Disney Collection Availability

[kristler]

When we have traveled to WDW for the last few years my parents have stayed in a DVC resort while my wife and I stay with ours (and my parents) dogs in our RV at Fort Wilderness. We have been able at times to get the campsite via the Disney Collection with points (my parents preference, they don't want to rent out their points). Anyway, we have gotten in twice in September, last May and now late April this year. We are planning another trip in January, just after the new year. I have a cash reservation already as a backup and I have most of my parents Wilderness Lodge Villas reservation. What I cannot get is the campsites (any at all) through the Disney Collection. I was told by a cast member at member services that they come available at the 11 month mark. I called at 9:00 AM on exactly the 11 month mark opening window. I booked my parents room, but there was absolutely nothing for the campsites. I have also checked for early November (for the last couple months) and again absolutely nothing. I don't believe that they have their allotted (?) camp sites sold out before I called in (via DVC that is). I reserved our April trip just last month and all 4 types of camp sites were available for the full 2 weeks.

So a bit long winded, but my question is does anyone know the inside scoop on when (and if) things are added to the DVC Disney Collection? Is it really at the 11 month mark? The suggestion from member services was to call back, but when?

Anyway any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[cmrdgrs]

When we have traveled to WDW for the last few years my parents have stayed in a DVC resort while my wife and I stay with ours (and my parents) dogs in our RV at Fort Wilderness. We have been able at times to get the campsite via the Disney Collection with points (my parents preference, they don't want to rent out their points). Anyway, we have gotten in twice in September, last May and now late April this year. We are planning another trip in January, just after the new year. I have a cash reservation already as a backup and I have most of my parents Wilderness Lodge Villas reservation. What I cannot get is the campsites (any at all) through the Disney Collection. I was told by a cast member at member services that they come available at the 11 month mark. I called at 9:00 AM on exactly the 11 month mark opening window. I booked my parents room, but there was absolutely nothing for the campsites. I have also checked for early November (for the last couple months) and again absolutely nothing. I don't believe that they had spots all sold out before I called in. I reserved our April trip just last month and all 4 types of camp sites were available for the full 2 weeks.

So long winded, but my question is does anyone of the inside scoop on when (and if) things are added to the DVC dDisney Collection? Is it really at the 11 month mark? The suggestion from member services was to,call,back, but when?

Anyway any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

I wish a knew the answer to this too, so I'm basically subscribing to your thread.

I have tried many, many, many times to book a FW Campsite with my DVC points and I have never had success with this. I honestly don't know how many sites they set aside for campsites or if it is limited in some way. If you find out any nuggets of info, I'd love to hear more!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The WDW web site is currently only allowing bookings through December 2015. This might have something to do with why they're also not available through DVC and the Disney Collection.

 

[erionm]

The WDW web site is currently only allowing bookings through December 2015. This might have something to do with why they're also not available through DVC and the Disney Collection.

You can book WDW Resorts for 2016 by phone with DRC or a TA. MS is basically a TA, so they can book WDW Resorts via the Disney Collection subject to availability. The 2016 WDW Disney Collection Point Chart is available on the member website.

 

[kristler]

I just spoke with member services to add more days to my parents January reservation. Of course no camp sites still. There are cabins of course (doesn't help). The cast member said it was up to the individual resort what they allowed DVC to have, so she is saying its Fort Wilderness issue. I am going to see if I can confirm that. I also verified nothing in November, but everything but tent sites available in September.

 

[erionm]

I have tried many, many, many times to book a FW Campsite with my DVC points and I have never had success with this. I honestly don't know how many sites they set aside for campsites or if it is limited in some way. If you find out any nuggets of info, I'd love to hear more!

I don't think I've ever seen a post from a member that was able to book a campsite as part of the Disney Collection.

 

[cmrdgrs]

I don't think I've ever seen a post from a member that was able to book a campsite as part of the Disney Collection.

That's because it is an urban legend that it is possible at all. No, seriously, I've tried many times in the past and finally just gave up on the idea. I haven't looked at it for several years and ultimately it falls into the category of being a "bad" use of your points (as most say about using points in the Disney Collection). But, I have used my points in "bad" ways before that suited my needs. However, I have given up on this idea.

 

[disneynutz]

Using DVC points especially for anything other than a DVC reservation is a crap shoot, no guarantees that Disney will even make inventory available.

Remember when they blacked out point cruses for almost a year, DVC is at the bottom of the pecking order. Why allow point reservations when cash reservations are selling out?

Bill

 

[cmrdgrs]

Interesting Bill. I did not know that they blacked out cruise dates in the past. I used points to sale on the maiden voyage of the Fantasy. How can Disney not have any obligation of any kind for allowing some small amount of inventory for DVC if it is on the point charts? I would think they would have to offer up at least "one" for the inventory in DVC? No?

 

[disneynutz]

Interesting Bill. I did not know that they blacked out cruise dates in the past. I used points to sale on the maiden voyage of the Fantasy. How can Disney not have any obligation of any kind for allowing some small amount of inventory for DVC if it is on the point charts? I would think they would have to offer up at least "one" for the inventory in DVC? No?

You will never know what they do behind the curtain and I'm sure the fine print makes their actions legal.

There is a reason why so many DIS posts tell buyers to buy DVC only for staying at a DVC resort. Can you use you points outside of the DVC, sure, maybe, probably. Does that make it a good deal, probably not.

Can you use your points to stay at AKV club level, sure. Many have tried and have never been successful.

Bill

 

[CarolMN]

Perhaps the Resorts Division is not making campsites available to DVC because they are not having any trouble booking them for cash. My understanding is that the campsites book very quickly, even more so since the advent of FP+. According to posts over on the Resorts Forum, some are booking a one night stay at a campsite (because they are inexpensive) to obtain the 60 day advantage to make FP+ reservations. They aren't even using the campsite and actually staying off site.

 

[cmrdgrs]

Perhaps the Resorts Division is not making campsites available to DVC because they are not having any trouble booking them for cash. My understanding is that the campsites book very quickly, even more so since the advent of FP+. According to posts over on the Resorts Forum, some are booking a one night stay at a campsite (because they are inexpensive) to obtain the 60 day advantage to make FP+ reservations. They aren't even using the campsite and actually staying off site.

I read that too about the throw away campsites. Depending on the time of year the tent/pop-up camper sites come in around $60 per night. Obviously, can't beat that price vs. the least expensive room at WDW. A premium campsite is around $125. Using points for this doesn't really make a whole lot of sense in the grand scheme -- $95 booking fee for the Disney Collection and then points on top of that between 10 - 17 (again dependent on season). But, for a long stay, if you needed/wanted to use points I could see a member using this choice. Sometimes I try not to get hung up in the nitty-gritty. I figure over the 50 years if I use my points (many members don't), sometimes I have to remind myself it is all good.

 

[kristler]

As for an urban legend well I have done it 4 times now (2 times in September and 2 times in late April to early May). I have a trip in late April this year on points at a Premium site. Also they have sites right now in September available on points, I asked this morning. Finally there is no $95 fee for Disneyland hotels AND campsite at Fort Wilderness (it does get chraged for cabins however). Just a little FYI.

Bill

 

[mort1331]

I read that too about the throw away campsites. Depending on the time of year the tent/pop-up camper sites come in around $60 per night. Obviously, can't beat that price vs. the least expensive room at WDW. A premium campsite is around $125. Using points for this doesn't really make a whole lot of sense in the grand scheme -- $95 booking fee for the Disney Collection and then points on top of that between 10 - 17 (again dependent on season). But, for a long stay, if you needed/wanted to use points I could see a member using this choice. Sometimes I try not to get hung up in the nitty-gritty. I figure over the 50 years if I use my points (many members don't), sometimes I have to remind myself it is all good.

There are huge threads on throw away campsites and rooms. Wont get into that, but its not just the 60day fp+ its also the bands they can get for up to 8? i think, so they dont have to pay $15 each for their kids to have bands.

 

[cmrdgrs]

As for an urban legend well I have done it 4 times now (2 times in September and 2 times in late April to early May). I have a trip in late April this year on points at a Premium site. Also they have sites right now in September available on points, I asked this morning. Finally there is no $95 fee for Disneyland hotels AND campsite at Fort Wilderness (it does get chraged for cabins however). Just a little FYI.

Bill

I gave up on this a long, long, long time ago Bill. I tried for 3 years in a row, at various times of the year, and finally gave up and decided this was just an urban legend. I am happy to hear that it can be done and it's not an urban legend. Sweet about the $95 not applying. I did know about DL in the Disney Collection (those rooms I have successfully booked). So, can you share with me when you tend to plan? Or do you think I'm planning too far in advance? We have a 30' Airstream and would like to take it Ft Wilderness. We were trying to book a premium campsite, do you think that matters? I welcome your input!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't think I've ever seen a post from a member that was able to book a campsite as part of the Disney Collection.

I've read reports of it before.

 

[kristler]

I gave up on this a long, long, long time ago Bill. I tried for 3 years in a row, at various times of the year, and finally gave up and decided this was just an urban legend. I am happy to hear that it can be done and it's not an urban legend. Sweet about the $95 not applying. I did know about DL in the Disney Collection (those rooms I have successfully booked). So, can you share with me when you tend to plan? Or do you think I'm planning too far in advance? We have a 30' Airstream and would like to take it Ft Wilderness. We were trying to book a premium campsite, do you think that matters? I welcome your input!

Well I like to plan as far out as possible, but honestly that doesn't normall happen. I think time ahead has very little to do with it though. It's time of year instead. Here is the scoop I got from a very reliable source.

Each resort manager is responsible for not only how many rooms (sites) are made available for any special offers (discounts, free dining, DVC spots) and the balance sheet of the resort (profit). In additon (the real kicker here) they have to "pay" for these special offers. That means the free dining comes out of resort profits, and the difference for DVC spots (which are not paid to them at rack rate) comes out of their bottom line. So that means if they think they can fill a room (site) for a cash reservation, then it doesn't make any sense to open it up to DVC, so they don't. As we all know camp sites fill up very well these days (real or throw away - ugh). So why turn any over to DVC?

That said there are still a few slow times and they can always turn some over closer to date if they don't sell. So far the open dates for me have been in September and between the end of Easter and early May (maybe further, but those are what I have tried and found).

Anyway until they build more campsites or stop the throw away sites, we are probably stuck with just a couple times of year with DVC campsites.

Bill

 

[cmrdgrs]

I really appreciate your insight Bill. Sorry you didn't really get the answer to your question, but you did clear up an urban legend for me. Based on what you shared, I'd probably never get a campsite on DVC points. I'm tied to school calendar vacations and as you know, those generally are the busiest times of the year. I guess if I ever have the chance I will always check first and them book a cash spot.

 

[kristler]

You are very welcome. I just wish there was a better answer for both of us. Oh well, it is what it is.