HELP...DVC advice needed

[Cambsuk]

I booked a 6 night stay in Aulani, this January through a DVC point reseller...

My family has changed their minds and now wants to do WDW instead, so now the deal I got in Aulani, is stopping me from switching our trip to Orlando.

The reseller, is VERY nice and accomodating but has not been able to find any availabity to switch our stay to WDW (everything sold out from 12/25-1/7).

I just dont know what to do, I can change the names on the Aulani reservation to another family but how do I even know if anyone would be interested in that Aulani reservation?

My second question, is it pretty much impossible to hope that anything may open up at WDW for that christmas/new year week?

Thanks so much. I paid for 136 points.

Any DVC member advice would be great.

 

[Chuck S]

One of the drawbacks of renting DVC points is that the transaction is pretty much final. At this point, it is extremely doubtful any WDW DVC resort reservations will open up. Also know that you, as the renter, can not change the name on the Aulani reservation, that has to be done by whoever owns the points...and it sounds like they are willing to work with you...but I would think finding a replacement renter on short notice is also relatively difficult. At least on the DIS Rent/Trade board, we would not allow you to offer the reservations, since you are not the DVC Owner. I would encourage your family to keep and use the Aulani reservation if you want a Christmastime get away.

 

[Cambsuk]

Thanks Chuck.

Do you know if Vero Beach is an option that time of year? I hate to keep bothering the reseller.

 

[starry_solo]

Do any of your friends want to go to Aulani? Maybe you can convince one of them to take your ressie? And then find a confirmed ressie for WDW?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I booked a 6 night stay in Aulani, this January through a DVC point reseller...

My family has changed their minds and now wants to do WDW instead, so now the deal I got in Aulani, is stopping me from switching our trip to Orlando.

The reseller, is VERY nice and accomodating but has not been able to find any availabity to switch our stay to WDW (everything sold out from 12/25-1/7).

I just dont know what to do, I can change the names on the Aulani reservation to another family but how do I even know if anyone would be interested in that Aulani reservation?

My second question, is it pretty much impossible to hope that anything may open up at WDW for that christmas/new year week?

Thanks so much. I paid for 136 points.

Any DVC member advice would be great.

I'd tell the family that this year is Hawaii and another year will be WDW. You've picked out a very bad time to book this late.

Or just blow the Aulani trip off and stay home and complain about losing all that money.

 

[Lynne M]

.I'm sorry, this is a tough one. I think your only way around this is to go back to the owner and ask if they'll be willing to piece together a series of reservations for different resorts and room types. Being flexible with your dates will help, too. You may be switching rooms every couple of nights, but you're way, way too late to find a good selection of availability at WDW. It's just the way timeshares work. Short notice = extremely limited availability.

Your only other option is to sit down with your family and explain that the reservations you made for Aulani are not cancelable or changeable. It's Hawaii or nothing. And 'nothing' means that the family loses the money paid towards the reservation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I booked a 6 night stay in Aulani, this January through a DVC point reseller...

My family has changed their minds and now wants to do WDW instead, so now the deal I got in Aulani, is stopping me from switching our trip to Orlando.

The reseller, is VERY nice and accomodating but has not been able to find any availabity to switch our stay to WDW (everything sold out from 12/25-1/7).

I just dont know what to do, I can change the names on the Aulani reservation to another family but how do I even know if anyone would be interested in that Aulani reservation?

My second question, is it pretty much impossible to hope that anything may open up at WDW for that christmas/new year week?

Thanks so much. I paid for 136 points.

Any DVC member advice would be great.

I have a couple of questions about your inquiry. You say you booked through a "reseller". What does that mean? Do you mean you rented points from a point rental site like is advertised on this board, or did you buy "resale" points as in a contract? If you are talking about rental points, then there isn't a whole lot you can do. WDW will likely not open anything up in that timeframe, since it is THE SINGLE most difficult reservation to get through DVC.

The difference is that if you are talking about a resale contract that you own, then you at least have the opportunity to try to work something out yourself. If you rented points specifically for Aulani and you are not a DVC owner, I agree with the rest of the responses. You will either have to convince your family to go to Aulani, or be willing to eat the around $1700 you've already spent and stay home instead this year.

We are going to Aulani in February, and I know the airfare was pretty pricey even doing it on the cheap. Hopefully you already have your airfare arranged, because that too will be difficult to get a deal on this late in the game.

 

[Chuck S]

Just a reminder for everyone that we do not allow members to check availability for renters on our forums. The availability needs to be checked by the owner or agency that the renter is dealing with. A couple of posts have been removed.

Thanks.

 

[Sammie]

Renting from a DVC member or a broker for DVC members is much like Priceline, you are pretty much stuck with what you book.

I am sorry your family did not realize that and hope you enjoy your trip.