Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[jeanne17]

Hmmm... I contacted the lady who has my current reservation (the one that advised 5 in the studio was ok) and explained all these issues and advised that the consensus on this board was that one must have only 4 in the room and that we would not be able to enjoy EMH. She was pretty emphatic in her response that what I was being told here simply wasn't the way it works in real life; that she rents her studio to groups of 5 'all the time'; that the EMH isn't an issue because they never check kids and that I can easily see her perfect feedback on Ebay (and that is true - lots of vacation trips and impeccable feedback).

Flame away if you must, I am only repeating what I've been told. I feel torn right down the middle and want to make the best decision. I found a gentleman with 50 points to rent for $8 a piece. I figure at that rate, I can just get another (additional) studio and be 'legal' (we just won't be staying in it, which is a shame that it will go to waste, but what else can I do?)....It also means I won't be buying a meal plan.

But it sure will bite if we get down there and realize I just basically wasted $400.00. (if this lady is right). Then again, if she is wrong, it will be worth the $400.00.

 

[mushpurple]

I doubt she said that all the people on here are scam artists....

As for the 50 points, I just checked for you. There are no studios available at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs or anywhere else for your dates. As for one bedroom units (which has the same number of people restriction)...why would that be any different.

I hope that helps...

 

[mikesmom]

Hmmm... I contacted the lady who has my current reservation (the one that advised 5 in the studio was ok) and explained all these issues and advised that the consensus on this board was that one must have only 4 in the room and that we would not be able to enjoy EMH. She was pretty aggressive in her response that what I was being told here simply wasn't true; that she rents her studio to groups of 5 'all the time'; that the EMH isn't an issue because they never check kids and that I can easily see her perfect feedback on Ebay (and that is true - lots of vacation trips and impeccable feedback) - WHEREAS (her point, not mine) these 'boards' I've been going to are "known for their scam artists and will take me for all my money".

Flame away if you must, I am only repeating what I've been told. I feel torn right down the middle and want to make the best decision. I found a gentleman with 50 points to rent for $8 a piece. I figure at that rate, I can just get another (additional) studio and be 'legal' (we just won't be staying in it, which is a shame that it will go to waste, but what else can I do?)....It also means I won't be buying a meal plan.

But it sure will bite if we get down there and realize I just basically wasted $400.00. (if this lady is right). Then again, if she is wrong, it will be worth the $400.00.

So why would we "scam artists" lie about this? None of us are trying to sell you anything. You asked for the rules and we gave them to you. Why don't you just call DVC?
Best of luck.

 

[MiaSRN62]

that I can easily see her perfect feedback on Ebay (and that is true - lots of vacation trips and impeccable feedback) - WHEREAS (her point, not mine) these 'boards' I've been going to are "known for their scam artists and will take me for all my money".

Jeanne,
I can see you are torn. There can be scam artists ANYWHERE (eBay included !). You really have to go with what your heart and head tell you. I can honestly say (take it or leave it, as I (we) have nothing to lose here, unlike the ebay lady who could lose your business) that my kids did have their ID's checked for EMH as recently as last August when we last visited.
Why don't you give OKW a call directly and explain the scenario and see what they say ? Specifically mention the ages of your children and ask about ID for EMH. OKW's phone # is : 407-827-7700
Hopefully you can report back here what they tell you. I wish you the best.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Why don't you just call DVC?

Jeanne cannot because she's not a DVC Member.....it's why I suggested maybe she call OKW directly ? None of us have anything to lose or gain here in offering advice to you Jeanne.

 

[mushpurple]

Calling them would not make sense.

 

[crisi]

I doubt she said that all the people on here are scam artists....it is true that there are some people who do not meet there commitments on here. It is buyer beware! I have been cheated renting points from people on here twice and there was nothing I could do.

Once is was intentional and the other time....the person could not afford the maint. fees and Disney cancelled all of the reservations. She gave me the money back, but I didn't want that...I wanted the room. I had to pay a lot more cash to replace the room.

As for the 50 points, I just checked for you. There are no studios available at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs or anywhere else for your dates. As for one bedroom units (which has the same number of people restriction)...why would that be any different in relation to your concern? There are one bedroom and 2 bedrooms at Saratoga Springs and nothing ar Old Key West in any size.

I hope that helps...

Wow, in all my years of posting I've only hear about one instance of this happening, that was a case where the maintenance fees weren't paid. And I'm a naysayer on renting who says "its a risk, a small one, but a risk." And yet its happened to you twice! You have been very unlucky - it surprises me that you would recommend anyone rent under any circumstances. Had I been defrauded once or had a reservation lost through non-payment, I wouldn't care what the occupancy was or wasn't, I would be saying "don't rent! don't rent!"

 

[MdmMim]

Jeanne, if you do get a studio, with 2 adults and three kids (13, 14 and 16) you will be very crowded, IMHO.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Mushpurple says: Calling them would not make sense.

Well I called DVC Member Services to confirm or deny whether 5 people were allowed in a studio (all over age 3). She emphatically stated "no". She said they will allow it for a 1 bedroom if guest provides bedding. She added, even if you snuck one child in, they would not be issued an ID card.
Then I called OKW....they connected me with the main disney reservations (CRO). They also stated that only 4 ID's would be issued. it took me all of 3 minutes to make both these calls.
So Jeanne, I guess it's a chance you'll have to take if you really want to bid on this eBay auction and want to go to EMH. Best of luck.

 

[Dis13]

We were just there in December. We had to give the CMs all 5 of our room cards (2 adults and 3 kids), which they scanned individually. We then received 5 wristbands, which they actually checked before we were allowed on BTMR (?) and Splash Mountain the evening we were there.

I know I'd be disappointed if we all couldn't get in during EMH...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well I called DVC Member Services to confirm or deny whether 5 people were allowed in a studio (all over age 3). She emphatically stated "no". She said they will allow it for a 1 bedroom if guest provides bedding. She added, even if you snuck one child in, they would not be issued an ID card.
Then I called OKW....they connected me with the main disney reservations (CRO). They also stated that only 4 ID's would be issued. it took me all of 3 minutes to make both these calls.
So Jeanne, I guess it's a chance you'll have to take if you really want to bid on this eBay auction and want to go to EMH. Best of luck.

Consistency! Yeah!

Bobbi

 

[jeanne17]

I doubt she said that all the people on here are scam artists....it is true that there are some people who do not meet there commitments on here. It is buyer beware! I have been cheated renting points from people on here twice and there was nothing I could do.

Once is was intentional and the other time....the person could not afford the maint. fees and Disney cancelled all of the reservations. She gave me the money back, but I didn't want that...I wanted the room. I had to pay a lot more cash to replace the room.

As for the 50 points, I just checked for you. There are no studios available at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs or anywhere else for your dates. As for one bedroom units (which has the same number of people restriction)...why would that be any different in relation to your concern? There are one bedroom and 2 bedrooms at Saratoga Springs and nothing ar Old Key West in any size.

I hope that helps...

Actually, I didn't say that she said ALL were scam artists What I said (she said) was that this board was 'known for their scam artists".

And, actually, that is not entirely true. I didn't speak to her myself last night - I had contacted her, and then she called and I wasn't home so she talked to my husband. He says that in all actuality she simply made a reference that I should beware that SOMETIMES there are scam artists - she did NOT imply that everyone on these boards were out to scam me

Wanted to clear that up!!

Thanks.

 

[Sammy]

They never ask for more than the adults room keys. They are just looking to make sure that the party is entitled to early admission. Many people do this every single day in regular reservation and DVC.

Wow...I'm really surprised to hear this as well. We (2 adults, 3 kids) were just there 4 weeks ago and went to three EMH evenings. At every single one, all 5 of us had to show our park passes in order to get a bracelet. This was consistent with everyone we saw around us as well...CMs were asking to see passes for the entire party.

Just our experience...

 

[DebIreland]

She was pretty emphatic in her response that what I was being told here simply wasn't the way it works in real life; that she rents her studio to groups of 5 'all the time'; that the EMH isn't an issue because they never check kids and that I can easily see her perfect feedback on Ebay (and that is true - lots of vacation trips and impeccable feedback).

Hiya! I'm a renting points too for BWV in October. I know the whole process can be a worry.

Unfortunately I must tell you though that the EBAY member, while well-intentioned I'm sure, is not fully correct about CMs checking for room keys. I will say that at AK last summer, we got all the way there and I realised my 11 year old's room key was back in our room but the CMs left us through but just about! I think they took pity on us because our 1 year old was smiling and getting all excited about the "woof woofs" (i.e. animals - yes she travelled 3000 miles and expected to see dogs at AK ). BUT in general every time we used EMH we all had to show the room keys so even though they might let you in, they might not.

Now of course that depends too on how important EMH is to you. We have no plans to go to any early mornings this year at all and will probably do 1 or at most 2 EMH evenings. They're not all they're cracked up to be and draw huge crowds, too many people for me to bother with again.

I feel torn right down the middle and want to make the best decision. I found a gentleman with 50 points to rent for $8 a piece. I figure at that rate, I can just get another (additional) studio and be 'legal' (we just won't be staying in it, which is a shame that it will go to waste, but what else can I do?)

Noooooooo!!! I definitely wouldn't go that route. You'd get a 1 bedroom at OKW for the same amount of points more per night as 2 studios (in May) and TONS more space, almost the square footage of 3 studios with a washer and dryer to do laundry and a full kitchen. If I were you I'd go that route - I know you must keep to a budget (same here believe me!) but think of the money you'd save having your own washer/dryer (as opposed to 3 dollars a go for each laundry load at the All Stars or any other non DVC resort). Think of the money you'll save having lunches and dinners in your villa occasionally! And the ease of not bringing as much luggage (again because of the washer/dryer in the villa). That's how I justify the extra points rental for a 1 bdr.

If you do decide to go for the 1bdr it would be best to find one person to rent you all the points.

Failing all of that, I'm not sure how familiar you are with Disney resorts but there is a resort called Port Orleans Riverside which accommodates 5 in a room (one would be in a trundle bed). In regular season though it's 160 plus tax per night though you might be able to find some AAA discounts.

Good luck. I was very fortunate to find a great DVC member here on the boards and so far, so good, everything's going swimmingly. I hope you can have the same experience.

 

[Bowen9475]

Are 5 allowed in a 1BR at the Vero Beach resort?

 

[Dean]

The official rule for both the studio and 1 BR is 4, period. The plus one under 3 is an unofficial flexibility added by MS. I too am glad they have gotten much tougher on occupancy and would prefer they do so on the 1 BR as well. Still, I doubt one would be turned away for the situation jeanne17 would be in if she arrived with a studio reservation. I think its worth the extra space for the larger unit and frankly, wouldn't go with 3 older kids in anything less than a 2 BR, I'd simply not go.

 

[bpmorley]

I think I posted on this thread before about occupancy. We stayed at BCV in january and had 5 in a studio. It wasn't done on purpose. The people we invited with us didn't decide til after we reserved the studio for ourselves. I tried to get another studio or a 1 bdr, but none were available. It was the marathon week. I was glad that disney cut us a break.

 

[keishashadow]

While I'm usually 1st in line when it comes to saving a buck on vacation accommodations, the studios aren't exactly spacious when it comes to "extra" available floor space to throw down an air mattress. Certainly don't know how you'd fit 3 kids (even small ones) on the sofa bed either.

It'd be interesting attempting to hop over bodies on the floor trying to get to the balcony in the morning for that 1st cup of coffee.

As for the risks involved in renting points, it's part & parcel of the bargin rate for the room. Should have financial protection if you use PayPal/CC.

In addition to the trundle beds @ POR, AS Mu has the family suites now also.

Good luck.

 

[bpmorley]

Actually it wasn't that bad. 4 adults, 1 child. I thought it would be unbearable, that's why I tried to get a 1bdr or another studio. I'm sure it would have been better is we were at SSR or OKW. They have bigger studios

 

[Doctor P]

Actually it wasn't that bad. 4 adults, 1 child. I thought it would be unbearable, that's why I tried to get a 1bdr or another studio. I'm sure it would have been better is we were at SSR or OKW. They have bigger studios

Actually, SSR's studios are the same size as BCV and BWV based on experience and recollection.