Welcome home 1st trip question

[Boopuff]

Hi, we finally decided to forge ahead and purchase DVC. I understand that your first trip is “special “ but my question is: how far in advance can you book your first trip? Is the 11 month rule in place? Or is it “flexible “ for first timer? We’re hoping to close at the end of July and want to book our first trip Dec. of 22. Hoping they’ll let us do that!

 

[redboat45]

No sooner than 11 months out. I'm not sure if the "welcome home" booking applies to resale though. We never had any sort of special booking opportunities or "help".

 

[Heather07438]

That’s a direct perk where maybe your guide can help make something happen when possible. Within reason sometimes they might be able to make a reservation work when the regular system couldnt. Like you wanted Boardwalk 10 months from closing but one or two of the days are unavailable, then possibly they could pull one from DVC cash to convert for you, or something like that. They can’t work miracles, a lot is out of their control. But they do have a few tricks to try and get you that perfect Welcome Home. Never hurts to see if they’re able to help, just can’t count on it.

 

[Boopuff]

We are buying direct so I’m hoping we’ll get something good!

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I added direct points and member services booked me a welcome home trip a week or so ago around the date you mentioned. It was a pleasant surprise as I was piecing together a trip with resale points for SSR otherwise.

The studio options were:
BRV
Poly
AKV
BLT - lake view
SSR

There may have been another one but I think that was it.

 

[Rush]

When we bought SSR direct it was about 6 weeks prior to a 1 week studio BC cash reservation stay. We said we’d only buy if they could convert our cash stay to a BCV studio using our new points. He put us on hold for a few minutes, came back and said they could do it. We stayed in the BCV building when we arrived. I don’t want to say they can make anything happen, but a BCV studio for one full week 6 weeks out tells me they can make ALMOST anything happen to close a deal.

 

[redboat45]

I added direct points and member services booked me a welcome home trip a week or so ago around the date you mentioned. It was a pleasant surprise as I was piecing together a trip with resale points for SSR otherwise.

The studio options were:
BRV
Poly
AKV
BLT - lake view
SSR

There may have been another one but I think that was it.

they booked a trip for you for December of next year?

 

[Sandisw]

We are buying direct so I’m hoping we’ll get something good!

As mentioned, you are still required to follow the 11 month guidelines. And, you can not have booked anything by yourself prior to it or they won’t help you.

The entire point was to help those buying within the 11 month window to get something if all things were booked.

Since you are not going until Dec 2022, the earliest they might be able to help you is January 2022 at your home resort. But, if you are buying now, you would be eligible to book like the rest of us by then so not sure how much extra will be needed,

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

they booked a trip for you for December of next year?

This year. Sorry thought OP meant December 22nd instead of 2022.

 

[Boopuff]

So our trip hopefully will be Dec 2, 2022. Thanks so much for all your replies!