Animal Kingdom villas through RCI- options?

[1153rsmith]

Hey everyone,

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Villas for the first time in May 2010 and booked the exchange through RCI. I'm assuming it will be a standard room.. don't know for sure, the reservation at RCI doesn't say. Does anyone have experience with upgrading an RCI reservation to a Savanah view or Club level?

Just wondering what I might could do differently. Also, any idea on price for upgrade?

Thanks,

Randy

Oops, I realized I got this in the wrong place and can't figure out how to delete. sorry.

 

[Lynne M]

Not a problem, I'll move this to the DVC-Planning board for you.

 

[js]

Hey everyone,

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Villas for the first time in May 2010 and booked the exchange through RCI. I'm assuming it will be a standard room.. don't know for sure, the reservation at RCI doesn't say. Does anyone have experience with upgrading an RCI reservation to a Savanah view or Club level?

Just wondering what I might could do differently. Also, any idea on price for upgrade?

Thanks,

Randy

Oops, I realized I got this in the wrong place and can't figure out how to delete. sorry.

Hi. Sorry I cannot help but do have a question.
We own DVC, a 3 bedroom at OLCC and a 3 bedroom in HHI for a week in August. Can I ask you what your trader was for the AK exchange? Congrats

 

[1153rsmith]

So far, I have talked to someone at AKV and they said they would get the information about our reservation about 10 days out from our stay.

they sent me to DVC customer service who wouldn't give any assistance because I am not a DVC member. they referred me to RCI.

Talked with RCI and all they would tell me is the room number on our reservation is 1001. They didn't know if that was generic number, or the actual room number.

So basically, I've spent 45 minutes on the phone and don't know much more than I did.

Surely someone out there has gone through this....

 

[1153rsmith]

Hi. Sorry I cannot help but do have a question.
We own DVC, a 3 bedroom at OLCC and a 3 bedroom in HHI for a week in August. Can I ask you what your trader was for the AK exchange? Congrats

Not sure if I understand the question.

We don't own DVC. We are exchanging into AK through RCI. We were able to get a 1 bedroom for 42,500 RCI points for the first week of May. Plus the exchange fee. I booked directly through RCI.

If I answered the wrong question, let me know. I have only had 1 cup of coffee so far.

 

[bwvBound]

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Villas for the first time in May 2010 and booked the exchange through RCI. I'm assuming it will be a standard room.. don't know for sure, the reservation at RCI doesn't say. Does anyone have experience with upgrading an RCI reservation to a Savanah view or Club level?

Your DVC reservation is already 'set' for a specific room category. Phone DVC Member Services to learn which category you've been assigned and to set up any special requests (Magical Express, Dining, etc.) You can get the DVC Member Services phone number from RCI -- but you may have to be somewhat persistent.

 

[1153rsmith]

Your DVC reservation is already 'set' for a specific room category. Phone DVC Member Services to learn which category you've been assigned and to set up any special requests (Magical Express, Dining, etc.) You can get the DVC Member Services phone number from RCI -- but you may have to be somewhat persistent.

I have the 800 number for DVC Member Services, I was given it by a CM at AKV. I called and since I was not a DVC member, they would only refer me to RCI.

 

[drusba]

I do not know what category you actually get with RCI. However, upgrade is unlikely as generally there is no such thing with DVC. As to the "1001" room number that has to be a generic assignment because there is no DVC room at AKV with a 1 at the beginning of the number.

 

[1153rsmith]

I do not know what category you actually get with RCI. However, upgrade is unlikely as generally there is no such thing with DVC. As to the "1001" room number that has to be a generic assignment because there is no DVC room at AKV with a 1 at the beginning of the number.

That was what I was afraid of. I figure room assignment is luck of the draw, and won't be done until we check in.

I guess that would be one of the advantages to owning with DVC.

 

[bwvBound]

I have the 800 number for DVC Member Services, I was given it by a CM at AKV. I called and since I was not a DVC member, they would only refer me to RCI.

Absolutely not true! Call again. Be sure you are phoning DVC Member Services not the resort directly.

Follow the telephone menu as if you were a member trying to book/change reservations at a DVC resort. Explain to the rep that you have a reservation booked through RCI at AKV and wish to add requests to that reservation. The rep should be able to give you not only the room category but also the DVC internal reservation number. Having that internal reservation number will make future phoning MUCH easier.

 

[bwvBound]

Surely someone out there has gone through this....

I've completed several exchanges into DVC through II (each to BWV) and have one exchange through RCI (again, BWV) booked for January 2010. Exchange guests are permitted to contact DVC Member Services directly to discuss the reservation particulars.

 

[1153rsmith]

Absolutely not true! Call again. Be sure you are phoning DVC Member Services not the resort directly.

Follow the telephone menu as if you were a member trying to book/change reservations at a DVC resort. Explain to the rep that you have a reservation booked through RCI at AKV and wish to add requests to that reservation. The rep should be able to give you not only the room category but also the DVC internal reservation number. Having that internal reservation number will make future phoning MUCH easier.

Thanks for the info. I'll give it another try shortly, and report back what I get.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So far, I have talked to someone at AKV and they said they would get the information about our reservation about 10 days out from our stay.

they sent me to DVC customer service who wouldn't give any assistance because I am not a DVC member. they referred me to RCI.

Talked with RCI and all they would tell me is the room number on our reservation is 1001. They didn't know if that was generic number, or the actual room number.

So basically, I've spent 45 minutes on the phone and don't know much more than I did.

Surely someone out there has gone through this....

That number is NOT a room number, but a generic one. DVC rooms are not assigned until about a week to 10 days ahead of the reservation. My suggestion is that you make a request with RCI for a savanna view room. Don't hold your breath on the Concierge level coming through though, because they are not even available for exchanges.

 

[Brian Noble]

the reservation at RCI doesn't say.

For AKV, you can tell which view you have by the Unit code on the confirmation statement. For example, 1BSTDFR is a 1-bedroom, Standard view, Friday check-in. 2BSAVSU is a 2BR, Savannah view, Sunday check-in. I haven't seen the codes for Value or Concierge view, but I suspect there's zero chance of getting either, as both are in strong demand by the Members, and DVC tries to deposit less-demanded views. But, your chances of getting Savannah view aren't half-bad; I've personally had a couple different ones on hold, but never confirmed them for various reasons.

As noted, you cannot request a particular view category---the deposit you exchanged into is drawn from a specific view category, and that can't be changed. Likewise, it is either in Jambo or Kidani, and is either dedicated or lockoff, and those attributes are fixed as well. However, you *can* make requests within your view category: for example higher/lower floor, closer to elevator, etc.

You are entitled to call Member Services---just explain to them that you are not a Member, but have a confirmed inbound exchange, and they will transfer you to the MS desk that handles RCI. It's a little easier if you navigate the phone menu to that desk yourself, because they will better understand what you are asking for. As of today, that's Option 1: Member Services, followed by Option 6: World Passport.

The 800 number is a "bad word" on DIS, but it appears on your exchange confirmation: 800-800-four-more-digits. It's in the "To Help You Further" section of the resort information sheet.

 

[1153rsmith]

I wanted to let everyone know that I did called the dining line yesterday to inquire about the dining plan. Well since we were staying at a DVC resort, they referred me to Member Services to get my questions answered. Well, I got an amazing CM on the phone and she finally found my reservation and gave me all the info about the dining plan. After we finished that, I asked if she was able to tell what type of room we are slated to have. She was able to tell us it is a Savannah view.. I'm so excited. I'm not going to tell the kids till we get there, for 2 reason. 1] just to surprise them, and 2] just in case something falls through and our room gets taken by someone else.

My little girl has been praying every night for a room to view the animals. I guess her prayers may be answered.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wanted to let everyone know that I did called the dining line yesterday to inquire about the dining plan. Well since we were staying at a DVC resort, they referred me to Member Services to get my questions answered. Well, I got an amazing CM on the phone and she finally found my reservation and gave me all the info about the dining plan. After we finished that, I asked if she was able to tell what type of room we are slated to have. She was able to tell us it is a Savannah view.. I'm so excited. I'm not going to tell the kids till we get there, for 2 reason. 1] just to surprise them, and 2] just in case something falls through and our room gets taken by someone else.

My little girl has been praying every night for a room to view the animals. I guess her prayers may be answered.

Great news! By the way, even if you don't get the savanna view room, there are a LOT of places very near each room to view animals. Walking down any hallway will take you past huge viewing windows looking out onto the savannas, and there are little sitting areas both indoors and outdoors for viewing as well.

 

[bwvBound]

Well, I got an amazing CM on the phone and she finally found my reservation and gave me all the info about the dining plan. After we finished that, I asked if she was able to tell what type of room we are slated to have. She was able to tell us it is a Savannah view.. I'm so excited.

YEAH! Thanks for the update.

 

[Dean]

That was what I was afraid of. I figure room assignment is luck of the draw, and won't be done until we check in.

I guess that would be one of the advantages to owning with DVC.

Sorry you had such a time. In the future, and for others that may see this, the best way to do this is to call MS and go through the que for exchanges. Usually they get the updated info from RCI during the middle of the week for exchanges done the week before. They are VERY rigid about not allowing ANY changes but they do reserve the right to give you whatever room type they want so they could change it later if they chose to but it's unlikely they would. Though we are members, we had 2 concurrent units at Kidani a few weeks ago. Had a great time, I'm sure you will too.