To DVC or not to DVC...

[Smoochies]

Hi everyone! DVC novice here. I hope I’m posting in the right spot---from the intro sticky I think I am?

We just went through the tour and are trying to figure out some details to see if this would be a good option for us (so hopefully no one takes issue with what I am sure are some oft-repeated questions below). We’re 2 adults in our mid to late 20’s. We’re Florida residents who visit Disney several times a year (not usually during peak times), but we never plan out very far in advance…maximum time in advance is probably 4 months or so and minimum is the day before, if we get a bug. We usually stay anywhere from 1-4 nights; never for an entire week.

We’ve always been very flexible on where we stay, so pickiness is not an issue for us. However, how feasible is it that we’d be able to find anything DVC with little notice? Our guide didn’t think this would be an issue since we are flexible and don‘t stay at peak times, but I’d like to get some input from practiced veterans. We need to decide how much we’ll need to change our habits if we do decide to do DVC (and if we’d be willing to do so!).

Thanks for any input you may be able to provide!

 

[Sandisw]

Welcome! First, peak times for the parks are not the same as peak times for DVC. December is one of those times. Most members book 11 months in advance for that time period and finding last minute reservations would be hit or miss.

If you are flexible with your resort choice, then I would consider looking in to gettins SSR resale. It has a great price, MF's are low, it is a big resort, and has an expiration date of 2054, longer than all the other WDW resorts, except BLT and AKV.

Since you go to Disney often, financially, I think it would work out well for you. The last minute planning may not. But, when you are flexible in where and what you stay in, it would probably be okay.

One thing you can do is start off with a smaller # of points, and see how it goes. If it seems to work, then you can always add on more to cover the multiple trips you make every year. Even if you start out with 50 points, you will be a member and qualify for the AP at the DVC rate--although as a Florida resident, you may already get a great price on tickets.

Good luck!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Some will say that the lack of planning will be an issue.

I think that you will often find rooms 4 months out.

I think you should be more "spur of the moment" early in your UY...and maybe have a fall back reservation plan for late in the UY. Keep banking deadlines in mind.

Do know that peak DVC times and regular peak times are two different things.

Early December is the absolutely busiest time for DVC.

In your case, I would definitely consider buying at SSR only. If outside financing is not a problem, consider purchasing resale.

Good Luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

As Sandi said, at the 7 month mark all points are equal. So it would be financially savvy to purchase a resale at SSR, then waitlist or stay were there is an availability. The only time the "home" resort matters is if you are planning 11-8 months out to get the booking advantage at your home resort over others. My AKV points are the same as your SSR points at 7 months and I paid more for them AND have higher MFs. But I can book a savannah room 11 months out, or whatever, and you would have to wait until your 7 month mark. THe first week of Dec, home resort advantage is necessary due to the low "point cost" at AKV for that week. I reserved 2 SV studios to make sure I had them.

My DH was particular about the resort....he only wanted AKV, sight unseen. I was like you and just happy to be staying there. I would like to resort hop, but not DH. But who would have a problem staying at AKV with a SV, right??

I would also start out small, with SSR that may be easier to find resale.

 

[Smoochies]

Aha! I hadn’t thought that DVC peak times would be any different than regular seasons. I knew you guys would point out something I hadn’t considered!! Is there anywhere online that shows what the most popular DVC times are or should I just use the points charts for an idea (i.e., Adventure Season more popular than Magic)?

It’s funny---our guide actually suggested Grand Californian (because of the incentives) for us since we weren’t really thinking we’d want to plan out 11 months ahead for WDW. We would have never even put DL in the hat and we were all set on SSR resales before we talked to him. The hubbie took over the financial/resales research…he’s the money-minded guy. (Although, he’s pushing for more points, not less now…so maybe he shouldn’t be in charge of the financial stuff anymore!)

 

[ToddyLu]

So you want to go to WDW more often and he suggested GCV....because of incentives? I understand that budget is important....but buying points at GCV/DL is not good if you want to visit WDW. What if DVC decides that there will be no reservations outside of your home base. I don't think that will happen, but you never know. I would stay with SSR so you are insured a stay at WDW....but you may know this already. I am excited for you!! and hope to say

WELCOME HOME soon!

 

[Smoochies]

I know, I thought it was funny/odd too! But, being that we’re looking at pretty much every option, we went ahead and threw that on the list to consider as well…so many options and pros/cons. Our guide didn’t seem to feel that DVC locking down resorts would be a threat (he was looking at our resort flexibility vs. incentives), but it’s definitely something we are going to keep in mind in our decision-making. Thanks for the hopeful welcome, Toddy!

 

[3DisneyKids]

It sounds to me like you are IDEAL candidates for DVC. You go multiple times per year, you are flexible with your travel dates, and you are YOUNG so you will hit your break-even point (in terms of the financial buy-in) early on and then have DECADES of use that are "free" aside from fees.

We have been members for 6 years. We have never booked more than 4 months out. Often times only a few weeks out! We never travel during peak times. And we have always, always, always had no problem booking. Sure, there have been times when our choice of resort was limited (as in, only SSR or OKW had availability), but more often than not, we have even had multiple options of where to stay. Again, trying to book at 2-ish months out, we have stayed at SSR, OKW, AKV, Beach Club, Boardwalk (MANY times) and even Grand Californian!

If your main concern about buying in is that you book close to travel time, then I wouldn't think twice--go ahead and buy! The only issue to consider is whether or not you will be happy staying at SSR or OKW. Since those are the two largest resorts, they are the ones likely to have availability with short notice (and SSR more so than OKW).

We knew this before purchasing, so we actually planned a trip and rented points at SSR. We fell in love with it! So we knew that the "worst case" was that we might end up at SSR because it was the only place with availability so close to our travel time--and we had absolutely no problem being "stuck" with SSR, let me tell you! And like I said, we have been able to stay everywhere else even booking close to travel time. Sure, there have been several times that we have booked OKW and waitlisted for either BW or BC and they have then come through. But even if the waitlist hadn't come through, we knew we would be happy at OKW so it wasn't a problem.

So, the main question for you becomes whether or not you will be happy at ANY of the DVC resorts as you might have to take whatever is available.

 

[calypso726]

Hi! We are FL residents too. While we normally plan a few trips 11 months out we also do some last minute or spur of the moment trips too. We also travel during non peak WDW times. I have yet to be unable to get a room even last minute. My advice, since you don't care where you stay would be to buy SSR resale. We found DVC to be right for us financially. We used to stay value/mod with FL resident discount or whatever promotion we could get. Even with those low prices DVC made better financial sense for us because of how often we go. Beware of addonitis We just added on at AKV and are planning to add on again during this year's DVC member cruise Good luck!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Do know that peak DVC times and regular peak times are two different things.

Early December is the absolutely busiest time for DVC.

Sorry to hijack the thread, OP, but this never even occurred to me.

Aside from early December (when we'll never be going, or at least for 16 years until the kids are out of school), what are the other prime times? Is it busiest when points go the farthest? I foresee all, or very nearly all, of our trips being during the "Magic Season", at least until the children are out of school (and that is at least 16 years from now). We are the types who can, and generally do, plan 11 months out, but we don't "need to".

Thanks!

 

[ToddyLu]

Yes, you are correct...Dec is busy because generally the points go farther. The park have lower crowds typically so that also draws in the DVCer. Another busy time would be F&W at BCV or BWV since they are Epcot resorts. So if you wanted to stay at those two resorts it would be helpful to own there so you could insure a spot at the resort for F&W. VWL are also popular at Christmas becasue of the decorations-again helpful to own points there so you get the 11 month advantage.

 

[Smoochies]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! I think we’ll be happy staying wherever…we’ve stayed pretty much every level, and although I have my favorites and DH doesn’t particularly enjoy the values, neither of us are very picky overall.

Calypso---It’s nice to hear from a fellow Fl Res, because that is my biggest hang-up - the Fl Res discounts; but every which way I’ve crunched the numbers, it still seems like DVC will work out better, so it’s nice to have some validation of that!

I’m so bad at decision-making!!

 

[Sandisw]

Sorry to hijack the thread, OP, but this never even occurred to me.

Aside from early December (when we'll never be going, or at least for 16 years until the kids are out of school), what are the other prime times? Is it busiest when points go the farthest? I foresee all, or very nearly all, of our trips being during the "Magic Season", at least until the children are out of school (and that is at least 16 years from now). We are the types who can, and generally do, plan 11 months out, but we don't "need to".

Thanks!

I think some of the vacation times are busy and you would want to take advantage of the 11 month window, like Xmas time, or Spring Break.

I do not think that summer is as difficult to book at the 7 month mark. But, with any DVC trip, the closer you get to travel time, the less chance you have of getting a reservation.

We booked both BCV and BLT for the summer. BLT was booked at 11 months and BCV at 7 months with no issue. I even changed a BLT day to another BCV day at the 6 month mark. However, when I called to check availability for a few nights for a friend at the 5 month mark, there was nothing at BCV available for July dates in a studio.

 

[2BoysMom]

I'm so happy that the OP created this thread!

I, too, am a Florida resident and my DH and I talk about DVC all of the time (I wish we bought it when we first looked!!! grrr..) But we have also hesitated due to the FL Resident rates that we can get and the fact that we normally don't plan way ahead of time for our trips. The 11 month and 7 month marks were really what held me back. Also the concept of UY..

We usually travel May and October or December, so I am not clear which month would be the best UY for us?

I finally understand the 11 month/7 month concept due to this thread. Thanks.

I never would have considered SSR, but I totally get the logic that everyone is sharing.

 

[2BoysMom]

We usually travel May and October or December, so I am not clear which month would be the best UY for us?

Any advice on the UY question?

Thanks,
Donna

 

[chalee94]

We usually travel May and October or December, so I am not clear which month would be the best UY for us?

i'd suggest october.

the short explanation is that you should:

1) ideally travel early in your use year (so traveling in oct and dec work well)

AND

2) very rarely travel late in your UY (you don't seem to want to travel july/aug/sept)

i'd suggest that you read this thread (at least the first post):

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

(personally, i wouldn't suggest DVC for someone who doesn't plan very far in advance - timesharing doesn't work as well on short notice...but it's up to you...)