Making reservations with cancellation in mind.

[ScottOKW2K]

I'll start this out by stating that I've been a DVC member for over 20 years. In some years I done more trips to WDW than many people will do in their lifetime. I've been lucky enough to do several trips over the last few years with and without theme park admission and have enjoyed myself each time. I currently have 4 trips booked for later this year - July 4th weekend, Food & Wine, early December and I was able to snag a value AKL studio over NYE with the few points I still had left. All in all I'm very fortunate.

Yet I find myself doing something I've never done before. I've set up reminders for each reservation but not the normal and expected "number of days to arrival." Instead I've set them up more than 30 days out to give me time to decide if I want to cancel the reservation without penalty. Fortunately two of the reservations fall on long weekends so I don't even have to use vacation time for them and all fall between the start of my use year and my backing deadline ( this was not by accident ).

Part of this is the AP situation. If I have to purchase separate admission for each trip then some are not happening or I will simply enjoy the room and the area but not the parks. At best I would only keep one of two of the reservations. Given current ticket pricing and other restrictions I simply don't see the value in multiple trips like I was able to experience before. In addition I've found several of the newer rides - MMRR, Ratatouille, etc to be "underwhelming". Even ROTR would be one I'd be perfectly happy to do once every / every other trip.

I find this sad. I've always been one of the people others would ask for advice if they were thinking about a trip to WDW. If I have trouble justifying it to myself with all the advantages and knowledge I have it makes it less likely for me to recommend to others.

 

[Sandisw]

Right now, lack of AP sales is a big deal for those that travel a lot and it does make planning and going different.

I really hope we see the return soon. If it doesn’t happen in the next few weeks, I bet they delay is related to the lawsuit in CA.

But, I do enjoy the no park trips as well and am glad you at least know you can find some joy on that!

 

[RoseGold]

No APs is really a gut punch to DVC.

My APs expire in October. If APs don't come back, I'm out. Maybe I'll renew another year? I'll sell contracts if APs aren't back by summer. If I just wanted to enjoy a nice resort, it wouldn't be at Disney. It's a big world, there's lots of (cheaper!) nice hotels with nicer beds and bathrobes.

The last few Disney plans I've made have been big spenders who wouldn't risk going abroad and missing work/school. They spent the cash, but they won't be back, just like Chapek wanted!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Mine expire in August, and I have two trips planned already with potentially a 3rd before they run out. My dilemma is renewal. We usually go at Thanksgiving, and last year's renewal came before the huge price increase, so I got my old Platimums renewed/converted at the old renewal pricing. I'm not paying for the upgraded Platinum just to get Thanksgiving, something I never had to do before. So... It doesn't make sense to downgrade to the Socerer's either, especially if I can't go at Thanksgiving with them. At that rate, it may be next Easter, so renewals make NO sense. Now factor in that APs may not even be available when I want to buy one. Go figure. I think it's getting time to punt, if not quick-kick.

 

[Nennie]

I'm going in March for a week, but on a 4 day ticket. (I did luck out with MM so now we will get an extra night at ECPOT). If APs aren't released before the end of my trip (which I'm not feeling very hopeful about), then I'm going to cancel or rent out my June and August reservations. Also toying with the idea of keeping the June reservation and doing Discovery Cove and Sea World instead of Disney (we will have a car).

Like so many, I just can't afford to keep purchasing new tickets for every trip.

The only bright spot is the the DVC rental market is very strong right now, but man I'd rather use those points on myself!

 

[RoseGold]

So... It doesn't make sense to downgrade to the Socerer's either, especially if I can't go at Thanksgiving with them. At that rate, it may be next Easter, so renewals make NO sense. Now factor in that APs may not even be available when I want to buy one.

Yea.... This is kind of my thinking. If I can extend another year, I'd love to save up all my points and do a long summer trip in 2023 before APs go away forever. But if APs are gone, then it's time to sell, even if I'm lucky enough to be able to renew.

 

[Sandisw]

Mine expire in August, and I have two trips planned already with potentially a 3rd before they run out. My dilemma is renewal. We usually go at Thanksgiving, and last year's renewal came before the huge price increase, so I got my old Platimums renewed/converted at the old renewal pricing. I'm not paying for the upgraded Platinum just to get Thanksgiving, something I never had to do before. So... It doesn't make sense to downgrade to the Socerer's either, especially if I can't go at Thanksgiving with them. At that rate, it may be next Easter, so renewals make NO sense. Now factor in that APs may not even be available when I want to buy one. Go figure. I think it's getting time to punt, if not quick-kick.

The only thing you could consider is to buy the renewal certificate to have it unless plan change?

Hopefully, by then we will know what is going to happen.

 

[bwvBound]

We cancel lots of reservations -- least 1/3, possibly 1/2? Yes, I've long employed the practice of setting reminders for "last day to cancel." It is second nature to me and really doesn't bother me much. Book opportunistically, watch those cancellation windows, shuffle as you go along!

I guess I'm always open to better ideas ... should something pop up?

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

I am considering a visit to view the Christmas decorations in November and enjoying the resort without the parks. Without kids in tow I think lounging at the resort sounds pretty nice. Glad to hear others actually go without going to the parks. Have fun!!!

 

[WRLeGrand]

They really needs to get the AP situation rectified for DVC members. I understand that we are not considered a "priority" right now. But DVC is the highest affinity group and it is really having a major impact on a lot of us as members.

You cannot be faulted for canceling at all. But also, this has a reciprocating effect on people wanting rooms as well. Disney needs to fix this.

 

[karrit2000]

The AP situation would be slightly less aggravating if they at least offered us a discounted multi-day ticket like they did last year and prior to when they first started offering deals on the AP's. I'm currently sitting on an unused UCT Disneyland ticket because I got sick while I was at DL week before last so only ended up using my leftover tickets from 2020 while I was there. I've been holding off trying to switch the unused DL ticket for a WDW one hoping either AP's return soon or some sort of multi-day ticket deal gets offered before my trip in June to burn off the rest of my banked points.

 

[mac_tlc]

We have been DVC owners since 1992 and also have FL resident APs and still feel as you do. Between the rising crowds, rising prices ($5 for a coke?), and the Genie+/ILL debacle, it’s just not as enjoyable as it has been.

At this point we have rented our points much more frequently and keep some for the kids to use.

mac_tlc

 

[keishashadow]

But, I do enjoy the no park trips as well and am glad you at least know you can find some joy on that!

Despite reading here that many do
Visit and enjoy a resort only trip, the parks would be in my ear, not sure I could resist.

I do feel for those who let their APs ‘go’. Not for a minute do I think the moratorium on new APs is about capacity issues. Follow the money

 

[Sandisw]

Despite reading here that many do
Visit and enjoy a resort only trip, the parks would be in my ear, not sure I could resist.

I do feel for those who let their APs ‘go’. Not for a minute do I think the moratorium on new APs is about capacity issues. Follow the money

I think it started that way and they didn’t want to sell them to people who then could not use…which happened with the lawsuit.

Now, I think that lawsuit, along with great crowds, has made them continue the pause.