Kind of bummed, I wasn't able to share!

[DisneyPhD]

My brother is going down to FLA to with his kids to visit their grandparents in Feburary. He wants to drive up to WDW and take his youngest to MK and Epcot since he has never been (his sister and brother has been with us or friends.)

I was thinking since he was only going for 2 nights we would share and get him a studio at OKW for (heck it is oly 22 points!) Feb 22 and 23, no go. Not one DVC room open during that time. I mentioned that I saw on line you could get one for cash, she said yes you could. 2% of the rooms are saved for cash. That doesn't seem right. I thought if they weren't used by DVC then the were sold. As a DVC member it seems unfair that I could pay cash for a room, but not be able to use it for my points. If that is the case then some rooms could even go empty, costing DVC money, when member would of used the rooms. It was 350 a night for a OKW studio. (not counting the 25% discount. As nice as OKW is I don't see a studio being worth that price.

Oh well. This is the 1st time I have ever called MS and found no rooms at all in any resort (even the new big SSR.) I know it was a busy time, but I was still suprized.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

All is not lost...you might be able to get him into a moderate for about the same points. That's what I did when I couldn't get a studio the last week of the year.

 

[DisneyPhD]

All is not lost...you might be able to get him into a moderate for about the same points. That's what I did when I couldn't get a studio the last week of the year.

I hadn't thought about that. I was going to call back and see if there was any changes, after all if you could still pay cash then the resort wasn't totally full really.

He was able to book Pop for 90 a night, not bad not really a great price for a value. AS were 115 a night.

We almost ever have extra points, this would be borrowed from the next use year. Infact we are in a constant state of borrowing, but we did our trip for the year already. After all what is 22 points, in making your brother and newphew happy? I am very excited for them. Newphew is 10 and has never been, also to have dad all to himself should be great. I just hope they have a great time!

 

[CarolA]

I think that 2% represents the points owned by Disney. Plus at SSR there are of course rooms for cash since the "associated" points may not yet have been sold.

 

[Chuck S]

Also, any points traded out by members for cruises, Interval International trades, etc are put into the cash inventory so DVC can recoup the cost of the trade. It is not uncommon to see some cash availability when there is no point availability.

For your dates, I would call back a few times to see if anythong opened up, or try going on the waitlist, or as a previous poster suggested, look into a regular WDW moderate resort.

 

[littlestar]

That's the president's day holiday week. I bet that's why you can't find any availability. It's very popular because kids are out of school part of the week.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm not surprised there's no availability...that's school vacation week, and they fill up fast.

I think as a DVC member if you pay cash, they give you a discount on the room cost. Check into having them stay at a moderate on points...may not be a huge difference in point costs. Go on a waitlist, soometimes they come through, but it can be last-minute, and I don't know is your brother is comfortable with last minute.

 

[fletcher1964]

I would keep trying back. Also, when you call, be very polite, and before they can tell you no, tell them it's for your nephew, he's never been there before and you're so exited to be able to give this as a surprise for him and your brother. You'd be surprised how they can figure out a why to make 3 people so happy with one override reservations. I did it last march for my niece. By the time I finished my story of how my cousin, who never misses work, was willing to take my niece if I could get a room, she couldn't tell me no. Good luck!!!

 

[fletcher1964]

sorry dup

 

[Daitcher]

Every timeshare in business today keeps a certain percentage of rooms to rent on cash. Those rooms are not in the inventory to book with points. I just stayed at the Marriott Surf Club in Aruba. I paid cash for a 2 bedroom oceanfront room. When I checked in an owner was checking in next to me. She flipped out that I got a better room than she did and I am not an owner. I had to explain to her how her own program works and that I was not taking a room from an owner. She still didn't buy it but I tried. Sorry no rooms were available. Those cash rooms weren't available for owners to begin with. Maybe try the waitlist and keep those fingers crossed.


DAVE

 

[Cruelladeville]

Does anyone in your family have an AP? I just got an email about special rates from now thru April. I believe POP is $59 and the moderates are $79. So that might also be an option for you.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Does anyone in your family have an AP? I just got an email about special rates from now thru April. I believe POP is $59 and the moderates are $79. So that might also be an option for you.

We have AP and they expire the end of Feb. However they are still good while he is there. We won't be going with him so I don't think he can use them to check in and get the AP rate can he? Codes for GP don't seem to good lately (not as bad for AP.)

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will call back and see if there is any opening. I know often you can't get the resort you want, but I was suprized there was NONE at all avilable. Oh well.

 

[westjones]

All is not lost...you might be able to get him into a moderate for about the same points. That's what I did when I couldn't get a studio the last week of the year.

I keep hoping that eventually we can book the value resorts with our points for a little lower than the moderates. They just added the campsites so maybe the values will be added sometime.

I did this also with a moderate resort once when the DVC resorts were all booked up and I needed a room. I got on at POR with my points. It is nice to have it as an option. The DVC rooms are nicer, but if you don't want to spent the money, and you have the points to use, and you want to go but there are no rooms available, I am glad we can do this!

Good Luck!

DJ

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Okay I checked and my idea wouldn't exactly be "cost effective". One night at a moderate is 21 points if you can get a standard room. But that still leaves giving them the 21 points and having them pay for the second night...probably cheaper (for them anyway) than two days at a value.

Also...you are still within the 7 to 30 day waitlist window. You never know when a) someone has to cancel their vacation at the last minute or b) more Saratoga inventory will come on line. I'd go ahead and waitlist for the two dates together anywhere. Then if you really want to give them a hand...call day by day at the 7 day mark. I'm not sure when the cancellation penalty kicks in for POP but call up until that point.