Am I doing it the right way?

[Carl]

If you've been following the thread "Tell me this isn't true," you know that I have been waiting for my member number in a resale deal. Well, I have the number, but nothing is available during Dis Con, so I asked to be wait listed for BWV, BCV, and VWL for Dec 4-8th. Am I handling it the correct way? I haven't tried yet to get Contemporary Resort for those dates, but if I do try and succeed, what happens if my wait list comes through? Could I cancel the Contemporary Resort and use the points at the wait listed resort? I've been reading about points going into a holding account. Is this what would happen?

It's beginning to look like I would have had a much better chance of attending Dis Con if I had NOT have bought DVC. I certainly would not book a cash deal with 142 points to use or lose. I don't go often enough to start banking points. Not to mention, why buy DVC if you can't use it at the times you want to go to WDW? Yes, you are right, NOW I'm beginning to have buyer's remorse.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Carl
I haven't tried yet to get Contemporary Resort for those dates, but if I do try and succeed, what happens if my wait list comes through? Could I cancel the Contemporary Resort and use the points at the wait listed resort?

Once you use DVC points to book Disney Collection resorts (such as the Contemporary), Concierge Collection, Adventurer Collection or cruises, your DVC points are converted from DVC points into Reservation Points. If you cancel, you can only use those Reservation Points for Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventurer Collection or cruises -- not for DVC resorts.

At first glance, that may seem like a strange, silly rule. But it actually makes a lot of sense. When you book non-DVC accomodations, your points are used to book DVC accomodations which Disney CRO uses for cash guests. That how DVC pays for the non-DVC accomodations that you're booking. So, you've used your DVC real interest.

Originally posted by Carl
Not to mention, why buy DVC if you can't use it at the times you want to go to WDW? Yes, you are right, NOW I'm beginning to have buyer's remorse.

DVC -- and any other timeshare -- works on the basis of nearly full occupancy all year long. If you book at your home resort 10 or 11 months out, there shouldn't be a problem. But there will be times when all DVC resorts are fully booked, even 7 months out. This year may be especially difficult due to the post-9/11 cancellations last year. Those DVC members may now be trying to use banked points, so it's likely that there will be more demand than capacity.

Let me end on an encouraging note: the waitlist works. It's worked for me, and many other DIS participants have posted success stories. DVC closes waitlists when there's no chance that they'll be able to accomodate you. It's still a long time until 12/4-8.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I also wanted to point out that you have also choosen the most popular time of all times for DVC. The Boardwalk books up for the 1st 2 weeks in Dec with in the first several weeks of the 11 month window. You have just missed the 7 month window, and a lot of people had success getting BVC at 7 months. We always go the 1st week of Dec for 2 reasons, Christmas decorations and lowest point time. The Dis Con had nothing to do with our desion!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

why buy DVC if you can't use it at the times you want to go to WDW? Yes, you are right, NOW I'm beginning to have buyer's remorse.

If you plan in advance, this will be the only year you feel that way. You are closing at a time that is inside the 7 month window for one of the most popular times of the year. This year, you may have to adjust but I also agree with Werner that wait lists do work.

Starting next year when you have the 11 month window, book one day at a time for the most popular times of the year. You will never be disappointed again.

Hang in there!

HBC

 

[spiceycat]

did you try Old Key West?

 

[jcanary]

I see spicycat already brought this up. Atleast if you do OKW since that part of the DVC collection you will be able to move your points without penalty or bank them, that is assuming you are not borrowing any. Then if you really don't want OKW at the last minute you can see about switching the points to be used at the contemporary, as long as it is atleast a month or so before the dates. Good luck

 

[Carl]

I did not ask for OKW, but the CM did check that also.

Oh, and she asked me if I wanted an automatic confirmation if any of the resorts came available, or if I wanted them to call me first. I told her to just do it automatically. I thought that might make it more sure. Was that the right choice? I told her that I actually would like 1/2 of the days at BWV or BCV and the other half at VWL, and she said that if I got a reservation for any of the resorts I could leave the other resorts wait listed and substitute 1/2 of the days if it came available.

 

[wdwendyd]

I just waitlisted at the 7 month window for Dec. 8-13 at VWL and all the nights came through within a week. So your waitlists might come through, too! I think a lot of people switch around at the 7 month time so rooms do open up.
Good luck!