Hodge Podge of Questions

[worldfamous]

Ok, so I've been patrolling the boards forever and finally bought BLT (!!!). I thought I knew everything and now I have more and more questions. Some are big, some are small, but I know you will know them all.

Here we go...

1. Are DVD rentals free?

2. What do I do if I want a certain resort that I can book at 7 months, but my next choice would be my home resort. (Example: I'd like to go mid-March to Hilton Head, but if it's not available of course I'd still love BLT.) Do I book BLT now since I'm in 11 months and then call at 7 months to try to change the reservation?

3. What do you think my chances are for HHI for mid-march studio or one-bedroom?

4. Can I check availability of resorts online?...and then call member services to book? I'm confused with the member site.

5. My guide helped me conference call our first reservation in October (studio AKV!!). Member services asked if I had any special requests. I didn't know what to say so I said no and he seemed surprised. Is a special request like "please put me near the pool". Anything else I should be asking?

6. We're planning to go to MNSSHP in October. How do I get the discount? Member services...?

7. RCI...We are planning to mostly use disney, but hypothetically, could I call and give them dates and say anywhere in the carribean and see if I get a match?

8. I know you all have secret calculators. How do I get one that will tell me when to call at 11 and 7 months?

9. I'm thinking about getting the TIW card with annual pass. Good move, right?

10. What is the new ADR site? I think I have to make reservations next week for our trip in Oct.

11. What am I forgetting...?

You guys are awesome. Thanks for helping a newbie!


worldfamous

 

[maciec]

1. Are DVD rentals free? yes

2. What do I do if I want a certain resort that I can book at 7 months, but my next choice would be my home resort. (Example: I'd like to go mid-March to Hilton Head, but if it's not available of course I'd still love BLT.) Do I book BLT now since I'm in 11 months and then call at 7 months to try to change the reservation? book at the 11month and then try at the 7 month. That way you have a guaranteed reservation.

3. What do you think my chances are for HHI for mid-march studio or one-bedroom?

4. Can I check availability of resorts online?...and then call member services to book? I'm confused with the member site. Unfortunately no. You have to call MS

5. My guide helped me conference call our first reservation in October (studio AKV!!). Member services asked if I had any special requests. I didn't know what to say so I said no and he seemed surprised. Is a special request like "please put me near the pool". Anything else I should be asking? Some people like to be near the pool, main building, top floor, bottom floor, non handicapped accessible room, etc...

6. We're planning to go to MNSSHP in October. How do I get the discount? Member services...? Call MS and get your tickets

7. RCI...We are planning to mostly use disney, but hypothetically, could I call and give them dates and say anywhere in the carribean and see if I get a match? You start with MS and put in your request. With Interval it took about 2 weeks to get our match. I don't know about RCI yet.
8. I know you all have secret calculators. How do I get one that will tell me when to call at 11 and 7 months? I don't have a calculator, but there is a chart in the new 2009 planner that will tell you when to call.

9. I'm thinking about getting the TIW card with annual pass. Good move, right? If you eat at sit down places, yes
10. What is the new ADR site? I think I have to make reservations next week for our trip in Oct. Disney Dining Reservations

11. What am I forgetting...? I don't know

You guys are awesome. Thanks for helping a newbie!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It looks like maciec answered most of your questions. I just want to expand on one of them.

8. I know you all have secret calculators. How do I get one that will tell me when to call at 11 and 7 months?

For dining reservations, you need a calculator (or a calendar to reference) because you have to go back 90 days. Without the calculator, it's difficult to figure out that dining reservations for August 15, 2009 can be made on May 17, 2009. (The secret calculator I used to figure that is right here on the DIS... http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html)

For DVC reservations, though, you can probably do the math in your head. You don't have to count days, just months. To make a DVC reservation for an August 15, 2010 check-in at your home resort, for example, you can call on September 15, 2009. (The same day of the month, 11 months before.) Use 7 months for reservations using points from a different resort.

And, of course, if you're looking for a super calculator (and more) for DVC, you can check out the link in my signature.

Dave

 

[worldfamous]

Regarding cancellations...as long as we cancel 30 days out, there's not penalty, right? We are thinking about going for NYE and I wonder if I should book now just to get something but I don't want to do that if there's a cancellation penalty....

 

[MickeyMagic]

I don't have the answers to your questions, but I couldn't believe it when I saw "hodgepodge" in the title of your post. Many, many, many years ago I missed that word in the state spelling bee when I was in 7th grade. I have never seen it used... until now!!!!

 

[hakepb]

Regarding cancellations...as long as we cancel 30 days out, there's not penalty, right? We are thinking about going for NYE and I wonder if I should book now just to get something but I don't want to do that if there's a cancellation penalty....

I've heard that NYE is one of the most popular DVC times (fairly universal time off work/school for people), so definately book now!!

"penalty" (restricted points usage, not a cash penalty) somewhat also depends on your use year. If November is one of the last 4 months in your use year (Nov - Feb use years) then you would not be able to bank the unused points if you cancelled. (If my calculations are correct, then you would be OK cancelling with March-Oct use years) .. And this is if you are using current use year points (not banked or borrowed..)

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

There is no penalty if you cancel more than 30 days before your check-in date. After that, the points go into a holding account, and there are restrictions on how they can be booked.

As previously posted, you also want to keep you banking deadline in mind for the cancellation. If you cancel after the end of your banking period, you'll need to use the points before the end of the use year.

 

[CMOORE185]

I think HH will be fairly easy to book in March because the weather can be a little bit on the cool side.

 

[Dean]

7. RCI...We are planning to mostly use disney, but hypothetically, could I call and give them dates and say anywhere in the carribean and see if I get a match?

Yes you could do it that way but you'd be taking a great chance of getting a resort that was not up to your standards. IMO the best way to do this is to research the resorts and see which are acceptable to you, make sure the have the start dates and unit sizes you need and the place a request by resort (both name and #) and by dates. Remember once you match, you're stuck. You can no longer see what comes up then say yes or no except when looking for an instant match on that phone call.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Regarding cancellations...as long as we cancel 30 days out, there's not penalty, right? We are thinking about going for NYE and I wonder if I should book now just to get something but I don't want to do that if there's a cancellation penalty....

I'm quite sure you are already too late for New Year's Eve.

 

[worldfamous]

I don't have the answers to your questions, but I couldn't believe it when I saw "hodgepodge" in the title of your post. Many, many, many years ago I missed that word in the state spelling bee when I was in 7th grade. I have never seen it used... until now!!!!

I missed "beechnut" in the 7th grade. I spelled it beachnut. It was the first word and humiliating. I got beat my the 3rd graders! I'll never forget that either!!