disney renting out dvc units

[Chuck S]

With Developers Points being used, and holidays during the month, I really wouldn't expect last minute reservations to be available.

 

[castleri]

We will be staying at OKW on holding points March 11 and 12 in a dedicated 2 BR near HH. ( I did not ask for nor really want near HH but was told that was all that was available) I made this reservation at the 60 day mark and was very happy to get it. There were other choices but not ones that would work for us. This week I made a reservation for a studio for March 4 and am on the waitlist for March 5. I could have had a 1 BR but chose not to use the points. The CM told me to call every day after Feb 25 if it doesn't come through before then as there is no waitlist within 7 days of check in and anything that becomes available through last minute cancellations is up for grabs first come first serve.

As others have said my guide made a point of explaining the percentage that DVD holds and explained how it was available for cash not points. She also said right up front that DVC was not the best choice for people who could not plan ahead. This was in 1997 long before there were so many choices of resorts. The Use Year seems to be much more important now with the new banking rules and hopefully people reading this board before buying in will carefully consider their usual vacation times and try to buy so as to maximize their chance to bank points if they have to cancel at or before the 31 day mark.

 

[crisi]

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

In the future, buy trip insurance?

Should we ever need to cancel a trip less than 30 days out, we figure that those points are likely gone - the cost of getting a great value. If we are lucky enough to be able to use them, we will. I look at my DVC vacations like buying non-refundable airline tickets - if I can't take the trip, the probability that I'll be able to get any value out is pretty small.

 

[toocherie]

Question: although I know it is not an efficient use of points, could someone use points in a holding account to book at a non-DVC resort? For example, I am using my Developer Points for a trip to the Grand Californian--and realize it's not the best value--are holding points restricted to DVC resorts?

 

[Chuck S]

Question: although I know it is not an efficient use of points, could someone use points in a holding account to book at a non-DVC resort? For example, I am using my Developer Points for a trip to the Grand Californian--and realize it's not the best value--are holding points restricted to DVC resorts?

I don't really know if holding points can be used for non-DVC. But either way, the OP is within 4 months of the end of the use year, and can't book a non-DVC option. The 4 month rule is new, it used to be 60 days, but the OP is even within that timeframe.

 

[toocherie]

I didn't realize that you couldn't book a non-DVC option within four months of the end of the Use Year. Is it that you can't make a booking within that timeframe or you can't go in that timeframe (because I have a June use year and am going to a non-DVC resort in Calif. in March-April).

 

[Chuck S]

You can't make the reservation within that timeframe. As long as you have your reservation made at least 8 months prior to the end of your use year, you can travel during those last 4 months to a non-DVC location.

Disneyland may be exempt from that rule, just like they are exempt from the $95 fee...at least until DVC opens at Disneyland.

 

[TisBit]

I didn't realize that you couldn't book a non-DVC option within four months of the end of the Use Year. Is it that you can't make a booking within that timeframe or you can't go in that timeframe (because I have a June use year and am going to a non-DVC resort in Calif. in March-April).

I don't have my book in front of me, but I think it is you can't book AND travel during that time period.

 

[toocherie]

Direct from the DVC member site:

Reminder: Rule of Four
You cannot book and travel on The Disney Collection, (excluding Disneyland© Resort Hotels in California), Concierge Collection and Adventurer Collection vacations within the last 4 months of your Use Year. However, you can travel in the last 4 months of your Use Year as long as you've booked your stay more than 4 months before the end of your Use Year.

So the answer is that if you've booked more than four months out then you can still travel in the last four months to a Disney collection resort (and in any event Disneyland is exempt from the "Rule of Four" (for now)).

 

[drusba]

Question: although I know it is not an efficient use of points, could someone use points in a holding account to book at a non-DVC resort? For example, I am using my Developer Points for a trip to the Grand Californian--and realize it's not the best value--are holding points restricted to DVC resorts?

You can use holding account points outside of DVC as follows:

1. For Disney Collection (except Disneyland resorts), Concierge Collection and
Adventure Collection, you must call to reserve no later than 4 months before end of use year and then can reserve only if check-in date is 60 days away or less; effectively you cannot reserve for time in last two months of use year.

2. For Disneyland resorts and World Passport Collection, the "4 months" rule above is inapplcable. You can call at any time as long check-in date is 60 days or less away, meaning you can still do a ressie for a stay that occurs in last two months of use year.

The above seems to follow the new "Rule of Four" for reserving the collections generally except adding the 60 day period.

 

[disney dumbo]

You can use holding account points outside of DVC as follows:

1. For Disney Collection (except Disneyland resorts), Concierge Collection and
Adventure Collection, you must call to reserve no later than 4 months before end of use year and then can reserve only if check-in date is 60 days away or less; effectively you cannot reserve for time in last two months of use year.

2. For Disneyland resorts and World Passport Collection, the "4 months" rule above is inapplcable. You can call at any time as long check-in date is 60 days or less away, meaning you can still do a ressie for a stay that occurs in last two months of use year.

The above seems to follow the new "Rule of Four" for reserving the collections generally except adding the 60 day period.

Thanks for this explanation. But, I'm not sure I have it. For your number 1... my UY is Sept.... would I need to travel April or earlier but still reserve within 60 days of arrival.

I am thrilled DVC has a holding account. I'm just hoping to use the points myself... not renting them. I hate to lose money... but this part of the game is complicated!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for this explanation. But, I'm not sure I have it. For your number 1... my UY is Sept.... would I need to travel April or earlier but still reserve within 60 days of arrival.....

To put a little differently, if you want to stay at one of the non-DVC options listed during the last 4 months of your use year, you must call to make the reservation prior to the end of the 8th month of your use year.

So since you have a September use year, if you want to stay at one of those options during May, June, July or August, you have to make the reservation on or before April 30.

If you wanted to use holding account points for one of the listed options, you would have to make the reservation within 60 days of arrival. With a September use year, that means that you could not use holding account points to stay at one of the listed non-DVC options if your stay will be in July or August. That's because April 30 (deadline for making the reservation with a September use year) is more than 60 days prior to any July or August arrival.

 

[macosx]

I needed to cancel a reservation ( Feb trip)and the points would be put in a holding acct(April use year)--when I tried to reschedule a trip, there were no dvc units available for more than 2 days in a row before the end of my use year...

...When I book a feb vacation(which I almost always do b/c I am a teacher) and for some unforeseen circumstance have to cancel--DVC does not always have an option for me b/c my use year ends in April.

I wish that DVC would not make it difficult or restrictive to use the timeshare that we already paid for and pay the maintenance on--

I am trying to think of a proposal to make to DVC that would be beneficial to both DVC owners and Disney -- if DVC wanted to stop the selling of pts, which many members probably do so they don't just lose them, maybe DVC can rent them back from us--and then rent out to the public at a profit for them--it is a win-win for both sides.

It just bothers me when I feel that DVC is creating rules that are going to cause me and other members to have to burn points--I just feel that is not right.

There's a limit to what DVC can do. Add more flexibility to points only means more points out there to compete for the limited availability. If points don't expire, imagine everyone out there with 1000 points left, but no reservations available. And as more reservations open up, more points pile up for use.

Creating a rental system is also a two-edge sword. There seems to be an opportunity there, but if a good rental system were available, I'd be a renter, not an owner. Disney would lose sales and not build as many new timeshares. Effectively, they'd be back in the hotel business that they run. Bottom line is selling timeshare make more money or they wouldn't bother, and renting goes againt that.

As far as your situation, it's the first example that helps me understand the importance of User Year. For the most part, I didn't think it mattered much and for those that travel year around, it probably still doesn't. In your case, you may want to trade for a Feb User Year. You'd have fresh points for your reservations, be able to borrow more if needed, and any cancellations would leave you with lots of time to reschedule or bank if necessary. I wonder if Disney lets you change your use year, or you could do a buy/sell (and balance your points in the process - either getting more or selling some off depending on your needs).

BTW, did you try to rent out your reservation instead of cancelling? The rental boards wind up being a decent alternative to a Disney run system. Not perfect, but serves much of the need and mostly falls under neutral activity for Disney (i.e. doesn't involve them much and they don't/can't try to control it too far).