Added on and got a Surprise

[The VWL Five]

Just added 100 BCV points today with a June use year. My guide said I had 100 points to use now but they must be used by June 1 otherwise they would be lost. Been on the web looking for last minute flights. Called down to MS and the only studio available for the end of May was OKW.

This is a total curve ball. Never been to OKW. Are the studios nice compared to the other resorts? Do you feel away from everything at OKW? The other resorts seem more in the center of the action. Even VWL is so close to MK.

What do you think? Go for it?

Thanks........ I'm so excited!!!!!!!

 

[travelbug]

If you can find decent airfare, definitely go for it! OKW is a gorgeous resort. Very peaceful and relaxing. My first DVC trip was to OKW, even though I own at BWV and BCV. I thought it was just beautiful. Yes, you're a little more removed, but that can be part of the attraction too. Plus it's just a boat trip away from DD and just a bus ride away from any of the parks.

If you decide to give the points away instead, I would be willing to make the supreme sacrifice and take them off your hands.

Seriously, go for it and have a wonderful time!

 

[Regina]

Before you rush into planning a trip, contact your sales rep and ask them to submit an "exception" on you behalf.

We ran into the same situation that you did. We added on points and had 3 months to use them. There was no way we could.

A very nice CM at MS told me about the "exception". When I contacted my sales rep, he was skeptical, but he did do what I asked.

Sure enough, they were able to bank the points.

 

[TiggerFreak]

dvcreg,

How many times will they grant an exception?
I thought I read that it was once per contract.

Hi travelbug,

LTNTT We too spent our first DVC stay at OKW and it sold us

 

[DeeP]

If you can get a good airfare, is this a good and doable time for a trip? If No, I would go for the one time banking exception. If yes, then I would go for it!
If you are used to staying in the MK and Epcot resorts, a stay at OKW will be different. Not bad just different. The resort is very quiet and very laid back. You are removed from the action and it is not as convenient or as easy to get to restaurants and parks as the Epcot and MK resorts are, but for a resort that screams relaxation you can't beat OKW. The OKW studio has 2 queen beds vs the queen and sleeper sofa of the other DVC resorts. I prefer the bed and couch set up, I find the sofa/sleeper combo makes the room appear much larger and more spacious when in fact they are a couple feet smaller than the OKW studio. I also like having the couch to sit on vs always sitting on a bed.
Have a great trip and congrats on the add on. I just added on 100 pts at BWV but I used Magical beginnings since I already had trips booked for May and Sept. Now I will get all my '03 pts both old and new add on in Oct, so I can plan more trips! LOL!

 

[The VWL Five]

I just left my sales rep a message asking her if I could use the 'exception' to bank these points. What a gift that would be. I appreciate you folks mentioning this to me. I had no idea this even existed. Watch my sales rep come up with some reason why it won't work for me.

I still may try and go. Just got a $220 round trip from Newark to Orlando. Still have valid AP's I can use. Just need to pay for flights and food...... maybe I'm crazy for not using the points now.

Thanks everyone who replied. Keep the replies coming.

 

[Regina]

When I was in this situation and the CM at MS suggested it, I did ask if this was the one time exception. She assured me that it was not. It has to be done by your sales guide.

As I said, my guide was doubtful and was quite surprised that he was able to do this transaction.

Let us know if it works out for you.

 

[icydog]

In the old days they used to give exceptions if you had to cancel a vacation at the last minute for a serious reason. I bet they don't do that anymore!

 

[PamOKW]

Are the studios nice compared to the other resorts? Do you feel away from everything at OKW?

The studios are great. The major difference is that you have the two queen beds instead of the sleeper sofa. Personally, we like having the two beds when we have more than 2 people.

While you are not within walking distance of a park, you are also not located somewhere near Jacksonville. I see you've stayed at CBR. You are certainly no further away from anything than you were when you stayed there. You can also enjoy taking the boat down to DD. This is something that is a little different and very enjoyable.

Why not take this chance to experience OKW. You may decided it's not where you want to stay in the future but many folks have found themselves pleasantly surprised once they actually give it a try!

 

[msdis]

We just added on too, and also a June UY. We booked a whole entire unplanned trip, and are also at OKW in a studio last week of May. Go for it. We loved CBR pre-DVC and OKW has that same feel, closest you will find. There are a lot of plusses to OKW and although BWV and VWL are our homes, we are happy anywheres DVC. A lot of people here have said they didn't think they would like OKW and after trying it either added on there or stay there using their points. It's a boat ride from DTD and you can get a bus to/from there to elsewhere if you want. It would not have been our top choice but we are excited just to be going again. Then we come back and leave for a planned trip to BCV with family in just over a month. BTW- don't wait for those air rates. We booked last Thurs and they are up $75/each today. Have fun deciding and maybe we will see you there.

 

[FredS]

I definitely felt more removed from things when I stayed at WL than staying at OKW. I think that if you stay at OKW you will love it. Have a great unexpected trip!

 

[Dancind]

It isn't too late to wait list if you want to go and stay at a different resort. We got BCV at one week out last August off the wait list. Diana

 

[travelbug]

Just wanted to say hi to TiggerFreak. Nice to see you around the Boards again.

 

[glewis1123]

In the old days they used to give exceptions if you had to cancel a vacation at the last minute for a serious reason. I bet they don't do that anymore!

I would have been spending my 2nd day at BCV right now but my stepson was in a very serious car accident on Easter Sunday and was in ICU for 5 days.

We had to cancel and reschedule our trip but the points we used had to go into holding and can't be used til 60 days before planned trip.

This would have been our first trip home - we're newbies - so if anyone knows any different - please let me know - and I'll call back and ask for the exception too.

 

[The VWL Five]

OK everyone, here's the deal.

My sales rep said they have a 'once in a lifetime' exception process where they throw out the point rule book and allow you to salvage any points you may have lost due to an unforseen issue.

In my case I wouldn't 'waste' the exception on these 100 points. Someday I may have more points on the line due to a serious issue that may arise.

So bottom line is they will work with you but only ONE TIME. Make it count I guess.

Anyone want my 100 points for May?

Hope this helps......

 

[msdis]

Sorry to hear you won't be joining us. But congrats on your add-on.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If you really can't make that last minute trip and you don't want to use up that once in a lifetime exception, here are a few suggestions (since I won't be able to take them off your hands):

1) Fire sale over on the DVC rent/trade board somewhere between $5-$8 per point might net you some $$ to offset your downpayment or pay for your airfare for your next trip.

2) Donate them - a FL based charity (easier to travel), Make a Wish Foundation, etc. - you may be able to get a tax deduction on the value of the points or rooms.

3) Give them away to family, friends, or someone on the DISboards

OR...

4) JUST GO BUY YOUR AIR TICKETS ALREADY!!!!

Congrats on the add-on

 

[HorizonsFan]

In the old days they used to give exceptions if you had to cancel a vacation at the last minute for a serious reason. I bet they don't do that anymore!

We had to cancel last summer due to my mom having a heart attack the day before we were scheduled to leave. I asked about the "one time exception" and was told it didn't exist.
Go figure...

 

[labr]

We just added on with a Feb use year but I was told that this years points we used as part of the magical beginning benefit.

How did you get the points for this year with an add-on? Does it only work if you don't use the magical beginning? My understanding was that I can use my new add-on points until Feb 2004.

Maybe this is a stupid question and I am missing something

Thanks - love these boards

 

[sitchu2]

Did you check the rates at www.spiritair.com ? Once I flew out of acy, I never again returned to ewr $4.00/day safe parking and an easy drive down gsp south!!