Booking 2-Bedroom Villa without points

[trambach]

My friends and I are interested in staying at a two-bedroom villa without a DVC reservation or points.

What is the likely hood of one of these rooms being available to book? We are looking at BLT ATM which seems to be offering the best location for the price over two regular rooms.

This is for a 2018 trip, and I'm wondering If I should look at booking room only, or if I might still have a chance when packages are released sometime in June.

 

[cruisin5]

You can always cancel and re-book if you find a better deal, I believe you can cancel penalty free up to 31 days before your arrival.

 

[trambach]

Does anyone know the approx savings of a package vs. room only?

 

[disneynutz]

Why not rent a reservation from a DVC owner and save some money?

Bill

 

[trambach]

It's a little challenging the limitations of renting. I've looked into it. Unless renting from an owner is easier than a broker. I feel booking with my agent/Disney would give us the most flexibility.

Also asking my friends to come up with their share 1 year in advance is not the easiest thing.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Does anyone know the approx savings of a package vs. room only?

You still need park admission, plus food of some sort. So you'll pay for those either way. Room should be the same.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's a little challenging the limitations of renting. I've looked into it. Unless renting from an owner is easier than a broker. I feel booking with my agent/Disney would give us the most flexibility.

Also asking my friends to come up with their share 1 year in advance is not the easiest thing.

When you go through a broker, it's just a middle man for an owner and you. They get their cut of the money. Going through an owner can be cheaper or cost the same depending on the location and the owner. But you'll probably still have to pay for it all upfront.

 

[DebbieB]

My friends and I are interested in staying at a two-bedroom villa without a DVC reservation or points.

What is the likely hood of one of these rooms being available to book? We are looking at BLT ATM which seems to be offering the best location for the price over two regular rooms.

This is for a 2018 trip, and I'm wondering If I should look at booking room only, or if I might still have a chance when packages are released sometime in June.

I don't know if you would be able to book room only now. DVC doesn't always release rooms to CRO a year in advance.

 

[BillPA]

You can see the 2017 cash rates for BLT 2 BR here:

https://www.mousesavers.com/2017-bay-lake-tower-room-rates-season-dates/

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Every room type and resort isn't always available for every date via CRO. So that's a risk you would take, along with the much more expensive rate.

 

[dzorn]

I would also think booking at the larger resorts has a much greater chance of getting it, such as okw or ssr.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Keep in mind AP discounts. Don't know how many days you are staying but I am staying five nights coming up in 2 BR at OKW. The rack rate was $726 per night but I got it for $471 per night due to buying one annual pass and using the AP special. Cost me $321 extra from four day park hopper vs. AP, but saved quite a bit on room. Also allows us to go back in fall.

 

[Quellman]

Why not rent a reservation from a DVC owner and save some money?

Bill

Subject to the risk of cancellation policies that may not be as nice as booking direct.

 

[DenLo]

DVC does release some rooms to CRO at 11 months out because members have booked with DCL or through RCI months before then. Including rooms at BLT. I am not sure that they release all of the views at BLT. I expect lake view would be offered, but Theme Park and Standard view would not since they are both very popular with DVC members. And the numbers that are released would strictly be based on the number of exchanges.

Plus DVD could release the rooms that are booked using the points they own. I would assume they would put them out as soon as they could book them which is at the 11 month mark for January of 2018 (February 2017). They may already be booked through CRO.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC does release some rooms to CRO at 11 months out because members have booked with DCL or through RCI months before then. Including rooms at BLT. I am not sure that they release all of the views at BLT. I expect lake view would be offered, but Theme Park and Standard view would not since they are both very popular with DVC members. And the numbers that are released would strictly be based on the number of exchanges.

Plus DVD could release the rooms that are booked using the points they own. I would assume they would put them out as soon as they could book them which is at the 11 month mark for January of 2018 (February 2017). They may already be booked through CRO.

RCI trades go to RCI, not Disney Reservation Center. Only those point used for Disney vacations (and those trades that resales now cannot book) go to DRC, plus the points owned by DVC.