Need help pulling things together for family vacation

[DVC Grandpa]

We are going to WDW on 11/8/07 staying at BCV in a one bedroom until11/16, than we have another reservation also in a one bedroom 11/16 and 11/17 and then to a two bedroom lock-off until 11/24 and back to a one bedroom until 12/2. (All is at BCV). I don’t know how we got a two day reservation in the middle of everything but now that it worked out like it did, we have thought of trying the DDP at that time. We are trying to stay in the same room through ought to out stay by going to a lock-off but with every separate reservation that chance decreases.
I need some help.

First, if we so desire, can we call and make our first reservation to include the two day reservation or would the two day reservation have to be cancelled and then I may have to go on a wait list if others are waiting for those dates? Although we would like to try the DDP we already have the DDE card and I don’t know how much savings would be realized, therefore, we think the guarantee to stay in the same room would trump the possibility of trying the DDP.

Secondly, how would you go about trying to stay in the same room for the entire length of stay? With the request of the lock-off we could continue in the one bedroom portion. Besides making the request on the reservation itself would you make your desires known at check-in? Who is to say how the cleaning schedule will be applied and how to notify that staff just what is taking place.

Thirdly, we have two additional one bedroom units during Thanksgiving week in which our kids and grandkids will occupy. One family has three grandkids and therefore one will be staying in our two bedroom unit. That person will need a key so that they can take advantage of extended hours and pool facilities. Can we tell the CM how the sleeping arrangements will be and ask that the fifth person in the one bedroom be given a key that opens the family’s room so that he/she can use the key to be admitted into the pool and the extended park hours?

Lastly, does DVC or WDW have a “large party stay” coordinator I can call upon for some assistance?

 

[kda]

Has Member Services linked all of these reservations together? It's pretty standard that all the resorts will plan to keep you in the same room(s), as long as they know about it --- much easier for housekeeping to avoid so many room moves and cleanings.
It will be treated like one big reservation and housekeeping will be scheduled as if you had a 25 day reservation (or however many days it is). We always have the option of calling housekeeping and requesting that the specific towel and trash or full cleaning days be moved around. Edited to add: I'm re-thinking this. We were only there for 9 nights, so the regular cleaning schedule was followed. It's possible that you could be due for a full cleaning right after you get the 2 BR, and I don't know how that would work out.

Definitely review all this at check in. When we've done something similar, MS verified with the resort that they would keep us in the same room, and when we checked in it was all documented and that's what they planned to do. If there's any rooms that are cash, booked through MS, there's also no problem, as long as these ressies are all linked. If any rooms are cash, booked through CRO, they will tell you there's no guarantee you won't have to move, but you should still request that both MS and CRO link them to your other reservations (it still benefits you and them if you can stay in the same room)

Even though the reservations are linked, you will need to go to the front desk and check in/check out on paper for each of the reservations, especially when switching between the 1 and 2 BR. New key cards and new parking sign for the car.

If you try to merge the 1st and 2nd reservation, it will be like starting over again, and I really don't think you want to be on a waitlist for early November. IF by some luck, the 16th and 17th were available right now, you might be able to just add them to the first reservation and then cancel the
2nd reservation --- I've been told that if I'm just adding or dropping a day that doesn't constitute a new reservation --- don't know about 2 days. And there's a better chance of the 16th and 17th being available than the first week.

Don't know about the room key. Wouldn't think it's a problem to add a name to your reservation for certain nights, unless you're doing the dining plan ---- then it gets complicated. Also can't answer anything about the dining plan because we've never done it.

Sounds like you've got a very special family trip planned. Hope you all have a great time!

 

[Mamiamjo]

I can't answer your questions, but was wondering how far in advance did you make your ressies?

I'm sure you will all have a great Thanksgiving vacation

Mike

 

[Dean]

If your one bedroom units are linked then you will be able to stay in the same unit for that portion. You will not have to check in and out between those two reservations. You will have to check in and out between the one bedroom and the two bedroom unit. You can ask to stay in the same unit. I would do so by putting this request on both of the reservations, repeat the request at check in and then again when you check out and back in again on the changeover day. You will be able to add the other person to you're reservation, however, if you get the dining dining plan you will have to get it for the entire time for that portion of the reservation , which would be the 2 BR portion if I understand it correctly.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

... was wondering how far in advance did you make your ressies?

I'm sure you will all have a great Thanksgiving vacation

Mike

I made all the room reservations at the eleven month window, one day at a time and made the Thanksgiving dining reservation 190 days prior to Thanksgiving. We are trying our best to have things “work out” the way we envision them since it gets more difficult for everyone to get together, it may be the last chance we will have to do so. However if it works out, it will be worth the effort.


I just checked with MS and was told that my first and second reservation are linked therefore they are “as one” reservation. By having them linked it has eliminated us from having the DDP for the two days of the second reservation. About keeping the same one bedroom as part of the lock-off, I was told to make the CM aware of our request during the check-in process, or sooner if we will be in Orlando a day or two prior to check-in. This might be the case since we can leave almost at will….just a (good) excuse to leave a day or two early. The housekeeping and room key questions will be resolved as the situation arises.

 

[kda]

About keeping the same one bedroom as part of the lock-off, I was told to make the CM aware of our request during the check-in process, or sooner if we will be in Orlando a day or two prior to check-in. This might be the case since we can leave almost at will….just a (good) excuse to leave a day or two early. The housekeeping and room key questions will be resolved as the situation arises.

MS should still have the 1 BR reservation and the 2 BR reservations linked and have this documented on all your reservations before you check in. Perhaps they have already done so, but you didn't specifically mention it. Members don't have to show up a few days early to be sure the resort is aware of this.

It could still probably be worked out on check in because they'll just be sure the studio next door will be available when you need it and block it off. In 6 stays at OKW, we've always found the CMs to be very willing to try to meet our requests. We love it there!