Use Year Decision

[Strikan]

Hey all. We are very close to buying DVC and have a Use Year question. We intend to travel in February and April which would suggest a February Use Year in order to give us flexibility if we need to change plans. However, we may want to do the occasional December trip, which would mean a December Use Year might make sense. What would you guys suggest or do in these circumstances?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

December is still a good UY for spring so if Dec travel has a possibility then I'd go for a Dec UY. Getting a Feb UY and traveling in Dec would be the worst UY.

 

[LAX]

Hey all. We are very close to buying DVC and have a Use Year question. We intend to travel in February and April which would suggest a February Use Year in order to give us flexibility if we need to change plans. However, we may want to do the occasional December trip, which would mean a December Use Year might make sense. What would you guys suggest or do in these circumstances?

A Dec UY would work for summer travel as well, but terrible for fall travel. Unless you intend to travel during fall and Thanksgiving frequently, I think a Dec UY would work well for you.

LAX

 

[Dean]

Hey all. We are very close to buying DVC and have a Use Year question. We intend to travel in February and April which would suggest a February Use Year in order to give us flexibility if we need to change plans. However, we may want to do the occasional December trip, which would mean a December Use Year might make sense. What would you guys suggest or do in these circumstances?

It really boils down to how likely you'd do Dec. If it's less than 20% of the trips, I'd do Feb but Dec would be workable. This is a situation where being open to both and looking at the best contract would be reasonable.

 

[CarolMN]

Consider September if you think the least likely consecutive months of travel would be June, July & August. You have up to 8 months after the beginning of your use year to bank points. Even an August use year (banking deadline is the following March 31) would work for April trips because you have to cancel a trip at least 31 days in advance to avoid having the returned points go into holding. (Holding points cannot be banked and expire at the end of the use year and they also have other restrictions on use).

Keep in mind that travel patterns tend to change over time. Fall is very popular for a reason.

If you haven't already, check out this thread:
Understanding Use Year

Good luck with your research and eventual purchase.

 

[icc2515]

Sept, Oct, Dec, or Feb. This way you give yourself some flexibility when you are looking for contracts.

 

[Strikan]

Many thanks for the advice - really appreciate it.

 

[mustinjourney]

Keep in mind that travel patterns tend to change over time. Fall is very popular for a reason.

If you haven't already, check out this thread:
Understanding Use Year

Good luck with your research and eventual purchase.

I probably should have bought a September or OCT UY. I bought DEC b/c the plan was to travel end of Jan/early Feb and/or beginning of DEC.

Problem is that our contract came with banked almost expired points, so we booked a few days during F&W last year...and we both really enjoyed it.

Now I might have to do another contract with a different UY solely for those F&W trips. #disneyproblems