Using points from multiple resorts

[ldietiker]

I'm a new owner with the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian with 160 points. I'm also considering buying points (say, another 150) from another resort, such as Saratoga Springs or the Beach Club Villas. However, I don't understand how making reservations will work in the future. If I buy into BCV for the right to reserve 11 months prior to the starting date, does this mean I could only use the 150 points (plus 150 future year points) from BCV at that 11 month time? If this is only enough for some of the dates or for 1-bdrm instead of 2, is there a recommendation for what to do at the 7-month time when I can use my points from the Grand Californian?

I'm sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, but I searched the board and could not find recommendations about how to make reservations with points from more than one resort.

Thanks!
Leslie

 

[vicki_c]

Yes, you are correct. Each home resort gets 11 month booking window, but you can't use the other resort's point to book anywhere but that resort until 7 months. So you can book the BCV stay at 11 months using BCV points, then at 7 months, book the balance of your stay there using the other points.

 

[disneynutz]

The best advice is to buy enough points to stay where you want, when you want. That gives you the best chance for success by booking at 11 months. Many two resort owners will book each home resort at 11 months and try to change a reservation at 7 months. Owning at DL and WDW makes this impossible.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You can use up to 3 years of points with banking, current and borrowing so it all depends on how often you wish to visit each resort if you don't want to risk waiting until 7 months.

 

[DVCGeek]

I own 4 contracts and plan to use them with different frequency. This way I can take 2 trips per year, and book each trip at the 11 month window. Most of my points are at BLT, so I go there very year in this example:

2009: take BLT & VWL trips & BANK VGC points
2010: take BLT & VGC trips {bank AKV to 2011, borrowed VWL to 2009}
2011: take BLT & AKV trips <borrowed VGC, bank VWL>

Then anytime I book something at 7 months or less I mix and match my points from the 'leftovers' of all my contracts. Same goes for trying other resorts...

 

[ldietiker]

These are great ideas. Thanks everyone!
Leslie