DVC Guest

[Minkies]

I have a question. Someone I've known professionally and worked with over the years is a DVC owner, and has booked a week at a Disney World Deluxe Villa for us through his membership. He was able to get us a really good price. He said these deals come up, and you have to grab them right away.

I don't see him that often and don't want to be a pest, but it seems since we are going as a guest, he has to make ALL arrangements for us. If I call Disney to request a certain section of the resort, try to set up the Magical Express bus transportation for our stay and airport transfer, et cetera, they say the member will have to handle it.

Our trip isn't until mid July. My friend has said to get with him about a month before our trip and we'll make all the final arrangements. I totally trust everything is on the up and up, but it's a little nerve racking planning such a big family trip, and not having any control over the details!

I paid him the amount we agreed to, which is about 1/5 of the regular on-line prices listed on WDW's website. He took my information about who would be going, address, etc. The only confirmation I have at this point is a Guest Certificate from Resort Condominiums International, Inc. listing us as his guests.

Does this all sound like how it works? Any suggestions or things I should know or do ahead of time? Do I just need to be patient and trust that about a month before I will get all my info? Are rooms usually assigned before check-in with these types of deals?

Thanks so much!

 

[mousefan1972]

You do not have a reservation booked with DVC points. You have an RCI exchange. You will have to pay a $95 fee when you check in. I'm sure other Dis-ers who are more familiar than I am with RCI exchanges will be along to help more.

 

[kristenrice]

It doesn't sound like the reservation was made using a DVC membership. It sounds like an RCI member traded into DVC and then rented the reservation, which I think is prohibited. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't sound right.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The only confirmation I have at this point is a Guest Certificate from Resort Condominiums International, Inc. listing us as his guests.

Sounds like your friend is an owner at another timeshare, and is trading into DVC for you using an RCI exchange. Not to worry, it will work essentially the same. I'm not sure, but I believe there's a $95 fee at check-in for RCI trades.

You can make your own dining reservations using the WDW web site or 407-WDW-DINE. You should also start checking around for where you'll get your park tickets. (You can buy from the concierge, but will get a better deal if you use a ticket broker like Undercover Tourist.)

If you have a specific request, ask your friend to add it to the reservation now. If you know your flight info, that should be added now, too. They typically mail out the luggage tags and Magical Express packages about 45 days from check-in.

Have a great trip.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It doesn't sound like the reservation was made using a DVC membership. It sounds like an RCI member traded into DVC and then rented the reservation, which I think is prohibited. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't sound right.

It sounds like the OP's name is on the RCI certificate, which is on the up-and-up. I think it's when someone rents an RCI reservation to someone who isn't on the certificate that's against the RCI rules.

 

[kristenrice]

It sounds like the OP's name is on the RCI certificate, which is on the up-and-up. I think it's when someone rents an RCI reservation to someone who isn't on the certificate that's against the RCI rules.

Gotcha! That makes perfect sense.

 

[Minkies]

Yes, the RCI certificate has his name and my name on it (me listed as his Guest) and it has the appropriate dates and resort name and type of room listed.

I think he is also a DVC member, but maybe does this exchange thing too? Because he has told me all about DVC and goes to Disney every year.

It's all so confusing to me, but I am super excited about taking my family for the first time! I have forwarded him our flight info, and he did mention the $95 fee for the Magical Express. But said we will take care of all the details when it gets closer. I will just relax a little when I have something official that it's all set!

I just purchased our park tickets today on Undercover Tourist, 5-day + water parks. I got the e-mail from Mousesavers that prices go up tomorrow, so I acted quick

Thanks for any other suggestions!!!

 

[Sammie]

The $95 fee is not for Magical Express. Magical Express is provided by Disney for any guest staying at a Disney resort.

The fee due to this being a RCI trade.

He does need to go ahead and make the Magical Express reservation so you will get your luggage tags. You can make it later but you will probably not receive the tags in time.

 

[Minkies]

The $95 fee is not for Magical Express. Magical Express is provided by Disney for any guest staying at a Disney resort.

The fee due to this being a RCI trade.

He does need to go ahead and make the Magical Express reservation so you will get your luggage tags. You can make it later but you will probably not receive the tags in time.

Thanks for clarifying that. Would RCI need the flight info and Magical Express reservation, or Disney? I wonder if I can make the call myself and see if he's taken care of that already.

 

[pharmjenn]

I am doing an RCI exchange myself into DVC. Everything is done through Disney at this point, but the Guest Certificate you have does not have your Disney reservation number, only the RCI reservation number. Your friend, or possibly even you, can call RCI and get the Disney reservation number. With that, you call Disney DVC Member services to give them your info, add your flight numbers and thus get your Magical Express reservation. You can also purchase the dining plan if you chose to from member services.
We are also travelling Mid-July and scrambled to buy our tickets today after the price increase notification!

 

[Dean]

It sounds like the OP's name is on the RCI certificate, which is on the up-and-up. I think it's when someone rents an RCI reservation to someone who isn't on the certificate that's against the RCI rules.

Actually RCI prohibits rentals, period. They will semi officially allow the guest to pay the exchange fee, Guest certificate fee and $95 DVC additional fee but that's it. Since the OP's name is on the guest certificate, they will be able to call DVC and add the ME and make requests. If they mention it's a rental, they may lose their reservation and the other party likely will have their RCI membership locked.

 

[Minkies]

Actually RCI prohibits rentals, period. They will semi officially allow the guest to pay the exchange fee, Guest certificate fee and $95 DVC additional fee but that's it. Since the OP's name is on the guest certificate, they will be able to call DVC and add the ME and make requests. If they mention it's a rental, they may lose their reservation and the other party likely will have their RCI membership locked.

So he's allowed to give me the week as a guest (a gift), but if I've reimbursed him for his expenses, then it would be considered a rental?

When you say if I call Disney and mention it's a "rental," I'm unclear on the meaning of that term. Does the fact that it's through RCI make it a rental?

 

[RobDoc]

So he's allowed to give me the week as a guest (a gift), but if I've reimbursed him for his expenses, then it would be considered a rental?

When you say if I call Disney and mention it's a "rental," I'm unclear on the meaning of that term. Does the fact that it's through RCI make it a rental? .

With an RCI reservation at a DVC resort, he does not need to make ANY arrangements for you. You can call and make all of your own arrangements like adding the dining plan and Magical Express. This is definitely NOT a DVC reservation made using his DVC points, it is an exchange. Technically, exchanges are not supposed to be rented even with a gift certificate, but hopefully there will be no issue when you arrive. As Dean suggests I would not mention that you are renting this reservation as you could lose the trip. It is not a gift if you have paid him for the reservation. Your name is on the reservation by means of the gift certificate so you will be able to make all arrangements thru DVC Member Services.

The $95 fee will be due at arrival, but all other arrangements may be made right now. There should be some sort of contact information about how to call MS. You should call Member Services and let them know you have an RCI exchange and they will assist.

Have a great stay.

 

[Minkies]

With an RCI reservation at a DVC resort, he does not need to make ANY arrangements for you. You can call and make all of your own arrangements like adding the dining plan and Magical Express. This is definitely NOT a DVC reservation made using his DVC points, it is an exchange. Technically, exchanges are not supposed to be rented even with a gift certificate, but hopefully there will be no issue when you arrive. As Dean suggests I would not mention that you are renting this reservation as you could lose the trip. It is not a gift if you have paid him for the reservation. Your name is on the reservation by means of the gift certificate so you will be able to make all arrangements thru DVC Member Services.

The $95 fee will be due at arrival, but all other arrangements may be made right now. There should be some sort of contact information about how to call MS. You should call Member Services and let them know you have an RCI exchange and they will assist.

Have a great stay.

Thank you so much for this info! I will try to call today. Who exactly should I call? DVC? My resort? I just looked and didn't find a number specifically listed as Member Services.
I am staying at SS. And should I just tell them I have an RCI guest certificate?
There is a Disney number on my Certificate 800.***.****. That's the number I called last time, and they said the member would have to call, but maybe they weren't clear it was an RCI exchange.

 

[Minkies]

Also, if we decide to add the meal plan, would it be at the full-price or member price?

 

[Chuck S]

Thank you so much for this info! I will try to call today. Who exactly should I call? DVC? My resort? I just looked and didn't find a number specifically listed as Member Services.
I am staying at SS. And should I just tell them I have an RCI guest certificate?
There is a Disney number on my Certificate 800.***.****. That's the number I called last time, and they said the member would have to call, but maybe they weren't clear it was an RCI exchange.

The 800 number you listed is DVC Member Services, that is who you need to speak with, as RCI exchanges are pretty much treated the same as a DVC Piont reservation (with a few excaptions), the regular cash Disney line will not be able to help you, nor will a resort front desk. And actually, most calls to a front desk, even when calling from a resort room onsite, go to a central call center operator.

I edited and removed the number, as we do not allow the toll free number to be posted on our boards, as it may lead to non-Members calling for general Disney World info...using the Member Services time for non-DVC related calls.

As far as the DDP, Members pay regular price, except that we do not have to pay the seasonal increase. The same will apply to your exchange, you do not pay the seasonal upcharge.

 

[Minkies]

Sorry for my faux pas on listing the number! Thank you for fixing it. I will call that number and see if I can get Magical Express and luggage transfer set up today.

Someone mentioned the "package" being sent out about 45 days prior. Would that come from WDW or RCI? Will it include room assignment or which section of the resort we are in, or will we not know that until check-in?

 

[RobDoc]

You will not know room assignment until arrival, but you can make requests in advance if you'd like.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC Reservations, unlike normal Disney cash reservations, do not receive any "Welcome" packets at 45 days out. I don't know if RCI receives any sort of packet or not, but I doubt it, unless it comes from RCI.

You will receive an envelope with your Magical Express info & luggage tags...but that is usually sent a little closer to your trip.

 

[Minkies]

Okay. So much great info. I really appreciate it!