OKW booking strategy

[okw2012]

Hi,

We're planning a family reunion at OKW dec 30 2013 - jan 5 2014 (6 nights). There could be up to 20 of us. I own at OKW (150 pts) and HHI (488 pts) and will need points from both contracts. I'm including borrowed+banked points. We're thinking of booking a Grand Villa plus two studios. That is 536 pts, so I have enough but only at the 7 month mark...

So my questions are:

1) how should I make use of my 150 OKW points in order to secure the GV for the nights in highest demand? I'm thinking of booking a GV for Dec 31 - Jan 2 (two nights) for 128 pts. Is this my best plan?

2) should I be looking at a point transfer or rent? Any real hope at 7 months? I'd prefer to avoid renting if possible. I could also do a cash ressie for the other nights and cancel at the 7 month mark if all goes well.

Ideas?

 

[Chuck S]

I think I'd do a cash reservation, since it would be refundable versus renting or transferring, if your nights are available at 7 months. If only a few of the nights are available, at least you'd already have the night you need.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When your family members start dropping out after you have booked the two nights using three years of points and the rest start coming up with reasons why they can't be there at six months out....

Have the family members book their own studios. Get what you need with your points for your immediate family.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I hear many horror stories about booking a GV (all those points etc.) and people dropping out etc., well I've done it 4 times now without a single cancellation. You know your family members, do they meet the commitments they make, because it is a commitment of expensive resources that take months of planning.

I would purchase a points transfer now, don't wait for 7 month mark, that way you can handle the reservation yourself rather than renting. I would also make each family put up a a portion of the cash to purchase that point transfer. A committment that's paid for and non-refundable makes it harder to cancel or skip out at the last minute.

We've had 4 family reunions in GV's at OKW, no one ever cancelled, we generally have between 11-13 that stay the duration and an addtional 3 or 4 that arrive later or leave early. We've had fantastic times, receiving family from 2 continents & 4 states, we loved our GV stays, made only possible because of our DVC membership!

Favorite GV Bldng. # 15, close to HH, main pool, Olivia's & the Guirgling Suitcase or #48/53 near the quiet pool, grills etc.

 

[okw2012]

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I think I will do a point transfer to get enough OKW points to book the GV at 11mo. But 1st I'll get the cash required for the point transfer from my relatives. I will also do a cash ressie for the studios, and convert those to points at 7 mo if I can.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I think I will do a point transfer to get enough OKW points to book the GV at 11mo. But 1st I'll get the cash required for the point transfer from my relatives. I will also do a cash ressie for the studios, and convert those to points at 7 mo if I can.

You might not be able to convert any cash reservation to points. It would be a cancel and rebook.

 

[okw2012]

Understood. I'll take my chances with the studios.

 

[okw2012]

Well, I'm glad I have not transferred any points yet: DSIL and DMIL are already backing off. Will definitely not be risking 3 years of points in renting a GV. Thanks everyone for the sound advice.

 

[drusba]

For that time period this year at 7 months out, you could not have gotten a GV at OKW but studios, 1BRs and 2BRs were available except for rooms in the Hospitality House area.

 

[okw2012]

For that time period this year at 7 months out, you could not have gotten a GV at OKW but studios, 1BRs and 2BRs were available except for rooms in the Hospitality House area.

Thanks for the info. That's the plan now: if we go, we'll rent two 2BR villas at 7 mo using my HHI points. So no need to transfer points, I'll just borrow 2014 pts. But I'll collect the $$ before borrowing...