Availability

[Apeters430]

I’m just hear to vent and say it grinds my gears that I need a room for this upcoming weekend and there’s nothing available on DVC site but I can pay cash $800+ for those same rooms on the WDW website it’s bullcrap

 

[CarolMN]

Sorry you couldn't find anything.

It won't make you feel any better, but that room available for cash is MOST likely due to another DVC Member who used points to cruise. DVC has to pay the Cruise Line for that trip and so sells the equivalent number of room nights for cash to the general public. Without that exchange, DVC Members would be limited to booking DVC resorts only.

Try calling Member Services - they may be able to help you out. If not, keep checking. Cancellations happen right up to check in. Good luck!

 

[Apeters430]

Yeah I check constantly. It’s not even just one room it’s crazy that there are many DVC type rooms available as cash stays on the website when we could be booking them. I’m sure I’ll get something just bitter at the moment about it

 

[Sandisw]

To add, there are other reasons room end up for cash. DVC and DVC have their own points and can use those points to rent for cash.

They also have the right to offer rooms for cash within 60 days from check in as that is the breakage period. Some of the income from breakage goes to offset our dues.

I agree with Carol, though, to call because sometimes, if those rooms are there due to breakage and not for trades, they might be able to recall them for points.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yep, check with MS.

This weekend has been virtually "sold out" for points for weeks. I've been looking to change one night to Jambo. A room or two pops up now and then but it's been slim. I only look at cash if I'd consider paying that for a room or if I might possibly see if MS can get it pulled back once we're within a few days. Otherwise it's simply a different bucket of availability and not available for points and it doesn't bother me. All part of the flexibility of DVC, trading options and the fact that DVC owns points too that they are within their right to book and rent.

 

[tjkraz]

I’m just hear to vent and say it grinds my gears that I need a room for this upcoming weekend and there’s nothing available on DVC site but I can pay cash $800+ for those same rooms on the WDW website it’s bullcrap

It's the nature of the beast. Trading programs work something like this:

1) Member uses 400 DVC points for a cruise which normally costs $3500
2) DVC takes the 400 points and gives DCL $3500
3) Disney pulls 400 points worth of DVC villas for cash reservations, with the goal of making back at least the $3500 they're already out

If DVC only pulled room inventory that was guaranteed to rent, it wouldn't improve things for members. They'd be pulling many of the same resorts / rooms / dates that are in high demand among DVC owners.

Some of those rooms will invariably go unbooked. It's the nature of the beast. Some will be booked at the last minute. Some will be used as upgrades for cash guests, which also returns value to Disney. (e.g. they may overbook the cheapest Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel rooms and move a few guests to vacant AKV DVC villas.)

Plus, as others pointed out, Disney owns points at all resorts, giving them additional capacity to offer villas to cash guests.

 

[Donna M]

It would be helpful if DVC could do a write up on this issue for members. There are so many members that aren´t aware of why there are cash rooms available and they can´t use points.

 

[crisi]

Some of those rooms will invariably go unbooked. It's the nature of the beast. Some will be booked at the last minute. Some will be used as upgrades for cash guests, which also returns value to Disney. (e.g. they may overbook the cheapest Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel rooms and move a few guests to vacant AKV DVC villas.)

Additional value is returned to Disney in this scenario by people who having stayed in a DVC room, decide to buy into DVC - there are a number of posters here who became DVC members in this fashion.