First and last time inviting people...ARRGH!

[JimMIA]

However, some of these points are borrowed so they would have to be used by June which wouldn't be too much of a problem.

In all probability, you are going to be stuck in the 2 BR. However, if you are able to change to a 1 BR, make sure MS uses the borrowed points for the 1 BR. Then you won't have any "use or lose" points to worry about.

 

[ssawka]

First of all, you are well within your rights to give them a deadline. It's your points (i.e. Your $) It would be extremely rude of them to not be able to tell you at least 31 days prior.

Second, I'm not sure if this is an option but would it be possible to figure out the cash difference between the 1 BR and the 2 BR? My thought is that you can make them responsible for that amount. I'm not sure you'd actually want to collect, but at least they would know what you are giving up. Also, if you made them responsible for this amount, would they be able to take out travel insurance for that amount? That way if they could not make it, they could do a claim and reimburse you for the difference.

 

[Cmbar]

Just throwing out an idea here -- if you request a 2BR lockoff -- could you cancel the studio part if your family drops out? I have no idea, I'm just throwing it out there. I'm sure someone will correct me.

I was kinda thinking along these lines too. What if you had a lockoff and if they couldn't go you try to rent the studio side of the lockoff? It would only entail you having to change the reservation names right? I know it is not ideal but if you have to get stuck with an empty studio at least maybe you could make some money.

When in November are you going? Are you going near Thanksgiving?

BUT....... Mostly I would just make them tell me by some date about 40 days out. I am in the same boat because we are taking grandparents in their 90's. They are so excited about going so I know any cancellation will only be because of health issues. For us we only have two studios booked so if they had to cancel we would only have to cancel one of the studios.


Oh and is a studio out of the question for you and hubby? I mean could you make a back up plan for a studio somewhere if you have the extra points to hold the reservation?

I am totally with those who said "been there done that" Trying to book for my nephews in college and trying to work around their timing an my kids schools and it is a nightmare. And I get all upset because we have to make a decision before the 7 month mark! It is stressful.

 

[dzorn]

No, unfortunately, they don't let you do that. You have to cancel the whole thing and rebook.

Not necessarily true. They did let me do exactly that when family backed out last Feb. I may have just gotten pixie dust. Over the phone I was told no they wanted me to cancel and wait list for a 1 bedroom, but when I went over the logic by email all was well.

I was willing to keep the 2 bedroom and burn extra points. That would have no impact an any wait list. If they switched me to a 1 bedroom it would make someone on the studio wait list happy and use more points than my 2 bedroom. This was for presidents week done a few months out.

Denise in MI

 

[Chuck S]

Not necessarily true. They did let me do exactly that when family backed out last Feb. I may have just gotten pixie dust. Over the phone I was told no they wanted me to cancel and wait list for a 1 bedroom, but when I went over the logic by email all was well.

I was willing to keep the 2 bedroom and burn extra points. That would have no impact an any wait list. If they switched me to a 1 bedroom it would make someone on the studio wait list happy and use more points than my 2 bedroom. This was for presidents week done a few months out.

Denise in MI

Sorry, but I disagree, an owner wanting to downsize should not be allowed to do so if people are on a waitlist. The owner may have more room than they need, but they specifically booked it as a two bedroom lock-off, ad may have necessitated others seeking a lockoff to go on a waitlist, as well as those seeking a one bedroom or studio. Why should they take precedence over all three waitlists?

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Please just ASK!

You are being so kind in the first place by offering them accomodations.

However, you need to know if they are going or not so you can do the best for your family and how would you feel if after the baby comes they want to go and you don't have enough points because you used them all on this trip.

Good luck and have a nice trip!

 

[Cmbar]

Sorry, but I disagree, an owner wanting to downsize should not be allowed to do so if people are on a waitlist. The owner may have more room than they need, but they specifically booked it as a two bedroom lock-off, ad may have necessitated others seeking a lockoff to go on a waitlist, as well as those seeking a one bedroom or studio. Why should they take precedence over all three waitlists?

Chuck, I am not understanding your logic here. Are you saying that the owner of the two bedroom ressie shouldn't afford a person on a waitlist for either a studio or 1 bedroom (depending on what the original owner wants). She is helping someone get off a waitlist. If not she sits in a two bedroom lock off while other people don't get anything. Why would it be a problem for her to help someone else out

She already has priority over the waitlisted people since she booked her reservation. Are you saying she should be punished for a change in plans. I hate to think of DVC that way. It seems silly that Disney doesn't do that more. Especially when there is a waitlist for what she wants to give up. While she will be wasting points I think it is silly that DVC wouldn't allow her to break that reservation apart. But if they wouldn't I wouldn't hesitate to rent that side of my reservation if I could.

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, I am not understanding your logic here. Are you saying that the owner of the two bedroom ressie shouldn't afford a person on a waitlist for either a studio or 1 bedroom (depending on what the original owner wants). She is helping someone get off a waitlist. If not she sits in a two bedroom lock off while other people don't get anything. Why would it be a problem for her to help someone else out

She already has priority over the waitlisted people since she booked her reservation. Are you saying she should be punished for a change in plans. I hate to think of DVC that way. It seems silly that Disney doesn't do that more. Especially when there is a waitlist for what she wants to give up. While she will be wasting points I think it is silly that DVC wouldn't allow her to break that reservation apart. But if they wouldn't I wouldn't hesitate to rent that side of my reservation if I could.

What about the person on the 2 bedroom waitlist? This person would, in effect, be cancelling a two bedroom, and rebooking a one bedroom, no?

Would you really rent that studio out...considering that the renter would have a key to your unit? Two bedroom lock-off reservations are keyed alike, they are considered ONE reservation, one room.

Consider this, lockoff takes less points than reserving a one bedroom and a studio separately. They take the same amount of points as a dedicated two bedroom, why should they be treated differently than a dedicated for cancellation and re-booking purposes?

 

[Cmbar]

What about the person on the 2 bedroom waitlist? This person would, in effect, be cancelling a two bedroom, and rebooking a one bedroom, no?

Would you really rent that studio out...considering that the renter would have a key to your unit? Two bedroom lock-off reservations are keyed alike, they are considered ONE reservation, one room.

GOOD POINT! I forgot they had the key to both doors, but I don't understand why they do. If the rooms are different for other reservations then I don't see why they can't be when you book a 2 bedroom reservation.

Consider this, lockoff takes less points than reserving a one bedroom and a studio separately. They take the same amount of points as a dedicated two bedroom, why should they be treated differently than a dedicated for cancellation and re-booking purposes?

Well simply because they can. They are seperated accomodations that Disney uses to accomodate 1 bedrooms and studios. I agree of course that the owner would have to pay the higher 1 bedroom points. And now Disney is getting more points for the same room and two families are at Disney instead of one!! I am betting that you book 2 bedrooms We book Studios so If I am on that waitlist I want her to give up half of that 2 bedroom, If you are on that waitlist you want her whole 2 bedroom! I don't see that the 2 bedroom waitlist person is any more entitled than the studio one.... Just my opinion and not at all important since DVC gets to do whatever they like!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I would set a deadline that gives you plenty of time to change your plans. Good luck! I hope it all works out the way you want.

I don't understand "guests" being so rude. Before I bought DVC, my sister was nice enough to invite my family on a WDW vacation with her family, using her DVC points. Once we started talking about it, we both agreed on a cash price that I would pay my sister as soon as she booked the room with her points. This was a win win situation because I paid her less money than getting my own room & she made some money & was glad we were going together. We agreed on a deadline to cancel & after said date I would not get any money back from her. We were both comfortable with this upfront. We all did go on the trip & had a great time! We would have all been happy to do this again, but now I own DVC too! We have talked about booking trips together again & maybe pooling points for a 3 bedroom villa someday. We would once again have an agreement before the trip was booked.

 

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, I doubt you will ever get these people to commit, so you might as well do what is best for you and your points right now.

Secondly....We have a rule when it comes to inviting "guests". We LOVE sharing our DVC with others, but if you leave me hanging and don't commit by the time I need you to...too bad! You will NEVER be offered again. You can travel with us in the future, but on your dime, not ours. I've only had one set of guests burn me, and they have asked several times to plan again, but I am not biting on that line!

 

[Flyerfan]

Thank you for all your replies, ideas, suggestions. We emailed them last night with our deadline date and explained the situation in writing (I can get things across better that way). BIL said "no problem" and insisted they are going. SIL just found out she's pregnant and is a little bit under the weather at times. She still needs to see a doctor to make her feel more at ease. So, I'm thinking everything will be OK and she will feel better (hopefully) by November. But I put the date out there and will check with them at that time. I really hope they go, but regardless, there will be no more invites...too stressful!