Changing resorts at last minute

[GCM13]

Is it possible to change resorts on the day of arrival if another resort is available? If so, would I still call member services?

 

[JimMIA]

I doubt it.

IF it were possible to get into another resort, you would have two reservations. Your original reservation would be canceled, and a new reservation made. There is actually no such thing as canceling the day of arrival, and all points for that stay would be forfeited.

Best case scenario, if you canceled a few days prior to arrival, the points from your original reservation would be placed in "holding account," which means they would not be bankable and could only be used to make reservations 60 days in advance.

If you were going to change resorts close to your arrival date, I'd do it no later than 31 days prior to arrival to avoid holding account.

 

[GCM13]

Thanks, figured it was a long shot. How does it work then if you were on a wait list but called less than 7 days prior to arrival once the wait lists are released?

 

[LisaS]

Thanks, figured it was a long shot. How does it work then if you were on a wait list but called less than 7 days prior to arrival once the wait lists are released?

The original reservation is cancelled, causing the points to go into the holding account. Those holding points are then used for the new reservation since you are within 60 days of check in. If the new reservation uses fewer points than the original reservation, you will be left with some points in holding. There is some risk that in that minute or so between when MS releases your original reservation and then books the new one, the new room gets taken by another member and the original one gets taken as well leaving you with nothing and lots of points in holding. At 7 days out I think that risk is pretty small, unlike when members do this 7 months out.

Changing resorts on your check in day might be possible but I would check that out with MS because it sounds risky. Your points are considered used as of your check in day. As Jim said, you might end up losing the original points and then using new points for the new reservation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, it is possible and I did this in January. Had a reservation at SSR and called when I was 20 minutes away from WDW. MS had to check with the resorts to verify availability but I had the option of BCV or AKV-Kidani. Since I hadn't stayed at Kidani yet that's what I took and was at the front desk 15 minutes after getting the reservation.

I have read of other's doing this as well so it wasn't an exception of any sort. I had called the previous two days to see about switching but there wasn't availability. The CM told me to check back on the day I was checking in and it worked out. I was a tad nervous until I was at the check-in desk and knew they had my reservation though!

 

[maggiet]

Yes! We just did this. We had a split reservation, but on check in we were able to switch it to all one resort without changing rooms. This wasn't available through member services, I was on a waitlist to do the change but it didn't come through. But they were able to make the change on check in. It never hurts to ask!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Yes! We just did this. We had a split reservation, but on check in we were able to switch it to all one resort without changing rooms. This wasn't available through member services, I was on a waitlist to do the change but it didn't come through. But they were able to make the change on check in. It never hurts to ask!

Really? Wow from all other accounts that is a dicey option, on how they may may mess up your account. Good for you it worked out.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I spoke to member services yesterday about this and she told me that you can switch resorts at the last minute as long as you haven't checked in yet. We are trying to switch resorts for our May 11 trip.

She told me she had recently canceled a studio at BLT for someone who was supposed to be there in like 12 hours and then a few callers later the room was claimed by someone waiting for the Magical Express bus to leave the airport.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I spoke to member services yesterday about this and she told me that you can switch resorts at the last minute as long as you haven't checked in yet. We are trying to switch resorts for our May 11 trip.

She told me she had recently canceled a studio at BLT for someone who was supposed to be there in like 12 hours and then a few callers later the room was claimed by someone waiting for the Magical Express bus to leave the airport.

Wow!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I have done it. I was taking the Amtrak down from NY. Had the first night reserved at Jambo, the next 4 at AKV and the last night at VWL. Upon checking in at Jambo, I asked were there any rooms at Kidani. They said yes. Switched me over to Kidani. I was supposed to check out for VWL but the night before, they had room so I stayed in the same room the entire trip.

 

[Marine Mom]

Yes it is possible. We just did that in January. I had a reservation at Jambo House for 3 nights (one bedroom). I checked in, went to our room and called Member Services immediately to see if we could switch (did not like AKV at all). They were able to switch us to OKW, 2 bedroom and we immediately moved there. The process took about 45 min. but it was so worth it. We loved OKW and the points were the same.

Never hurts to ask!!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I'd call MS to do this (if they were open) rather than trust the front desk. Those CMs (as a group) tend to mess up your account. They just aren't as trained/experienced as MS in the trickier points transactions. For example, you might get left with points in holding & points borrowed instead of re-using the points from the canceled nights.

Signed,
Voice of Experience.

 

[paults]

If it were me, I'd call MS to do this (if they were open) rather than trust the front desk. Those CMs (as a group) tend to mess up your account. They just aren't as trained/experienced as MS in the trickier points transactions. For example, you might get left with points in holding & points borrowed instead of re-using the points from the canceled nights.

Signed,
Voice of Experience.

Carol I thought the CM's at the front desk couldn't deal with our pts only MS can.

 

[CarolMN]

Carol I thought the CM's at the front desk couldn't deal with our pts only MS can.

It wouldn't surprise me if not all DVC Front Desk CMs are trained to do so, but at least at the BWV, there are some who are.

So I have concluded that they can, they just don't do it very well (IMHO).