General public booking?

[Ratpack]

Sorry if this has been answered somewhere already and I probably should know the answer. It was asked on the other forums why nothing in DVC was showing up as available to book in Sept or Oct '08. I figure since the members have to wait until the 11 month mark, that is why there is no availability showing. And that lead me to think, when can ANYONE start to book a DVC property for a vacation?

 

[Caskbill]

Keep in mind there are two different sets of inventories. Members own about 97% of all the units, and Disney retains about 3% of the units.

The 97% can start being booked by members at 11-months. At 60 days, any unbooked inventory is released to CRO and can be booked by the general public.

I believe the 3% that Disney retains in each resort, is available to the general public, through CRO, at about the same 11-month window. Not 100% certain though.

 

[RobDoc]

The rooms retained by DVC are primarily used to maintain member inventory when rooms are being renovated. Most of the cash availability comes from points used by members for the non-DVC options and little is ever available right at 11 months and I'm not aware of ANY availability earlier than 11 months.

Most cash availability will be within 6 months of arrival.

 

[Doctor P]

The rooms retained by DVC are primarily used to maintain member inventory when rooms are being renovated. Most of the cash availability comes from points used by members for the non-DVC options and little is ever available right at 11 months and I'm not aware of ANY availability earlier than 11 months.

Most cash availability will be within 6 months of arrival.

I don't disagree, but I am wondering whether since you can now book some of the exchange options (including DCL) up to 24 months in advance it might be the case that some inventory is available further out now.

 

[RobDoc]

I don't disagree, but I am wondering whether since you can now book some of the exchange options (including DCL) up to 24 months in advance it might be the case that some inventory is available further out now.

Yes, DVC points can be committed to the cruise and World Passport Collection more than 11 months ahead, but no DVC rooms can be reserved earlier than 11 months.

 

[Doctor P]

Yes, DVC points can be committed to the cruise and World Passport Collection more than 11 months ahead, but no DVC rooms can be reserved earlier than 11 months.

But wouldn't that free up rooms that could be given to CRO for reservations before the 11 month point? Not sure that it is done, but I am also not sure that it couldn't be done.

 

[RobDoc]

But wouldn't that free up rooms that could be given to CRO for reservations before the 11 month point? Not sure that it is done, but I am also not sure that it couldn't be done.

No- because DVC points cannot be used at DVC resorts earlier than 11 months. Until recently, nothing could be reserved more than 11 months ahead and the only exception is the Disney Cruise line. This was done as a concession to the disadvantage held by DVC members for some of the special cruises.

The points committed to the cruise still can't be used earlier than 11 months ahead at DVC resorts though. The 11 month reservation priority is outlined in the POS and DVC is bound by the same reservation policies as all other members.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

Sorry if this has been answered somewhere already and I probably should know the answer. It was asked on the other forums why nothing in DVC was showing up as available to book in Sept or Oct '08. I figure since the members have to wait until the 11 month mark, that is why there is no availability showing. And that lead me to think, when can ANYONE start to book a DVC property for a vacation?

We have inventory for SSR for September

 

[RobDoc]

We have inventory for SSR for September

So, you're saying that MS is making cash reservations at SSR for the general public for dates in September, 2008 ? Where is that inventory coming from?

 

[CarolMN]

We have inventory for SSR for September

If that is true, then it must be from inventory that isn't yet declared into the condominium (developer's inventory).

I am surprised that there is any undeclared inventory left - I thought that SSR was nearly sold out.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

So, you're saying that MS is making cash reservations at SSR for the general public for dates in September, 2008 ? Where is that inventory coming from?

The inventory that is open to the general public by CRO 60 days or less before arrival is the breakage. Any inventory not reserved by members for points reservations is turned over to CRO at the 60 day mark for GP reservations. We can, however, pull that back on a room by room basis if still available as needed.

Simply put, we can book from two types of inventory: declared (for points) and undeclared (for cash). Declared is all the inventory that has been purchased by members, while undeclared is inventory that has been a)not yet purchased by members b)the 2-6% required by law for the developer to retain and c)inventory that has been deposited for cash onversion due to exchanges.

When you book any exchange (cruise, Disney non DVC resort, Disneyland, II etc) we have to convert the points into cash as the exchanges require cash, not points. We do that by depositing the inventory equal to the points into the undeclared inventory to sell for cash to offset the cost of the exchange. Thats's were the cash inventory for members comes from.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

So, you're saying that MS is making cash reservations at SSR for the general public for dates in September, 2008 ? Where is that inventory coming from?

Actually, no. I'm saying we have member inventory for SSR in September. Beginning about 9/3 on until about the middle of the last week of September. It's very spotty for the entire time of F&W through 12/10, but there is a little for 12/10-20 that is consecutive as well.

 

[CarolMN]

Actually, no. I'm saying we have member inventory for SSR in September. Beginning about 9/3 on until about the middle of the last week of September. It's very spotty for the entire time of F&W through 12/10, but there is a little for 12/10-20 that is consecutive as well.

Are you talking about 2008? or 2007?

We are not surprised that CRO/WDWTC has 2007 dates available - just can't see how they could have September 2008 dates available before DVC members can even book them. That wouldn't be right!

I don't think we are talking about the same thing. The OP is asking about DVC villas available to the general public via CRO/WDWTC in September or October 2008 - the general public should not have access to member inventory before DVC members. The general public can't book DVC villas until DVC sends them inventory and AFAIK, that is never earlier than 11 months prior.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

Are you talking about 2008? or 2007?

We are not surprised that CRO/WDWTC has 2007 dates available - just can't see how they could have September 2008 dates available before DVC members can even book them. That wouldn't be right!

Our system can't even let us SEE anything available past the 11 month mark, so Sept 2008 is out of the question. I don't know where that could even come from. I didn't realize it said 2008 until you just mentioned it. I'm talking about next month. 2007, for about 3 weeks. It appears that inventory held for AKL move-overs due to construction came back for use, possibly.

 

[RobDoc]

Actually, no. I'm saying we have member inventory for SSR in September. Beginning about 9/3 on until about the middle of the last week of September. It's very spotty for the entire time of F&W through 12/10, but there is a little for 12/10-20 that is consecutive as well.

Thanks.

This thread was specifically asking about cash reservations in Sept/Oct, 2008 and you included that quote in your first reply - thus the follow up questions about where the availability for September, 2008 was coming from. It's nice to see that 11 months is still the farthest ahead that DVC resorts may be reserved.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

Thanks.

This thread was specifically asking about cash reservations in Sept/Oct, 2008 and you included that quote in your first reply - thus the follow up questions about where the availability for September, 2008 was coming from. It's nice to see that 11 months is still the farthest ahead that DVC resorts may be reserved.

Yeah, I misread that; my apologies.

I don't see how the GP can rent for cash 15 months out... unless there is another inventory we don't know about.

I didn't mean to give a 'lesson' to you on the inventory... it's just the way we are trained to explain it all when members say 'How come you can't give it to me on points but you can for cash?'

GG

 

[JimMIA]

This will be one of my rare posts, but I have a question for GoofysGal33850, while we have her on the line.

I haven't received my magazine yet, but I understand (or possibly MISunderstand) that a $95 fee will now be charged for using points at other WDW non-DVC resorts. I'm wondering two things:

1. Is that true, or is the fee only for exchanges outside of WDW or the Disneyland hotels -- in other words, non-Disney properties?

2. If it's going to cost me $95 to use points at the Poly, for example, what's the rationale for that? I can see it for II exchanges, etc, but I don't see the rationale for other Disney properties.

 

[GoofysGal33850]

This will be one of my rare posts, but I have a question for GoofysGal33850, while we have her on the line.

I haven't received my magazine yet, but I understand (or possibly MISunderstand) that a $95 fee will now be charged for using points at other WDW non-DVC resorts. I'm wondering two things:

1. Is that true, or is the fee only for exchanges outside of WDW or the Disneyland hotels -- in other words, non-Disney properties?

2. If it's going to cost me $95 to use points at the Poly, for example, what's the rationale for that? I can see it for II exchanges, etc, but I don't see the rationale for other Disney properties.

I'd like to answer that one, but we've only had a very brief briefing on it and I don't want to mis-speak. Once the Vacation Magic comes out and I have a better understanding on it, I can comment publicly. I don't mean to be evasive, but I don't want to start a ruckus if my understanding isn't accurate. They haven't posted any info on our Cast Members site, or I'd be able to clarify; we expect an update soon.

I *do* understand that the fees will be $95 for exchanges to align them to alleviate confusion on which amount is accurate (some are $75, some $95), and that even with any new exchange fees we are still below the industry norm in that respect.

I wish I could be more helpful,

GG

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks. We all understand your position and appreciate your comments!

 

[DebbieB]

That would be really crummy if they charge $95 for non-DVC WDW resorts on top of the high point requirements. Especially if you are staying there for a short trip.