Booking a regular Disney Resort

[Dizznee Freak]

We are looking at the possibility of using our points to book a vacation at one of the regular WDW resorts for our 2015 trip. I am wondering if anyone has done this? And if so how much of a pain is it?

 

[DebbieB]

We are looking at the possibility of using our points to book a vacation at one of the regular WDW resorts for our 2015 trip. I am wondering if anyone has done this? And if so how much of a pain is it?

First, did you buy direct or buy resale before 3/2011? If you bought resale after 3/2011, it's not an option.

There's a dedicated thread for this topic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3235889

 

[Dizznee Freak]

Debbie we bought direct. I did not think it was a beneficial transaction but just wanted some fellow owners opinion on it. Thanks

 

[chalee94]

i wouldn't think it was a "pain" but there's an extra $95 fee and you are typically paying more for less space.

here are some sample point charts for 2014:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/points-charts/non-dvc-destinations

 

[erionm]

2015 WDW Disney Collection Point Chart: http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...15PointsChart_DisneyCollection_WDW_021814.pdf

 

[paults]

the number of pts needed is too high

 

[CMOORE185]

the number of pts needed is too high

And you get less of a room. You could probably get a one or two bedroom at a DVC resort for the same amount of points. Not sure why anyone would want to do this.

 

[LisaS]

Something else to keep in mind is that when you use points for something in the Disney Collection (a Disney cruise or a non-DVC Disney resort room), the points used become "reservation points". If you cancel the cruise/reservation, the points go back to your account but remain in "reservation status". You cannot use those points to book a DVC resort. You can use them for something in the Disney Collection and maybe for other things, I'm not sure, but you cannot reserve a DVC resort with reservation points.

 

[MAO]

I've done it before with BW points to stay at the Grand Californian at DL, but that was before the GC had DVC rooms. I did not find it to be difficult at all -- just a different use for your points. As I'm sure you're aware (and if you weren't before, you are now after just the posts before mine have said) it's not exactly the "best" use of your points, but they *are* your points so if you want to do it I cannot see any reason there would be a problem. I don't remember the details precisely, but I'm sure it was just one call to Member Services to set it up and it was done. It might be doable via the website -- it's been a few years since I've had reason to take advantage of this option -- but I'd probably call simply because it's different than "normal". Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[disneymath]

I did this just the other day. It is very easy to do ... Call MS, choose Disney Collection option, and talk to the CM. The Disneyland Hotels are NOT subject to the $95 fee, but the WDW ones are. If you so desire, you can apply one-time-use points to the reservation (I did). The point value is NOT there. Back around my 7-month window I booked a 2BR at VGC for 5 nights (350 pts). For a number of reasons, decided to add on two more nights, but, not surprisingly, no availability at VGC on points anymore. Opted to use points at the DLH over cash (will offset cost of trip and based on trip plans for next year or so, won't be short points because of it). Two standard rooms at the DLH for two nights cost me 216 pts. I'm ok with it for this trip (our first to DL), but will avoid using points this way going forward. I think at WDW I would pay cash.