Booking with cash question

[emlutz23]

My parents want to join us on our '09 marathon trip even though we won't have the points for them. So I thought I could book them a Studio using the 25% member discount. Can I do that for them through MS? How far in advance can I book a cash ressie? I'm booking our point ressie on Wednesday.

The other dilema is I am booking our point ressie at SSR at 11 months, but wanted to try and switch to BCV at 7 months. Should I book my parents a cash room at BCV now (if I can) in the hopes that we can switch from SSR to BCV?

I'm glad my parents want to come along, but now it's getting a little complicated! I suppose I shouldn't complain too much as they will be helping us a lot with our two small boys while my DH and I race that weekend!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I am not sure how far out you cn book a cash reservation,but they dont have availibility all of the time for cash either.If I were you I would go ahead and book them BCV if you can because it will fill up quicker than SSR.
You could always rent points for them from a DVCer it might be alot cheaper to do it that way.

 

[emlutz23]

Thanks, I figured I'd book them first at BCV if possible. I mentioned the possibility of renting points, but my mom doesn't want to go through the trouble. I'll leave that up to them since it's their money!

Anyone else know if there is a specific time frame for booking a cash ressie? If it's not available is there a waitlist?

 

[Jimdvc]

You could always rent points for them from a DVCer it might be alot cheaper to do it that way.

Try doing a point swap with a BCV owner, who doesn't need their 11 mth home resort period this year. you may have to trade them 100 pts for 90 or something along those lines.

 

[dcamdad]

Booking a cash room now for 2009 may be a problem as 2009 rates have not been determined yet.

 

[chalee94]

IIRC, the DVC discount, if available, is only available for the room in which the DVC member is staying. a room for your parents would not qualify for the discount.

 

[emlutz23]

IIRC, the DVC discount, if available, is only available for the room in which the DVC member is staying. a room for your parents would not qualify for the discount.

That's what I was afraid of. I think my next option is to send them to AAA and they can at least get a 20% off the resort rates with a package, even if it's the Beach Club Resort and not the villas. In the past (pre-DVC), I've booked with AAA before the next year's rates were out and they just told me the rate could change.

Thanks for your help and ideas everybody!

 

[Chuck S]

There is another option. If you are getting the same size unit as your parents, you could book the point reservation in their name, and the cash discounted reservation in your name, if MS is going to be sticky about the "member occupancy for discount" rule, even if you are traveling with them.

That is assuming you are able to get BCV at 7 months, or if you aren't able to, then your parents may want to stay near you at SSR.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I see that you are talking about a 25% discount on a studio for the “09 marathon. I have a few questions about the rate.
1. Does the discount percentage change as do the seasons?
2. Is the same rate applicable to all types of rooms?
3. How long before arrival does the rates become available?
4. Is the discount only offered once members have the opportunity to book at the 7 month
window?

 

[chalee94]

(i'm pretty sure this is correct - somebody jump in if i'm wrong.)

1) no - if the DVC cash discount is available, it is 25%.

2) no - the 25% discount is applied to the rack rate charged by CRO for the rooms...which differ depending on the type of room.

3&4) i don't have any idea...and i don't think they make their formula available. you just have to call MS and see what is available.

 

[emlutz23]

There is another option. If you are getting the same size unit as your parents, you could book the point reservation in their name, and the cash discounted reservation in your name, if MS is going to be sticky about the "member occupancy for discount" rule, even if you are traveling with them.

That is assuming you are able to get BCV at 7 months, or if you aren't able to, then your parents may want to stay near you at SSR.

We're getting different units. We want a 1-bedroom and my parents will be in a Studio. We'll see what happens when I talk with MS on Wednesday.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One hint on BCV for the marathon. You will have to take the bus to the race start since you can't walk through Epcot that early in the morning. You have to catch a bus by about 3:30AM. We've stayed at OKW and my husband and his friend walked to the start from there.

Also could you get a two bedroom with your points for part of the nights and then add the cash nights you need?

 

[emlutz23]

One hint on BCV for the marathon. You will have to take the bus to the race start since you can't walk through Epcot that early in the morning. You have to catch a bus by about 3:30AM. We've stayed at OKW and my husband and his friend walked to the start from there.

Also could you get a two bedroom with your points for part of the nights and then add the cash nights you need?

Yeah, we knew we wouldn't be able to walk to the start from BCV. My DH thought we could walk back to the resort after it's over! Uh, we'll see about that! The most inconvenient resort we've stayed at for the marathon was FW and we had to catch internal buses first before going over to WL to get the marathon shuttle buses!

Thanks for the tip on the split cash/points stay. I'm worried about not getting the nights we need on cash and being stuck. Especially since there's a chance cash rooms don't become available until a few months before.