DVC Room availability - Disney vs DVC?

[krybandt]

Hi - any idea why a DVC studio room would be available through Disney's reservation system (online) in May but not be available for the same time through DVC? We are not members, but were trying to rent points through a DVC member to try it out firsthand before buying. This is not a a good selling point and were wondering if anyone has any thoughts/theories on how many DVC room Disney holds back to sell at rack rates. Thanks in advance. Kristen

 

[DebbieB]

Not all DVC rooms are available to members. DVC retains about 4% and rooms become available through CRO when members trade out. In order to pay for the members trade out (for example, the Disney Cruise), the room is rented through CRO.

 

[cpetro]

That's amazing I was just talking about that same situation. I rented points for the BCV for May and was unable to get a studio for one of the 4 nights but went online through the Disney website and I could get a studio but would have to pay $400 for one night. We are thinking about buying a resale but this really bothers me, if you own you should get want you want over someone who is paying outright.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Anytime a member trades out of DVC - like for the AKL, DCL, Polynesian, etc - the lodging that would have been used goes to CRO to sell instead. This goes for any trades that DVC members do out of Disney properties, too. The funds have to be recouped someway. DVC does retain a small percentage of the total property (maybe 4%) to use for villas taken out for maintenance, damage, etc. Plus to sell to reduce member fees.

If you want a hot DVC property, you have to plan ahead of time and not wait until the last few months. Especially during the busy times.

DVC is not good for people who cannot plan months ahead of time.

 

[dis-happy]

That's amazing I was just talking about that same situation. I rented points for the BCV for May and was unable to get a studio for one of the 4 nights but went online through the Disney website and I could get a studio but would have to pay $400 for one night. We are thinking about buying a resale but this really bothers me, if you own you should get want you want over someone who is paying outright.

As DebbieB explained, the owner "is" using that room, it's just that it was traded out for something else.

Make sure you learn all about the ins and outs of DVC before you purchase. There might be other things that upset you and make you wish you didn't buy (ie. no daily housekeeping, no guarantee on room requests, etc.). Not trying to pick on you but there have been other threads where people didn't do their homework and were upset with DVC.

HTH

 

[krybandt]

Thanks, DebbieB, for the insight...4% does not seem like a lot, but I didn't know about the point trade-out thing.

I agree, Cpetro, it is a major discouragement that we couldn't get a Thurs-Mon stay at a VWL Studio over 4 months out, while there it is - available and pricey - online. $400 is nothing to sneeze at when point rental (and ownership!) is so reasonable is comparison.

I'm sure DVC owners learn to plan well in advance, and the pressure of that is one more factor to consider. Thanks for everyone's posts.

 

[cpetro]

I know your not picking on me..but I am learning alot about the DVC by reading all these posts, etc. I have been reading about day by day calling. I don't understand this at all and I would have thought you call MS and tell them what you want and they tell you if its available. I am nervous about buying and not getting what I want. Maybe I'll just stick to renting for now.

Thanks

 

[krybandt]

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Cpetro. DVC is up front about the mousekeeping (or lack thereof), dues, and the 11/7 month book-ahead times. But this board is how I learned how hard it is to get what you want unless you're booking your home resort at the 11 month mark. I already know the "ins" of dvc and disney in general, but it is definitely important to dig for all the "outs" as well, b/c those are not always as easy to tell. Thank goodness for disboards!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Please don't consider the fact that there are no point stays available but there are cash stays available as a negetive for ownership. The fact is, someone HAS used those points already. They did so to EXCHANGE them for a DCL trip or to stay at a non/DVC hotel in exchange for the points required for that room. Since CRO needs to get paid for THEIR inventory, that is the only way they can do it....offer it for cash. DVC can't give you what is no longer theirs. It ceased to be theirs when the member TRADED it out of system. If you want the ability to do trades, then you can't have it both ways. Either you CAN trade out, or you can't and assume there will be NO cash ressies at a DVC resort. Pretty limiting that way, if you ask me. There would be a significant loss of DVC flexibility if this wasn't available.

 

[cpetro]

On a different note..has anyone been to the HH resort in April? I am considering trying to go there at the end of April 08 just wondering if it will be warm enough...my kids are big swimmers and love the ocean it wouldn't be fun if they couldn't swim..that resort looks really nice!!! If anyone has any info I would appreciate it.

 

[dis-happy]

The ocean isn't swimmable in April unless your kids are REALLY MOTIVATED to go in the water. Usually by Memorial Day and early June it has warmed up enough (if it's been warm and sunny, not too rainy). Personally I wait until the end of June/early July when the water temp is 84.

Vero Beach is warmer during the winter months, but I don't know the ocean temps. At both HH and VB the pools are heated all year long.

 

[Slakk]

Hi - any idea why a DVC studio room would be available through Disney's reservation system (online) in May but not be available for the same time through DVC? We are not members, but were trying to rent points through a DVC member to try it out firsthand before buying. This is not a a good selling point and were wondering if anyone has any thoughts/theories on how many DVC room Disney holds back to sell at rack rates. Thanks in advance. Kristen

Not knowing the dates and resort you chose in May makes it difficult to say why it is booked up. If you were trying for a standard view at BCV at 4 months out your chances would be slim to none versus a studio at OKW or SSR which are larger resorts.

The thing is DVC is best suited for people who enjoy planning at 11 or 7 months out - at four months out you are getting the leftovers and may or may not get what you want. If you were an owner, you would have probably reserved already or gone on a waitlist for the resort you want and probably get it.

Since there is availability through the CRO you still can experience DVC...just at the non-member price.

 

[Slakk]

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Cpetro. DVC is up front about the mousekeeping (or lack thereof), dues, and the 11/7 month book-ahead times. But this board is how I learned how hard it is to get what you want unless you're booking your home resort at the 11 month mark. I already know the "ins" of dvc and disney in general, but it is definitely important to dig for all the "outs" as well, b/c those are not always as easy to tell. Thank goodness for disboards!

With proper planning it is still pretty easy to get what you want at the 7 month mark for pretty much any request. All of my trips except one were done at the 7 month mark and I got what I wanted except for needing to waitlist for 2 days for a BW view versus preferred which I got within a month.

 

[cpetro]

I have another question about the whole wait list thing..the person I rented from told me that they will automatically do the change. Then they will notify them by mail and since they will not talk to me b/c I'm not a member I can't keep calling to find out and I don't want to bother the person I rented from to keep checking..so what do you think I should do?

Thanks for you help.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have another question about the whole wait list thing..the person I rented from told me that they will automatically do the change. Then they will notify them by mail and since they will not talk to me b/c I'm not a member I can't keep calling to find out and I don't want to bother the person I rented from to keep checking..so what do you think I should do?

Thanks for you help.

You are going to have to keep bothering the member if you want to find out anything. Otherwise you will not know if you have a room or not. I'd skip on the BCV rental at this point unless you are willing to move out to another resort or pay the cash to stay at the resort, just not in the same room.

If you were trying for a standard view at BCV at 4 months out your chances would be slim to none versus a studio at OKW or SSR which are larger resorts.

No standard view at BCV. Only BWV has a standard and preferred view.

 

[cpetro]

I already have a room I just have and 1 bedroom one night then I have a studio for the remaining 3 nights..I'm on the waitlist for a studio for the one night..I just really don't want to have to change rooms..I was thinking of just paying cash for the one night for the studio but do you think they could link the reservations together so I could stay in the same studio? Also, I have heard that members could get a 25% discount on rooms when paying cash does the member have to stay in the room?

P.S. I am learning so much for not being a member..my sister is a member and I know more than her!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I already have a room I just have and 1 bedroom one night then I have a studio for the remaining 3 nights..I'm on the waitlist for a studio for the one night..I just really don't want to have to change rooms..I was thinking of just paying cash for the one night for the studio but do you think they could link the reservations together so I could stay in the same studio? Also, I have heard that members could get a 25% discount on rooms when paying cash does the member have to stay in the room?

P.S. I am learning so much for not being a member..my sister is a member and I know more than her!

The member discount is supposed to be for members, not for others. If you get a CRO reservation for the studio, you'll have to do some extra work to stay in the room. Both MS and CRO will need the other reservation number. Then when you check in, the CM checking you in will need to know. You'll have to check out and in again, but you might be able to stay in the same room.

 

[cpetro]

Thanks for all your help..I have one more question regarding requests..since I can't speak with MS, should I call the hotel directly to make certain requests and if yes when should I call for a reservation in May?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all your help..I have one more question regarding requests..since I can't speak with MS, should I call the hotel directly to make certain requests and if yes when should I call for a reservation in May?

The member needs to make all requests for you.