Which contract offer do you think is better...

[FatalSports]

First post here!

We've been looking into buying DVC membership for a little while. We've come across what we think is 2 good deals...what would you all recommend based on your previous experience/ownership.

Both are at Saratoga Springs...

OPTION 1
160 Pts, $87 per pt.
2015 160 banked pts - must be used by Dec 1, 2017
2016 160 pts - can be banked or used (IF banking, must bank by July 1, 2017)
2017 pts come Dec 1

OPTION 2
180 Pts, $78 per pt.
2016 180 banked pts - must be used between August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
2017 pts come August 1


What do you feel is the better option? Overall price is pretty similar...one you get 20 pts more per year, the other you get 160 extra banked pts (even though they have to be used this year).

Please let me know what you think and thank you in advance!!!

 

[supersnoop]

I'd put more emphasis on which use year makes the most sense for your travel habits.

 

[Cyberc1978]

To recommend anything I would need to know when you expect to be traveling?

Use year a side I would go with the 180 point contract since it's 10$ cheaper pr point.

The extra 160 points on the first contract is a one time thing, even though they are nice and could be rented to lower overall cost I'd still go with the other contract.

 

[FatalSports]

To recommend anything I would need to know when you expect to be traveling?

Use year a side I would go with the 180 point contract since it's 10$ cheaper pr point.

The extra 160 points on the first contract is a one time thing, even though they are nice and could be rented to lower overall cost I'd still go with the other contract.

We actually live in Florida...so we expect to be using the points for weekend stays here and there - probably not during peak times since we have the luxury of being close enough to not have to go during the peak times.

We more than likely not be using this to pre-plan a vacation months and months in advance...it would be something more like, check this month if a room is available to stay this weekend.

 

[supersnoop]

We actually live in Florida...so we expect to be using the points for weekend stays here and there - probably not during peak times since we have the luxury of being close enough to not have to go during the peak times.

We more than likely not be using this to pre-plan a vacation months and months in advance...it would be something more like, check this month if a room is available to stay this weekend.

I recommend you do much more research about DVC. Peak times are different for DVC than for the parks. Weekends are typically filled up six months in advance. I don't think DVC would be a good fit for your travel plans. Of course, if you want to try it out for yourself, a small contract at SSR is the right move. I suspect you'll be disappointed with availability and sell in a few short years.

 

[zavandor]

I recommend you do much more research about DVC. Peak times are different for DVC than for the parks. Weekends are typically filled up six months in advance. I don't think DVC would be a good fit for your travel plans. Of course, if you want to try it out for yourself, a small contract at SSR is the right move. I suspect you'll be disappointed with availability and sell in a few short years.

This is probably true.
However I've read that at some point (30 days in advance?) inventory not sold by CRO goes back to DVC to be booked last minute. Is it still true? And how often does this happen?

 

[Cyberc1978]

This is probably true.
However I've read that at some point (30 days in advance?) inventory not sold by CRO goes back to DVC to be booked last minute. Is it still true? And how often does this happen?

I haven't read that it would go back to DVC if CRO couldn't sell it.

Normally if you find anything past 31 days it's because members has canceled and got their points into holding. How often that happens I don't know but I don't assume it's that often.

 

[Cyberc1978]

We actually live in Florida...so we expect to be using the points for weekend stays here and there - probably not during peak times since we have the luxury of being close enough to not have to go during the peak times.

We more than likely not be using this to pre-plan a vacation months and months in advance...it would be something more like, check this month if a room is available to stay this weekend.

I agree if you can't plan more than a month in advance you have a high risk of disappointment because of the lack of availability.

Have you tried renting with that short notice? - if you haven't you would find that the availability is very limited. Depending of the time of year you wish to go, you may find availability at SSR & OKW.

See this thread for additional info: https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

 

[supersnoop]

This is probably true.
However I've read that at some point (30 days in advance?) inventory not sold by CRO goes back to DVC to be booked last minute. Is it still true? And how often does this happen?

In the last 10 days, Member Services might be able to pull back some CRO inventory if it's unsold. But you have to call, and after trying 4 times myself, I've never been successful. I think I've read one report here of someone getting a room pulled back for points.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is probably true.
However I've read that at some point (30 days in advance?) inventory not sold by CRO goes back to DVC to be booked last minute. Is it still true? And how often does this happen?

No, that's never been the case. Now and then there's a report or two of MS bestowing some pixie dust and being able to pull a room back but it's not a regular process.

 

[FatalSports]

So...trying to book 1-3 months out during the non-peak DVC times (January, May-June, Late Aug, Sept-Early Nov, and Early Dec...basically Adventure to Dream Season), we will not be able to get the resort, room, or view we want?

Most of the time we will probably want to book at Animal Kingdom Studio with a SV view, though we would also prob like to experience Polynesian, Saratoga, and Bay Lake at a few times during our membership.

Is the consensus that this is more than likely not going to be possible 1-3 months out?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Anywhere 1-3 months out? You'll almost always just be hoping to pick up a cancellation. SSR would be the main hope but since your including for some of the busiest DVC times (adventure season does not automatically equate to slow season) and most popular resorts I think you'll be fairly unhappy. To do what you want might work if you really have flexibility on the dates so would just see what's available when and book right away and you'd want to be willing to stay anywhere and know that often that would be SSR. And you might need to consider 1 BRs for some of those times.

 

[supersnoop]

So...trying to book 1-3 months out during the non-peak DVC times (January, May-June, Late Aug, Sept-Early Nov, and Early Dec...basically Adventure to Dream Season), we will not be able to get the resort, room, or view we want?

Most of the time we will probably want to book at Animal Kingdom Studio with a SV view, though we would also prob like to experience Polynesian, Saratoga, and Bay Lake at a few times during our membership.

Is the consensus that this is more than likely not going to be possible 1-3 months out?

Mid-September through the marathon in January is the busy season for DVC.

You'd probably be able to book a one-bedroom at SSR with that short notice.

I know it seems strange that we're trying to talk you out of purchasing, but DVC is a timeshare are really works best when you can plan well in advance. DVC is designed for 98% occupancy, which means everything will be booked. The only question is, how far in advance will the rooms be reserved? I'm afraid you're going to be very disappointed with availability.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I am DVC and looked on the DVC site yesterday to check availability short term for studios. On the Resort Availability Tool for what's available in the next 60 days, which lists/groups by week, the first time a studio showing available came up was the week of June 4. There were assorted 1 and 2 bedrooms available for a few days here and there but it sure does look like it would be hard to count on a studio.

 

[supersnoop]

I think you can get to this page without logging in. It's the "Last Minute Getaway" list, which shows availability in the next 60 days.
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/vacation-planning/resort-availability-stays/

You can always luck into a cancellation, but that takes a lot of work; checking availability 10 times a day for weeks hoping that something will open up and you can snag it before someone else books it.

 

[Dean]

First post here!

We've been looking into buying DVC membership for a little while. We've come across what we think is 2 good deals...what would you all recommend based on your previous experience/ownership.

Both are at Saratoga Springs...

OPTION 1
160 Pts, $87 per pt.
2015 160 banked pts - must be used by Dec 1, 2017
2016 160 pts - can be banked or used (IF banking, must bank by July 1, 2017)
2017 pts come Dec 1

OPTION 2
180 Pts, $78 per pt.
2016 180 banked pts - must be used between August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
2017 pts come August 1


What do you feel is the better option? Overall price is pretty similar...one you get 20 pts more per year, the other you get 160 extra banked pts (even though they have to be used this year).

Please let me know what you think and thank you in advance!!!

I agree that if one UY is better than another, that is the most important thing in this situations. Ignoring that and assuming that 160 will do what you want, Option 2 is the best one. The differences on a per point basis is that you get the 2015 points that expire in option #1 and you don't get 2015 but get the other points 4 months sooner. So if you value full use points at $12 a point and restricted points at $8 a point (depends on how likely you'd be able to use them), Option 2 is worth $4 a point less but costs $9 a point less with those assumptions. If you change the assumptions, so do the numbers but I don't think there's any reasonable set of assumptions that will have the values cross over. Since I'd put UY as worth about a years worth of points, more in some cases, I still think UY is the main factor but ONLY if one of these is perfect for you. Also, I'd buy 25 points retail afterwards if that would affect your decisions between these 2.

 

[Nie0214]

So...trying to book 1-3 months out during the non-peak DVC times (January, May-June, Late Aug, Sept-Early Nov, and Early Dec...basically Adventure to Dream Season), we will not be able to get the resort, room, or view we want?

September (food and wine) through Marathon Weekend in January is high season for DVC owners and it's very unlikely you'd find a weekend 1-3 months before the trip. Most people traveling this time of year book at 11 months out. It's also the most popular time of year for guaranteed week purchases.

 

[FatalSports]

Thank you everyone for the help...my wife and talked it over and we decided to move forward with the purchase with option 2. We signed the contract yesterday and it was sent to Disney - hopefully no issues with ROFR.

I really appreciate all the info and help from everyone here! I found someone who I work with who has a DVC membership and he showed me what was available a few months out for a few different dates and I was definitely OK with what I saw and am willing to be flexible for those availabilities on a short notice.

 

[mustinjourney]

Thank you everyone for the help...my wife and talked it over and we decided to move forward with the purchase with option 2. We signed the contract yesterday and it was sent to Disney - hopefully no issues with ROFR.

I really appreciate all the info and help from everyone here! I found someone who I work with who has a DVC membership and he showed me what was available a few months out for a few different dates and I was definitely OK with what I saw and am willing to be flexible for those availabilities on a short notice.

Awesome! Good luck!

 

[kboo]

Thank you everyone for the help...my wife and talked it over and we decided to move forward with the purchase with option 2. We signed the contract yesterday and it was sent to Disney - hopefully no issues with ROFR.

I really appreciate all the info and help from everyone here! I found someone who I work with who has a DVC membership and he showed me what was available a few months out for a few different dates and I was definitely OK with what I saw and am willing to be flexible for those availabilities on a short notice.

Cool! Good luck!