Thinking Buying VWL October contract - but will we be able to use it THIS October?

[tikitwinsdad]

Hello everybody thanks for all the helpful information on this board! My wife & I have been talkign about the least-well-kept secret for years. Our twins are finally old enough to justify it.

Here's my question...We currently have a trip booked 10/23 - 10/30 at VWL in a one bedroom. We're paying rack rates, which are pretty high. The theory was originally - let's see if we like it. Well, we are only kidding ourselves. We know we will like it!

So, we're thinking why not try to find a contract with at least the # of points we need (214) that will be available in October. That way the $ we would have spent on that trip can be spent on our contract.

The question is...if we make an offer next week for a contract that has an October UY with the # of pts needed, when could we call Member Services to make a reservation for October 2008 (and, thus cancel our cash reservation)? Would it make sense to have the current owner make a reservation, or, as I have read, will that just be cancelled? I assume we wouldn't have to wait until October.

I also assume there's no way to transfer the reservation we currently have. Theoretically, if we cancel our current order - there is a room available, but my guess is that if there is a wait list, others would have a crack at it.

Any thoughts/advice/info would be greatly appreciated. We're hoping soon, we'll be able to hear "Welcome Home."

 

[disneynutz]

Hello everybody thanks for all the helpful information on this board! My wife & I have been talkign about the least-well-kept secret for years. Our twins are finally old enough to justify it.

Here's my question...We currently have a trip booked 10/23 - 10/30 at VWL in a one bedroom. We're paying rack rates, which are pretty high. The theory was originally - let's see if we like it. Well, we are only kidding ourselves. We know we will like it!

So, we're thinking why not try to find a contract with at least the # of points we need (214) that will be available in October. That way the $ we would have spent on that trip can be spent on our contract.

The question is...if we make an offer next week for a contract that has an October UY with the # of pts needed, when could we call Member Services to make a reservation for October 2008 (and, thus cancel our cash reservation)? Would it make sense to have the current owner make a reservation, or, as I have read, will that just be cancelled? I assume we wouldn't have to wait until October.

I also assume there's no way to transfer the reservation we currently have. Theoretically, if we cancel our current order - there is a room available, but my guess is that if there is a wait list, others would have a crack at it.

Any thoughts/advice/info would be greatly appreciated. We're hoping soon, we'll be able to hear "Welcome Home."

You won't close until July 1st. That's only 4 months before October. That means that all the 11 month and the 7 month people have booked already. VWL is not a large resort so the rooms go fast. Odds are you will have trouble getting your dates. All reservations are canceled at time of closing. Your cash reservation is not available to DVC Members because the reservation comes out of a different inventory not available to DVC Members on points. Good luck.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Here's my question...We currently have a trip booked 10/23 - 10/30 at VWL in a one bedroom.
So, we're thinking why not try to find a contract with at least the # of points we need (214) that will be available in October.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but people on this Board report it can take up to 3 months from offer to having points to use for a reservation. While the 1 BR is usually the easiest to book, VWL is the smallest DVC resort and may be sold out for the dates you want by then.

Check out this posting of others waiting for October dates: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1767028

You might think about buying direct from DVC. They will sell you points at VWL and you can make a reservation as soon as you give them your deposit by CC. When you factor in the savings from this one vacation, it may work out to be as inexpensive as a good resale contract.

We did this in 2005 with an Oct reservation (we bought in early April). I told my guide that our purchase of BWV points was contingent on getting the reservation using DVC points. We got our reservation and our points and have been happy DVC owenrs since then.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

pretty interesting..... I was in a similar situation. I have a September reservation at VWL. I had looked into DVC through Disney and the rep went through the offers for SSR andAKL but I mentioned WL and my current reservation. If I bought VWL through DIsney for 101 pt yeah ok... I could change my current reservation because they had a 1 br available..... The only reason I think it would have worked is because buying directly through DVC's process is much faster than resale can be and normally is

I was looking to save some money... inthe end paying 101 a point was more than paying cash for the upcoming trip...

 

[bookwormde]

Remember you do not have to buy 214 points, just have that available with banked, current and borrowed points. I put an offer in 4/10 and want a reservation 8/9-8/15 but I am more flexible as to location and size (am settling next week but this is atypically fast).
Also remember that unless you are going to offer well above ROFR that there is that risk and DVC seems to have been active in ROFR with VWL. IF you have the extra cash and there are no 2007 points that you would loose before your 2009 visit (if you cannot make the 2008 reservation the way you want) then why not take the chance.


bookwormde

 

[crisi]

You cannot transfer a cash reservation to a points reservation. I'm shocked GrumpyBa*D was able to do it (and assume it was done to close the deal, otherwise, its pretty impossible to do)

 

[thumpermom]

Tikitwinsdad,

Ultra newbie DVC member here (couple of weeks!) but my advice would be to call DVC asap! There is no obligation to make an inquiry. You can buy into VWL through Disney for $101/point. It’s higher than what you can get resale, but your points are available almost immediately and resale can take several months. Your chances to get the reservation you want become greatly diminished waiting for your resale contract.

When you call, you will be assigned a guide. They will give you the sales pitch for AKV & SSR (not high pressure, just to give you all the facts) but the final decision as to where to buy is yours. Your guide can check availability for the time you want to go while you are on the phone, and if there is a 1bdrm available, he/she can get it booked for you if you commit to the purchase! You can then just cancel your cash reservation. I just went through a very similar situation, and I had a great experience.

I will say the AKV sales pitch was VERY tempting, but we LOVE VWL and I am soooo happy that is where we decided to buy. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

 

[tikitwinsdad]

Thanks for all the helpful info. This is our first DVC attempt. We actually put an offer in on a 220 point VWL resale contract at $81/pt. Hopefully will make it through ROFR.

Use Year is October. We realize that it is unlikely we'll be able to use it for a 1 bedroom this coming October (10/23 - 10/30), but may have that opportunity. In the meantime we moved our reservation to the Grand Floridian, on the theory if we become DVC members our stays at the GF will be few, if any. The reservation is now room only, too, as, again if we become DVC members, an annual pass makes more sense (but won't purchase that until after we're members to take advantage of the savings).

Assuming we make it through ROFR, once we are in, we our plan is to add points (110 - 120) either through Disney or resale market. We are currently torn between BCV and AKV. BCV's smaller # of units (thus they are "harder to get") and much better location being what it has going for it, but the AKV just looks like it will be beautiful, has animals and larger rooms. Seems like even the pool there will be if not as good as BCV's still very good. Disney also has the $8 off per point deal going for it, too. Though, I suspect it will take us 3 - 4 months to get this transaction closed before we can be "current members" eligible for a points add-on.

Haven't called Disney yet, but perhaps I should. Waiting to get past ROFR and get this closed is the worst thing about buying resale.

Thanks again for all the info, if anyone has any grand ideas on this plan of action or BCV vs. AKV, I'm all ears!