II Question

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have developer's points which I am using at SSR in about 30 days. The problem is one of the nights is not available on points, so I am paying a discounted rate for it. That will leave me with 14 developer's points that I must use before June 17 of next year. I will not be back to WDW until 2010, so I am thinking, if I remember correctly, I can use my remaining 14 points plus some more of my 2008 points to take a trip to Westgate in Gatlinburg, TN. I really need some info on how the exchange works. Can I book a trip through II before receiving my 2008 points? (I get them next May since I bought into Kidani.) Also, how can I tell on the DVC website which resorts are available and when? I can look up the different resorts, but I can't find dates that are available. Hope some of you experts on II can help!

 

[Dean]

I have developer's points which I am using at SSR in about 30 days. The problem is one of the nights is not available on points, so I am paying a discounted rate for it. That will leave me with 14 developer's points that I must use before June 17 of next year. I will not be back to WDW until 2010, so I am thinking, if I remember correctly, I can use my remaining 14 points plus some more of my 2008 points to take a trip to Westgate in Gatlinburg, TN. I really need some info on how the exchange works. Can I book a trip through II before receiving my 2008 points? (I get them next May since I bought into Kidani.) Also, how can I tell on the DVC website which resorts are available and when? I can look up the different resorts, but I can't find dates that are available. Hope some of you experts on II can help!

I'm not sure I'd do that for 14 developer points. Here's the options I see. Put in a request for that resort, try to secure a short notice (less than 30 day) stay using points, do a deposit first and then search for what you want. One of the issues is that the points are supposed to come from the UY of the exchange so if the point expire prior to the exchange they MAY not let you use them though with DVC you never know. Of course that would not be an issue with a deposit first option. For 160/270 points, I don't think it's worth it to save the 14 developer points unless you'd plan the exchange anyway or you wouldn't use the points otherwise and don't want to rent them given you won't be back to WDW for a couple of years. You could also use them at HH, VB or possibly at one of the other direct exchange options like Club Intrawest or a Concierge option. I'd keep trying for that night on points and cancel your cash reservation if you get it in time.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I'm not sure I understand. I was planning on using 14 points for a 1-BR at Westgate in Gatlinburg and using 28 of my 2008 points to stay the other 2 nights; this would be for a Short Stay exchange. I just don't understand anything about how II works. Would this not be a good idea rather than losing the 14 points? (By the way, I have been calling every day since June to try to get this one night on points with no success. I'm not going to give up--until my vacation has come and gone. Then I need another plan.)

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure I understand. I was planning on using 14 points for a 1-BR at Westgate in Gatlinburg and using 28 of my 2008 points to stay the other 2 nights; this would be for a Short Stay exchange. I just don't understand anything about how II works. Would this not be a good idea rather than losing the 14 points? (By the way, I have been calling every day since June to try to get this one night on points with no success. I'm not going to give up--until my vacation has come and gone. Then I need another plan.)

Short stays work much differently. You can only exchange for short stays for LESS than 30 days out and only to areas that are available. In reality it's about 23 days out for most situations. Realistically you likely would not be able to use them in that way. You might set aside 3 days and then see if you can get anything where you can drive to but don't limit it to one area and esp not to one resort.