Odd situation - resort fee on II trade in to DVC

[FredS]

Sometimes I think if a weird situation can happen, it's gonna happen to me. No big deal, but we already had reservations for a unit at SSR in July. Happened to see a SSR studio on II and traded a week for it. Great, we can spread out a bit.

My question is regarding the $95 resort fee. I never quite understood the purpose of the fee anyway, but the closest I came was that it was to pay DVC MS for their services -- for ME, arranging dining, etc. Since we aren't using any additional MS services, it seems to me that it is (even more than it was) totally a surcharge with no actual basis. It's only $95, granted, but I was considering asking MS if it was actually required in our situation.

By any chance, has anyone run into this situation before?

 

[CarolMN]

IIRC, Dean posted about this once or twice. I don't think he found any way to get around it.

I always thought the fee was for resort transportation services. Guess the purpose doesn't really matter, because you have to pay it no matter what.

I think the bottom line is that Disney charges the fee because they can. I seem to remember at least one poster saying the fee is very unpopular over on TUG. But I would not be surprised if there were a few other timeshares out there that also charge exchangers a fee.

Best wishes -

 

[FredS]

IIRC, Dean posted about this once or twice. I don't think he found any way to get around it.

Do you think he was also staying on a "paid" visit at the same time? That is what I am looking for, someone who is in my situation. I guess there could be an argument for the fee (other than we charge it because we can!) if we weren't already there and have "paid" for those services via our other reservation.

SURELY I can't be the first to have done this!

 

[Chuck S]

In theory, you have paid for those services as they pertain to your other reservation, the $95 fee is to cover those services for the II reservation. Just like there are different services associated with point stays vs. cash stays though Disney.

But basically, I agree with Carol, Disney can charge the fee for II guests, and the II guests have a choice to accept the accomodations and pay the fee or stay elsewhere.

 

[RobDoc]

While it couldn't hurt to ask, the fee is part of every II exchange into the WDW DVC resorts and is not normally a negotiable issue. The fee is due at check-in and I suspect your only choice is to pay it and enjoy the trip or refuse and not be allowed to check-in. It isn't really tied to any other costs covered by another reservation since it's simply a fee for all II exchanges.

Please let us know if you are allowed to waive the fee.

Good luck!

 

[FredS]

Thanks, everyone. I had thought to just wait and see what happens at check-in, but part of the fine print on page 3 of the stuff from II says that the fee is due not less than 48 hours BEFORE check-in.

I think I'll call and see what MS says. If I end up not having to pay, I will be sure to post.

 

[Dean]

Sometimes I think if a weird situation can happen, it's gonna happen to me. No big deal, but we already had reservations for a unit at SSR in July. Happened to see a SSR studio on II and traded a week for it. Great, we can spread out a bit.

My question is regarding the $95 resort fee. I never quite understood the purpose of the fee anyway, but the closest I came was that it was to pay DVC MS for their services -- for ME, arranging dining, etc. Since we aren't using any additional MS services, it seems to me that it is (even more than it was) totally a surcharge with no actual basis. It's only $95, granted, but I was considering asking MS if it was actually required in our situation.

By any chance, has anyone run into this situation before?

It's basically to pay for the system, requests, dining reservations. Obviously members are already paying for the service so no need to have an exchanger to pay for it twice, much less a member pay for it double. Unfortunately I haven't been immune to the extra charge but I intend to petition that members are exempted. I'll let you know if I have any luck. It does make a studio of questionable value in many cases though.