DVC reservation line opening time

[dsnydaddy]

Getting ready to make my first non-home resort reservation (Aulani). I want to be on the phone as soon as they open to make my reservation. What time do the lines open and is that Eastern Standard Time?

 

[drusba]

At exactly 7 months out from date of arrival, the online reservation system opens at 8 a.m. eastern, and the MS phones open at 9. You should consider doing the reservation on line because desired rooms, when open at 7 months out, can sometimes diappaear after 8 but before 9.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Thanks, I got that backwards then. So... That begs another question. I am about 13 points shy of the number needed for my reservation. Will I be able to rent the extra points from DVC online or do I have to call for that?

 

[drusba]

You can rent points only via phone. What room category will you be seeking and for when? (That will tell me whether you can safely wait till 9.)

 

[dsnydaddy]

We are planning on Feb 11-18 in a two bedroom. Island view. If I have to
Go Pool view then we'll have to cut short the vacation by one day.

 

[drusba]

You are probably OK just waiting to call at 9. The week preceding Presidents' week was open for island garden view and above at 7 months out for this year even a day after the 7 month window opened. There is possibly some risk Aulani owners could fill nights toward the end of your week as part of a Presidents' week trip but that is something that would likely occur before your 7 month window date even arrives if it is going to occur at all.

To lower any possible risk that might exist, you have the option of going on line at 8 on July 11 and booking 6 of the nights, and then call at 9 and add the last night to the reservation while purchasing one time use points.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip)...........To lower any possible risk that might exist, you have the option of going on line at 8 on July 11 and booking 6 of the nights, and then call at 9 and add the last night to the reservation while purchasing one time use points.

dsnydaddy - This is what I would do. Good luck!

When you call to add that last night, tell the CM that you want to add the night to your existing reservation. That way, the CM will make sure you have one continuing reservation, with one reservation number. Makes things easier for you and the resort.

 

[dsnydaddy]

That's a great idea! Thanks guys.

 

[kniquy]

To lower any possible risk that might exist, you have the option of going on line at 8 on July 11 and booking 6 of the nights, and then call at 9 and add the last night to the reservation while purchasing one time use points.

I am trying to figure out how these one time use point work exactly. I thought that i has read somewhere that the one time use points could only be used for new reservations, so in this scenario you are saying make the reservation and then call to book the last day to purchase the one time use points to add a day. Can this really be done?

 

[drusba]

There have been several reports that what I mention is allowed, in that you can add on to an exisitng reservation made at 7 months out while purchasing one-time use points. The somewhat ambiguous rule you are referring to simply says that the purchase of one time use points "needs to occur at the time you're making the reservation," and when you call to add a day you are making a reservation for that extra day. In other words, the rule prohibits buying one time use points and doing nothing with them except to hold them for use later. It does not proihibit buying them while adding on a day or days to a vacation.

 

[ScubaCat]

In the past, member services would always "link" separate confirmation numbers for consecutive nights so we'd be in the same room. However, I called to do that same thing a couple of months ago and the CM combined them into one. That's a nice change, I must say, although I've only booked DVC rooms a few times (so far!).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In the past, member services would always "link" separate confirmation numbers for consecutive nights so we'd be in the same room. However, I called to do that same thing a couple of months ago and the CM combined them into one. That's a nice change, I must say, although I've only booked DVC rooms a few times (so far!).

Historically linking has only been done across multiple memberships (ie, usually UY's). If it's been in one membership then they have always combined or modified to make a single reservation. I don't believe I've ever had them not do it that way if it's been in one. And as we have 2 UY's I've also had many linked reservations over the years.

 

[ScubaCat]

Historically linking has only been done across multiple memberships (ie, usually UY's). If it's been in one membership then they have always combined or modified to make a single reservation. I don't believe I've ever had them not do it that way if it's been in one. And as we have 2 UY's I've also had many linked reservations over the years.

Interesting. Maybe I just didn't get a good CM when I called on that previous trip I had 5 confirmation numbers for a 6-night trip back in 2010, same membership and everything.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Interesting. Maybe I just didn't get a good CM when I called on that previous trip I had 5 confirmation numbers for a 6-night trip back in 2010, same membership and everything.

I'd have to say that was the CM just not thinking about it.

Now if I've been piecing together via the website or something I've had to call in to have the reservations all combined (or likely could have submitted a request via the website) but when calling the CM has always combined or added to the existing. When having waitlists filled it's been mixed - some combine, some not so I'd just call in and ask the CM to merge the reservations. But I've never arrived at the resort staying on the same membership and in the same villa type and not had just a single reservation.

 

[ScubaCat]

I'd have to say that was the CM just not thinking about it.

Now if I've been piecing together via the website or something I've had to call in to have the reservations all combined (or likely could have submitted a request via the website) but when calling the CM has always combined or added to the existing. When having waitlists filled it's been mixed - some combine, some not so I'd just call in and ask the CM to merge the reservations. But I've never arrived at the resort staying on the same membership and in the same villa type and not had just a single reservation.

I don't think online booking was an option back then. Ah well. It was still a lovely trip!

Of course, there was no MyMagic+ back then, either, so there wasn't as much need to have everything combined.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Well, I did as instructed. At 8est I was online and secured the first 6 nights and then at 9est I called and added the 7th night without a hitch. Thanks guys. I would have probably been okay to wait until 9est but I did not want to take a chance.

 

[CarolMN]

Good for you! And thanks for letting us know your happy ending. Now you can move on to PLANNING all the fun you're going to have.

 

[Hettie]

Glad I read this thread, I was wondering the same about booking with one-time use points. Happy it worked out for you!

 

[Disneyx6]

Happy your booking worked out! Hope you have a great trip!

We are looking to book Aulani at our 7mo. window for a 2bedroom ocean view for 6 nights in April. What are our chances?? We have to wait until September to book Aulani, but have already booked our Waikiki hotel and we want to book our airfare before September too. Just hate the unknown!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Happy your booking worked out! Hope you have a great trip!

We are looking to book Aulani at our 7mo. window for a 2bedroom ocean view for 6 nights in April. What are our chances?? We have to wait until September to book Aulani, but have already booked our Waikiki hotel and we want to book our airfare before September too. Just hate the unknown!

From what I have seen, at least this year and next as Aulani owner, is that the 2 bedroom ocean view is the very last to go probably because Aulani is already pretty expensive point wise and you can still have a gorgeous view from pool category or even some decent island views. Plus the studios sleep 5. The exception being- Presidents Week in February and New Years, also October Break is pretty popular. You will not get all of those dates outside the 11th month window. You won't get NYE unless you book 11 mo less 6 days, as I sadly found out. We now have to go before XMas

This year we were late to the party on February and so we booked in April for a 2bd OV, at 8 months out- so they are still there then for sure. Since Spring Breaks are now staggered and no longer tied to Easter you should be ok. If you wanted a studio, or a lesser view, you may have trouble but a 2bedroom OV will be there. Have fun!!