Thinking of buying resale, can you explain a few things?

[txmomto1]

We are starting to look at some resales, after 3 trips to WDW in 24 months, I figure we are good candidates.

I have a question that I'm wondering if you can answer. There is a resale at SSR I'm looking at, they have 150 points left over from 2008, with a June use year, so June 2009 there will be 300 points.

If you don't use all of the points, will you lose them?

Also, can you explain mousekeeping? They don't come daily?

What about if they are offering free dining? are DVC members not eligible?

What about the DDE card? Who can get this?

Can you purchase the dining plan while using points?

Lots of questions I know, but I figure I'm at the best place for them.

TIA!

 

[Disney Princess]

We are starting to look at some resales, after 3 trips to WDW in 24 months, I figure we are good candidates.

I have a question that I'm wondering if you can answer. There is a resale at SSR I'm looking at, they have 150 points left over from 2008, with a June use year, so June 2009 there will be 300 points.

If you don't use your June 2008 points by May 31st, 2009 you lose them. The only way to not lose points that you will not use is to bank them. You can only bank points once. This means that if you bank your 2008 points into the 2009 use year, they must be used by May 31st, 2010 or you lose them. Does that make sense? Banking must take place by the end of the 8th month after your use year begins. Since your use year would be June, the banking must take place by January 31st I believe (unless my math is wrong!). I highly doubt that your resale purchase would be complete by this date, so I don't know what your options are. I have NO IDEA if this is possible, but maybe having the original owner bank the points could be part of the negotiation.

If you don't use all of the points, will you lose them?

See above and please ask if I have confused you!

Also, can you explain mousekeeping? They don't come daily?

Because it is your "home away from home" you don't have daily mousekeeping. I believe they come on the 4th day? for a towel and tidy. They'll take out the trash and give you fresh linens. On the other days you make your own bed, tidy up, etc. If you are in a 1 BR or larger, you have a washer/dryer in unit that you can use for clean towels, sheets, clothes, whatever. If you are in a studio, I believe there are pubilc washer/dyers to use if necessary. There are also places to take your trash if you find you need to remove it before the towel and tidy. Of course mousekeeping is provided upon checkout no matter how many days you were there. You can also pay to have daily service if you want.

What about if they are offering free dining? are DVC members not eligible?

DVC is not eligible for free dining because we don't pay rack rates on rooms.

What about the DDE card? Who can get this?

The Tables in Wonderland card is available to Florida residents and AP holders. If you are either you can purchase and use this card.

Can you purchase the dining plan while using points?

Yes!

Lots of questions I know, but I figure I'm at the best place for them.

TIA!

This is the place to come. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. If I have said something wrong, they'll be along to edit for me. Good luck with your decision. We are biased, but we are very happy with our purchase and we DVC!

 

[Rose&Mike]

We purchased a resale in 2008 and were very pleased with the experience.

For what it's worth, just a comment about mousekeeping--The one thing I was concerned about with staying in a villa was not having daily mousekeeping. We took a trip in December over and absolutely loved not having mousekeeping. It was no big deal to make up the beds, and we liked being on our own schedule and not worrying about when someone was going to come and knock on the door. On our trash and towel day we put up the do not disturb sign, and didn't end up with any mousekeeping during our 5 day stay.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[5forDiz]

Just to add a few points to what Disney Princess said & to second what Rose&Mike said regarding not even missing daily Mousekeeping (very true!) :

Since June Use Year has a banking deadline of January 31 ( last day of 8th month of June Use Year) it is most likely the seller of this contract will bank those 2008 points into June 2009 Use Year and then those 2008 June Use Year allotment of points will be available to use from June 1 2009 - May 31 2010.

Also, 2009 allotment of points will become available for use as well on
June 1 2009 unless that 2009 allotment of points gets borrowed into 2008 Use Year and should they be borrowed into 2008 Use Year their last date available for use would be May 31 2009.

Once banked or borrowed points remain in the UY that they are either banked or borrowed into; they cannot be "put back" so to speak into the Use Year they were initially from so banking and borrowing is a final transaction.

Mousekeeping - Stays of 7 nights or Less: day 4 (counting Check-In day as DAY 1) is Trash & Towel Day which is trash emptied, fresh towels, shampoo, soaps, paper products & coffee & related items replenished as needed. T&T does not include bed linens being changed . Note- A studio will have a vacuum and there is a laundry room(s) at each DVC resort for use of studio guests.

Stays of 8 nights or More: day 4 (counting Check-In day as DAY 1) is Full Cleaning which includes all mentioned in T&T plus vacuuming, bathroom & kitchen or kitchenette cleaning, dusting and bed linens will be changed. T&T will be on day 8 and on day 12 the cycle begins again with Full Cleaning once again. Note- 1 bedroom and up villas have a vacuum and washer&dryer in each villa.

You can pay for daily Mousekeeping if you wish but must give notice a day before for the day you'd want it; prices are $30 for Studio, $45 1 bedroom, $60 for 2 bedroom ( sorry I can't recall Grand Villa cost ).

Dining Plan - you must call MS at least 48 Hours before Check-In to tell them you want dining plan
( must call at least 48 hours ahead if wish to cancel dining plan ).
At check-in you pay by credit card or cash for dining plan.

 

[wingkng]

With a June Use Year (UY), it's true that you will need to bank it by Jan 31st of this year for your 2008 points. If not, you will have to use them or lose them by June 2009. If you ask the seller to bank it for you, you can have 300 points to use until June 2010 (of course, you can bank your June UY points for 2009 as well.

Beware of when the UY is because it will affect when you can cancel a reservation and still get your points put back in your account. Typically, you want to have your UY just prior to when you plan to vacation most often. If you have a June UY, and you plan a vacation in July, which you have to cancel for some reason, you still have the rest of the year to use your points in some other way.