Are rooms at DVC resorts "held" for non-DVC members

[TNDisDad]

I have been trying to secure reservations from 10/11 thru 10/18 (I know it is a busy time near Epcot due to F&W Festival). According to MS nothing is available for that week at a DVC resort; however, if I search for a Disney Resort on one of the more popular on-line booking sites, it says there is availability at the BWV for 1BR ($497/nt). Do they set aside rooms at DVC resorts for non-DVC/cash customers? I would hope DVC members would at least get an equal opportunity at the room (I am sure this is something in the fine print of the contract that I missed).

 

[dianeschlicht]

Once again, the inventory is NOT the same. For various reasons, Central reservations will have units deposited from the DVC resorts. All resorts have points inventory and about a 4% breakage inventory that, when not needed, goes to CRO. Then if someone takes their points and does a trade into the Disney Collection (regular Disney hotels or the Cruise), those "points" are turned into room reservations that CRO can then book to recoup for the reservation they gave to DVC for an exchange. Those rooms no longer are available to DVC on points, since the points for them have already been used in that exchange.

 

[DVC Mike]

There are four major sources of inventory for cash reservation:

• Exchanges: The number one source of cash rooms is actually from the Member inventory. This occurs when members exchange/trade outside of the DVC resorts. This includes using your points to book the Disney Collection (hotels at the Disney theme parks and the Disney Cruise Line), Concierge Collection, and the Adventurer Collection. When a member trades outside of DVC, the points used to book the outside reservation are assigned to DVD to rent out. This does not apply to the World Passport Collection.

• Breakage: Another source of cash reservations includes Member inventory that has not been reserved by members using points. Any Member inventory not reserved by members using points is made available to Disney CRO at the 60-day mark for cash reservations by the general public. This is actually beneficial to DVC members, in that the association earns “breakage” income on these rooms rather than letting them sit empty.

• ROFR: Another source of cash reservations is the inventory of declared points owned by DVD. These points are typically acquired by the ROFR process. Since DVD owns the points, they can rent them out.

• Undeclared: These are the units that have been built by the developer that has not yet been declared into the condominium association. Since DVD controls these units, they may be rented out for cash reservations.

 

[crisi]

In other words - most of those rooms aren't "held" for non members - they've either already been used by members (and were sold to CRO to pay for a stay at the Poly) or they were never owned by members - being owned by DVC.

 

[CarolMN]

Hope it works out for you.

Unfortunately, that is a busy time to book less than 5 months in advance. Many schools & workplaces have Columbus Day off, so there is "extra" demand for that week. (Columbus Day is October 13 this year).

 

[FLYNZ4]

There are four major sources of inventory for cash reservation:

• Breakage: Another source of cash reservations includes Member inventory that has not been reserved by members using points. Any Member inventory not reserved by members using points is made available to Disney CRO at the 60-day mark for cash reservations by the general public. This is actually beneficial to DVC members, in that the association earns “breakage” income on these rooms rather than letting them sit empty.

I have a question about the "breakage". Since inventory can be transfered to CRO at 60 days... and members cannot book holding points until 60 days... this seems to be a hostile policy against owners with holding points. Wouldn't it be more "member friendly" to give the owner some amount of time to book something with their holding account points?

/Jim

 

[Caskbill]

I have a question about the "breakage". Since inventory can be transfered to CRO at 60 days... and members cannot book holding points until 60 days... this seems to be a hostile policy against owners with holding points. Wouldn't it be more "member friendly" to give the owner some amount of time to book something with their holding account points?

/Jim

Members can still get "breakage" inventory using points. While these units have been made available to CRO for cash reservations, if a villa has not been rented by CRO yet, a member may still book it using points.

Even thought the units have been turned over to CRO, the cash prices are pretty steep. Especially things like a 2-B/R villa, so there are still a number of units that are never 'sold' by CRO and the rooms can go empty.

This of course does not apply to the heavy holiday seasons where members will basically book 100% of the inventory, and thus nothing is released to CRO at 60 days as being 'available', unreserved member inventory. (Although CRO may have inventory that is available due to 'Exchanges', which is a different thing.)

 

[FLYNZ4]

Members can still get "breakage" inventory using points. While these units have been made available to CRO for cash reservations, if a villa has not been rented by CRO yet, a member may still book it using points.

Bill,

Thank you for the quick reply. I have a follow-up question.

At the 60 day mark... if the inventory has been transfered to the CRO... does it also automatically show up in MS systems? In other words... do we need to specifically ask MS to check a different source of inventory?

/Jim

 

[tjkraz]

At the 60 day mark... if the inventory has been transfered to the CRO... does it also automatically show up in MS systems? In other words... do we need to specifically ask MS to check a different source of inventory?

My experience has been that Member Services will initiate the call to reclaim rooms from CRO if necessary. That's not to say that ALL unbooked rooms held by CRO can be booked on points, but there does appear to be need for interaction between DVC and CRO in many cases when you're less than 60 days out.

Of course, there are indications that DVC and CRO computer systems and getting friendlier so perhaps this step will be eliminated in the near future.

 

[DebbieB]

This is the reason why holding account points can be reserved 60 days before check-in rather than the usual DVC rule of check-out. It gives members a chance to grab the room before it goes to CRO.

 

[Dean]

I have a question about the "breakage". Since inventory can be transfered to CRO at 60 days... and members cannot book holding points until 60 days... this seems to be a hostile policy against owners with holding points. Wouldn't it be more "member friendly" to give the owner some amount of time to book something with their holding account points?

/Jim

Actually DVC can anticipate breakage inventory and transfer before the 60 day mark. I don't know if they do this but they do have that right written in to the POS. But you're right in that it does potentially inhibit the members ability to use holding account points.

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

Does the release of rooms at 60 days from CRO to DVC mean an extra glimmer of hope for waitlisters at the 60 day mark???

 

[CarolMN]

Does the release of rooms at 60 days from CRO to DVC mean an extra glimmer of hope for waitlisters at the 60 day mark???

No - DVC only sends unreserved point inventory to CRO at the 60 day mark. If there are waitlists, there won't be any to send.

Breakage rooms are those rooms from the points inventory that DVC anticipates will otherwise go empty. Any revenue from those rooms (after CRO gets a cut for handling the rental) goes back to DVC to be used to offset members' dues.

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

Okay, thanx Carol. I think I had it backwards in my mind. I thoughts the rooms were going FROM CRO TO DVC, but now I see they are going FROM DVC TO CRO. Whoopsy!!

 

[CarolMN]

Okay, thanx Carol. I think I had it backwards in my mind. I thoughts the rooms were going FROM CRO TO DVC, but now I see they are going FROM DVC TO CRO. Whoopsy!!

Sometimes members have good luck at the 30-31 day mark. At that point, those who aren't 100% sure they will use their reservation cancel it to avoid having points in holding. Maybe that's when your waitlist will come through (if it doesn't work out before that). Good luck!