around with looking at availability and even right now there is very little avaiable early November.

Do you have a site which allows us to check on the availability of rooms that you can share?

Thanks.

 

[myzel]

Sorry, checking availability is only through DVC members site, or Members Services (MS). It is for members only. : (

 

[SkyMedik]

Hey Pete, thanks for the info.... The wife and I realized it was F&W yesterday as well..... Looks like we'll have to find a cash room and use the points later on. Thanks for the insight into availability!

 

[SkyMedik]

Do you have a site which allows us to check on the availability of rooms that you can share? Thanks.

There used to be a website which could check availability for you, but the powers that be requested it be closed and it's no longer operational. Used to be ******.com and I miss it very much lol.

 

[lovin'fl]

We just got our points and were able to book a weekend in October. I've been messing around with looking at availability and even right now there is very little avaiable early November. In fact, I couldn't find anything open (studio or 1-bedroom) for the first weekend in November (7th and 8th), but that is the Food and Wine 1/2 Marathon weekend. If your dates fall across those, you probably won't be able to get anything two months ahead of it.


Before that is spotty. After that seems more available. Again, though I'm new to this, I would say that during that time of year you will have a hard time getting 7 consecutive days on short notice, but since you are only out $60 it might be worth the chance.

Last week we decided to do F&W...just DH and I for just 3 nights. Because our girls play travel softball all through Sept and Oct, we needed to do November. I was wanting the weekend (8th and 9th) plus Fri or Mon, but nothing was available. I did get a studio at SSR for Nov 3, 4 and 5. I kept checking availability and a couple days later VWL had those exact 3 days open in a studio so I cancelled the SSR and grabbed the VWL. Anyway, I was wondering why nothing is available when we were able to book at 5 months out last year (for Oct) and I checked this Oct and it had quite a bit of availability...so what is up with Nov? Then, someone reminded me...that week is Jersey Week and the 7th and 8th is marathon weekend. Lots going on...MNSSHP and F&W finishing up and MVMCP starting up. But, folks cancel so OP can stalk the member site, once he's a member, and see if he can grab something.

 

[SkyMedik]

Ok, forgot about Jersey Week. Starting to regret my date choices but we'll see. Thanks for the advice. I plan on stalking like crazy!

 

[Chuck S]

Jersey Week is a reference to a week when most New Jersey schools/teachers have a break.