Major Policy Change in DVC/DCL Trade Policy UPDATE ON POST #193

[Mineu]

So, what happens if they call with a category 4 and I only have enough points available for a category 10? What happens if they call after the paid in full date? I hate all of this uncertainty. Should I cancel my three day, should I look into other lines for Alaska? Too many things to worry about...

 

[Mineu]

Ok-I guess I now believe in signs. Right after I sent off my last post-my huband walked in with a package and I just started laughing-sure enough-it's the cruise shirt I made last weekend for Alaska! Too funny

 

[Cmbar]

I really hope member services sends out a press release to it's members. How many people are sitting in those chairs right now on the Magic and Wonder waiting to book and then convert when they get home? What about everyone on the Meet & Greet threads who haven't converted to points yet? It is not pleasant to find out that a cabin you assumed you could transfer to points is suddenly going to cost you thousands of dollars...

Yeah and how many people are sitting in those DVC presentations being told they can use their points on DCL cabins. I tell you if this isn't resolved or changed by my October sailing I will be going to the DVC presentations and asking the question as soon as they say points can be used for DCL.

My question is this. If it is just the Dream and Alaska cruises, what about the MR or Magic itineraries? It doesn't look like the MR cruises are all sold out, in fact they just offered Kids free on a 10 night vacation. What about the Magic itineraries. We are out of luck as we have a cash reservation for the Dream and were planning on converting to points after we sailed in October to get the point discount. Guess that is out now. I would switch to a Magic cruise but it sounds like they simply shut down DCL for DVC for a Year.

 

[Zoom]

I just called DVC hoping to convert my cash ressie to points, we are booked on cash for 10 nt MED for June '11. Now from reading all the posts, i was kinda hoping that i would be lucky enough to have availability for this sailing since Alaska and Dream cruises are more popular and are sold out (as far as using points). And of course, like everyone else, i'm also disappointed that there's no availabilty. The lady i talked to sounds nice and helpful and even ask me if June is the only month that i'm looking on ( i don't know if there's opening for July/Aug Med sailings) that's when i told her that i'm actually booked on cash thru DCL and hoping to convert it to points. I asked her if she can put me on the "Call List".... she then asked me for how many people, so i said its for 2 AD and 1 CH but with the points i have, i can only use points for 1 AD and 1 CH then pay cash for 1 AD. I think she added these notes when she put me on the "call list". I am still hoping that since i will also paying at least 1 AD for cash then maybe they'll let me convert this booking.

Just to add, i booked a 4nt dream cruise early this yr and cancelled it about 2 months ago since we decided to do the MED instead. So now i have 250+ points that are now "reservation points".....

 

[FLWIDisneyFan]

Suspending all reservations for that time period seems very strange. I can understand that certain sailings are booked but other cruises are wide open. What disturbs me is the lack of information coming from Disney directly on this topic. I get it that the Dream and Alaska are very popular but what about the other itineraries that aren't selling well. It definitely feels more like Disney not wanting to get any more DVC rooms in their inventory.

 

[FLWIDisneyFan]

The more I think about what is going on here. The more I wonder if other non-DVC bookings will start to be impacted. I think I saw an earlier poster say they were going to attend DVC presentations on the cruise ship and ask about suspending bookings. I think that's a great idea and I will do the same. Should make for an interesting member cruise next month.

 

[Dean]

The more I think about what is going on here. The more I wonder if other non-DVC bookings will start to be impacted. I think I saw an earlier poster say they were going to attend DVC presentations on the cruise ship and ask about suspending bookings. I think that's a great idea and I will do the same. Should make for an interesting member cruise next month.

I doubt the sales staff will be very well versed on this subject.

 

[CarolMN]

......(snip).......I have had a work commitment arise and I will not be able to cruise on the date chosen. In my 10 Disney Cruises I have taken, I have never ever had to rebook any of them (including cash as well as points).

Have you considered asking your boss if the company will pay the "loss" for your cruise vacation since it cannot be re-booked (assuming DVC doesn't resolve this to your satisfaction)?

In my past corporate career, my employer had to do that for some of us. They wanted us for some big company meeting and were willing to do so. When they weren't I took my vacation as planned. Both times I recall, the meetings were somewhat last minute, so maybe this won't help in your situation.

Anyway, maybe your employer would be willing to help since the work commitment is the only thing that is causing you to change dates.

I think the least DVC could do would be to return your points in "normal" status. (Because of the computer problems that stopped you from re-booking before this change was implemented. Not sure those who were just thinking about cruises or trying to transfer from cash to points are in same category. Availability risk is part of the equation). Seems like they could do some "book keeping" as there still seem to be people who book non-DVC WDW resorts, DL resorts, AbD and Concierge Collection options.

Good luck!

 

[needtogomore]

Suspending all reservations for that time period seems very strange. I can understand that certain sailings are booked but other cruises are wide open. What disturbs me is the lack of information coming from Disney directly on this topic. I get it that the Dream and Alaska are very popular but what about the other itineraries that aren't selling well. It definitely feels more like Disney not wanting to get any more DVC rooms in their inventory.

I cant help wondering if maybe its DVC not wanting less to do with DCL, are they losing to much money doing this, they use these traded points points to upgrade people, so someone booking at a value cost can and has gotten a 1 bedroom DVC room for value cost while DVC has had to pay for the criuse, I dont know the whole story of this just my HO, Is this maybe part of the reason ?.

 

[Dean]

I cant help wondering if maybe its DVC not wanting less to do with DCL, are they losing to much money doing this, they use these traded points points to upgrade people, so someone booking at a value cost can and has gotten a 1 bedroom DVC room for value cost while DVC has had to pay for the criuse, I dont know the whole story of this just my HO, Is this maybe part of the reason ?.

It really has to stem from the DVC side. I'm sure DCL would be willing to devote the entire fleet for a mildly discounted rack rate.

 

[ontariomonkey]

When I called MS to ask about this I was told that this is not a new rule, they have always negotiated a certain number of staterooms on each cruise for DVC members. And SOMETIMES they sell out. That is the situation now. She also told me that booking cruises is a perk of DVC (!!!!) and that you never know, one day, we may not be able to use our points for cruises. This was a supervisor.

What I am REALLY upset about is the fact that before we bought, we specifically asked if there was a limit to the # of DVC cruisers on each cruise. We were told that our points would be as good as cash and that no one is given priority. Obviously this is not true.

I feel like a big goofball because we bought DVC for the EXPRESSED use of using them for cruises. We told the rep we had 0 interest in going to WDW or staying in their resorts.

 

[allaboutdisney1967]

Was speaking to DCL about my upcoming April 17 Dream cruise and was asking the CM about onboard prebookings and converting it to DVC. She mentioned to me that currently the onboard discounts are the best she has seen; up to 1/2 off the required deposit. If DCL is offering such large discounts to fill their cabins, I would think that they would want to increase their DVC availability, seeing as previously stated on this site, when you make a DCL reservation you usually don't cancel it due to the reprocussions DVC has.

I've been DVC for 4 years. I find through my own experience, friends that have points, and reading posts on DIS and I cannot figure out why DVC members "seem to get the short end of the stick" even though that we are pretty much guaranteed income (park passes, food, gifts, etc.) for the life of our points. I would think that WDW and its policies with DVC would be a little more welcoming, accomodating, and/or appreciative.

Good luck with your situation, Carol. I hope the the WDW fairies are watching and shine upon you.

Donna

 

[HappyGrumpy]

Forgive me is this has been said, I wonder if they are going to provide specific DVC dates on the different DCL itinerary's.

So example: Family wants to use points to to go to Alaska. Sure they can go but it will have to be on the a specific date dedicated to DVC'ers. Which may or may not be good depending on how flexible your schedule is. Soooo

I also wonder if they are stopping all point usage until they iron out the specific details and will make it permanent when they announce 2012 itinerary's in Oct...or whenever they announce it.

Just a theory...

 

[gkrykewy]

I feel like a big goofball because we bought DVC for the EXPRESSED use of using them for cruises. We told the rep we had 0 interest in going to WDW or staying in their resorts.

A cruise now and then is one thing, but if you bought DVC exclusively to use for cruise fares, that's not a very good financial choice at all. Even before yesterday's news.

 

[danandnan]

I've read several but not all of the pages here and have the gist of the problem. While we didn't buy points just for cruising, we have used them. In fact we're doing a Western Caribbean in Oct. using half cash, half points. WE are booked for Alaska for next August and planned to do the same thing when the final payment is due. I'm hoping by then (April i think) there will be enough availability for DVC members. Otherwise we ( & possibly several other couples who are going with us) will have to cancel. Now how can DCL think that's a good thing! Definitely an issue to keep up with!!

N of danandnan

 

[Limetree]

Boy am I glad I didn't get sucked in to DVC with the free ice cream at Saratoga Springs. It seems like Disney is cutting a lot of the DVCers benefits.

 

[danandnan]

Boy am I glad I didn't get sucked in to DVC with the free ice cream at Saratoga Springs. It seems like Disney is cutting a lot of the DVCers benefits.

Just one more reason I've never been 100% convinced.

 

[danandnan]

This is too funny - we just got a packet of information about Hawaii from DVC! Maybe that's the reason they don't want us to use our points on DCL!!

 

[Limetree]

I had my debit card in hand ready to put down the deposit.

 

[Inkmahm]

When I called MS to ask about this I was told that this is not a new rule, they have always negotiated a certain number of staterooms on each cruise for DVC members. And SOMETIMES they sell out. That is the situation now. She also told me that booking cruises is a perk of DVC (!!!!) and that you never know, one day, we may not be able to use our points for cruises. This was a supervisor.

What I am REALLY upset about is the fact that before we bought, we specifically asked if there was a limit to the # of DVC cruisers on each cruise. We were told that our points would be as good as cash and that no one is given priority. Obviously this is not true.

I feel like a big goofball because we bought DVC for the EXPRESSED use of using them for cruises. We told the rep we had 0 interest in going to WDW or staying in their resorts.

Buying DVC to only use for DCL vacations definitely was a mistake from the beginning. I can't imagine any guide recommending that to you. You would have been much better off using cash rather than points. Now you can still do that, but you have to rent out your points to get the cash back first.