Which month is the best anniversary date and why?

[tamu91]

I had a hard time deciding which month I should choose as my anniversary date. I finally settled for December because I plan on, on most years, vacationing between late Feb and early June and having until May to bank my points in full just made most sense to me. February was my first choice but I couldn't find any Feb resale with right amount of points.

 

[JimC]

The general guideline is to seek a use year that preceeds when you most often travel. That leaves you with the most cushion in case you cancel.

 

[rocketriter]

Given your projected travel pattern, your choice of Use Year is just fine.

 

[PamOKW]

Your Use Year sounds fine. It's impossible to pick the "best" because there isn't one. Your Use Year works great with your current travel but over the next 30-50 years your pattern will probably change. Use Year is not that big a deal except when you have a trip late in your year and have to cancel close to the travel date.

 

[pearljim]

I agree about vacation habits; lately we've been going in the fall, early January and first week in March. We're August for both OKW and SSR. I'd go earlier to hit the best booking windows if I had it to do all over again.

 

[Dean]

Based on your stated Vacation habits, I'd say Feb would be the best and Dec second. If you're looking for a resale, that gives you more choices of resale to chose from. If you're looking through DVC, which ever you can get the earliest points would be the best. While they sold 2003 use year at SSR, I don't think you'll be able to get the 2003 points now for a Dec. use year. That makes Feb best IF you can get the 2004 points.

 

[tamu91]

Originally posted by Dean
Based on your stated Vacation habits, I'd say Feb would be the best and Dec second. If you're looking for a resale, that gives you more choices of resale to chose from. If you're looking through DVC, which ever you can get the earliest points would be the best. While they sold 2003 use year at SSR, I don't think you'll be able to get the 2003 points now for a Dec. use year. That makes Feb best IF you can get the 2004 points.

When I spoke with Disney last week, the sales rep told me if I signed the Contract "soon" and I wanted December as my anniversary date, there was a chance that Disney can back-date the Contract to Dec'03 so I can have points right away. That would've meant paying 2003 maintenace fee but for some people, that might be worth it.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by tamu91
When I spoke with Disney last week, the sales rep told me if I signed the Contract "soon" and I wanted December as my anniversary date, there was a chance that Disney can back-date the Contract to Dec'03 so I can have points right away. That would've meant paying 2003 maintenace fee but for some people, that might be worth it. If you are looking to buy SSR, this might be worth trying.

Unless something has recently changed, you would not have to pay 2003 dues (maintenance fees). MF are based on calendar year - for a SSR purchase you would pay only a prorated share of 2004 dues regardless of the use year of your contract.

I'm not sure if the prorate would be from the date "your" SSR building is available for occupancy or the date you sign the purchase agreement, but you would not owe additional MF just because you purchased a December use year and received 2003 points. (Not sure how DVC could give you 2003 points for SSR anyway, since SSR wasn't even open until May, 2004).

Maybe the guide meant that you would still pay 2004 MF on the points you sell back to Disney (if you opted for the Magical Beginnings option).

Best wishes -

 

[CarolMN]

oops! Double post. Sorry.

 

[tamu91]

Originally posted by CarolMN
oops! Double post. Sorry.

Yes, I think I stand corrected. Any proration based on availability. Shoot, it might be worth it then.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by tamu91
When I spoke with Disney last week, the sales rep told me if I signed the Contract "soon" and I wanted December as my anniversary date, there was a chance that Disney can back-date the Contract to Dec'03 so I can have points right away. That would've meant paying 2003 maintenace fee but for some people, that might be worth it.

If you can get December, 2003 points and use those points, that is a good choice. DON'T buy SSR unless you are committed to that option, it's not worth it just to get the extra points which you might be able to do resale anyway. Buy where you want to stay. If you don't care where you stay, look at the cheapest option.

I know others have tried for Dec, 2003 in the last couple of months and been turned down though these things are rathr fluid so you might be able to swing it. As for dues, you will pay either from the date you sign the closing papers or the date your building opens (the first day you can actually use them at SSR, not when you make the reservation). If you bought Dec, 2003 or Feb, 2004, you would pay the rest of 2004 and the dues would be the same regardless. If you didn't get points until 2004 December, you would only pay one months dues for this year. The extra points are worth more than the dues savings.

 

[DaveH]

Our use year for our VWL points is Dec. We added on at SSR and got 2003 points for Dec use year. We are using some this year and banking the rest.