Time Frames for making reservations

[westjones]

I am new and still learning about this program we have bought into.

We want to 'bank' our points this year, and they said we need to do that by September (6 months).

NOW, what I want to do is use this year's points and next year's points for a cruise in 2003.

Is there a time frame (like the 11 month / 7 month thing) for the cruise? And what about if you stay at other Disney places (like the cabins at Fort Wilderness?). Do you have to wait for the 7 month time frame?

Actually, I think we may just go ahead and stay at the BCV that we bought into since we read that you could walk to Epcot (which is where we plan to go before heading to the cruise) and the pool area sounds like something the kids would just love.

Thanks!
Deb

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

You can bank 100% of your points within the 6 month period from the start of your use year month. It sounds like if you were told to bank by september, that you have a use month of March, which means that to bank 100% of your points, you must perform the banking transaction no later than 31-Aug. After 31-Aug you can only bank 50% of your points (by 30-Nov) then 25% (by 31-Dec) and then 0%.

You can book non-DVC properties and exchanges 11 months in advance.

You also need to keep in mind when in 2003 you are thinking about the cruise. For example, if you have a March month and want to take a cruise in February of 2003, then you'd still be in your 2002 use year, so you don't want to bank the 2002 points into 2003, but instead borrow points from 2003 in to 2002.

 

[Terry S]

A September 30th 100% banking deadline would mean an April use year. Your other deadlines would then be 50% December 31st and 25% January 31st.

 

[westjones]

Thanks! We just got all of our paperwork today. Worked out great because DH was off this afternoon, so we got everything notarized and mailed right back. The book they sent with the paperwork makes things a lot clearer.

I just bought last month (April). So we are banking this year's points (we were just at Disney and have a DCL booked in September of this year already).

We want to go on the cruise again in 2003. So I banked this year's points (2002), and I will have next year's points (2003), and I can borrow from the following year's points (2004). This will give me enough for the cruise we want and a few days at WDW before we set sail.

I know we won't be doing this (banking and borrowing the same year), but this year's trips are already set, and in 2004 we have a trip to Hawaii, so I can indulge in 2003 .

I am sure I will get the hang of this. I am so glad they have the points up for the 2003 cruise on the website, I was able to see just how many points I am going to need for what I want.

I am guessing that since I want to stay at my 'home' resort before the cruise, that means I can book the cruise and the resort in October of this year for September of next year (11 months in advance).

Thanks for the help! It is still a bit confusing but DH assures me that in a couple years we will have it all figured out!

Deb

 

[westjones]

Oh wait! I just realized! I probably have to wait until more points are deposited in April before I can book.....right?

OK, I need to get my member's book back out and do some more reading.

Can you 'book' BEFORE your points are deposited?
Oh my! I sure hope this all makes sense one day!
Deb

 

[DebbieB]

The points have to be available on the day of your arrival, not when you book.

For example, if you have an April use year and want to make a reservation for May 2003, you can do it next month in June (11 months for your home resort or non-DVC reservation) because the April 2003 points will be effective for your arrival date. You could even borrow April 2004 points for a May 2003 stay when you make a reservation next month. It goes by your arrival date, not the date you are booking.

 

[westjones]

Oh, Great!!! Thanks Debbie! I am going to mark on my calendar to call in October. I am SO excited! I feel like it is Christmas.....thinking of all of our vacations.

Deb