Newbie here - need help re: reservation (long)

[disneyeveryyear]

Hi there!

DH and I just bought at SSR while at WDW in December (haven't even closed yet).

We are planning our first trip "home" in November (can't wait).

Here is my delimma: my mom may come with us (meaning 5 ppl., not 4). Therefore, I would need a 2 BR. However, if she doesn't come, only need a 1 BR.

I planned to make a reservation at SSR and if we go with a 2 BR, I will probably check into OKW at the 7 month window (to save 25 points). If we only need a 1 BR, we will probably stay at SSR.

So, what should I do? I can't reserve both because we only have 150 points. It will take 145 pts. to reserve the 2 BR at SSR. If I reserve a 2 BR at SSR and then change it to OKW, or a 1 BR, will they just return the points to our account? If I try to make both reservations, they will "borrow" points from 2006 right? And then those points from the cancellation will stay in the 2005 use year, correct?

I am so confused, and hope that you can understand this. I can't call MS because I am on break at work and don't have my info with me, but know that DISers can answer any question I may have .

Thanks in advance!

 

[PamOKW]

Take it slow and it will all start to make sense. You are half-way there with pretty good thinking already!

A one-bedroom has a king in the master bedroom and a pull-out queen sofa in the living room. You are probably wise to go for the two-bedroom if your MIL comes along because that will give her greater privacy and there will be a second bathroom as well. If you get a "lock-off" she will actually have her own studio with a coffeemaker, microwave, frig, balcony and her own entrance.

I think I would go ahead and book the 2 bedroom at SSR. When you get to the 7 month mark, you should try to get a firm commitment whether or not she's going to join you. Then you can decide whether to try and book the 2 bedroom at OKW or go for a one-bedroom. You are correct that if you borrow points to make two reservations those points have to be used by the end of the current Use Year. If you change from the SSR 2 bedroom to something that uses fewer points, the current Use Year points could be banked (as long as you are within the banking deadlines). You have to be clear to MS that you want them to cancel one reservation and use those points to make the new booking. They don't automatically assume that's what you are doing because people do sometimes have multiple rooms.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Pam,

Thanks for helping me out. Since this is our first reservation, I don't want to mess it up.

I have one other question. If I do book the two bedroom, and my mother decides not to go with us, we will probably just use a one bedroom. So, I will cancel the 2 bedroom reservation and make a new one. Will those extra points go back into my "account" with no problems?

Sorry for so many questions, but the DVC materials can be a little confusing.

 

[tjkraz]

I have one other question. If I do book the two bedroom, and my mother decides not to go with us, we will probably just use a one bedroom. So, I will cancel the 2 bedroom reservation and make a new one. Will those extra points go back into my "account" with no problems?

As long as you cancel more than 31 days prior to check-in, yes, the excess points will be returned to you.

However, note that switching from a 2B to a 1B is an entirely new reservation. Parts of November can be a popular time to visit. If there are people on the Waiting List for a 2B, as soon as you cancel your 2B, it will go to someone on the wait list. Even though most 2Bs are actually a 1B plus a Studio, you can't simply chop off the Studio and keep the 1B on your existing reservation.

If you are planning to visit around Thanksgiving, I'd suggest confirming your plans as early as possible. Any other time of the month you probably don't have to worry too much. Just try to get everything confirmed at least 3-4 months before check-in.

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi disneyeveryyear,

I dont know if you can do this but check with member services.
You could book at SSR 2 bed, you say for 145 pts and try to get lockoff (1-bed/studio combined to make 2 bed). Then if mom decides not to go, see if you could just cancel the studio portion of a 2 bed.

Dont know if this helps, Jim.

 

[magicalmcwho]

thanks tjkraz for answering my statement/question.

Jim.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

What about 2 studios then you could reserve both and if she doesn't come switch it to 1 br. That way you both get the privavcy without using so much points if she does come also if you need to cancel and reserve the 1br then you will still not be juggling too many points around. What does your mom have to decide about? Not to be nosey but like the others said if she is going to know definitely 31 days before just book the 2br lockoff and if need be cancel the studio part. That way you lose no points but still have your 1br.

 

[crisi]

Do make sure if you borrow points that when you make the new reservation and "return" points to your account that they use the borrowed points first. This should be, but isn't always, obvious to the MS Rep....so you want to say "I need to cancel my 2 bedroom SSR reservation for XXX points and make a new reservation for YYY points at OKW. I need you to use the XX borrowed points first for this reservation, and return the extra YY points to this use year."

 

[brandip22]

disneyeveryyear


I havet he EXACT same issue going on- we must be secret twins! Glad you asked. And tjkraz always gives the best advice!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Brandi,

Glad to know I am not the only one here who is trying to figure it out.

Everyone else always seems to know 2, 3 or even 10 years out, when they are going and how many points it will take.

I guess I'll learn as I go.

P.S. We'll be in your fair state next month when DH and I come down for his convention.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

TJKRAZ,

Thanks for the input, I didn't realize that. I was really hoping for a dedicated 2BR if mom goes.

I guess that I'll book the 2BR and then hope she decides before the 7 month window so I have a good chance at changing if I need to. I really hate to borrow from next year's allotment before we go for the first time. Don't want to end up in a constant state of borrowing. Of course, then I guess we would have to add on .

I contemplate keeping the 2BR reservation just so we have more room to spread out.

The 2 studios are a good idea, but we bought into DVC to get away from the confinement of a hotel room. I know it has a kitchenette, but we really like the space of the living room.

I am sure it will all work out in the end.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Scoootch]

What about 2 studios then you could reserve both and if she doesn't come switch it to 1 br. {snip}

I know I just read that the OP really would prefer the 1bdrm set up but for others who may be contemplating getting 2 studio's instead, you may want to just keep in mind that you may not end up being as close together - you can request to have the 2 studio's together but they won't guarantee it.

{snip} just book the 2br lockoff and if need be cancel the studio part. That way you lose no points but still have your 1br.

actually, if you read tjkraz's post, you cannot do this. They won't let you just drop off the studio part of the 2bdrm lock-off. They would need to cancel the whole ressie and make a whole new one for the 1bdrm again. For that time of year, you may not want to take the chance on loosing your ressie due to availability not being there, so the more in advance you know for sure what you'll need, the better. Worse case senario, if it comes down to the wire with time constraints and you still don't know for sure if she's coming, you could always just keep the 2bdrm and have plenty of room for y'all to spread out but just keep in mind that you can't just drop off the studio portion of the 2bdrm - esp. if you will want to change to the 1 bdrm only a month or 2 out. Just some things to consider

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Thanks for all of your help.

I will definitely try to get her to decide before the 7 month window.

I think Scoootch has it right. I will made a reservation for a 2BR and if she decides not to go at the last moment, I will check for 1BR availability. If it's not available, I will still have the 2 bedroom available.

 

[jodifla]

We had this happen. We had a 2-bedroom booked, and at the last minute, my dad decided he wasn't up to the trip.

Yes, it was extra space -- but it was glorious. We put our son to sleep in the other bedroom, still had the living room space all to ourselves, and our own bedroom. This is why I bought DVC!