I have done so a few times, but it was always early enough that there were still one bedrooms in DVC Member inventory. I always did so as soon as I was sure the other party wasn't going to be able to come, and not within the 60 day breakage window. If there are one bedrooms available, it probably will be no problem for the OP. If none are available, Member Service may not (and probably should not) be able to break it up. Good luck to the OP.
Right but in your case it’s essentially cancel and rebook a different, avail room. No need to worry about days going to waitlist as the dates remain open for the 1br. And of course it would be different if it was the now booked studios part that you wanted to keep.
I think if a member or one of their immediate family has a documented illness to the point that they cannot make the trip, then DVC should work with them to fix their point status that occurs because of cancellation.
My perception from being active on the DVC blogs is that is exactly what happens most times.
I don’t think that should extend to modifying rooms. If someone is still able to go and wants to go, work around it. And that goes double when the person ill is twice removed from the member (neither the member nor their immediate family).
Otherwise, you’ll have to allow too many exceptions to have a rule. Then, you might as well allow unbundling of lock offs.
And if you think walking is bad, just wait until members can book studios into their one bedrooms “just in case I might need it later” and hold them for 10 months without penalty, releasing them last minute in ways and times that completely step around the home resort advantage. If you think booking studios during Fall Frenzy is bad now, just wait until all the lock-off studios are tied into lockoffs at 11 months for the greater flexibility it allows.
I feel for the OP’s friend and I’m glad they made an accommodation for the room. I don’t think it’s in the membership’s best interest to view lockoffs as breakable.