Developer points no waitlisting

[magicron]

I have developer points to use by Oct 3rd. We have a busy summer, but the first weekend in June looks like our best opportunity to travel.

I called MS, and the guy was very helpful getting me set-up online by providing my temporary password. However, rooms available at SSR only 2 of the 4 nights. Plan B: Use developer points for RCI to go to New York City. There are two places there. No rooms available then, either. I know I'm only about 6-7 weeks away, but Oct 3rd deadline basically means I need to use this summer, or transfer all 160 points to RCI, to hold for up to 2 years.

I called back to go ahead and hold the two nights, and figured I'd waitlist the other two. The lady I talked to was clueless: she said I didn't have any developer points, that I had the free cruise incentive coded to my account, so she couldn't help me. She also told me about how they were all moving their office today, and people we packing up, and not everyone could be on the phone, etc.

I figured it was worth calling back to talk to someone else. This time I got a lady who was very helpful. She saw my developer points, re-checked SSR for my dates, but said I could not get on the waitlist with developer points.

So, I'm off to a great start! I called back today for other RCI dates in NYC; nothing available.

My question is how likely is it that the other two dates (June 7,8) will open up for me at SSR? I'm sure it depends on time of year, etc, but just curious how successful people have been with getting dates 4-6 weeks away.

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

The fact that SSR isn't available means that all other resorts are booked. If any resort were to open up it would be SSR.

Developer points seem like a good deal at the time, but new Members learn very quickly that being a DVC Member isn't as easy as you were lead to believe.

 

[HayGan]

Have you considered booking a different size of accomodations at SSR for the other dates you need (depending on how many points you have?) For my son's b-day trip in January, I ended up booking a studio for 2 nights and a grand villa for the 3rd night. We didn't need the room but it was the only thing available and I had enough points to use.

If you really want to use them at SSR, I would book the nights you can and keep calling back for the other nights. With this economy, it seems that there have been many cancellations so you may just luck out! I does stink that you can't waitlist using developer points but unfortunately those are the rules.

Hope you find a solution

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Studios are the first to go, just as HayGan mentioned trying for a 1bd, 2br or GV may be the key!. 1st 2 weeks of June are also Star Wars week-ends and when Florida schools let out. We will be at BWV from Jun 8-13th which I booked at the 7 month mark and in May I had trouble adding a studio for friends joining us only for 6/11 and 6/12. I wanted them with us at BWV, nothing available, booked them into the last studio at SSR (MS said) and waitlisted. My waitlist came through last week.

Anyway keep trying, 2 Reps at MS also told me that this year they have more cancellation then they've ever seen. Keep calling, it can't hurt!

 

[magicron]

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. I told them to look for anything available for the remaining two nights.

Interesting that today I called and the CM put me on hold for a long time. It made me think she had found something, then she came back and said nothing was available. For some reason, I got the feeling that maybe there might be limited rooms for developer point use...sort of like limited seats for using frequent flier miles.

I called again later and talked to a different CM, and while there seemed to be a language barrier, she indicated that there was a difference between using developer points and owned points. In fact, she started to look again assuming I was using my points (which technically I don't have until August), and then realized that I don't have any points available for June. Hmmm.

Based on my luck, so far, I sent in a request for BLT, with 2nd choice of AKV for a few nights in October. Got a response back that nothing available for those dates, but they had availability at OKW and SSR.

I'm new to this. I'll get the system figured out, eventually.

 

[CarolAnnC]

There have been several posts over the past couple of months or so that the entire month of June appears to be booked solid. Most have found nothing available at any DVC resort..

You may want to try and reserve October if you can..

 

[magicron]

I called MS today, persistant to keep checking on availabilty for the last two nights, where no rooms were available.

I spoke to Barbara, who was very helpful, and asked if I minded changing rooms for the last two nights, if that's what it took to get me in. I have no problem with that.

She put me on hold, and came back and said she got a 1BR for me (matches my first two nights). So, all is well. Glad to get this settled this quickly so I can move on with plane reservations, stc.

She was probably the most helpful person in MS that I've talked to. She suggested an area to request a room at, asking if I'm familiar with SSR. She also asked if I had any questions about cancelation policy.

After I hung up, I made our plane reservations...so we're on our way home!

Now that I've got a few days of experience, and some momentum going, I sent in a reservation form for a couple days during Spring Break next March. Oh, crud, I just realized that's about a week outside the 11 month window. Guess that will bounce back and I'll try it again in about a week.

 

[Golden Rose]

Learning the DVC ropes does take a little time, but you'll get the hang of it. I felt like I moved onto the Disboards while I was learning, and have never left!

I will say, some of the cast members at MS definitely have more of a clue than others. Most of the ones I've dealt with have been very nice, but some of them have been completely clueless. (My adventure for today was trying to explain to one that when MS had messed up my points when my waitlist came through, it actually mattered to me which of our two contracts the points for our next trip came out of.) You can eventually find someone who will straighten tangles out, as you found out, but it sometimes does take multiple calls.

Congrats on getting the dates you want!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

So, all is well.

It's nice when it all comes together, I've been lucky with MS and really never had too much trouble getting the times I want! All except Hilton Head but 2010 will be the year!

Enjoy your vacation! We're both at the 48 day countdown, we will be at Disney at the same time, we arrive at BWV on Jun 8th!