Developer points and availability

[zalansky]

We're about to add on at AKV, just can't seem to get those developer points out of my mind.

To those who have already added on and got those points, has it been as difficult as alleged to procure a decent reservation within the next 12 months. Any success stories?

 

[mikeandkarla]

Do you have any current reservations already booked? If so, you can swap out developer points for those used to initially make your reservation. Your points used will go back to their original UY. As for booking a new reservation, I think the same standard rules apply. Holidays and spring break hard to get. Good luck.

 

[disneynutz]

We're about to add on at AKV, just can't seem to get those developer points out of my mind.

To those who have already added on and got those points, has it been as difficult as alleged to procure a decent reservation within the next 12 months. Any success stories?

I thought that you only had 7 months to use developer points. Has that changed?

 

[DMKEDM]

We added on last week, got 200 developer points, and made a reservation (for 200 points) in a one-bedroom at BCV in January (including Marathon weekend--I think. We're there til 1/11 and I think the Marathon is 1/9-10?)...

Availability was plentiful (I called to check prior to choosing between developer points and the $10 per point off incentive (We added on at SSR)...

There was an unexpected twist to developer point reservations, tho...developer points do not show up in your account on dvcmember.com, and neither do reservations made with them...so you can't "track them"...I made our reservation 7/20 and MS told me they couldn't give me a confirmation number (because a different system is used to book w/developer points), but that I'd receive it in the mail in a couple of weeks. My CM told me to feel free to call back and check on it prior to receiving my confirmation in the mail if I wanted to do so.

Called MS on another issue yesterday, and their records did not show my reservation, but did show that a one-bedroom at BCV was being held for us. The CM went somewhere (put me on hold for a few minutes) to check, and came back and said the reservation hasn't been made yet, but the villa is in fact being held for me...said there's a slow-down in the developer points reservation process and that there's a week-to-10-day delay...again, the CM invited me to feel free to call to check if/when I get nervous about it, and assured me the villa is being held for my reservation...said it would probably be another week before my confirmation arrives...

So...no problems at all, just some time delay that I'm not used to, given the "immediate pop-up" of a normal reservation on dvcmember.com...certainly no availability issues in January...

When I did this I was given only 7 months to use my developer points (which didn't matter because I did the add-on to get the points required to do our January trip)...as I understand it, the extra time to use the points was added some time this week...

Good luck!

 

[flyerron]

Yeah, a few posters have received 12 month developer points over the past week.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

12 months is the new incentive. Just added on late last night and received double developer points and a 12 month window to use them

 

[zalansky]

Thank you everyone for your replies. The info sure helps! We're driving over tomorrow and taking a look at AKV (DH has not seen it) and then deciding where to add on. Part of me would like to keep all our points at one resort (which would be SSR) and another part of me likes the excitement of a new resort and the point variances that AKV will offer. I see one of you added on at SSR - where has everyone else added on at?

ETA : I do have two reservations booked right now - one at BCV for September (5 nights) and one at BWV in December (2 nights) - so it sounds like I could change those to developer points reservations? That would be great.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

I had 320 developer points and made 4 reservations with them. One starting on 12/11, and the others in Late January and Early February no problem. So, I actually didn't need the additional 5 month extension.

The biggest issue with developer points right now is there is a long, 2 week or so, delay of actually getting a reservation number. They hold the room right away when you call, but the process to get the reservation number appears to be very manually intensive. I made my reservations last Friday and Saturday and am in the wait stage to get the actual reservation number.

July 23rd is when Disney changed the policy/rule from 7 months to 12 monts.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I tried to make a reservation this week with developer points for January 6-13This is for a 2 bedroom. There was only availability at SSR and OKW. NO availability at the other resorts.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

I tried to make a reservation this week with developer points for January 6-13This is for a 2 bedroom. There was only availability at SSR and OKW. NO availability at the other resorts.

The availability really doesn't have anything to do with developer points, it just there is limited availability for any DVC point reservation. That is at least how I understand it.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

The availability really doesn't have anything to do with developer points, it just there is limited availability for any DVC point reservation. That is at least how I understand it.

I understand that. The point is that you have to use the points within 12 months. It is not worth getting the developer points if there is limited availability and therefore the points expire. They are not bankable points.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I understand that. The point is that you have to use the points within 12 months. It is not worth getting the developer points if there is limited availability and therefore the points expire. They are not bankable points.

True, but can't your regular points be banked, thus ensuring 2 years of great vacations, whether for longer/more frequent stays or larger accommodations, etc.

 

[pilferk]

We added on last week, got 200 developer points, and made a reservation (for 200 points) in a one-bedroom at BCV in January (including Marathon weekend--I think. We're there til 1/11 and I think the Marathon is 1/9-10?)...

We leave the 11th (a Friday) as well. The marathon(s) are the 12th and 13th, I think.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

We have 300 developer pts. We were able to get 2 weeks splitting a stay betw a 2BR at BWV and 1 BR at BCV Feb 8-22. We had to downgrade to a 1 BR tho bc there were no more 2BRs available at BCV. Other than that, no probs getting ressies exactly where we wanted to stay evn tho we will be there during President's Day week which I hear can be crowded. Good luck OP getting exactly what you wish for! You can always have your guide check availability for the dates you want before you go forward with taking the dev pts.

 

[nderh2o]

We just called to do a re-write and take the developer points vice the $8/point discount since they had extended the use window to 12 months. We are not planning on going to WDW until 2nd half of June 2008.
Utilizing your crystal balls do you think we will have problems booking 7 or 8 days in a 1BR or 2BR at a DVC resort (no real preference at this point) at the 7 months out window. What about a grand villa?
Thanks for your responses in advance.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

We just called to do a re-write and take the developer points vice the $8/point discount since they had extended the use window to 12 months. We are not planning on going to WDW until 2nd half of June 2008.
Utilizing your crystal balls do you think we will have problems booking 7 or 8 days in a 1BR or 2BR at a DVC resort (no real preference at this point) at the 7 months out window. What about a grand villa?
Thanks for your responses in advance.

We are basically 11 months out from that right now. You should call MS and make your reservation. Assuming you want to stay at AKV where you bought. Typically that time isn't super busy, but they are finishing F&G and SW is now pushed to end of June and July.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

I am a little confused. With only a seven month window there is no home resort problem, but with the 12 month window, does that mean the developer points will obtain the home resort preference of either AKV or SSR? I purchased AKV add-on when you only got point for point, but this could definitely be a reason to purchase more.

Sharon

 

[JBCP]

I had 370 developer points and a 7-month window in which to use them. (I bought right before they changed to 12 months, but that didn't matter since I wanted to go in February, anyway.)

I was able to get a 2-bedroom savannah view and a 2 bedroom value for six days during President's week. Unfortunately this includes both weekend days, but that works out better for many of the people coming, so we'll deal.

I was thrilled. We're having a big family get-together with 16 people. We would never have been able to do it without the developer points. Well, I guess we --could-- have done it, but it would have cost us an arm, a leg, and probably most of a torso, too.

Julie in WA

 

[RobDoc]

I am a little confused. With only a seven month window there is no home resort problem, but with the 12 month window, does that mean the developer points will obtain the home resort preference of either AKV or SSR? I purchased AKV add-on when you only got point for point, but this could definitely be a reason to purchase more.

Sharon

No - Developer Points have no resort designation and can only be used to make reservations within 7 months. The new program allows their use for a 12 month period, but still only for reservations within 7 months. They cannot be used to take advantage of the 11 month priority as they are not assigned to a specific resort anyway.

 

[ScottakaMickey]

We are basically 11 months out from that right now. You should call MS and make your reservation. Assuming you want to stay at AKV where you bought. Typically that time isn't super busy, but they are finishing F&G and SW is now pushed to end of June and July.

Yea, my bad. You have to wait til your 7 months out to make developer point reservations. Sorry for the confusion. I don't think you'll have that much of a problem for that time period, JMHO.