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Agreed! I am a bit surprised as well. Seems DVC is a vibrant community, but it does not seem to be reflected here. Disbo…

Agreed! I am a bit surprised as well. Seems DVC is a vibrant community, but it does not seem to be reflected here. Disboards are more general and perhaps that is the key. Also this forum is competing with FB and other social media. Disboards predates a lot of that.

Agree. However, I didn't know this one was on here. I think it will need time for people to figure out these forums. I k…

Agree. However, I didn't know this one was on here. I think it will need time for people to figure out these forums. I keep looking to see what has been posted and sometimes it looks like there have been no posts in 24-48 hours on the whole forum page.

i get an error when i clicked on your link, if anyone else also has problems this works for me: https://dvcfan.com/dvc-d…

i get an error when i clicked on your link, if anyone else also has problems this works for me: https://dvcfan.com/dvc-discounts/moonlight-magic/dvc-moonlight-magic-faq-frequently-asked-questions/ Looking forward to it first time at Epcott for Oct 15th, i seem to remember an episode where Jeff (i think) realized he shouldn't have shown up right at the start but should have come earlier, but not sure why. However, I can't find that episode if anyone remembers or when we should show up (we have annual passes so can be there earlier.)

Same use year is nicer, but it is not a deal-breaker. At 7 months you can still use both contracts for bookings, but i d…

Same use year is nicer, but it is not a deal-breaker. At 7 months you can still use both contracts for bookings, but i don't transfer the points. With two contracts, the points show up as two separate contracts on your member login. You switch between them on the website. It is one login, not two different sites. The 11-month booking window still works the same way for each contract. What changes is that you manage them separately. Not as big a deal if you use them differently too, like fall travel vs spring travel or Cali vs Florida resorts. We have two contracts that we have to keep separate (different names on the title), and we have still been able to put together complicated, larger stays using both without calling Member Services to transfer points. The main extra work in your case (if you go two use years) is keeping track of two sets of banking deadlines and expiration dates and booking larger bookings than one contract can handle. Where the same use year actually helps is when you are a few points short the other contract points are right there ready to book (if 7 months or less out assuming different resorts). But if you have different use years, booking what you can from contract A and borrowing points from next year on contract A i think is easier than using the one-time transfer between contracts, It happens without calling member services and if you transfer points between contracts you cannot undo it or do it again as there is a one time a year limit. A same resort split stay avoids that problem. though with different use years For example: You don't have enough points on contract A to complete the booking ( have already borrowed all of next year’s points on contract and still need a handful more to finish a 5 day booking in this example. If both contracts were all in same use year they would all be right there at 7 months like one pool.. What we do to get around this problem is a same resort-split stay instead of transferring points, book one night fewer on the contract A (first 4 days), then book that extra night on contract B. And if you are still only a few points short on a trip, one-time-use points (up to 24) are always an option ( i have heard with two separate UY contracts a minor benefit you could even buy 48 OTU points). Once your plans are settled, then can call member services at some point once the trip is a sure thing and ask member services to mark it as continuous stay over multiple reservations so you don't have to move rooms that 5th day so they don't overlook same people staying. I dont' think they can guarantee it but usually not a problem. Bottom line: Definitely easier if you can keep it same use year, especially if your eyes glaze over when people start talking about banking deadlines, holding points and OTU points, you probably will prefer not to have the hassle. But if you are used to the dvc system and dont' mind the extra book keeping two UY could be done. But if you are not in a rush, more February contracts for the resorts you want should come up, especially around the start of the year. . One other thought, is February working well for you? a lot of people buy just want Disney offers at the time and don't know what use year they want, but your travel plans may make a different use year better for you in which case it may not be as bad to have a different use year as well if you are ok with a little more complication.

That lobby does look awesome if they can pull it off. Branch and Brush seems a little underwhelming based on that pictur…

That lobby does look awesome if they can pull it off. Branch and Brush seems a little underwhelming based on that picture. For a resort the size of Lakeshore Lodge (massive!), that lounge seems really small. I like the idea of a chandelier that changes color based on season, though. But the rest of the lounge has a “meh” feel to it.

We were really thinking about braving the heat and spend the points. Then reality set in and washed the FOMO away. It wi…

We were really thinking about braving the heat and spend the points. Then reality set in and washed the FOMO away. It will take many years to sell out. We will have time to look and ponder. Besides summer is not our prefered time to visit! I still think it really hurts the Fort Wilderness vibe. Not to mention the lakes shoreline. But there are not many buildable places around the lake so they had to go with what was available to building. I sure hope that they do justice to the released drawings and art work. Really looking forward to another grand lobby.

How quickly have folks been able to use the card? I'm trying to buy our DL tickets for January before prices go up (like…

How quickly have folks been able to use the card? I'm trying to buy our DL tickets for January before prices go up (likely in the next week or so). If I were to get it I'd want those tickets on it. I'm also looking at the math vs just getting them from a authorized reseller.

Hello HHI owners! My wife and i have decided to celebrate our 20th anniversary at HHI next May. We've never been. So let…

Hello HHI owners! My wife and i have decided to celebrate our 20th anniversary at HHI next May. We've never been. So let's have all the suggestions of good places to eat! We like all kinds of food, so don't hold back.

Update since this post...added another 250 (joint ownership with in-laws) at OKW. Current total points over 4 deeds now …

Update since this post...added another 250 (joint ownership with in-laws) at OKW. Current total points over 4 deeds now 1005....525 at SSR, 480 at OKW(2042's) Still shopping, always, always shopping! Looking at YOU Riviera...don't tell Derek yet :)

Wife and I are doing a short trip next month for her birthday...2 nights Pop Century, 2 nights OKW using the BOGO offer …

Wife and I are doing a short trip next month for her birthday...2 nights Pop Century, 2 nights OKW using the BOGO offer from membership magic beyond. We booked this months ago... But then, GOT LUCKY! Moonlight Magic announced on one of the days we were already booked at OKW and we were able to get the resy. Will be our first time at Moonlight Magic, should be fun! 10 night trip in January...2 nights Poly Tower(first time), then 4 nights OKW 1-bedroom with adult kids joining, then 4 nights in OKW studio. This will be our longest stay to date...very much looking forward to it! Planning on at least a full month on property in the winter of 2028 :) Still deciding on when to buy our first AP's....for sure prior to the January trip, not sure about October.

Yes, MS will book the room before the 11 month window, but you would need to purchase the number of points plus a 10% pr…

Yes, MS will book the room before the 11 month window, but you would need to purchase the number of points plus a 10% premium. If you don't use the fixed week, you would have all the points available to book like normal. Some CCV FW contacts are actually less points than the current points due to reallocations.

Family members have, yes, I have and have had 4 family members work for Disney, including one out in Cal at Corporate. L…

Family members have, yes, I have and have had 4 family members work for Disney, including one out in Cal at Corporate. Like any job, there are good parts and bad parts. It is a job! My sons still really enjoy the parks, as they don't work for Disney anymore. The two that do really don't go back, since they are there "5 days a week." I'd be afraid it would ruin the magic for me.

During our trip labor day week we toured the models at the poly. Now that there are new reservation restictions we purch…

During our trip labor day week we toured the models at the poly. Now that there are new reservation restictions we purchaced 2 fixed week contracts . Week 36 a deluxe studio resourt view and week 49 is a deluxe studio theme part view. Now we will have to rent out points at our other home resorts. We just closed yesterday. Now we own SSR/BLT/VDL/PVB

We would go to the Boardwalk during the day when the kids were little. There was a bunch to see and ice cream was a plus…

We would go to the Boardwalk during the day when the kids were little. There was a bunch to see and ice cream was a plus! We have never stayed at BWV. After reading everyone's comments, that may be a good thing! LOL! Realistically, we will at least once before 2042.

@Mickmey08 thank you! Yes, it feels great to not be attached to a school schedule. I did love my job and will miss many …

@Mickmey08 thank you! Yes, it feels great to not be attached to a school schedule. I did love my job and will miss many aspects of it. Vacationing when the school calendar says it not one of them!

Besides saving you from purchasing something onsite, sometimes it's helpful to bring your own detergent just in case the…

Besides saving you from purchasing something onsite, sometimes it's helpful to bring your own detergent just in case the vending machines are not stocked. I've seen a few dispensers out of detergent before. I like to bring laundry detergent sheets--compact and no chance of spills!

For points that you just want to use at other resorts, I'd take a look at DVC Resale Market's best economical resorts to…

For points that you just want to use at other resorts, I'd take a look at DVC Resale Market's best economical resorts to purchase blog. I like that it takes into account not only the price per point but also the dues and number of years left on the contract. While SSR is towards the top of the list, CCV can be a surprisingly good pick for sleep around points.

We dont have SAP, but have used our points at other resorts. Back before there were Grand Californian DVC, we used our p…

We dont have SAP, but have used our points at other resorts. Back before there were Grand Californian DVC, we used our points to stay there. Now days the exchange rate to stay at a non DVC resort is really bad, I mean really really bad. We have 3 home resorts at WDW and have gone by the "Buy where you Love" motto. Also depending on when you go, 7 months can be tough. Old Key West was always our goto if we could not get Boardwalk or BLT. But even there can be hard at 7 months. We were thinking of adding on to our AKV, but not for a slush fund. I think we are a little light on AKV. We try to do 1 trip to WDW and 1 trip to DLR a year. So we tend to to go for 14 or so days.

Week of 09/19/26 – 09/25/26 A modest haul of 2. The hunting was lean — but the pickings were sweet: Disneyland Hotel — 1…

Week of 09/19/26 – 09/25/26 A modest haul of 2. The hunting was lean — but the pickings were sweet: Disneyland Hotel — 1 contract. avg price: $119 Grand Californian — 1 contract. avg price: $249 Same time, same place. Send me something tasty next week. — The ROFR Monster

Just got back earlier this month. Celebrated retirment as a teacher and went when the school year officially started in …

Just got back earlier this month. Celebrated retirment as a teacher and went when the school year officially started in our area. My DD went with me and we had a blast! Going again because we have a wedding in Decemeber in Southern Florida. Looking forward to seeing everything decorated. As a teacher I could never go this time of year and I wasn't going during the highest point season when teachers could go! I am excited even though it will be a short trip for DH and me.

Wife and I are gonna test the land/sea option in December 2027 to see how that works. We are hotel cowards and tend to s…

Wife and I are gonna test the land/sea option in December 2027 to see how that works. We are hotel cowards and tend to stay where we know. We would've gotten VGF if they were on a sale. So, we are inclined to only use our points only at PVB. We are going to try to book a cabin in July 2028 for my son's high school graduation, since he also wants to spend a couple of days at Universal, which is on that end of WDW. If the land/sea option works for us, we will likely use it most of the time, as we plan to take only one trip per year. We will look at more points once grandchildren are in the picture, which should not be before 2031.

After over 16 years as members, we finally stayed at Aulani (or first non-WDW DVC stay), and that pushed us into our fir…

After over 16 years as members, we finally stayed at Aulani (or first non-WDW DVC stay), and that pushed us into our first add-on. I used the whole year's worth of points (1BR Ocean View), but didn't want to miss our WDW trip as well. We chose to initially add on direct at Riviera, because we fell in love with staying there and we can't use resale (other than RIV resale) to stay there. There's always talk about "Sleep Around Points" in the DVC-sphere. SSR used to be the prime example. But I think there are other good choices. You mention AKL, and the cost is often not much more than SSR. Aulani is another low-cost resale (although the dues can be higher if you don't buy a subsidized contract). BLT is still considered a good value. Longer contract term, lower dues. And if your travel needs change, you can use your BLT for more nights/bigger room at the 11-month window where you like to stay.

I think a lot of people refer to these points as "sleep around points". Points to use on random nights/trips outside of …

I think a lot of people refer to these points as "sleep around points". Points to use on random nights/trips outside of your main vacation stay's. We tend to be point misers. We like to stay in Studio's (value studios if we can get them) in order maximize our number of nights per year. As empty nesters we don't feel a need for an extra bedroom. Coming from Michigan we try to plan out 4 trips/year with 4-5 nights per trip. Now that our son is older, if he wants to come down with us, we will just get him his own room. Oddly enough, getting 2 studio rooms is often a point or two cheaper per night than a 1 bedroom. The last couple of trips we have book our primary resort and used "slush fund" points to add a night at a another resort. As newer DVC members we are still checking hotels off the list. When it comes to adding on new contracts we have been focusing on smaller contracts with the same use year at other resorts that we like in order to give more 11 month options.

I am back from my trip. Washer and dryer are free to use. The detergent was a nominal fee. I believe it was $0.75! I was…

I am back from my trip. Washer and dryer are free to use. The detergent was a nominal fee. I believe it was $0.75! I was surprised because I was expecting at least $3. I did bring pods and dryer sheets with me!

Thank you! My trip began Sept 2! My DD and I had a great time. It was my retirement trip! We ended up renting a car. We …

Thank you! My trip began Sept 2! My DD and I had a great time. It was my retirement trip! We ended up renting a car. We did use it a little bit, but not sure if worth it or not. Thank you for sharing!

Good question - We ended up buying more points as our needs evolved. Like you, we only stay in 1- or 2-bedroom rooms. Mo…

Good question - We ended up buying more points as our needs evolved. Like you, we only stay in 1- or 2-bedroom rooms. Mostly 1-bedrooms for my wife and me, and 2-bedrooms when our grandkids come with us. We bought Direct at AKL over 12 years ago. We started really enjoying Food and Wine, so we bought at Boardwalk to lock in the 11-month window. As our grandkids get older, we needed more points for the 2-bedroom, and we like Boulder Ridge, so we bought another resale at BR. For us, we bought at the resorts we want to stay at. As retirees, we are flexible about when we go (NO May-Sept!!). I would buy where you like to stay. For us, it seems like if we want to go, we can usually get a SS room, so we didn't buy anything there. I hope this helps! Add-On-Itis !!!!!

Yup BW was a real destination all on its own. I think it competed too much with Disney Springs, Downtown Disney and Plea…

Yup BW was a real destination all on its own. I think it competed too much with Disney Springs, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island in the old days. Nice to see it getting some love, FINALLY!

Good idea. I have a boy and a girl too. Of course, they're so spoiled with DVC, they'd rather us pick a 1BR that has the…

Good idea. I have a boy and a girl too. Of course, they're so spoiled with DVC, they'd rather us pick a 1BR that has the extra twin 😂. It's our fault. We bougth DVC before they were born. We tell them all the time that they're just bougie-by-proxy, because we enjoy these vacations.

ROPEDROP5 was the code for grayson car service if anyone wants to use it! Not sure why it seemed like it was exclusive. …

ROPEDROP5 was the code for grayson car service if anyone wants to use it! Not sure why it seemed like it was exclusive. Going to try them for our upcoming oct trip. LOVED Gearfusion but the prices were higher this time than I liked.

Joining the thread in hopes of finding some deals better than the typical 5%. Very disappointed cash back categories for…

Joining the thread in hopes of finding some deals better than the typical 5%. Very disappointed cash back categories for chase and discover lately. Nothing helpful for giftcards. Did get a Target deals offer in their app a few weeks ago for $25 off two purchases of $80 or more. That stacked with their usual 5% so that wasnt bad but it was very limited. Keep checking your target app for similar. My wife had a different offer. Not sure what determines these offers.

370 total, all at Aulani 🏝️ (170 direct, 200 resale). Interested on a 3rd contract again at Aulani, just waiting on Der…

370 total, all at Aulani 🏝️ (170 direct, 200 resale). Interested on a 3rd contract again at Aulani, just waiting on Derek 😉. We live on the west coast and love having our extended family join us. Need more points for August 2027, booked three nights for a 1 bdrm standard view, 2 bdrm standard view and a week on a 2 bdrm island view. . 791 points used (including some of 2028 🤣) but so worth it!! now we need more points

We are also planning a land and sea trip in 2027. What i have found out (by calling the front desk at our home resort) i…

We are also planning a land and sea trip in 2027. What i have found out (by calling the front desk at our home resort) is you can leave your car as long as you are staying on property for both stays. Just be sure to go to check in and let the cast member know what your plans are. We are coming to spend a couple of days prior to the cruise and then return for two nights before going home. As to getting to the port there is a bus, but it costs $45/person/trip - $90/person round trip. You need to book your place on the bus through that company - I believe it is Mears. I would do a little research on other options just so you get the transportation you need. Have a great time.

@kkarmah and @Disneygrandpa -I never really got to enjoy the nightlife of BW before they started dismantling it. I do th…

@kkarmah and @Disneygrandpa -I never really got to enjoy the nightlife of BW before they started dismantling it. I do think there's some attention toward improving it. You both are probably right about a future tower, but I would really hate that from an aesthetic standpoint. And @kkarmah I totally agree about the value in a 2BR. We mostly stay 1BRs, but avoid BWV and BCV because the 1BRs don't have the twin murphy bed (our teens prefer to sleep in separate beds). But we got a 2BR at BCV in April, and I think we're going to be spoiled! We won't often repeat a 2BR, because we mostly stay at BLT, VGF and RIV.

Totally share you view about BWV. We bought BWV way back in 1996 and have watched the decline. It used to be a destinati…

Totally share you view about BWV. We bought BWV way back in 1996 and have watched the decline. It used to be a destination and was really hopping at night. Sadly it is a shadow of its former self. However it is getting a bit of love and maybe the Villas side of the boardwalk wont be a ghost town much longer. It will be interesting what happens in 2042. A tower is certainly possible, but would really screw up crescent lake.

Old time bwv'er here and we bought when i had one child and he was 2 (he's 24 now!). We have loved it over the years but…

Old time bwv'er here and we bought when i had one child and he was 2 (he's 24 now!). We have loved it over the years but once we tried Riviera I loved it more even though I'm not a huge fan of the skyliner I suck it up for the nicer rooms. BWV has been allowed to fall into neglect imo. Yes they're putting new stuff in but it's taken years and the loss of the espn club was a massive blow to us. We've been swapping out to Riv mostly at 7m but will stay bwv when trying to conserve points because you cannot beat the 2 bedroom points. My unpopular opinion is that they are going to tear down bwv and put up a tower after 2042.

Well said - I agree conpletely with your take. character touches are key, but within an enviornment that is truly immers…

Well said - I agree conpletely with your take. character touches are key, but within an enviornment that is truly immersive that takes you somehwere in a fun and exciting way like a Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, etc. Modern Marriotts with giant Disney statues - no thank you!

I've considered the cabins for Summer 2028 because my kids also want to hit Universal while we are there, and the cabins…

I've considered the cabins for Summer 2028 because my kids also want to hit Universal while we are there, and the cabins are on that side of the park. Plus, we could park right at the cabin. I am a little concerned because my home resort is PVB, so I cannot make a reservation until seven months out. While the cabins appear easy to grab in the 7-11 month timeframe, they disappear quickly at seven months out. I'm curious if you call and ask if you might be able to get something more easily than online. I know during the sales pitch they mentioned they keep unlisted inventory for the initial "welcome home" reservation, which likely converts to cash rooms if not used. For a place like the cabins, I'm curious if they might be a little willing to let some of that go. Point for point, I'm willing to bet my PVB points are worth more as a cash room than the cabins.

I agree. But then I don't want to pay dues at the non-tower resort prices 😂 We own BLT and RIV (two offending tower res…

I agree. But then I don't want to pay dues at the non-tower resort prices 😂 We own BLT and RIV (two offending tower resorts) and VGF. But collectively the only way we could lower our dues would've been to buy Poly instead of Riv. I agree my favorite resorts are separate buildings as add-ons to an existing Deluxe Resort (VGF, BRV, etc.). But, on the other hand I HATE the conversion of hotel rooms into DVC (like CCV with its low ceilings and cave-like feeling). I wish they'd stick to the BRV and VGF size buildings, but money, money, money...

I think the rooms and the DVC Deluxe studios were both updated in 2021...but the DVC Studios only got a softgoods refurb…

I think the rooms and the DVC Deluxe studios were both updated in 2021...but the DVC Studios only got a softgoods refurb. While the hotel rooms got a comprehensive Moana-style makeover. I think the projected hardgoods refurb for Poly is 2028...so maybe then? I agree that things start to look really tired before a long-awaited refurb. We stayed at BLT in 2021 and said "never again until the refurb." We were at Aulani in 2025 and will wait until its 2028 refurb is complete to visit again.

I agree that BLT requires you to look beneath the surface. We bought BLT before it opened. I was underwhelmed when I fir…

I agree that BLT requires you to look beneath the surface. We bought BLT before it opened. I was underwhelmed when I first checked in, as we had stayed at Boulder Ridge and Saratoga Springs before. I was expecting lobby-grandeur 😂 But the huge windows, views of the lake, extra bathroom, walk to MK, access to all the monorail resorts for dining, etc. make it such a wonderful experience. I never feel isolated at BLT (like I did at the Cabins at FW and can feel at OKW and AKV). And the remodel is really beautiful. We just got back from a 7-night stay. Had a wonderful time. It's funny you mentioned RIV as a comparison. We walked through RIV in 2021 and were massively underwhelmed. Didn't understand why anyone would desire it. Then we stayed there in 2024 and fell in love with the room design, the Skyliner and the ease of moving around the resort. And we added on 😆

@Fortholm We stayed at BWV exactly 13 years ago this week. I've never wanted to go back. Back then, there was no Riviera…

@Fortholm We stayed at BWV exactly 13 years ago this week. I've never wanted to go back. Back then, there was no Riviera with Skyliner access, to the Epcot access was unique. But even so, it was just meh (to us). I think there are some long-time DVCers who love BWV nostalgia. Or maybe they started their DVC journey as empty-nesters (or with older kids), and the Epcot access was key. Our stay included a 2 year old and a 1-year old Birthday Boy, so we admittedly were not the target audience 😂 Now our teens are more into Epcot, but we own Riviera for that purpose. I've never stayed at BCV, but we have a reservation for April, and I'm excited!

I know there's smarter folks than me on this topic, but I'm almost certain the issue is how slowly that property has sol…

I know there's smarter folks than me on this topic, but I'm almost certain the issue is how slowly that property has sold. DVC doesn't declare all units into inventory at one time. So resorts get piece-mealed into declaration. Until units are declared, only that portion of the resort is available to be booked on points. I agree it's a bummer about not being able to easily book. Sadly, the dues are a big discouragement to ownership, so it's a hard sell. 😢 We were able to grab a 6-night stay in late August last year. I have mixed-feelings about staying there again. A lot of those mixed feelings are likely the time of year (I think the cabins would be more enjoyable when you actually WANT to be outside). The layout is amazing, but one of my favorite things about staying at WDW is being able to walk and/or meander around using transportation. The cabins are quite a hike from the amenities at the resort. It was about a mile walk to Trail's End and Crockett's Tavern (which we really enjoyed). But there wasn't much else to walk to. I'd like to try again when Lakeshore Lodge opens, as it will add more "resort things" close to the cabins (it felt kinda isolated). I'm also hoping they reconnect the path that used to connect Wilderness Lodge to the Fort. I guess the good news is, it should get easier to book over time. We've owned DVC since 2009, but we did not try to stay at Aulani till 2025. I'm curious if it was hard to get as a non-owner in the early days (because it's also been a slow-selling resort).

I am going way out on a limb here - Bring back entertainment. Rivers of light amphitheater being empty is just sad Hyper…

I am going way out on a limb here - Bring back entertainment. Rivers of light amphitheater being empty is just sad Hyperion theater empty is a disgrace Fantasmic! (DL) need I say more Loss of most of the atmosphere at all of the parks Entertainment at Disneyland resort is a shell of itself especially during the festivals (Food and Whine, Lunar New Year, and Holidays)

I haven't tried that before, but that's a fun idea. Those seasonal passes are quite a deal! Even my cousins who live out…

I haven't tried that before, but that's a fun idea. Those seasonal passes are quite a deal! Even my cousins who live out of state got really good value from them over a few short trips.

Week of 09/12/26 – 09/18/26 Barely enough to whet my appetite. 1 contract disappeared into the vault before anyone notic…

Week of 09/12/26 – 09/18/26 Barely enough to whet my appetite. 1 contract disappeared into the vault before anyone noticed: Old Key West (2042) — 1 contract. avg price: $87 See ya next week. Stay hungry, buyers. — The ROFR Monster