Another "Can I do this" for the experts

[PJMPA]

October use year. I booked a stay at Vero Beach Feb 19-24 flying into Orlando and driving to the resort. The plan was to evaluate the weather conditions at Vero a few days before and if the weather forecast is cold/stormy, cancel Vero, have points go into holding and re-book a 1BR at whatever DVC resort has availability in Disney using those holding points. Just realized the Princess Half Marathon is during this time and already, there is limited availability. I'm assuming there will be no availability if I try to do something in February. So... right now, I can book a stay now at SSR with the idea of cancelling either Vero or SSR. Those points would then go into holding. I also have a stay already booked in May 2015 at OKW and my wife has a conference in Orlando in September 2015 and I can use points to book a stay then. Is there a way to do this without losing points due to February cancellation? Thanks for your help.

 

[DebbieB]

October use year. I booked a stay at Vero Beach Feb 19-24 flying into Orlando and driving to the resort. The plan was to evaluate the weather conditions at Vero a few days before and if the weather forecast is cold/stormy, cancel Vero, have points go into holding and re-book a 1BR at whatever DVC resort has availability in Disney using those holding points. Just realized the Princess Half Marathon is during this time and already, there is limited availability. I'm assuming there will be no availability if I try to do something in February. So... right now, I can book a stay now at SSR with the idea of cancelling either Vero or SSR. Those points would then go into holding. I also have a stay already booked in May 2015 at OKW and my wife has a conference in Orlando in September 2015 and I can use points to book a stay then. Is there a way to do this without losing points due to February cancellation? Thanks for your help.

With an October use year, your banking deadline is May 31. So if you can substitute the holding points for your May reservation at 60 days, you could then bank them if they are current year points. If your May points are not current year, then that will not work. Or you could roll the dice and see if there are rooms available for May or September at 60 days instead of having a reservation farther in advance. I think your odds would be good for either.

 

[Msmithmd]

Any plan that intentionally includes points going into holding is intrinsically a bad plan in my opinion.

I would make a decision and stick with it. Even if that decision is to book a cash room at Vero, cancel if the weather is bad, and book a last minute cash (or DVC if you happen to be able to get it) room in Orlando. There is a good likelihood that in February you will be able to get a member discount cash rate at Vero, and of course a good chance the weather won't be "beach ideal."

Timeshares don't work well for last minute changes. Yes, you can do it, but putting your points into holding intentionally is risking the chance that those points expire unused. Better to not use points at all and bank them for future use, than to risk them disappearing for nothing.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with Msmithmd - especially since the average temperature for VB in February isn't "beach" weather, anyway. At least not in my opinion, LOL.

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/vero-beach/florida/united-states/usfl0500

Holding points are often lost because they are tough to use. It's tough for a lot of people to travel on less than 60 days notice (at least for those who have jobs or children).

If it were me, I'd book now at WDW (& plan to stay there). Then I'd try to switch to VB at the last minute once the actual forecast is available. But since it's the tail end of President's week, your chances are less than they would be earlier or later in the month.

Good luck.