I need help with a booking problem...

[DisneyFreaks]

I asked this inside another thread earlier today but did not receive any replies. I need to figure out what to do about this before recalling MS on monday.

I called MS this afternoon to make our december booking. We need two 2-bedroom units at SSR this coming december. We want to pay cash for the two weekend nights and use our points for the sunday through thursday days. Everything was going well until I mentioned that we need these units to be lock-offs. The lady at MS said we cannot mix cash and points with the lock-off villas. Only the dedicated ones. It will have to be all cash or all points. What I am wondering is would we be able to pay cash for one 2-bedroom and use points for the other one? Or pay cash for a lock off and book the other one as a dedicated and mix cash and points on just that one? Is that allowed? And how would that affect our request for the two to be close together? Are lock-offs and dedicated villas in different areas of each other? Also she gave me the 25% member discount on both rooms. When I mentioned that no member would be staying in the second unit she said it didn't make any difference because a member was booking both units. Does that seem right? If this is wrong will we have to pay for the error when we check in even if the discounted rate is listed on the confirmation papers? I am really sorry for all of the questions but this has me a bit confused.

 

[greenban]

I asked this inside another thread earlier today but did not receive any replies. I need to figure out what to do about this before recalling MS on monday.

I called MS this afternoon to make our december booking. We need two 2-bedroom units at SSR this coming december. We want to pay cash for the two weekend nights and use our points for the sunday through thursday days. Everything was going well until I mentioned that we need these units to be lock-offs. The lady at MS said we cannot mix cash and points with the lock-off villas. Only the dedicated ones. It will have to be all cash or all points. What I am wondering is would we be able to pay cash for one 2-bedroom and use points for the other one? Or pay cash for a lock off and book the other one as a dedicated and mix cash and points on just that one? Is that allowed? And how would that affect our request for the two to be close together? Are lock-offs and dedicated villas in different areas of each other? Also she gave me the 25% member discount on both rooms. When I mentioned that no member would be staying in the second unit she said it didn't make any difference because a member was booking both units. Does that seem right? If this is wrong will we have to pay for the error when we check in even if the discounted rate is listed on the confirmation papers? I am really sorry for all of the questions but this has me a bit confused.

WOW!!!

You really need the EXPERTS for this one, no wonder you had no replies. Paging Dean, HBC, Carol, Dr.P, Dr.T.....


This is beyond me, but of course I'll still throw my 2 cents in.

Book both units for cash the entire time (I also thought the DVC member had to be there for the discount, but if you're gonna be in one of the units, it seems reasonable to give you the discount on all units for the same dates).

Rent your points out on the rent/trade board. With the member discount you may actually come out ahead..... hmmm

Assuming Dec 3-10, it would be 243 points each 2Br, or rented at $11pp or $2,673.00 Perwww.disney.com the room would be $3,902.22 Note this is the rack rate, we get 25% off this (or better) bringing your worst case cost to $2926.66. Now I don;t know if you are an AP holde so I didn't check those rates for you.

This is one option that comes to mind right now, but I sure our panel of experts will have better and more varied suggestions!

-Tony

 

[Dean]

DVC sets the rules on the cash reservations and sounds like they have decided to only book dedicated 2 BR units for cash with the discount. They certainly have this right. But yes you could book one room one way and the other another. You could book a ded 2 BR on points for weekdays and cash for weekends and the other room on points as a lockoff IF AVAILABLE. You could also book cash through CRO but I don't think you get the lockoff's that direction as well and I don't think you want to try to book the smaller components separately as you likely would not be able to put them back together. You could also get a lockoff on points and a dedicated for cash but it's almost certain you'd have to move units.

I guess the question is why do you need a lockoff. If you're thinking you might only need a portion, you can't just lop off the studio or 1 BR and keep the rest. You must cancel then rebook and thus having the lockoff up front wouldn't help you if there was a wait list. But what you could do would be to book an additional 1 BR or studio and then the cash portion if available and cancel what you didn't need later.

As for the member discount, a member must actually be staying in the unit. If there are two members, just put one in one room and another in the other.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

DVC sets the rules on the cash reservations and sounds like they have decided to only book dedicated 2 BR units for cash with the discount. They certainly have this right. But yes you could book one room one way and the other another. You could book a ded 2 BR on points for weekdays and cash for weekends and the other room on points as a lockoff IF AVAILABLE. You could also book cash through CRO but I don't think you get the lockoff's that direction as well and I don't think you want to try to book the smaller components separately as you likely would not be able to put them back together. You could also get a lockoff on points and a dedicated for cash but it's almost certain you'd have to move units.
I guess the question is why do you need a lockoff. If you're thinking you might only need a portion, you can't just lop off the studio or 1 BR and keep the rest. You must cancel then rebook and thus having the lockoff up front wouldn't help you if there was a wait list. But what you could do would be to book an additional 1 BR or studio and then the cash portion if available and cancel what you didn't need later.
As for the member discount, a member must actually be staying in the unit. If there are two members, just put one in one room and another in the other.

Thanks Dean. I guess it all boils down to the availability of the lock off units? We do need these to be lock-offs because we are four separate families needing our own outside doors to come and go. The cm at ms didn't seem like availability was a problem when I talked to her. She just stated that to change the reservation to lock-off units I would have to book with cash or points but not a mix of each. So what you're saying is that it is possible to make them both lock-offs and pay one with all cash and one with all points?

What I don't understand is why would we have to change rooms? Would we still have to move if we do as I mentioned above, both lock-offs but one with cash and one with points?

Thanks for your input on the cash discount question as well. I thought it didn't sound right when she said it didn't matter if a member weren't in the second unit. Could we just wait to change the switching of who's who in each room until we get to check in if there's a problem or must it be done now? Another odd thing is that she didn't seem like the "discount" was the problem. Only mixing cash with points for a dedicated 2 bedroom unit. We'd be willing to pay rack rate to do this but she said not allowed.

I'm so sorry I'm not getting this very easily and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your help.

Thanks for your ideas too greenban! We know nothing about renting points out and it all sounds so scarey right now. LoL

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Hope it's okay but I'm going to bump this back up to see if anyone has had a similar situation.....

 

[Daitcher]

I don't want to burst the bubble here but lock-off units vs. dedicated units are a request not a gaurantee when booking with points. It seems the only way you will get 2 -2 bedroom lock offs gauranteed is with a cash reservation. Point reservations you can request it but there is no gaurantee. As for the 25% discount Dean is right, sort of. Members are suppose to occupy both rooms according to policy but it doesn't matter. If MS gives you the discount at the time of booking for both rooms then you have it. They will not adjust that rate once it is booked. If they even try that, bring all confirmations with you and talk to a manager. They will not do this, don't worry. Besides, how do they know who is staying where once you all check in? You may want to do this with cash ressies with the discount. You can then either bank your points or try to rent them out to pay for the rooms. Good luck.


DAVE

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean. I guess it all boils down to the availability of the lock off units? We do need these to be lock-offs because we are four separate families needing our own outside doors to come and go. The cm at ms didn't seem like availability was a problem when I talked to her. She just stated that to change the reservation to lock-off units I would have to book with cash or points but not a mix of each. So what you're saying is that it is possible to make them both lock-offs and pay one with all cash and one with all points?

What I don't understand is why would we have to change rooms? Would we still have to move if we do as I mentioned above, both lock-offs but one with cash and one with points?

Thanks for your input on the cash discount question as well. I thought it didn't sound right when she said it didn't matter if a member weren't in the second unit. Could we just wait to change the switching of who's who in each room until we get to check in if there's a problem or must it be done now? Another odd thing is that she didn't seem like the "discount" was the problem. Only mixing cash with points for a dedicated 2 bedroom unit. We'd be willing to pay rack rate to do this but she said not allowed.

I'm so sorry I'm not getting this very easily and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your help.

Thanks for your ideas too greenban! We know nothing about renting points out and it all sounds so scarey right now. LoL

I don't think you'll be able to do any lockoff with points and cash combo, I actually doubt you can get the lockoff with cash using the member discount. It sounds like they were telling you the member discount could not be used for lockoff's but that could change as you get closer. The reason you would have to change rooms if you had a ded for the weekend and the lockoff for the other.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I don't think you'll be able to do any lockoff with points and cash combo, I actually doubt you can get the lockoff with cash using the member discount. It sounds like they were telling you the member discount could not be used for lockoff's but that could change as you get closer. The reason you would have to change rooms if you had a ded for the weekend and the lockoff for the other.

Thanks for your inputs Dean and Daitcher. This really is confusing. I thought dvc was going to make booking a trip easier. LoL I wish MS was open on the weekends like CRO. The cm at ms did say the member discount was available on a lock-off but it would have to be used for the entire stay not a combo of days mixed with points. I know the two families staying in the other 2-bdrm unit cannot afford to pay rack rate so I am clueless as to what we will do at this point. Guess I'll just have to call monday and see what it is I'm not getting here. I do want to thank you again for helping me understand what little my brain is absorbing of this weird situation. I'll keep you guys posted on what they tell me.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your inputs Dean and Daitcher. This really is confusing. I thought dvc was going to make booking a trip easier. LoL I wish MS was open on the weekends like CRO. The cm at ms did say the member discount was available on a lock-off but it would have to be used for the entire stay not a combo of days mixed with points. I know the two families staying in the other 2-bdrm unit cannot afford to pay rack rate so I am clueless as to what we will do at this point. Guess I'll just have to call monday and see what it is I'm not getting here. I do want to thank you again for helping me understand what little my brain is absorbing of this weird situation. I'll keep you guys posted on what they tell me.

DVC can be easier in some situations, harder in others. I suspect you got the wrong idea on the cash discount. There's no reason the discount would be available but could not be combined with a points stay since the nights are booked individually. There is no minimum stay even on cash with member discount. You may want to call them again. I bet they were telling you to book a ded 2 BR totally on cash and a lockoff only on points.

The more I read your scenarios the more nervous I get. It seems like you're trying to coordinate stays for almost totally independent groups but have them combined to save the points differential between a 2 BR and separate smaller units. They will not be able to put individual credit cards against each portion of the room though you could not have a credit card at all and just do a formal checkout on the last morning. Even then there are risk of phone call charges that could be a point of contention. And you'll have a group of haves and have nots due to the luxury of the 1 BR side compared to the studio side. Just be careful that everyone is aware of exactly what they are and are not getting.

 

[CarolA]

Also, I get the impression you think that there will be seperate key cards for the lock off part and that's not really true either. All the key cards for the unit will open the doors so it's not possible to segregate coming and going.... Plus with the living room/dining area in there aren't all the families going to use that????

 

[DisneyFreaks]

There's no reason the discount would be available but could not be combined with a points stay since the nights are booked individually. There is no minimum stay even on cash with member discount. I bet they were telling you to book a ded 2 BR totally on cash and a lockoff only on points.

The more I read your scenarios the more nervous I get. It seems like you're trying to coordinate stays for almost totally independent groups but have them combined to save the points differential between a 2 BR and separate smaller units.

Okay let's see if I understand what you're saying here. You think the problem lies with the discount? That we could combine the cash and points if the cash is at the rack rate? That would be doable but rack rate for the entire week would be way too expensive. We could probably rent our points but the others in our party would not have that option. So in your opinion should I call back and ask about paying rack rate just for the weekend days on the dedicated or getting the member discount for an entire cash stay and all points for the other 2 bdrm? I'm not sure if I'm sounding clear here even to myself. LoL And as for the harmony of our group. Believe me they all know what's what. We have traveled together several times and they all know what they're getting. The reason we need an extra 2 bdrm this trip is because our DSIL's brother and family will be joining us for their first ever trip to WDW. They are interested in buying into DVC and are extremely excited about staying in a DVC resort. If I can ever get our booking right. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with me Dean.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Also, I get the impression you think that there will be seperate key cards for the lock off part and that's not really true either. All the key cards for the unit will open the doors so it's not possible to segregate coming and going.... Plus with the living room/dining area in there aren't all the families going to use that????

They just want their own outside doors so they don't have to go through the 1-bdrm when they come in at night. One family has a small child. The other family are just young adults. The couple in the studio part has no plans to use the living room/ dining room in the one bedroom. I know the key cards won't be separate and I have explained this to them but they still want separate entrances from each other. I guess they'll probably be using the night latch when they go to bed and if the other couple is still out how would they get into their room if they have to use the same door?

 

[Dean]

Okay let's see if I understand what you're saying here. You think the problem lies with the discount? That we could combine the cash and points if the cash is at the rack rate? That would be doable but rack rate for the entire week would be way too expensive. We could probably rent our points but the others in our party would not have that option. So in your opinion should I call back and ask about paying rack rate just for the weekend days on the dedicated or getting the member discount for an entire cash stay and all points for the other 2 bdrm? I'm not sure if I'm sounding clear here even to myself. LoL And as for the harmony of our group. Believe me they all know what's what. We have traveled together several times and they all know what they're getting. The reason we need an extra 2 bdrm this trip is because our DSIL's brother and family will be joining us for their first ever trip to WDW. They are interested in buying into DVC and are extremely excited about staying in a DVC resort. If I can ever get our booking right. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with me Dean.

I do think the problem lies with WHICH rooms are currently available for the discount. It's entirely possible you could get the rooms for cash without the discount either through DVC possibly or it may be that they will not allow a cash reservation specific for a lockoff though you might end up with one when you get there.

It doesn't really sound like you really need the lockoff's, at least not enough to pay several hundred dollars more for it. What I'd so is call back and go over your options again. I'm not certain where the problem lies, you're not and I bet the CM wasn't clear either. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[CarolA]

Personally, I think you are bending over backwards and I hope you are getting paid.

I would tell them this is what you can get.. Do they want to pay more money for the seperate doors or are they willing to "get along"... (This trip sounds like a disaster in the making to me LOL!)

 

[greenban]

Personally, I think you are bending over backwards and I hope you are getting paid.

I would tell them this is what you can get.. Do they want to pay more money for the seperate doors or are they willing to "get along"... (This trip sounds like a disaster in the making to me LOL!)

It does seem this way. Are you guys family or friends? Family makes it worse, trust me............

ANyway sending you tons of Pixie Dust

Good Luck,

-Tony

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I agree with greenban and CarolA. Just get each family separate units. You can request that they be near to each other (but that is not guaranteed). Those in the studios can still "come over and vist" those with the 1 bedroom units if that's what everyone wants to do.

I think your efforts to save a few points are going to backfire - there are just too many things that can go wrong. As long as everyone wants to come and go via their own entrance, I think each family should have their own separate unit.

Best wishes -

 

[DisneyFreaks]

FWIW, I agree with greenban and CarolA. Just get each family separate units. You can request that they be near to each other (but that is not guaranteed). Those in the studios can still "come over and vist" those with the 1 bedroom units if that's what everyone wants to do.

I think your efforts to save a few points are going to backfire - there are just too many things that can go wrong. As long as everyone wants to come and go via their own entrance, I think each family should have their own separate unit.
Best wishes -

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your suggestions. I guess to quote Dean we will just have to call MS tomorrow morning and see what they can come up with. We usually do not have these types of problems. We have rented from owners in the past and everything has always worked out great. This trip however an "extended" family will be coming along and that's where the problem lies. Our DS and his DF will be in the studio part of our unit and he says if it has to be a dedicated then that's the way it is. (not happy about it but oh well) However our son in law's brother and family (who will be in the other 1-bdrm unit) does not want to "share" accomodations. They are early risers and turn in early and do not want anyone coming in the door after they retire for the night. Our daughter is livid at the implications this brings and doesn't want to share with them either. (a mess? you bet!) Anyway I figured the lock off units would be the best way to go. And combining cash and points would help alot. Booking 1-bdrms and studios separately comes out to more points. Paying one with cash and one with all points will work if there's availability and MS allows that. The CM on the phone did say they can do that but I wanted to get some input before committing to it. Sorry this is so long and I have tied up so much board time with my problem here. You people are so wonderful and helpful. I will let you all know what happens after talking to MS. Thanks big time!

 

[greenban]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your suggestions. I guess to quote Dean we will just have to call MS tomorrow morning and see what they can come up with. We usually do not have these types of problems. We have rented from owners in the past and everything has always worked out great. This trip however an "extended" family will be coming along and that's where the problem lies. Our DS and his DF will be in the studio part of our unit and he says if it has to be a dedicated then that's the way it is. (not happy about it but oh well) However our son in law's brother and family (who will be in the other 1-bdrm unit) does not want to "share" accomodations. They are early risers and turn in early and do not want anyone coming in the door after they retire for the night. Our daughter is livid at the implications this brings and doesn't want to share with them either. (a mess? you bet!) Anyway I figured the lock off units would be the best way to go. And combining cash and points would help alot. Booking 1-bdrms and studios separately comes out to more points. Paying one with cash and one with all points will work if there's availability and MS allows that. The CM on the phone did say they can do that but I wanted to get some input before committing to it. Sorry this is so long and I have tied up so much board time with my problem here. You people are so wonderful and helpful. I will let you all know what happens after talking to MS. Thanks big time!

Dear DisneyFreaks:

I urge you to reconsider. This probably will end in disaster, with family members not even talking to each other (possibly for years) over real or imagined slights. It is not worth a few bucks to risk this. Show your family the rack rate, and they won't complain about seperate units. Even with a lock off, they early risers may hear the late commers!

I did this with my DILs (whom I do love) and this was in a dedicated 2 BR at OKW, lots of space. What did that teach me?

GRAND VILLAS are for friends to share, not families!

Of course, YMMV, but I have BEEN there, DONE that!

Looking forward to your trip report and hoping that it is NOT a train wreck!

All the best,

-Tony

 

[CarolA]

Let me guess. No one is paying for anything, but they MUST have PRIVATE SPECIAL accomdations.

At this point I would tell them that a One bedroom rents for X a night and get DS a studio.... This is NOT gonna be good otherwise. These people want YOU to finance a vacation where they make NO accomdations RUN!!!!!!! NOW while you can!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Let me guess. No one is paying for anything, but they MUST have PRIVATE SPECIAL accomdations.
At this point I would tell them that a One bedroom rents for X a night and get DS a studio.... This is NOT gonna be good otherwise. These people want YOU to finance a vacation where they make NO accomdations RUN!!!!!!! NOW while you can!

LoL Oh no they are all paying. And if we have to do an all cash ressie they'll pay for that or our points if they use them. We have rented a 2 bedroom and separate studio before and we (our kids & families) have gotten along great doing our own things. If DSIL's brother and sister in law don't like the way things are they can stay at the WL where I already have a room booked for them just in case. LoL It was my idea to book the lock off villas. I thought it would work out better if everyone had a bit of their own space. We shall see I guess. I have called a family meeting for this evening and tomorrow I will recall MS. Thanks for your input. You too Tony!