Frustrated with waitlist and AP rates release!

[iluveeyore]

So, we've been on a waitlist for two weeks for a 2 bedroom at OKW from Oct. 24 -31 - have 2 bdrm at Saratoga, which is fine too. Now that AP rates are out, thought I would check how much we saved with our points, and low and behold, an OKW 2 bedroom pops up available for the exact dates I'm waitlisted for! I hate knowing our room is there, but we can't have it! I feel like it's more important for Disney to get paid with a discount rate for a room than to let members with points have it, especially when I'm asking for it.
Okay, rant done.
Back to waiting for my waitlist, or enjoying a week at SSR

 

[Chuck S]

Technically, it IS more important that a room in cash inventory be rented on cash. It is important both to Disney/DVC and to DVC Members that that room be rented for cash, even at a discounted rate.

The room at OKW is only available for cash for one of several reasons:

1) It may be a room that represents points owned/acquired by Disney Vacation Development...points are reacquired by DVD either through ROFR or default on payments/taxes by a member. As those points are not owned by a DVC Member, the room they represent is not available for booking with points.

2) A member has traded out to a non-DVC location, like one of the cash hotels, a cruise, Adventures by Disney, Concierge Collection, etc. Technically that room is already rented on the points of that member, and can not be re-rented for points to another member. The income from that room is used to offset the cost of the trade. Without that, there would be higher dues or no trade out options.

3) Rooms are also turned over to cash inventory at the 60 day mark, if they are unreserved by DVC members on points. THose rooms, if not already reserved by cash guests, can be reclaimed for use by DVC Members on points...however, this is the smallest portion of rooms available for cash.

So while it may be frustrating to see cash availability for your dates, it really is the way the system has to work if we are to continue having trade out flexibility outside the DVC resort system.

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks Chuck! We love DVC, so it's nice to hear the nuts and bolts of how it works put in plain language for me to understand. I get it, and I'm happy to have our 2bdrm at SSR for our week. I'll keep my waitlist for our fav at OKW and hope for the best - if not, we'll still enjoy our vacay.
Thanks again! DH and I still get five days at OKW in a studio after the kids leave on Halloween, so we'll enjoy it no matter what happens.

 

[HelenaJanelle]

Sending pixie dust your way, in hopes that your waitlist becomes available soon!

 

[Sammie]

Also booking in advance for peak times is becoming more and more important.

And Chuck did an excellent job of explaining cash rooms.

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks everyone! We had booked at 7 months out and had a 1 bdrm at OKW, but DS decided to join us with his DGF, and we wanted to make it a 2bdrm, and usually not a problem at OKW so we were surprised when we couldn't just add on a studio (want a lock-off). Years ago when we went at the same time, it was not busy at all. Now there's more going on, so I guess there aren't very many slow seasons at WDW anymore. We have a room at SSR we are thankful to have grabbed, and thanks for the waitlist pixie dust, sounds like we are going to need it!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

We feel very fortunate that we got BCV for 4 nights at 7 mths at the beginning of F & W...so when AP rates came out and there was a 1 bdr at BCV..we grabbed it!

Just keep thinking good thoughts! In June, I had a split stay, while at Sports, I called DVC the day before we were to check in...we wanted OKW and had a res for SSR (it was a last minute trip) OKW opened up, day before check in!
Have a great trip!!! I always try to think everything happens for a reason...and every trip is different....hope it works out for you!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks everyone! We had booked at 7 months out and had a 1 bdrm at OKW, but DS decided to join us with his DGF, and we wanted to make it a 2bdrm, and usually not a problem at OKW so we were surprised when we couldn't just add on a studio (want a lock-off). Years ago when we went at the same time, it was not busy at all. Now there's more going on, so I guess there aren't very many slow seasons at WDW anymore. We have a room at SSR we are thankful to have grabbed, and thanks for the waitlist pixie dust, sounds like we are going to need it!

I think a significant part of the difficulty is due to the lower points required for an OKW villa. Once the 7 month mark arrives, there are many who will switch there if they can, especially SSR owners (and there are lots of those since SSR is such a large resort). OKW is also a beautiful resort, and it has lower points, the same condo-like layout and same general location.

We all love a bargain, LOL.

Good luck - hope your waitlist works soon. But remember to cancel it before the 30 day mark unless you are OK with the "extra" points going into the holding account.