Are there certain Villa rooms set aside for CRO reservations?

[TNMomof3]

We'll be staying at the BCV in May using rented points. I'm thinking about adding two weekend days there booking thru CRO. Is there any way to "link" these reservations so that we wouldn't have to change rooms, or are there certain rooms set aside for CRO ressies, and others for DVC members?

Thanks!

 

[PamOKW]

Once you book with CRO, you can ask the DVC member to try to set up linking of rooms for you. They don't guarantee you'll be able to stay in the same room but they do make an effort.

There are no particular rooms that are permanently held for DVC or non-DVC.

 

[InstImpres]

I just did the same thing (since I was waitlisted). It is much better to make cash ressie through DVC though not CRO.

1) No room night deposit required with DVC
2) 48 hr. cancel policy
3) If you want to be waitlisted they will set-up to auto cancel cash ressie
4) DVC and CRO can not link. DVC can link to DVC cash ressie - so no check-in check-out and guarantee of same room

Good luck

 

[TNMomof3]

Thank you for the quick replies! Is it possible for me to make a cash reservation thru DVC since I'm not a member, and am only renting points?

I'd thought about renting more points and adding on those days, but I believe I've read that for weekend points...it is most times cheaper to book thru CRO. I know we are coming out very well with our weekday points.

Thanks again, I'm just so excited to try DVC, and I think I'll have a better chance of selling DH if we upgrade to the one bedroom instead of the studio.

 

[PamOKW]

I don't think you can make reservations with MS. The policy for getting the DVC member discount is that the member must actually be staying in the unit that is receiving the discount. I'm not sure if they book any other type of cash reservation. You also would not be able to call and make the reservation yourself since you need the member ID number to make and/or change reservations.

 

[CarolMN]

My understanding is that "linking" reservations just means that the reservation/confirmation numbers are noted on both the CRO and DVC reservations with a request that you not have to move. When you get the confirmation number from DVC, just call CRO and ask to have a note added with your request not to move and the DVC reservation number. They should be able to make a note like that - ask for a supervisor if the CM doesn't know how to do it. Then ask the DVC member to call MS and add the CRO confirmation number to your DVC reservation. (MS might let you call and do that yourself if you have the reservation number and the ressie includes your name).

I'd also recommend that you fax the DVC resort 3 days ahead of time and repeat the request. Be sure to include both confirmation numbers in the fax.

Of course there is no guarantee, but the CMs really do try to work these things out when they can. Good luck!

 

[InstImpres]

Again, my understanding from MS is that they can't guarantee connection if done through CRO.

If I were you, I would ask the person you are renting points for to do this for you through MS. Let them guarantee with your cc if you are ok with that. Than that is what you present at check-in. It is my understanding the members name has to be on the room if you want the 10% but not if you are paying full price and linking.

Than again, you don't always get the same answers from each person in MS.

Good luck

 

[jjohns]

Here's the experience from our recent (Dec 15-22) trip...

We had a DVC reservation from Dec 15-21, a CRO reservation from Dec 21-22.

I called DVC MS and they noted that the DVC reservation was a 'continuing reservation' and included the CRO reservation number. They gave me the standard 'we cannot guarantee that you will stay in the same room' disclaimer.

I also called CRO and had them make the same 'continuing reservation' note along with the DVC reservation number.

I fully expected that on the morning of Dec 21 we would have to 'check-out' of the DVC reservation and clear the account of any incidentals, and then 'check-in' to the CRO reservation. We were also prepared for the possibility that we would have to switch rooms, and could even be without a room between 11 and 4.

What actually happened was far better - perfect actually.

When we checked in on Dec 15, we were told:
- we would stay in the same room
- we wouldn't have to check-out/check-in on the 21st
- our key cards were stamped through to Dec 22
- our parking pass was good through to Dec 22

So - it was as if it was all one reservation. Wonderful!

All that said, YMMV! Do that cross-linking, be pleasant at time of check-in, and it may all go swimmingly for you too!

HTH, Jeff

 

[SueM in MN]

We are DVC members and have stayed many times with partly points, partly cash thru MS. We have always had our reservations linked. We have not had to change our room, although they always tell you that is a possibility. Actually, it's usually in their best interest not to move you - it's a room that needs to be cleaned just so that you can move into another room.
The only problems we have had were a couple of years ago. We had been told that we wouldn't have to switch rooms and had keys thru the whole time, but on the day when our reservation switched between cash and points, our room keys didn't work when we came back to the room after going to the park. Also, some friends (at WDW and some from home) called the resort looking for us and were told we had checked out and were not listed as staying anywhere in the WDW resorts. Since then, if we switch between cash and points, we call to talk to ourselves so we can make sure we are still there!

 

[TNMomof3]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
Since then, if we switch between cash and points, we call to talk to ourselves so we can make sure we are still there!

ROTFLOL!!! Too funny, Sue!

Thanks for all your help guys! I'll use the tips you've recommended, and hopefully things will go smoothly. If we have to move...we have to move, but hey, I won't complain...I'm at WDW and staying in a DVC property to boot!

 

[SueM in MN]

Since we were out of the room when we called, we decided to leafe ourselves a message (just to make sure we got the call).

 

[DBBN]

Originally posted by PamOKW

The policy for getting the DVC member discount is that the member must actually be staying in the unit that is receiving the discount.

I concur. Just this week I made a reservation for a friend from Sunday check-in through Friday on points and a cash reservation for Friday with check-out on Saturday. Member services allowed me to make the Friday reservation for him only if I did not use the DVC member discount rate that was available. I tried several avenues to obtain the discount but they wouldn't go for it. They quoted and I accepted the non discounted rate which happened to be $75.00 higher than the DVC member rate.

I then asked about CRO and linking reservations to ensure they would not have to move from one unit to another for the last day. She stated that there were no procedures in place to guarantee the same unit from check-in through check-out if the reservation was made through CRO.

I would ask the member renting the points to me to check with DVC member services for availability and rate. If it's available I would reserve it ASAP. It's much easier to cancel a cash reservation than it is to make one if there are no rooms available.

 

[Tagrel]

Hmmmm.... Just trying to understand a few things. (I have a points/cash reservation at Vero, but all through MS)


Lets see:

- You CAN guarantee the same unit if booked through MS but if CRO is used for a cash reservation then it is possible you might have to move. Is this because DVC Members get first choice of rooms on check-in days? (I can't see the sense in moving someone from one unit to another equal unit otherwise)

- Only DVC members can get the DVC discount on units (if available)

Questions:

- Since MS will make cash reservations for non-members at rack rate, will they also accept discount codes when available?

- Has ANYONE here ever been moved when switching from MS to a CRO reservation?

Thanks!

 

[TNMomof3]

Originally posted by Tagrel

Questions:

- Since MS will make cash reservations for non-members at rack rate, will they also accept discount codes when available?

- Has ANYONE here ever been moved when switching from MS to a CRO reservation?

Thanks!

Thanks for these questions, Tagrel. Indeed if I make a reservation thru CRO, I'm hoping that their will be some discount using AP or codes. I know that when they do offer these discounts, there only seem to be a handful of them, but can those same codes be booked thru MS? That would be ideal.

Also, someone mentioned faxing your room request, and mentioning the two reservation #'s a few days prior to your arrival. Is that faxed to the Beach Club, or is there a fax # for the Beach Club Villas? If so, anyone have that?

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Lets see:

- You CAN guarantee the same unit if booked through MS but if CRO is used for a cash reservation then it is possible you might have to move. Is this because DVC Members get first choice of rooms on check-in days? (I can't see the sense in moving someone from one unit to another equal unit otherwise)

Booking your point and cash reservations both thru MS DOESN'T guarantee that your whole stay will be in the same unit and you won't need to move. We have booked stays partly on points and partly on cash thru MS most years since we joined in 1993 (a 2 bedroom for 10 days takes a lot of points. We have always made our cash reservations thru MS (linked to our points reservation) and have always been told we might have to move when we changed over from points to cash. We only did have to move once a long time ago, but last March when we did it, we were again told that we might have to move.

I don't know for sure, but I think MS only has access to MS information in their computer, not any discounts that might be available thru CRO.