Does anyone understand how the booking system works please?

[diberry]

We have a studio booked at Saratoga Springs Resort for 9 - 23 August and decided to upgrade to a one-bedroom villa. I keep calling but they don't have any available. Every CM I've spoken to has told me to keep calling in case there is a cancellation, so I've been calling every day. Today the CM I spoke to said that they don't "restock their inventory" so cancellations would not come back onto the system - she mentioned something about this being because it's a DVC property (we are not DVC members and just booked it as regular hotel guests). Does anyone know if this is correct or is there any other way of changing accommodation within a resort? It will cost us more so I don't understand why they wouldn't try to fill a room that's been cancelled. Any insights would be extremely welcome please.

 

[disney_princess_85]

From what you've said, it sounds like any cancelled rooms will be allocated to people on arrival, either through free upgrades or paid ones. Regardless, you're visiting during a very busy time of year- there may well be no one-bedroom villas available.

 

[diberry]

Thank you - I'll keep my fingers crossed for an upgrade when we arrive - a free one would be the icing on the cake but I'd be happy to pay if one's available.

 

[wayneg]

No idea how the system works but been having a look at dates and availability.
The 1 bed villa is available 9th-17th then again 19th-23rd. Only 2 nights not available(17th & 18th) strangely midweek, its not just that property, availabilty at almost every resort goes to nothing for those 2 nights.
2 possibilites, either there is a massive convention on for those 2 nights or they have a glitch in the system.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Thank you - I'll keep my fingers crossed for an upgrade when we arrive - a free one would be the icing on the cake but I'd be happy to pay if one's available.

You never know. Good luck!

 

[wilma-bride]

I have made a suggestion on your other thread Di

 

[diberry]

The 1 bed villa is available 9th-17th then again 19th-23rd. Only 2 nights not available(17th & 18th).

Where did you find this info please Wayne? Would they let us book those dates and then the studio for 2 nights? In the past they've let us move rooms several times within a resort and never seemed to mind. I'd be happy to do that. If I can find the info I could try ringing them again - that would be great!

 

[wayneg]

Where did you find this info please Wayne? Would they let us book those dates and then the studio for 2 nights? In the past they've let us move rooms several times within a resort and never seemed to mind. I'd be happy to do that. If I can find the info I could try ringing them again - that would be great!

Just used their search engine http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/ using a room only search.
I assume you have free DDP? that could be the sticking point with moving rooms, even though you are not moving resorts or checking out I doubt they can overide the system to get free DDP for your whole stay but ring and ask.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Where did you find this info please Wayne? Would they let us book those dates and then the studio for 2 nights? In the past they've let us move rooms several times within a resort and never seemed to mind. I'd be happy to do that. If I can find the info I could try ringing them again - that would be great!

Would you be willing to spend eight nights in a villa, then move all your luggage to a studio for two nights, only to move it all back to another villa for the rest of your stay? I know it's your personal choice but it just sounds like a lot of hassle!

Is it just the two of you going? Just curious as to why you're so keen on staying in a villa.

ETA: Do you have free DDP? If so, you won't be able to do a split stay anyway.

 

[wilma-bride]

I hate to say it but Wayne is right Di - you would not be able to do a split stay (which is what it would be classed as since you would have three separate bookings) and still get the free dining plan.

 

[diberry]

Just used their search engine http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/ using a room only search.
I assume you have free DDP? that could be the sticking point with moving rooms, even though you are not moving resorts or checking out I doubt they can overide the system to get free DDP for your whole stay but ring and ask.

Do you have free DDP? If so, you won't be able to do a split stay anyway.

I hate to say it but Wayne is right Di - you would not be able to do a split stay (which is what it would be classed as since you would have three separate bookings) and still get the free dining plan.

Thanks all. I thought I was a bit of a WDW expert but I clearly still have an awful lot to learn!!

 

[Disneymad]

I'm 99% sure the CM doesn't know what she's talking about (it happens).

DVC and WDTC may both be Disney but they're run as 2 completely separate entities/companies. Once a 'DVC room' becomes part of regular WDW room inventory it stays there and is there subject to all the same rules as normal rooms are - it can't revert back to DVC in any way, not ever - so if someone cancels their room it will go back to WDTC's inventory, not DVC or anything.

 

[diberry]

Would you be willing to spend eight nights in a villa, then move all your luggage to a studio for two nights, only to move it all back to another villa for the rest of your stay? I know it's your personal choice but it just sounds like a lot of hassle!

Is it just the two of you going? Just curious as to why you're so keen on staying in a villa.

I agree it does sound like a lot of hassle. The reason is that my beloved DH snores like the proverbial traction engine. Last weekend we spent at Center Parcs and I got about 3 hours sleep maximum. The prospect of 14 nights of that is not wonderful! At home I can escape to another room and that's why I want another sleeping area!

 

[diberry]

sorry - repeat post!

 

[diberry]

I'm 99% sure the CM doesn't know what she's talking about (it happens).

DVC and WDTC may both be Disney but they're run as 2 completely separate entities/companies. Once a 'DVC room' becomes part of regular WDW room inventory it stays there and is there subject to all the same rules as normal rooms are - it can't revert back to DVC in any way, not ever - so if someone cancels their room it will go back to WDTC's inventory, not DVC or anything.

Thank you very much for clarifying that. It was different from what every other CM has told me so I thought it might be wrong.

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm 99% sure the CM doesn't know what she's talking about (it happens).

DVC and WDTC may both be Disney but they're run as 2 completely separate entities/companies. Once a 'DVC room' becomes part of regular WDW room inventory it stays there and is there subject to all the same rules as normal rooms are - it can't revert back to DVC in any way, not ever - so if someone cancels their room it will go back to WDTC's inventory, not DVC or anything.

Sorry but you are incorrect. Disney (CRO) retains a certain percentage of each DVC resort. In addition, there are rooms available from 'unsold' DVC inventory. Sometimes, extra rooms become available for cash bookings if, for example, a member exchanges points through Interval International or for a Disney Cruise. However, when they do that, only the equivalent number of DVC rooms are transferred to CRO to rent for cash. The cash is used to pay for the non-DVC option. It is only done temporarily and those rooms do not remain part of CRO inventory.

Also, point inventory rooms that are not reserved by members more than 60 days ahead of time are often made available to CRO to rent for cash. Money from this is called breakage income and is use to offset a portion of DVC members' dues.

 

[diberry]

Wow! This is becoming a real learning curve for me this morning! I'd never understand all that - which is one reason we aren't DVC members! Thanks again Joh!

 

[Disneymad]

Sorry but you are incorrect. Disney (CRO) retains a certain percentage of each DVC resort. In addition, there are rooms available from 'unsold' DVC inventory. Sometimes, extra rooms become available for cash bookings if, for example, a member exchanges points through Interval International or for a Disney Cruise. However, when they do that, only the equivalent number of DVC rooms are transferred to CRO to rent for cash. The cash is used to pay for the non-DVC option. It is only done temporarily and those rooms do not remain part of CRO inventory.

Also, point inventory rooms that are not reserved by members more than 60 days ahead of time are often made available to CRO to rent for cash. Money from this is called breakage income and is use to offset a portion of DVC members' dues.

Really? That goes against everything I've been told but as I'm only going by word of mouth and not anything in writing I'm obviously not going to argue the point and just be glad I left myself at '99% sure'

One day I'll really have to wade through the DVC contract again where I'm sure it's all in their small print

 

[crabbie1]

:QUOTE=diberry;37506142]I agree it does sound like a lot of hassle. The reason is that my beloved DH snores like the proverbial traction engine. Last weekend we spent at Center Parcs and I got about 3 hours sleep maximum. The prospect of 14 nights of that is not wonderful! At home I can escape to another room and that's why I want another sleeping area! [/QUOTE]

That has really tickled me. you poor thing