Does MS ever split 2br lockoffs to fill studio and/or 1 br reservations?

[jekjones1558]

I have always wondered about this question regarding lockoffs vs. 2 bedrooms at all of the resorts. If I call MS for a BW view 1 bedroom or studio, for instance, and there are only 2 bedrooms available, does MS have any authority to split up the 2 bedroom? Maybe if within a certain amount of time until check-in? Or maybe if there is a waitlist for the other side of the 2 br unit?

 

[Starr W.]

I asked about that once and they do not keep a certain number of lock-offs held as 2br. MS told me "It's first come first serve", but you might get a different answer from a different CM.

 

[dvc_john]

It's quite common to split 2-br lock-off's into a 1-br and a studio. In fact, it's the only way you could ever get a 1-br or a studio at OKW, SSR, HH, or VB, since those resorts don't have any dedicated 1-br's or studios.

(And yes, I know, VB does have Inn rooms. They just don't have any dedicated studios.)

 

[jekjones1558]

It's quite common to split 2-br lock-off's into a 1-br and a studio.

I realize this. I guess my question is really stated incorrectly. I should have asked whether MS identifies lockoffs as 2 br or 1 br or studio, or is there just one big inventory and studios, 1 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms are booked chronologically until there is eventually nothing left in any of those 3 categories?

 

[Dean]

I asked about that once and they do not keep a certain number of lock-offs held as 2br. MS told me "It's first come first serve", but you might get a different answer from a different CM.

My info suggests the opposite, that DVC specifically holds a portion of of the 2 BR units as 2 BR and splits a portion and that they predetermine that mix. While I'm sure they re-evaluate as time goes on and might change the mix, I've seen a number of situations where they had a 1 BR and studio that were lockoff's and wouldn't put them together. And I've seen a number of times where they had plenty of 2 BR lockoff's but wouldn't split them up for the individual member. I'm sure there are other factors like parking, pool saturation, housekeeping and the like that play into the equation.

 

[DebbieB]

When you make a reservation, they do mark it as lockoff or not. One time I made a reservation at BW and requested a dedicated 1 bedroom and the cm said my reservation was already for a dedicated. The way I've heard it is they book the dedicateds first and when they are full, then they start splitting the lockoffs. I usually book a 1 bedroom at BW at 11 months and almost everytime got a dedicated, supporting that theory.

 

[Mary Anne]

I have to agree 100% with DebbieB.

 

[Dean]

When you make a reservation, they do mark it as lockoff or not. One time I made a reservation at BW and requested a dedicated 1 bedroom and the cm said my reservation was already for a dedicated. The way I've heard it is they book the dedicateds first and when they are full, then they start splitting the lockoffs. I usually book a 1 bedroom at BW at 11 months and almost everytime got a dedicated, supporting that theory.

I'm sure their goal is to book dedicated units first, it makes no sense to approach it in any other way. I think the OP is coming from the other direction, namely, if there are no 1 BR or studios available but they do have 2 BR lockoff's.

 

[jekjones1558]

I think the OP is coming from the other direction, namely, if there are no 1 BR or studios available but they do have 2 BR lockoff's.

YES! Do they routinely split up 2 br lockoffs if these are available when a member calls requesting a studio or 1 br?

 

[DebbieB]

I have received a lockoff 1 bedroom or studio when booking more than 7 months ahead, so they do split them up early.

I had a lockoff studio last 4/21-27, I booked it 7/6/06.

 

[Dean]

I have received a lockoff 1 bedroom or studio when booking more than 7 months ahead, so they do split them up early.

I had a lockoff studio last 4/21-27, I booked it 7/6/06.

Debbie, we all know they split off lockoff's and book some of them as separate units. If I understand the original question correctly, that's not the question either. Lets look at it this way. Say there is only 1 unit left and it's a 2 BR lockoff that has not already been split in the reservation system and you call for a 1 BR for those dates. They would not split this unit for you from what I've seen in the past.

YES! Do they routinely split up 2 br lockoffs if these are available when a member calls requesting a studio or 1 br?

As I tried to say before and also above, my info says no. They will not split a 2 BR lockoff just because you call and want the smaller unit. But I'm sure it depends on specifics.

 

[drusba]

What Dean mentions is similar to something I was told when I asked how they determine when to split 2BRs into 1BR and studio. It is based on estimated demand for 2BRs and they hold many lock-offs to be reserved as 2BRs (at the same time, they allow many others to be reserved as 1BR and studio). As time passes, e.g., you get past the 7 month window, if there are still unreserved 2BRs, they start opening some more up for 1BR and studio.

 

[mochabean]

I would think it is in DVC's best interest to split lockoffs into a 1BR and studio, based on the fact that the point charge for a 2BR is less than the 1BR+studio. This way DVC gets more points for the same rooms, which means that they then have more rooms left to rent for cash. Does this make sense?