New member ?s

[Patty]

We have been back from the World for less than 3 weeks and are already planning our first stay at our home resort Saratoga Springs for Nov 2004. I have some questions that I hope you veterans can help me with. We are planning our first stay in a 1 bedroom, will it be hard to go back to a studio after that? How flexible do I have to be about my dates? Do you tend to book online or call in person? How difficult is it to book at your non-home resort, we are hoping to take my brother and his family and sister and her family in early Dec. 2005 (1 nephew is just 1 now) and would love to stay at VWL. Also I can`t seem to get into the DVC member web site- how do I get my user name and password? Sorry for all the ?s. We are just so excited abot becoming members and are really kicking ourselves for not doing it earlier. Thanks in advance and I'm sure I`ll have lots more ?s. Oh 1 more thing do you use there shopping service or grocery shop yourself?

[Tagrel]

Hi Patty, and WELCOME HOME! :)

Planning our DVC vacations has become an obsession, especially when we first joined. I had 5 years mapped out and planned in NO time! ;)

On to your questions...

- We thought that a studio would be fine, but have found that after staying in a one bedroom (with 4 of us), we just could NOT go back. The extra room, kitchen, separate bedroom, jacuzzi tub and washer/dryer MADE the vacation SO much more enjoyable. We'll be trying a Studio in December (for the first time), but it will only the DW and I. I'll have a better opinion then. :)

- Using the 11 month window will almost always be sufficient to reserve the dates you want. If you are staying at a non-home resort, it can be more difficult - especially at the more popular times of year. Holidays are almost always busy, as is the Food and Wine Festivale and pretty much ALL of December (very cheap point costs + Christmas decorations = full DVC). VWL fills up VERY quickly for early December. I tried to add on one Friday night in a VWL studio this year at *8* months out, and it was 4 months before the Waitlist came through! :shock: This was during MouseFest, so it might have been extra busy. Anyway, making reservations at 7 months is never guarenteed, but many owners have good luck using the waitlist (if needed) along with some flexible dates. Having a reservation at your home resort as a 'backup' is a VERY good idea.

- You can't yet make reservations online (BOY, I wish you could), but you can email them your reservations. I personally feel better CALLING in my reservations. I never feel confident with sending an email. Many people do though, its just a personal preference.

- If you contact your guide they will give you the id/password for the member site. It is also in the guidebook if you have that.

- We have never used the delivery service. We stop by a grocery store on the way in, or pick things up right in the store at the resort.

hope this helps, and feel free to ask any questions, any time! :)

[Patty]

Thanks so much! I know I'll have more ?s.