DVC points-a trend to be worried about?

[JonHM]

Rich - I know that I am new, and that you have been around for a long time, but I have to respectfully disagree with you about the short term reservation issue. At *some* point, it will be better for DVC AND better for OKW if it is selling out more and more than if it is always empty enough to accomodate lots of short term reservations. If it started to become the 'slacker' DVC resort that never fills up, Disney will be a lot less likely to put money into upkeep/improvements. I completely agree that it would be a big inconvenience not to be able to get ressies without a lot of notice, but still think in the big picture that more people wanting to stay at OKW is better for OKW.

 

[Caskbill]

DB Washington, the point about shorter notice reservations is this:

Using OKW as an example, at the 8 to 11 month window, if you want to make a reservation at your home resort, you are only competing with other OKW owners for the units and times you desire. This is why you can almost always get what you want during the busy seasons, and have absolutely no problems at all during the low seasons.

Now let's say something came up and you find you can make a trip to WDW only 3-months from now. You'd like to make this 'shorter notice reservation'. However, now you are trying to book a room and timeframe, but you are in competition with ALL DVC owners as you are now way under the 7-month booking window.

If you're looking for Adventure season, January or September, a 1-BR S-T stay at OKW is 16 pts/night. At BWV, VWL, and presumably BCV, it would be 22 pts/night. (BWV standard views would all be gone by then for sure). So the owners at BWV, VWL and BCV would look at 5-days at their home resort for 110 points, or 5-days at OKW for 80 points, and book at OKW to save points. Thus the owners at OKW will begin losing the opportunity to book at their home resort at less than 7-months more and more. This makes advance planning even more important, and makes it more difficult to get any accommodations at shorter notice. On the flip side, this then leaves more empty rooms at BWV, VWL, or BCV at short notice, so if you're willing to spend the extra points, there will probably be more opportunity for rooms at those resorts as their owners try to save points by staying at OKW.

Just like Rich, there are disclaimers: Many bought at BWV and VWL (and will buy at BCV) because they want to stay there and have no intention staying at OKW, or maybe at Bonnet Creek. But there are also many new buyers into DVC who want to be part of the program, but once they're in, will want to stretch their points as much as possible. This is what will make it more difficult for OKW owners to book into their home resort at shorter notices.

All IMHO.

 

[RobDoc]

I saw someone mention "shorter notice reservations." I know you can make reservations at your home resorts 11 months in advance, but did not hear about what sounds like a restriction.

The reference to "short notice reservations" is about the possibility that reservations could be more difficult to find on short notice as there become more DVC members ...and if new resorts "cost" more points than at the other DVC resorts.

From a practical standpoint, as JonHM has pointed out, DVC has no responsibility to have short notices reservations available. Theoretically, each sold out DVC resort will be filled with owners before 7 months. Reservations within 7 months may still be available as owners reserve at other resorts or cancel for personal reasons.

There is no restriction on shoet notice reservations, but they may in fact become more challengin to find as time goes on.

Enjoy!

 

[Cruelladeville]

You may have overlooked an additional problem when everyone books into OKW due to the cheaper point valueseople will then see for themselves how terrific OKW really is, and then they will specifically ask for it in the future. That means that everyone will have to fight even harder to stay at OKW than before. It's that way at BWV right now, and it's a pain. So far, OKW is one of the better kept secrets about staying in a DVC resort. I stayed in a 2 bedroom there just two weeks ago, and we came back home determined to buy an add-on at OKW. We were blown away by the size, the beauty, and the view. DH loved drinking coffee in the morning while watching golfers tee off on the 7th hole!

 

[RobDoc]

So far, OKW is one of the better kept secrets about staying in a DVC resort.

Shhhhhhhhh!!

 

[PamOKW]

Cruella....you are a very smart cookie.

 

[Laurajean1014]

We went into DVC knowing that it was a vehicle to "plan our vacations." (Come on, that's part of the fun!)

We have never been told in over 6 years booking, that they were booked out. We even called 2 weeks prior to our trip in December and got 3 nights at Y&BC!

I have not been disappointed by my DVC membership. Maybe that's why we added on 5 times. (OKW and BW).

If anyone is having buyer's remorse, I would gladly by another add-on!

 

[DB Washington]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the breakdown. I appreciate what you are saying and will keep that in mind next time we book a vacation.