?'s about booking when you own

[DisneyBliss7]

We are buying resale soon..160 pts AKV, use month September. Does this mean we can go anytime in September or is it a specific week we'll own? Do we have to book our week just like a regular reservation? Confused about how booking when owning works...
Our original month we wanted to own was May but there is never anything for sale in May? Is there a reason I'm not seeing any May dates? Even though we'll own for September, can we switch and go in May? I've learned a lot in the past few months about owning DVC but I feel like there is always something new I need to learn. It's exciting and confusing all at once

 

[chalee94]

We are buying resale soon..160 pts AKV, use month September. Does this mean we can go anytime in September or is it a specific week we'll own? Do we have to book our week just like a regular reservation? Confused about how booking when owning works...

first, throw out the normal calendar.

a sept UY means your "year" for DVC starts on sept 1 and ends on aug 31.

that is mostly a big deal because you can only bank pts in the first 8 months of your UY, so your banking window closes on april 30.

you can book any period of time (assuming you have enough pts and there is availability). you do not get preference for a specific week or period of time except that you can book 11 months out for your home resort. (there are a very few fixed weeks that DVC sells for VGF and aulani, but that's unusual.)

so if you want to stay in may (there is no may UY), it doesn't matter what UY you own - you can book your home resort for may in june of the previous year. where UY becomes an issue is that if you have a stay booked in may with a june UY, your banking window will close several months before your trip, which will put you in a bind if you need to cancel. if you have an april UY and a may trip planned, you will have more options if you need to cancel.

so if you will definitely travel a lot in may, the ideal UYs for you would be march or april.

more info about UY can be found here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942668

 

[DisneyBliss7]

first, throw out the normal calendar.

a sept UY means your "year" for DVC starts on sept 1 and ends on aug 31.

that is mostly a big deal because you can only bank pts in the first 8 months of your UY, so your banking window closes on april 30.

you can book any period of time (assuming you have enough pts and there is availability). you do not get preference for a specific week or period of time except that you can book 11 months out for your home resort. (there are a very few fixed weeks that DVC sells for VGF and aulani, but that's unusual.)

so if you want to stay in may (there is no may UY), it doesn't matter what UY you own - you can book your home resort for may in june of the previous year. where UY becomes an issue is that if you have a stay booked in may with a june UY, your banking window will close several months before your trip, which will put you in a bind if you need to cancel. if you have an april UY and a may trip planned, you will have more options if you need to cancel.

so if you will definitely travel a lot in may, the ideal UYs for you would be march or april.

more info about UY can be found here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942668

So UY or where you own doesn't really matter..? I could buy any resort any UY and still go a completely different month and a different resort. I was buying based on the month maybe i'll keep looking and choose a ''home'' resort with cheaper annual dues. We LOVE AKV but their yearly dues were higher then most. Thanks for the info

 

[wildernessDad]

So UY or where you own doesn't really matter..? I could buy any resort any UY and still go a completely different month and a different resort. I was buying based on the month maybe i'll keep looking and choose a ''home'' resort with cheaper annual dues. We LOVE AKV but their yearly dues were higher then most. Thanks for the info

Well, there is a booking advantage to buying where you want to stay. You can book your 'home resort' up to 11 months in advance. You can only book other DVC resorts up to 7 months in advance.

 

[chalee94]

So UY or where you own doesn't really matter..?

i wouldn't say it doesn't matter. if you want to consistently stay at the AKV in concierge or value villas, you will probably run into trouble with that plan if you don't own at AKV and book very early at 11 months out. some room types are pretty limited in number available. (BLT-standard view would be another example.)

but if you travel at low demand periods for DVC (may is probably not too bad), you will generally not have a problem booking AKV-savanna view villas with SSR pts (or whatever).

if you never have to cancel a stay, UY will never be an issue...but if a cancellation comes up, it can save you some headaches if you travel at predictable times each year and own a good UY for those stays.

definitely take some time and do some more homework before you purchase.

 

[MiramarQE]

So UY or where you own doesn't really matter..? I could buy any resort any UY and still go a completely different month and a different resort. I was buying based on the month maybe i'll keep looking and choose a ''home'' resort with cheaper annual dues. We LOVE AKV but their yearly dues were higher then most. Thanks for the info

UY matters - it doesn't limit the time of year you can vacation but it matters ENORMOUSLY if you ever need to cancel a reservation. Assume you have your Sep UY - and you book a vacation in August. Come Memorial Day (May) you decide you can't go in August - doesn't matter why (although there are cases where MS has waived rules) - the points you had committed to that August vacation go back into your current UY account - they cannot be banked (even if you borrowed them from the next UY) into the next UY because you passed the 8 month point in your UY (Sep points must be banked before 1 May) and those points must be used (or rented or transferred to another member for use) prior to 1 Sep or you will lose them - they are wasted and never come back. [Note - even more issues if you cancel close to your vacation - learn about HOLD Points too]

Same scenario with an Aug [or Jun] UY - you cancel in May, don't know when you are next going to go - you have until the end of the next March [January for Jun UY] to bank those points you had committed to your [cancelled] August vacation.

You can read the posts on UY selection - bottom line is IF you frequently go in a given month, you want a UY month in that month or the month immediately prior to that month - so if you need to cancel you are still within your banking window.

Getting non-home resort reservations can be tough - depending on the time of year - while you may save some money every year, you may not be vacationing where you want in the type of room you want (studios fill first - one/two BRs typically have better availability) or you may be forced into a split stay (2 or more resorts - you move during your vacation - some people like this) - busy DCV period is essentially Oct (F&W in Epcot) through Dec and the marathons. And the busy periods could change over the course of years (Oct used to be dead - then Disney discovered F&W, it became a hit, and Oct is a busy time)

 

[crisi]

We are buying resale soon..160 pts AKV, use month September. Does this mean we can go anytime in September or is it a specific week we'll own? Do we have to book our week just like a regular reservation? Confused about how booking when owning works...
Our original month we wanted to own was May but there is never anything for sale in May? Is there a reason I'm not seeing any May dates? Even though we'll own for September, can we switch and go in May? I've learned a lot in the past few months about owning DVC but I feel like there is always something new I need to learn. It's exciting and confusing all at once

You are a long way from buying. You need to spend a lot of time doing research since you don't understand the basics of the program, much less the intricacies that can make a huge difference. Mousesavers has a good introduction to DVC, and I think there are a few others if you google. Then spend a few weeks on this board just reading. At first, some of it may make no sense at all, but with time, you'll understand the program a lot better and be able to decide if its right for you.

 

[nkereina]

You are a long way from buying. You need to spend a lot of time doing research since you don't understand the basics of the program, much less the intricacies that can make a huge difference. Mousesavers has a good introduction to DVC, and I think there are a few others if you google. Then spend a few weeks on this board just reading. At first, some of it may make no sense at all, but with time, you'll understand the program a lot better and be able to decide if its right for you.

Couldn't agree more here. We've been researching DVC for almost a year now and still feel we have a ways to go before pulling the trigger. Do some due diligence so you don't overpay or misunderstand, and end up kicking yourself later when you're locked in.

 

[Dean]

We are buying resale soon..160 pts AKV, use month September. Does this mean we can go anytime in September or is it a specific week we'll own? Do we have to book our week just like a regular reservation? Confused about how booking when owning works...
Our original month we wanted to own was May but there is never anything for sale in May? Is there a reason I'm not seeing any May dates? Even though we'll own for September, can we switch and go in May? I've learned a lot in the past few months about owning DVC but I feel like there is always something new I need to learn. It's exciting and confusing all at once

I agree with above, you don't yet know enough to make an informed purchase decision about DVC.

 

[gonzalj1]

We are buying resale soon..160 pts AKV, use month September. Does this mean we can go anytime in September or is it a specific week we'll own? Do we have to book our week just like a regular reservation? Confused about how booking when owning works...
Our original month we wanted to own was May but there is never anything for sale in May? Is there a reason I'm not seeing any May dates? Even though we'll own for September, can we switch and go in May? I've learned a lot in the past few months about owning DVC but I feel like there is always something new I need to learn. It's exciting and confusing all at once

My recommendation is to hold on for your money for now. You need to do some research and have a much better understanding of the program before you buy in IMO. You are setting yourself up for a lot of confusion and drama by not understanding what you're buying.

Some examples

1-You are not buying a week at a timeshare.
2-Use Year has nothing to do with when you can stay at a resort.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[buckeev]

ABSOLUTELY...DO MORE RESEARCH!!!

I have been trying to learn more about the DVC for a couple of months now...and feel like a total goof still. Some things are starting to make more sense, but others are Greek to me.

I do know this...there are many VERY knowledgeable DISrs here!!! I also know...we totally fell in love with the VGF this past Christmas, and are hoping to pull the trigger on it soon.

 

[Sandisw]

I have to agree with many that it might benefit you to take a little bit more time to make sure you understand DVC and how it works so that when you purchase, you get the resort and UY that will work best for you.

Feel free to ask away on the boards as you can pretty much get it all here!

IMO, own a resort that you are comfortable staying with in case another resort you want to try is not available. Where you own allows you to book up to 4 months before others who don't own there. Try to pick a UY that happens just before your typical travel to give extra flexibility if you ever have to change or cancel a trip.

No UY will cover every month but if you know there are times you will most likely travel, having a UY that fits could be a benefit.

Certain times are very busy for DVC--Fall and into the holidays--so if you plan to visit then, know that you will need to book your home resort 11 months in advance.

And, DVC works best for those that plan in advance as everything is subject to availability. Some rooms are harder to get if you don't own at a home resort but nothing is ever impossible--just less likely.

Good luck!