Help me!

[ellynsoh]

I have an unusual question, and I know you smarties will have the answer! Here's the situation:
I'm waiting to close on 80 points at BWV. I know the 2002 points have to be used by January 31, 2004 (February used year;
contract came with banked points from 2002). I can't call and reserve yet, obviously, but I'm afraid all the good air fares will be gone if I wait much longer. Because, just to complicate the equation further, I am locked into school holidays only.
Here's what I'm thinking. I could call and try for Thanksgiving week after I close. I know I'll be waitlisting. If any (or all) of the days fail to come through, can I use the points through Disney Collection to stay 2-3 nights at Port Orleans, etc.? Are they ever sold out to DVC members, or will I be all right if I'm not too picky about the resort? If this sounds like a viable plan, at least I could grab an air fare.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JimC]

We had a similar situation last year. We bought an add on for February use year at end of October. We had already banked all that we could so we needed to use the points. We picked early December and could not get a wait list to clear at any of the DVC resorts. So we opted for savannah view at AKL. It was great. Maybe not the best use of points, but certainly better than losing them. And the SV at AKL is wonderful.

MS was great about helping us. They suggested that we wait list for studio and 1 bedrooms at all four resorts (I found out that is eight waitlists they put us on). We went ahead and booked airfare so as we closed in on the dates they suggested the Disney Collection option and we went with the AKL SV.

I suspect that Thanksgiving week would be harder to get, but probably the best thing to do is get on the wait lists. You might ask for an expedited closing. It may cost a bit more, but it could give you some extra time to work with.

 

[CarolMN]

You can use points for a reservation at one of the Disney Collection resorts as long as the resort has availability (and you have enough points, LOL). Keep in mind, though, that once you reserve at a non-DVC resort, those points cannot later be used for a DVC reservation. In other words, don't make the PO reservation until you are reasonably sure the waitlist isn't going to work (assuming you were planning to use the same points). FWIW, I'm quite sure there is already a waitlist for Thanksgiving week at all of the WDW DVC resorts. You are wise to have a back up plan.

For future reference, you may not both make a reservation and stay at a non-DVC option during the last 60 days of your use year. In other words, if you wanted to stay at a non-DVC resort in December or January, you must call MS to make the reservation before December 1. Of course, since you want to stay in November, this rule will not be an issue for you this time.

Good luck - hope you get your reservation.

 

[ellynsoh]

Wow, thanks for the help! I knew there would be nuances an inexperienced person, like me, would not have considered!
I did choose the expedited closing and sent my check a week ago, so I'm hoping to hear soon. I'm already feeling more confident about purchasing the airfare.

 

[cewait]

Newby question ALERT!

I am playing the ROFR waiting game for and will have similar time constraints. Are there any costs to using the Disney Collection resorts? i.e. if I stay at the Contemporary with my points, do I pay a fee like I was exhanging through II?

 

[PamOKW]

There is no additional charge for staying at WDW resorts. The other options do have fees.

 

[Dan Murfman]

Are there any costs to using the Disney Collection resorts? i.e. if I stay at the Contemporary with my points, do I pay a fee like I was exhanging through II?

No dollar costs for using the Disney Collection just yourpoints.