Annoyed for the first time since I've bought

[mlshields]

This Wednesday will be my third big vacation using my points since I bought in '99. I have been on DCL twice (loved it) and my family and I will be staying at OKW for 10 days starting Weds. I have always loved the ease of making reservations and the wonderful CM's at Member Services. We are in the process of trying to make vacation plans for '05 and we are interested in staying at the Grand Californian in January. Member services does not have the point chart listed yet for '05! I thought we would be able to make all of our Disney reservations within a decent time frame. My cruise reservations with RCL are made, my airline tickets are bought.....just waiting on Disney.

Member Services states that they have no idea when the points chart will be posted!

I can understand that Disney might have to wait to negotiate the World passport collection.....but Disneyland?!?

Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Disneyland is just like the World passport collection when it comes to points. They are outside of DVC/DVC, and as such costs to "trade into" them need to be negotiated yearly. The negotiations are with each individual property.

 

[Dean]

Actually they don't have to negotiate the World Passport collection, it's built it. They do have to netotiate all the direct points exchanges like DCL, other Disney hotels, CC and Adventurer collection. You can make those reservations no earlier than 11 months out but I assume not until the points charts are set. If your set on using points no matter what the cost, you might see if they'll allow you to book and commit the points even if they change dramatically. If they allow this you'll be stuck no matter what the cost. Talk to a supervisor. Otherwise, I think you can expect this type of issue to persist.

 

[mlshields]

Thanks.

I did attempt to book no matter what the points might be in 2005, but the CM wouldn't do it.

Is it unusual not have the points charts 8 months in advance?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dean is right, I was thinking of the Concierge collection.

 

[JimC]

Disneyland is noted for late pricing releases. Sometimes it has been September before we have been able to book in the next year.

If Disneyland has not released pricing to the travel industry, I doubt if it will negotiate point exchanges with DVC.

 

[PamOKW]

It's annoying to be left hanging. I would keep checking with them regularly and book as soon as it is allowed. Chances are you will get what you want, it's just a question of what it will cost you. You could book a cash reservation as a back-up and then cancel when you are able to book on points.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by mlshields
Thanks.

I did attempt to book no matter what the points might be in 2005, but the CM wouldn't do it.

Is it unusual not have the points charts 8 months in advance?

Not for early in the calendar year.

 

[jdkdorn]

We went to the Grand Californian on points last Jan and were not able to book the trip until September. The point chart is released very late for Disneyland. I called once a week until I was able to book. They always have the chart at member services about a month before it is posted so keep calling.

Good luck, the trip was worth every point we spent.

Judy

 

[pcryan]

This past week I got a quote on points for the Grand, Oct 14-17, 3 nights. It was a 138 points so we passed on that and booked a room through AAA, three nights, 5 day hopper pass (for 2 adults, one junior) for a little less than $1200.00. The best thing about that is with AAA you get unlimited fast passes. The package also comes with priority seating for some of the shows and some other goodies like a lanyard and pin.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'd think cash would be significantly cheaper since this is Jan.

 

[TwingleMum]

I'd use cash also.

 

[Scoootch]

Maybe it's just me but.....shouldn't the old chart for 04' s pts. stay in effect until they are able to release the new chart for 05'?

I know, I know -- they can work it however they want Seems to me though that if you are booking within a reasonable amount of time that if you book within a certain time frame - say no earlier than 7mos out since that would be what we all have to do to book at a non home resort - that they should honor the year before's point chart until they come out with a new one either that or get the new chart out much earlier.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Scoootch
Maybe it's just me but.....shouldn't the old chart for 04' s pts. stay in effect until they are able to release the new chart for 05'?

I know, I know -- they can work it however they want Seems to me though that if you are booking within a reasonable amount of time that if you book within a certain time frame - say no earlier than 7mos out since that would be what we all have to do to book at a non home resort - that they should honor the year before's point chart until they come out with a new one either that or get the new chart out much earlier.

The problem here is that DVC is not in control - The Disneyland Resorts are. They haven't even released pricing for next year to the travel agents yet. DVC can't do anyting until DL is ready to talk.

If they did what you suggest and honor the old chart, who will make up the difference? I'm sure the points cost will not be going down, LOL! (And will all due respect, I don't think most DVC members want to subsidize anyone else's trip)!

Best wishes -

 

[eileenfk]

Originally posted by pcryan
This past week I got a quote on points for the Grand, Oct 14-17, 3 nights. It was a 138 points so we passed on that and booked a room through AAA, three nights, 5 day hopper pass (for 2 adults, one junior) for a little less than $1200.00. The best thing about that is with AAA you get unlimited fast passes. The package also comes with priority seating for some of the shows and some other goodies like a lanyard and pin.

For some reason, they have some prices availalbe, for dates AFTER May 2005, but not for dates between Jan 1 2005 and May 1 2005.
One has to book exactly three nights and buy a package that has 4 day passes (that cost as much as 5 day passes).
Using the same dates as above, it quoted me over 1500 for the Grand Californian and 3 park passes.
It had a few other things in the package, but nothing I would be willing to pay extra for.

It looks like Disney is going to significantly raise the prices of their hotels, for 2005. I guess I will be staying in my favorite Harbor Blvd hotel next year.

Eileen

 

[mlshields]

Thanks so much for all of your replies.

I think I will have to wait until they have the new points chart.

We are staying away from cash because we are taking our Big vacation for the year during this time and we are cruising with Royal and we already have points banked from 04 that we are going to have to use.

I am sure everything will work out in the end, it just seems weird that they have dates available for the anniversary 5/05 but like someone said before me - you can't book anything for Jan - May?!?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions.