Yet another 'check my logic' thread on use year and points strategy

[PedroD]

Ok...so as I continue to over-analyze the process to death, I feel like I'm settling on a strategy, but wanted to ask for anyone who wants to double-check my logic and specifically to help me on the Use Year importance.

We have three adult kids (18-22) and have gone about 1x per year for the past many years. We are probably going to tend to visit either just after Thanksgiving or sometime in October for probably an average of 4-5 nights for the next 5-10 years. But once grand-kids start popping out, I'd imagine that vacations might shift into early summer months with school schedules. We will want 2 or 3 bedroom villas for now...but then probably week long vacations in smaller accommodations later with the grandkids.

We will want to deed the same number of points to each of our children someday...thinking about 150 points per child. We are definitely going to want home resort at VGF through resale, but I'm thinking that we might also do a 150 point contract at Riviera. I know the restrictions on resale at RIV, but hedging against future resort options, being proper DVC members for perks, and taking advantage of incentives which make RIV a better purchase right now is making me lean that way. We are foodies, love Europe and like the easy access to two parks, so RIV is attractive for those reasons. So, we would shoot for 3 resale contracts of 100pts each for VGF and one 150 point contract direct at RIV, deeded on a three way split, all with the same use years ideally.

So, with all of that info out of the way, I am turning my thoughts to best use year. Thinking that September or October would be the best options for our current preferred vacation times in October and November. I think that those use year months would also give us some limited flexibility for early summer vacations down the road as well.

But...I don't see a lot of Sept or Oct resale options out there, and with my specific requirements of 3 separate 100 point contracts, it might be tough to find. Maybe it really doesn't matter that much since I want to target vacation months that are effectively 6-7 months apart typically (Oct/Nov OR June).

Should I stop stressing about getting Sept/Oct use years, or should I just be patient for as long as it will take? Any specific use years you would avoid other than December? I see some February options right now that meet our point needs...but not sure that Feb would work very well for our preferred vacation times.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!!!!!

 

[MICKIMINI]

We always go to F & W, usually a week before Halloween and a week after. Our son and DIL have started meeting us there and we gift them a week plus. We have Oct UY for 2 (now 4) OKW contracts that is our primary home. We bought two BRV contracts this summer with a June UY as we were unable to find anything for October. It will work for us as we will only stay at BRV with those two contracts. We also gift our son and DIL another 4-7 nights in the spring and they can stay at a different resort by switching out at 7 months if they want. It is working out for us but you have to be aware of what is going on with your points.

I would definitely stick with a September or October UY for fall visits but as you noted, they are harder to find. We just bought two contracts from the same seller (we have done that three times). Often, sellers list multiple contracts and if you are persistent and stalk the resale sites you can pick those up. Ask the broker to bundle those contracts for a lower closing cost (we've done that three times as well). Good luck!

 

[Lorana]

August is the 4th most popular UY, so might be a good alternative if you are worried about availability of resale contracts on the market.

 

[Sandisw]

If summer is a time you may travel, I’d look for a June UY instead because it covers that as well as your fall travel.

No UY will cover it all but when you have a general idea, it helps to pick one in which you can travel during the beginning of it.

Sept and Oct UY are the worst for summer And if COVID has taught us anything it’s that it’s even riskier than one thinks to travel outside your banking window because sometimes things outside your control can cause the trip to be canceled.

 

[Wedgeout]

I’d broaden your UY options. If you end up having to cancel a reservation you most likely will do it 31+ days prior and within your first 8 months of any UY to still have banking available. So really it’s those last couple months of your use year that you wouldn’t want to book very many trips because you lose that banking safety net.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oct or right after Thanksgiving, make sure you love your resort, especially if you want to book three bedroom villas. You may have to walk that reservation at GFV or even RIV. Don't plan on booking those stays at seven months out. You need the 11 months booking timeframe. With only 150 points at RIV you won't be booking a GV unless you bank and borrow. You need 157 points per night at RIV for a GV in Oct and most of Nov. Early Dec is only 108 points per night. Thanksgiving weekend will cost you 140 points per night. Summer is 135 points per night.

GFV is 127 points per night In Oct and most of Nov. Early Dec is only 118 points per night. Thanksgiving weekend will cost you 160 points per night. Summer is 149 per night. Again,, these are only Sun through Thur. Fri and Sat are more.

 

[PedroD]

Yes, thanks for the guidance on points. We are not going to be trying to book the 3 bedroom villas every year for sure. Mostly will be 2 bedroom villas for just our family...but every 2nd or 3rd year we might do a bigger invite list and to fund those trips, we know we will have to bank some or borrow some to get there. I do like how we could either split stays, or do 2 years at one resort and then one at the other with this split plan.

Thanks everyone for your advice thus far!

 

[3 DD love princesses]

I would do oct uy. That said oct vgf are hard to find. You can have up to 4 on the membership. Make sure all your contracts are deeded the same if you want one membership number.

 

[PedroD]

Sept and Oct UY are the worst for summer

Can you or someone pls expand on this point? Is it just that if we have to cancel within 30 days it doesn't give us much time to use before use year expires?

Also, had a revelation last night that for the access to HS and Epcot, I should really also be thinking about Boardwalk Villas also. Lower price point, lower point charts, walking (versus skyliner which may go down) and no restrictions for resale buyers. It should have easy access to Riviera for Topolinos, but also gives easy access to Boardwalk restaurants, etc. Downside would be not having Blue Card access assuming we buy resale and only 22 years left on the deed. But then again, I'll be in my 70's by then and the kids can fend for themselves (with the bump of a generous VGF gift to star them off!).

Ugh...too many variables

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can you or someone pls expand on this point? Is it just that if we have to cancel within 30 days it doesn't give us much time to use before use year expires?

Also, had a revelation last night that for the access to HS and Epcot, I should really also be thinking about Boardwalk Villas also. Lower price point, lower point charts, walking (versus skyliner which may go down) and no restrictions for resale buyers. Downside would be not having Blue Card access assuming we buy resale and only 22 years left on the deed. But then again, I'll be in my 70's by then and the kids can fend for themselves (with the bump of a generous VGF gift to star them off!).

Ugh...too many variables

If you decide you want to cancel your reservation, you have to do it by April 30 if you have a Sept contract. Otherwise, you only have the rest of the UY to use those points. You have to cancel 31 days or more out to avoid Holding. In Holding, your points expire at the end of the current UY.

 

[Sandisw]

Can you or someone pls expand on this point? Is it just that if we have to cancel within 30 days it doesn't give us much time to use before use year expires?

Also, had a revelation last night that for the access to HS and Epcot, I should really also be thinking about Boardwalk Villas also. Lower price point, lower point charts, walking (versus skyliner which may go down) and no restrictions for resale buyers. It should have easy access to Riviera for Topolinos, but also gives easy access to Boardwalk restaurants, etc. Downside would be not having Blue Card access assuming we buy resale and only 22 years left on the deed. But then again, I'll be in my 70's by then and the kids can fend for themselves (with the bump of a generous VGF gift to star them off!).

Ugh...too many variables

Yes, traveling beyond your banking window and with very little time to reschedule, the chances of losing points becomes great, especially if you were ever traveling on borrowed or banked points.

So, even with an October UY, if you were traveling in July and canceled 31 days prior to avoid holding, you’d have to reschedule in Aug or Sept, or all points would be lost since you’d be beyond the banking window.