Last minute booking tips

[lorenni]

Hi all -

A child at my son's school has cancer that has recently returned. The family is hoping to make a trip to Disney - and go big - because this is now the second time the cancer has returned. It's just heartbreaking.

I'd like to use my gagillion languishing points to book a room for them, but have never done a last minute booking. As far as I can see online, only Saratoga Springs has availability within the next 30-60 days (which may be too late...). Does member services have any other inventory? Can I use my points to book a cash room somewhere else? I have 1100 points to work with, without borrowing.

Any and all advice is welcome. I just want to help make this child's last few months something special.

(posted also in member services forum, to get as many views/responses as possible.)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What you see is what there is for points, generally, unless there is something that can be clawed back. Maybe a bungalow?

Not sure what the status of the Disney Collection is. That requires qualified points - so direct points, or ponts purchased before a certain date that is fairly well in the past.

 

[Novatrix]

It's a lovely and generous gift you're thinking of giving them. How heartbreaking for the family!

1st, I'm sure that the family would be thrilled with Saratoga Springs if that's what you could book for them. While it may be many DVC members least preferred resort, there are still multiple positives which a family would enjoy. It's walking distance to Disney Springs (which have the kid friendly attractions of multiple Disney stores, a wonderful candy store, the LEGO store, T-Rex cafe, ect.). The resort has 2 themed pools, freshly renovated rooms and onsite activities such as bike rental. Some people appreciate the fact that they can park their car outside of the room and are not dependent on Disney buses. Depending on the size room you're thinking of booking, the Treehouses would be a special experience for most children.

2nd, If you're dead set on booking them a resort other than Saratoga, check the booking website often. Availability changes all the time. If you're patient, and flexible, you're sure to be able to book something else. If you're dead set, for example, on only a BLT studio you may not be able to find anything. But if you're open to seeing a 3 day block at a "desirable resort" in the room type you'd like to book, and then stalk to add days to that, you can probably cobble a reservation together.

 

[Heather07438]

Time is so valuable. With the large amount of points there must be some way to leverage that. I’m wondering if calling a broker may help, basically doing a 3 way trade with one of the dedicated reservations. Maybe something like this example can be worked out:
One reservation showing is
BLT GV theme park view
June 9-13 (4 nights)
It’s 544pts at $17pp, total $9.3k

There are many dedicated reservations listed on different broker sites. They may be able to figure something out where you transfer points or book a reservation for another guest(s) in exchange for the dedicated reservation.
Might be more complicated than you’re comfortable with but I’d at least give them a call and see if there’s something agreeable to work out. Worth a shot.

Good luck in finding a solution

 

[Best Aunt]

Maybe a dumb question, but do you know specifically what dates the family has in mind?

I would hate to see you making a resie out of the goodness of your heart, then have it turn out that the dates you pick aren't the best for them. You might choose dates because you find a DVC room available, but it turns out that you picked the most expensive days for airfare on the airline they want to use. Or perhaps the child has an important medical appointment that they shouldn't skip. Or perhaps the child will be getting treatment which will leave them feeling lousy on particular days. Or perhaps another member of the family has an appointment (medical or non-medical) which they shouldn't skip. You show up with, "You're going to Disney World on [dates]!" and the parents start fighting about whether or not they should go on those dates.

You are trying to do something which is very nice; just make sure it doesn't end up causing the family more stress.