Understanding Use Year - Updated February 10, 2021

[becauseimnew]

Help me:
Usual travel months: May, June, October & November. Preferred month is October, although it was becoming way too crowded. We really enjoyed early May, even with all the rain.
I’m thinking October UY might be the best option? Or Maybe April?

Thoughts??

 

[chalee94]

October is good as long as you don't start a trip at the end of Sept. April may be safer overall if you plan to avoid Jan-March stays.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Help me:
Usual travel months: May, June, October & November. Preferred month is October, although it was becoming way too crowded. We really enjoyed early May, even with all the rain.
I’m thinking October UY might be the best option? Or Maybe April?

Thoughts??

I'd put April first (banking deadline of Nov 30th) and Oct (May 31 banking deadline) similar to a March UY (Oct 31 banking deadline)

 

[striker1064]

Help me:
Usual travel months: May, June, October & November. Preferred month is October, although it was becoming way too crowded. We really enjoyed early May, even with all the rain.
I’m thinking October UY might be the best option? Or Maybe April?

Thoughts??

Agreed with April, since you like to travel in June an Oct UY puts you past the banking deadline (May 31) so there's some risk.

When 2 UYs are possible I would suggest thinking of the in-between months. October is better if you would travel after April UY banking deadline (Nov 30) - so December through March. April is better if you would travel after Oct UY banking deadline (May 31) - so June through September. Since you mentioned June, April is better.

 

[becauseimnew]

I'd put April first (banking deadline of Nov 30th) and Oct (May 31 banking deadline) similar to a March UY (Oct 31 banking deadline)

Thank you.

Agreed with April, since you like to travel in June an Oct UY puts you past the banking deadline (May 31) so there's some risk.

When 2 UYs are possible I would suggest thinking of the in-between months. October is better if you would travel after April UY banking deadline (Nov 30) - so December through March. April is better if you would travel after Oct UY banking deadline (May 31) - so June through September. Since you mentioned June, April is better.

Thank you, I wish I would have asked earlier. I was waiting for the perfect October BRV contract and passed up on an April contract. Oh well, now I know.
Thanks for the detailed explanation.

 

[glamdring269]

I've been debating April as a potential UY for us. It's not the best of the bunch but wanted to see if you all agree with my logic

Most likely travel times (in order):
October
December
May-Sep

Least Likely:
Jan-Mar

I guess my logic here is that if I had April it should be ok. The banking window would be end of November. If I don't know by then that I'm going to have to cancel a December trip then I'd get stuck in holding anyway.

Fully understand that April is not the optimal UY but just wanted to get a quick logic check. Always appreciate other perspectives!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've been debating April as a potential UY for us. It's not the best of the bunch but wanted to see if you all agree with my logic

Most likely travel times (in order):
October
December
May-Sep

Least Likely:
Jan-Mar

I guess my logic here is that if I had April it should be ok. The banking window would be end of November. If I don't know by then that I'm going to have to cancel a December trip then I'd get stuck in holding anyway.

Fully understand that April is not the optimal UY but just wanted to get a quick logic check. Always appreciate other perspectives!

Makes sense to me!

 

[CarolMN]

Me, too!

 

[Mommyof3boys2017]

Trying to figure this all out, and I think I have it, but not quite sure. We've gone twice in the fall. Once over labor day (deal was too good to pass up, but I will never go that early again, way too hot for my Ohio blood) and once in October, which was wonderful. I am planning a trip for February to see if that's a good slow time, where we won't melt and hopefully lower crowds (lol). Would getting a Feb UY work well for both Feb/Oct/Nov dates or would an October UY be better to avoid the summer? I don't think we'll ever go in the summer, but the rest of the year is a maybe.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Trying to figure this all out, and I think I have it, but not quite sure. We've gone twice in the fall. Once over labor day (deal was too good to pass up, but I will never go that early again, way too hot for my Ohio blood) and once in October, which was wonderful. I am planning a trip for February to see if that's a good slow time, where we won't melt and hopefully lower crowds (lol). Would getting a Feb UY work well for both Feb/Oct/Nov dates or would an October UY be better to avoid the summer? I don't think we'll ever go in the summer, but the rest of the year is a maybe.

A February UY has a banking deadline of Sept 30 so it's not good for late fall trips in Oct and Nov. Sept or Oct UY's would be best for Oct/Nov/Feb trips. Even August would not be bad if you want to widen the search for contracts.

 

[CarolMN]

Bump. Updated post #1 with a more current example.

 

[gisele2]

WoW , thanks I finally understood the holding points .

 

[tgarre06]

Question: If I have an April UY, and have a vacation booked in mid-April that I have to cancel in March more than 31 days before my checkin date, will those points be bankable still? I’m just confused about the stay being in my use Year but the time of cancellation being out of my use Year. Thanks!

 

[CarolynFH]

Question: If I have an April UY, and have a vacation booked in mid-April that I have to cancel in March more than 31 days before my checkin date, will those points be bankable still? I’m just confused about the stay being in my use Year but the time of cancellation being out of my use Year. Thanks!

Yes, those points will still be bankable, because they’ll be in their original UY. The date you cancel them won’t matter.

 

[tgarre06]

One more question: If I have a June UY, and I cancel a Feb trip in Jan more than 31 days before my check-in date, will those points be bankable? I’m not sure since I’m cancelling in my UY but the stay I was cancelling was outside of my UY. Thanks again!

 

[chalee94]

One more question: If I have a June UY, and I cancel a Feb trip in Jan more than 31 days before my check-in date, will those points be bankable? I’m not sure since I’m cancelling in my UY but the stay I was cancelling was outside of my UY. Thanks again!

The banking window for Jun UY 2021 closes on Jan 31, 2022, so yes, you could cancel more than 30 days in advance and bank any current 2021 UY pts from that canceled stay so long as they are banked by Jan 31, 2022. A Feb 2022 stay is still very much inside your June 2021 UY, which does not end until May 31, 2022. If you cancel a May 2022 stay in Jan 2022, still bankable (in case you meant banking window instead of UY.)

 

[disneylover81]

This Use Year stuff has me stressing . . . I just need some help!

I typically travel in July (my birthday month), but it is so hot. We just went for our anniversary the last week in April and it was still hot, but we had great weather (no rain whatsoever). I am wanting to buy DVC and still deciding on direct or resale, leaning toward VGF. I have gotten lots of advice on both sides, so lots of pros and cons for each choice. Hubby thinks I am crazy to spend all this money on DVC, when we can just stay in a Value resort since we only take a shower and sleep in the room anyways - let me say, we have NEVER once stayed in a value resort. It gives me anxiety to even consider the idea. I don't like doors that face the outside because it makes me feel like I am at the Motel 6 or something. I am a Deluxe resort kind of girl ! I don't even care for the moderates when I gave them a chance and we have stayed in a few of those.

Anyways, I said all that to say I am about to purchase some kind of DVC contract because I want to start trying to travel to WDW at least twice a year, doing something like a 5 night stay somewhere between May-July and then a shorter 3 night stay somewhere between September-November. My kids are grown, so most trips will just be my hubby and I so a studio will be fine. What is my best Use Year choice for these travel times? It may not even matter a whole lot, but I see so many posts about making sure you get the best one for your travel habits. Plus, if I do end up buying resale, I want to make sure I know what UY to look for.

 

[Sandisw]

This Use Year stuff has me stressing . . . I just need some help!

I typically travel in July (my birthday month), but it is so hot. We just went for our anniversary the last week in April and it was still hot, but we had great weather (no rain whatsoever). I am wanting to buy DVC and still deciding on direct or resale, leaning toward VGF. I have gotten lots of advice on both sides, so lots of pros and cons for each choice. Hubby thinks I am crazy to spend all this money on DVC, when we can just stay in a Value resort since we only take a shower and sleep in the room anyways - let me say, we have NEVER once stayed in a value resort. It gives me anxiety to even consider the idea. I don't like doors that face the outside because it makes me feel like I am at the Motel 6 or something. I am a Deluxe resort kind of girl ! I don't even care for the moderates when I gave them a chance and we have stayed in a few of those.

Anyways, I said all that to say I am about to purchase some kind of DVC contract because I want to start trying to travel to WDW at least twice a year, doing something like a 5 night stay somewhere between May-July and then a shorter 3 night stay somewhere between September-November. My kids are grown, so most trips will just be my hubby and I so a studio will be fine. What is my best Use Year choice for these travel times? It may not even matter a whole lot, but I see so many posts about making sure you get the best one for your travel habits. Plus, if I do end up buying resale, I want to make sure I know what UY to look for.

March or April are best for those travel times.

 

[disneylover81]

March or April are best for those travel times.

Thank you so much!!! I was thinking April might be good.

 

[wnielsen1]

Thank you so much!!! I was thinking April might be good.

April gives you a banking deadline of November 30th. That is the best UY for what you describe above.