Need Advice - need to downsize reservation

[Ohmymonty]

Hey all!

Here's the situation: 10 months ago, we booked a 2BR villa at the Grand Floridian Oct 1-6 and some family was going to join us. A few days ago, our family tells us they won't be able to make it after all. We've asked around to other family and friends to see if anyone else is interested in taking the extra room, but with the short notice, we've got no takers. Mostly everyone has other trips booked and doesn't have extra PTO or doesn't have a spur of the moment Disney budget available.

So I find myself looking at availability trying to find a 1BR available not at Disney Springs for our dates, but the availability is non-existant. I've waitlisted 2 different 1 bedrooms at the GF but not feeling particularly hopeful that they will fill.

Looking for any advice! I don't want to waste all of our points on a 2nd bedroom. I also don't like the Disney Springs resorts, but should I suck it up for the sake of the points?

Any input appreciated!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Oh that's terrible they did that to you.

I don't own but can you just bank the points and stay at a resort you can pay for so as not to lose the value? I think I'd pay out of pocket and bank before I wasted points like that and I'd have an even better trip next time by yourselves at a super premium spot.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

Hey all!

Here's the situation: 10 months ago, we booked a 2BR villa at the Grand Floridian Oct 1-6 and some family was going to join us. A few days ago, our family tells us they won't be able to make it after all. We've asked around to other family and friends to see if anyone else is interested in taking the extra room, but with the short notice, we've got no takers. Mostly everyone has other trips booked and doesn't have extra PTO or doesn't have a spur of the moment Disney budget available.

So I find myself looking at availability trying to find a 1BR available not at Disney Springs for our dates, but the availability is non-existant. I've waitlisted 2 different 1 bedrooms at the GF but not feeling particularly hopeful that they will fill.

Looking for any advice! I don't want to waste all of our points on a 2nd bedroom. I also don't like the Disney Springs resorts, but should I suck it up for the sake of the points?

Any input appreciated!!

I would modify the GF 2BR reservation to 1BR at whatever resort is available. If your waitlist comes thru then you'll be in a GF 1BR. In the meantime, I would take the extra points that I freed up by downsizing and I would stalk the DVC website to book any available nights in a 1BR at resorts that I do like. Then as I strung together 2-3 nights at the beginning or end of my stay, I would modify the "undesired" reservation to drop those nights that I have at the more desirable resorts. You may end up with a split stay but it could be a split stay between two resorts that you like.

 

[Sandisw]

Honestly, just keep checking for the rest of August and if it doesn’t hapoen, then enjoy the 2 bedeoom. When we invite family like this, we go in expecting to either have to just stay in the larger unit or downsize if possible to resort we don’t want.

Make sure that you set the waitlist to cancel 31 days since if a waitlist fills after that, any freed up points will go into holding.

 

[Ohmymonty]

Oh that's terrible they did that to you.

I don't own but can you just bank the points and stay at a resort you can pay for so as not to lose the value? I think I'd pay out of pocket and bank before I wasted points like that and I'd have an even better trip next time by yourselves at a super premium spot.

We'd rather not go that route, mainly because we're in the middle of some home renovations and I'd rather our cash go to the kitchen or rec room lol

I would modify the GF 2BR reservation to 1BR at whatever resort is available. If your waitlist comes thru then you'll be in a GF 1BR. In the meantime, I would take the extra points that I freed up by downsizing and I would stalk the DVC website to book any available nights in a 1BR at resorts that I do like. Then as I strung together 2-3 nights at the beginning or end of my stay, I would modify the "undesired" reservation to drop those nights that I have at the more desirable resorts. You may end up with a split stay but it could be a split stay between two resorts that you like.

That's an idea....hate the manual lift on my end but maybe could end up piecing together something fun

Honestly, just keep checking for the rest of August and if it doesn’t hapoen, then enjoy the 2 bedeoom. When we invite family like this, we go in expecting to either have to just stay in the larger unit or downsize if possible to resort we don’t want.

Make sure that you set the waitlist to cancel 31 days since if a waitlist fills after that, any freed up points will go into holding.

Just when I think I got a handle on the DVC rules, something else pops up. What do you mean go into holding? Our use year is April, does that impact anything?

 

[MICKIMINI]

That is so disappointing that family ditched you like that. People don't understand the complexities of DVC (why should they?) and certainly not the expense. That being said, without skin in the game it is much easier for people to back out.

We no longer invite family except for our son and DIL just because they annoy us LOL. Our son and DIL are on our direct contract for succession and understand the complexities and the expenses. We share points with them annually and sometimes a few times a year knowing they will "go".

Mean as it may seem, maybe it is a lesson to ask for a nominal amount per point in the future. I think if people have any type of financial commitment, they are more likely to follow through.

I find stalking in the wee early morning hours, especially on weekends (as people change plans) often bears fruit though it is mostly luck. I hope you are able to switch your villas. Good luck!

 

[CarolynFH]

Just when I think I got a handle on the DVC rules, something else pops up. What do you mean go into holding? Our use year is April, does that impact anything?

Holding points are restricted in that they expire at the end of the current UY (so March 30 for you) and can only be used to book a reservation with checkin date 60 days or less from the date the reservation is booked.

If you cancel or modify your current reservation 30 days or less from checkin, any freed up points go into Holding.

 

[Sandisw]

We'd rather not go that route, mainly because we're in the middle of some home renovations and I'd rather our cash go to the kitchen or rec room lol


That's an idea....hate the manual lift on my end but maybe could end up piecing together something fun


Just when I think I got a handle on the DVC rules, something else pops up. What do you mean go into holding? Our use year is April, does that impact anything?

Any changes to a reservation within 31 days of check in puts those points into holding status.

Those points can no longer be banked, expire at the end of the UY and can only be used for bookings made 60 days or less before check in.

So, you really only have until the end of August to downsize the room.

 

[sndral]

Hey all!

Here's the situation: 10 months ago, we booked a 2BR villa at the Grand Floridian Oct 1-6 and some family was going to join us. A few days ago, our family tells us they won't be able to make it after all. We've asked around to other family and friends to see if anyone else is interested in taking the extra room, but with the short notice, we've got no takers. Mostly everyone has other trips booked and doesn't have extra PTO or doesn't have a spur of the moment Disney budget available.

So I find myself looking at availability trying to find a 1BR available not at Disney Springs for our dates, but the availability is non-existant. I've waitlisted 2 different 1 bedrooms at the GF but not feeling particularly hopeful that they will fill.

Looking for any advice! I don't want to waste all of our points on a 2nd bedroom. I also don't like the Disney Springs resorts, but should I suck it up for the sake of the points?

Any input appreciated!!

Did you book a dedicated 2 br. or a lock off? If a lock off, it’s a long shot, but, you can try calling MS & seeing if they’ll let you drop the studio portion & keep the 1 br..
I had a similar situation (brother & SIL flaked 2 months before) w/ a 2 br. lock off at AKV several years ago & MS offered that option to me, but, I’ve read of others in that situation & MS refused similar requests. In my case I was just calling to delete their names & I must have sounded rather sad because the CM suggested it. We ended up keeping the 2 br. which we liked so much that I bought another 100 points so we could stay in 2 br.s @ AKV going forward .

 

[AstroBlasters]

Hey all!

Here's the situation: 10 months ago, we booked a 2BR villa at the Grand Floridian Oct 1-6 and some family was going to join us. A few days ago, our family tells us they won't be able to make it after all. We've asked around to other family and friends to see if anyone else is interested in taking the extra room, but with the short notice, we've got no takers. Mostly everyone has other trips booked and doesn't have extra PTO or doesn't have a spur of the moment Disney budget available.

So I find myself looking at availability trying to find a 1BR available not at Disney Springs for our dates, but the availability is non-existant. I've waitlisted 2 different 1 bedrooms at the GF but not feeling particularly hopeful that they will fill.

Looking for any advice! I don't want to waste all of our points on a 2nd bedroom. I also don't like the Disney Springs resorts, but should I suck it up for the sake of the points?

Any input appreciated!!

I would just keep the 2 bedroom at VGF and take it as a lesson learned to never invite family /friends unless they have skin in the game.

 

[2010dvcfan]

You didn't mention how many people were still going? Could just be a really relaxed trip with lots of extra room, I book 2 bedrooms for 4 people total sometimes, 2 in the main bedroom and 2 in the second bedroom, that leaves the living room and kitchen area available for us earlier risers to meet for coffee while the night owls sleep in and vice versa when they want to stay up late in living room playing cards while we turn in early. I never view that as a waste of points.

If you really only want to stay at VGF then I'd keep the 2 bedroom, hope the waitlist comes thru on the 1 bedroom but if not then enjoy your trip in the 2 bedroom like you had planned from the start.

 

[DVCanadian]

Stay positive on the wait lists and stalk a reservation daily in August.
I’d use my two wait lists at separate resorts. I’d feel like that is better odds.

Other members will be releasing hopeful reservations ahead of their 31 day mark to avoid holding status, I know I am.

I am dragging out cancelling a week at RIV in a preferred view 1bd in Oct (not your dates). Thought we’d be able to get to food and wine festival but things changed. I’m firmly in the denial stage.

The VGF 2 bedroom is super nice and I won’t be crying for you getting stuck there.

 

[Kazi7]

Haha @DVCanadian I like the term "hopeful reservations"! Now that our children are grown but like to join us sometimes, I find myself booking hopeful 2 BR units. But since the kids typically can't plan 11 months ahead, I am also starting to book an extra studio just in case they can't come. It takes more points (we just bought an extra resale contract) and requires some vigilance so I don't lose points to holding or won't be stuck not being able to bank them. When I "controlled" my kids vacation days, it was much easier to plan a year in advance, but I love having them with us, so it's worth it to me.

 

[bakerworld]

If you seem like you are going to spend the points anyway, how about experiencing something like the Treehouses or the CC Cabins?

 

[Ohmymonty]

Did you book a dedicated 2 br. or a lock off? If a lock off, it’s a long shot, but, you can try calling MS & seeing if they’ll let you drop the studio portion & keep the 1 br..
I had a similar situation (brother & SIL flaked 2 months before) w/ a 2 br. lock off at AKV several years ago & MS offered that option to me, but, I’ve read of others in that situation & MS refused similar requests. In my case I was just calling to delete their names & I must have sounded rather sad because the CM suggested it. We ended up keeping the 2 br. which we liked so much that I bought another 100 points so we could stay in 2 br.s @ AKV going forward .

A dedicated 2br. But I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future...you never know!

You didn't mention how many people were still going? Could just be a really relaxed trip with lots of extra room, I book 2 bedrooms for 4 people total sometimes, 2 in the main bedroom and 2 in the second bedroom, that leaves the living room and kitchen area available for us earlier risers to meet for coffee while the night owls sleep in and vice versa when they want to stay up late in living room playing cards while we turn in early. I never view that as a waste of points.

If you really only want to stay at VGF then I'd keep the 2 bedroom, hope the waitlist comes thru on the 1 bedroom but if not then enjoy your trip in the 2 bedroom like you had planned from the start.

Just two of us will be going. but hubby does snore sometimes...so maybe the 2nd bedroom will get used after all! Lol

If you seem like you are going to spend the points anyway, how about experiencing something like the Treehouses or the CC Cabins?

I mean, I totally would but I don't see any availability for anything lol. We were actually thinking of extending the trip a day (add on Sept 30) so I was hopeful of finding another resort we would be excited about but nothing seems open.



As so many of you have mentioned, definitely taking this as a lesson learned. I originally thought everyone would be so excited to tag along on disney trips and thought my family was just being weird. Seeing so many of you having similar experiences is definitely setting me straight!

 

[VandVsmama]

What a frustrating situation! We are in the market to buy our 1st DVC resale contract and while we've thought about inviting extended family and friends to join us on bigger trips down the road, your situation definitely has me thinking twice about whether to invite specific individuals with us (i.e., people who have a track record of flaking out on plans with us).

Keeping my fingers crossed that you can find something!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

A dedicated 2br. But I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future...you never know!

Just two of us will be going. but hubby does snore sometimes...so maybe the 2nd bedroom will get used after all! Lol

I mean, I totally would but I don't see any availability for anything lol. We were actually thinking of extending the trip a day (add on Sept 30) so I was hopeful of finding another resort we would be excited about but nothing seems open.



As so many of you have mentioned, definitely taking this as a lesson learned. I originally thought everyone would be so excited to tag along on disney trips and thought my family was just being weird. Seeing so many of you having similar experiences is definitely setting me straight!

Dvc member here- 13 years. My family has either backed out altogether or almost backed out… they act like the timeshare is “free”.

I started charging them to have the room- nothing much. Maybe $100/night. And they act like I’m profiting on them.

So now we go alone and for weeks

 

[Disney Spaz]

We tried once to bring my step daughter and her then boyfriend, now husband with us. We booked 11 months out, got them their own room and had everything set. Then about 3-4 months before the trip the boyfriends cousin announces her wedding for the weekend starting our trip. So we moved everything for them by several days. Then we were told that they couldn't go at all because the wedding was out of state and his family decided to make it a ten day family trip and they were going with them. We lucked out and were able to cancel and modify our trip from a studio to a 1bdrm, we were going to be 4 in a studio, so we didn't loose out on points but my DH said never again. So now we use our points for us.

We did let our DD go with her BFF for her senior trip but when we booked it DH and I had a backup plan if BFF bailed. We were pretty sure it wouldn't happen as they bought airfare the day it opened and park tickets we made sure to have a back up simply because of what happened with my step daughter.

 

[2010dvcfan]

So, here's food for thought, I do gift a lot of my points to friends and family sometimes I am there sometimes I just book the room for them to go.

I will always be more likely to book separate studios then larger accommodations depending on who it is I've invited. It's always easier to cancel studios for others leaving my plans intact at the 1 bedroom or another studio for myself. Sometimes that is not always the most cost effective way to use my points but it has worked out in the past to be able to cancel a studio for friends that canceled short notice.

I usually always text them about 60 days out and confirm they are still going reminding them that the lodging accommodations may be "free" to them they are costing valuable points and asking them to confirm they are still going or back out now so I can cancel or gift the room to someone else giving them 60 day notice to make travel arrangements to get there if need be.

Does it always work out in my best interest, no. I try to not let that affect my decision to make it possible for friends and family to experience DVC in the future more times it has been a positive experience then negative.

One trip in particular I had a two bedroom and a studio booked for everyone, I didn't need all that room, but I was thinking the family of 4 in the studio, I might take the kids a night or two give the parents some privacy and much needed break. They canceled after the 31 day mark.

I didn't cancel that studio either, on day one of my trip, I went to Magic Kingdom "All stars bus stop" and waited. Didn't take long for my daughter to point out a young couple in a "bride' and "groom" mickey and minnie t shirts. We approached them and congratulated them. Inquired on their departure date explained what had happened and moved them to upgraded studio at Boulder Ridge for the last 3 nights of their trip. They were reluctant at first and felt obligated to offer some money for the upgrade, I asked if it was their first trip to WDW, to which they replied yes. I said consider this the ultimate "pixie dust"

I think that was almost more fun then our own trip was that week.

 

[MICKIMINI]

So, here's food for thought, I do gift a lot of my points to friends and family sometimes I am there sometimes I just book the room for them to go.

I will always be more likely to book separate studios then larger accommodations depending on who it is I've invited. It's always easier to cancel studios for others leaving my plans intact at the 1 bedroom or another studio for myself. Sometimes that is not always the most cost effective way to use my points but it has worked out in the past to be able to cancel a studio for friends that canceled short notice.

I usually always text them about 60 days out and confirm they are still going reminding them that the lodging accommodations may be "free" to them they are costing valuable points and asking them to confirm they are still going or back out now so I can cancel or gift the room to someone else giving them 60 day notice to make travel arrangements to get there if need be.

Does it always work out in my best interest, no. I try to not let that affect my decision to make it possible for friends and family to experience DVC in the future more times it has been a positive experience then negative.

One trip in particular I had a two bedroom and a studio booked for everyone, I didn't need all that room, but I was thinking the family of 4 in the studio, I might take the kids a night or two give the parents some privacy and much needed break. They canceled after the 31 day mark.

I didn't cancel that studio either, on day one of my trip, I went to Magic Kingdom "All stars bus stop" and waited. Didn't take long for my daughter to point out a young couple in a "bride' and "groom" mickey and minnie t shirts. We approached them and congratulated them. Inquired on their departure date explained what had happened and moved them to upgraded studio at Boulder Ridge for the last 3 nights of their trip. They were reluctant at first and felt obligated to offer some money for the upgrade, I asked if it was their first trip to WDW, to which they replied yes. I said consider this the ultimate "pixie dust"

I think that was almost more fun then our own trip was that week.

WONDERFUL! I'll bet you had the "glow" as much as they did! There are kind people in this world and I bet that couple still talks about it!