Need Veteran DVC Members Opinions & Help!

[weich1001]

Long story short. Around Halloween 2007, we decided to go to Disney for the first time ever in September, 2008. In the process of planning, heard about DVC, got info, it made sense to us. We decided we wanted Wilderness Lodge as our Home, so obviously it was going to have to be a resale. We looked and in late January found what we wanted ---200 Pts, plus 200 pts that had been banked from their 07 year, at the right price $82 pt--- Went thru ROFR and passed Timeshare Store has been great thru all of this Finally, Tuesday everything should be done and our info forwarded off to Disney. A little wait and then we should be able to make our reservation---hopefully at VWL or OKW.

I've been watching the Disney site and up until now, VWL and OKW still had availability for what we need VWL (2BR + Studio--grandparents) or OKW (3BR).

Then this morning I check the Disney site and both are no longer available OK, no big deal I guess we'll get waitlisted or try for another DVC resort. But boy am I bummed. All the planning for this trip had been going so well and then bamm-probably won't be able to get into our home resort. Yeah I know, we are going in September and all of the 11 month booking window and 7 month booking window have made their reservations...but we were just hoping to be able to stay there. Oh well.

Onto my question, I know if this is possible this would probably be a really stupid way to use the points, but can you use them at Wilderness Lodge in just a regular room? I see other Disney Resorts are listed, but not Wilderness Lodge. We would need 2 rooms, 1 for me, DH38, DD9, DS7 and one for mimi and pappy. Does anyone know if this can be done and if so the points that would be needed (Sat to Sat stay in Sept)? What are your thoughts for staying in a regular room vs. a DVC Resort?

Thanks for your help and opinions!

 

[Claire L]

Firstly DVC availability for points is not shown online you need to call to find out, what you have been looking at is the cash room from CRO. As for Wilderness Lodge on points you cannot do that as there is already VWL, you cannot use DVC points any resort with DVC attached to it.

Hope you can find somewhere, I am sure SSR would have rooms.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

BTW with only 6 of you a 2br would surely be more than big enough if the kids are ok at sharing the sleeper sofa in the lounge area, that may help you find suitbale dates at VWL.

Claire

 

[weich1001]

Firstly DVC availability for points is not shown online you need to call to find out, what you have been looking at is the cash room from CRO. As for Wilderness Lodge on points you cannot do that as there is already VWL, you cannot use DVC points any resort with DVC attached to it.

Hope you can find somewhere, I am sure SSR would have rooms.

Claire

Thanks Claire, that is what I needed to know. Yeah, I know, I have been looking at cash rooms for Central, but at least it gives you some type of idea on availabilty or not. Who knows what availability will actually be until my information gets into the Disney system and I am allowed to call and try to make it. Based on what I'm reading on these and other boards, it's taking them forever to get resale people into the system.

I'm just hoping since it is September and a slower period we can get into one or the other, if not, they all look nice, I'm sure it will be fine...beside its Disney!

 

[jimmytammy]

Use your pts to book at SSR or OKW, and waitlist for VWL. You will be sick once you realize how many pts you gave up to stay in smaller accomodations at one of the other resorts. Call MS today and be flexible with whats available. Tell them your needs, and what you hope to happen. And a 2 bed will be plenty big for 6. Good Luck!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Yeah, I know, I have been looking at cash rooms for Central, but at least it gives you some type of idea on availabilty or not. Who knows what availability will actually be until my information gets into the Disney system and I am allowed to call and try to make it.

The cash inventory you see on the regular Disney web site has nothing to do with the points inventory managed by DVC member services. Just because you can book a cash ressie through Disney CRO or the Disney web site does not mean you can make the same reservation using points.

To reiterate, there are two completely seperate inventories that can be booked -- the points inventory and the cash inventory.

There are four major sources of inventory for cash reservation:

• Exchanges: The number one source of cash rooms is actually from the Member inventory. This occurs when members exchange/trade outside of the DVC resorts. This includes using your points to book the Disney Collection (hotels at the Disney theme parks and the Disney Cruise Line), Concierge Collection, and the Adventurer Collection. When a member trades outside of DVC, the points used to book the outside reservation are assigned to DVD to rent out. This does not apply to the World Passport Collection.

• Breakage: Another source of cash reservations includes Member inventory that has not been reserved by members using points. Any Member inventory not reserved by members using points is made available to Disney CRO at the 60-day mark for cash reservations by the general public. This is actually beneficial to DVC members, in that the association earns “breakage” income on these rooms rather than letting them sit empty.

• ROFR: Another source of cash reservations is the inventory of declared points owned by DVD. These points are typically acquired by the ROFR process. Since DVD owns the points, they can rent them out.

• Undeclared: These are the units that have been built by the developer that has not yet been declared into the condominium association. Since DVD controls these units, they may be rented out for cash reservations.

 

[weich1001]

Wow!!!! Thanks so much for all the information!!! I guess there's still hope we'll be able to get into VWL or OKW!

 

[CarolMN]

September is one of the slower months for DVC reservations. I think you have a very good chance of getting into either VWL or OKW, even though you won't be able to make the reservation for a few more weeks.

Congratulations and welcome home!