It's a bummer when you want to book a not super last minute trip and no availability.

[ziravan]

But you CAN still consistently book last minute trips, IF you're willing to make compromises like split stays.

In 2015, we went to WDW in August on 30 days notice. We found - all studios - 2 nts OKW HH, 2 BCV, 2 AKV Kidani Savanna.

But. That wasn't during Fall Frenzy. And that's the moral. People always say "Buy where you want to stay", but that really means, "Buy where you want to stay from mid-Sept to mid-Jan."

There's a reallocation coming. That might solve some of this even as it creates more problems. I say might because people have become so entrenched in their DVC ways that I'm not sure if even a reallocation can fix Fall Frenzy.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I'm bummed because my half-sister and brother-in-law bought into DVC when they were there in June and they cancelled their purchase within the three days because they tried to book something in October and there was absolutely nothing available at their home Resort of the Grand Floridian. I felt really bad, but I know that's the reality of it. They don't book vacations a year ahead of time, sadly.

 

[BillPA]

There's a reallocation coming. That might solve some of this even as it creates more problems. I say might because people have become so entrenched in their DVC ways that I'm not sure if even a reallocation can fix Fall Frenzy.

Where did this come from? Has DVD announced that they are yet again make changes that no one really wants?

 

[ziravan]

Think about it. DVC members come often. We know the seasons and what makes WDW work.

Spring is a rolling season of Easter and Spring Break, summer is dang Hot and crowded.

Look at all the reasons we mentioned for this week being busy:

Jersey Week
MNSSHP
MVMCP
F&W
F&W Marathon
Veterans Day
Cooler Temps
Cheaper points season

Cheaper points is but one reason. I'm convinced a reallocation is coming and equally convinced it won't make a dent in Fall Frenzy.

 

[ziravan]

Where did this come from? Has DVD announced that they are yet again make changes that no one really wants?

Writings on the wall. This is but one of a bunch of threads complaining about Fall availability.

It's a highly persistent and highly visible complaint.

Both of my purchases were directly influenced by maximizing Fall booking. The more Fall Frenzy influences purchase the more likely DVC moves to moderate it.

They have an obligation to make changes in the best interests of owners. They actually will make changes to protect their bottom line. Both priorities seem to be converging.

Perception is reality and Fall Frenzy is giving the perception that DVC is impossible to book.

 

[BillPA]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm sorry you bought without understanding what you were buying, but I'm am getting tired of DVD making changes to help the miss informed.

 

[ziravan]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm sorry you bought without understanding what you were buying, but I'm am getting tired of DVD making changes to help the miss informed.

On the contrary. I knew exactly what I was buying: a timeshare with a Fall booking problem and a management team with the exclusive right to make changes in its interest and a history (weekend reallocation) of doing so.

I knew those things before I bought. It's why I own at BCV (the ability to book a Fall Frenzy resort and also to enjoy it (SAB) if that booking pattern changes). And. A fixed week Poly in early Nov (Instead of first 2 wks of Dec if I were only thinking about present day booking priorities) that would allow me to enjoy Halloween and Christmas theming independent of when/if (when) DVC reallocates.

DVC is going to make changes in its own interests. That's why I'm confident a reallocation is coming. My guess is when Poly sells out because I think they'll make big changes there as well. So. 2 yrs from now.

Sooner. They'll want changes to be old news before VWL2 goes on sell. 2018 charts will be announced in a few months. That's probably too soon. 2019 charts announced in Dec 2017 would be my guess.

 

[BillPA]

How is changing the point structure of a sold out resort going to do anything for Disney?
I know it won't happen, but why doesn't DVD ask the owners what they want?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Writings on the wall. This is but one of a bunch of threads complaining about Fall availability.

.

These threads have been going on since I joined the boards in 2008. No changes to seasons yet. While I do think it is time I'm fairly skeptical about DVC taking that one on anytime soon.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm sorry you bought without understanding what you were buying, but I'm am getting tired of DVD making changes to help the miss informed.

The purpose of the variable point charts is to decrease costs when demand is low--to encourage visits--and charge higher rates when demand is high. Over time, demand patterns begin to shift in response to the nightly point pricing and additional adjustments are necessary.

This is part of DVC's fiduciary responsibility as a timeshare manager. DVC rights--and obligation--to make such adjustments are explicitly stated in the POS. To be blunt, if you weren't anticipating adjustments over time, you were the one who was misinformed.

How is changing the point structure of a sold out resort going to do anything for Disney?
I know it won't happen, but why doesn't DVD ask the owners what they want?

Owners have many desires, often conflicting. For instance, owners want low-cost rooms and plentiful availability--two factors which simply do not go hand-in-hand.

Legislating the program by majority vote would ultimately satisfy few.

 

[BillPA]

My POS from 1993 has not such statement. And I thought Disney was a class act, shame on me. They make changes to the original contract without any approval from the owners. BEWARE any new buyer, you will NOT have what you paid for very long!!!

 

[tjkraz]

My POS from 1993 has not such statement. And I thought Disney was a class act, shame on me. They make changes to the original contract without any approval from the owners. BEWARE any new buyer, you will NOT have what you paid for very long!!!

I find that difficult to believe as it's mandated by Florida timeshare law. Florida statute 721.14(6):

Prior to offering the multisite timeshare plan, the developer shall create the reservation system and shall establish rules and regulations for its operation. In establishing these rules and regulations, the developer shall take into account the location and anticipated relative use demand of each component site that he or she intends to offer as a part of the plan and shall use his or her best efforts, in good faith and based upon all reasonably available evidence under the circumstances, to further the best interests of the purchasers of the plan as a whole with respect to their opportunity to use and enjoy the accommodations and facilities of the plan. The rules and regulations shall also provide for periodic adjustment or amendment of the reservation system by the managing entity from time to time in order to respond to actual purchaser use patterns and changes in purchaser use demand for the accommodations and facilities existing at that time within the plan. The person authorized to make additions and substitutions during the term of the multisite timeshare plan shall also comply with the requirements of this subsection in ascertaining the desirability of the proposed addition, substitution, adjustment, or amendment and the impact of same upon the demand for and availability of existing plan accommodations and facilities.

Bolding is mine.

In other words, DVC has no choice but to alter the point charts from time to time in response to owner demand. It is a legal obligation of a timeshare manager, intended to serve members as fairly as possible.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My POS from 1993 has not such statement. And I thought Disney was a class act, shame on me. They make changes to the original contract without any approval from the owners. BEWARE any new buyer, you will NOT have what you paid for very long!!!

Your POS does not cover reallocations and the amounts it could be adjusted by? And also list either the average or perhaps it's max points requirements that each room type could go to? I'd have to believe that it does as I don't think the basic POS has changed too significantly or at all in that area since DVC first started selling.

 

[tjkraz]

My oldest POS is dated 2004. In the document labeled DVC Resort Agreement, section V, paragraph 5.2 addresses DVC's rights to amend the charts annually, so long as the year-to-year variances do not exceed 20%.

 

[BillPA]

I would post a copy if I had an electronic copy. Now that DVD sells fixed weeks are they going to collect more money from those that purchased a fixed week if points go up, or refund if they go down? I don't think so. But they do as they please not always what the owners want. I believe the complainers are those that try to book inside the 7 month window. I have never had any problems booking 9-11 months out for any time of year at my home resorts. And that goes bank to June 1993. If you can't plan ahead, you may not get what you want, that was made clear when I purchased. Maybe you should have bought a fixed week or else where. I'm sorry so many didn't understand the 11 month and 7 month windows.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Food & Wine is always iffy for studios anywhere once you get this close to it. Add Jersey Week PLUS a Friday holiday and you need to be booking much further out. The half marathon, however, is the first weekend in November, not the second.

If it's just 2 or 3 nights I'd try waitlisting a couple of the larger resorts. But there is the issue of airfare. Unfortunately those nights aren't available immediately within a few months anymore.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was very happy when weekend points were lowered and weekdays were raised. This seemed fairer to me.

 

[Brian Noble]

Now that DVD sells fixed weeks are they going to collect more money from those that purchased a fixed week if points go up, or refund if they go down? I don't think so

I suspect the fixed-week contract does include some language that describes how this works. There are several options. For example, Wyndham's converted fixed weeks *can* be reallocated, so the Wyndham points I "own" can go up or down if the underlying week's point requirements go up or down. The fees for a converted fixed week are the MFs on the underlying week---and that is fixed independent of a reallocation---plus a variable amount based on the number of points owned---and that would change with a reallocation.

So, yes, I could be charged more (or less) if my week went up (or down) in the points required to book it. And, I knew this before I bought it (resale) because the prior owner supplied the conversion contract he executed with Wyndham as part of the process.

 

[BillPA]

Thanks Brian, I am amazed at the amount of knowledge the DIS folks on this board have.

 

[tjkraz]

Disney's fixed week purchases require buyers to purchase 10% more than the current posted price for the given week. If the targeted week would normally cost 300 points, the fixed week contract is written for 330 points. Regardless of whether the cost for that specific week goes up or down in the future, those 330 points are sufficient to retain the guarantee. If reallocations lead to that week being priced at more than 330 points, Disney would have to cover the difference by contributing its own points.

In any given year, the owner can forfeit the fixed week guarantee and have the deeded number of points (330 in this example) made available for any reservations.