Question about dropping the studio from a 2-bedroom lock-off reservation

[sgrap]

If you have a 2-bedroom lock-off reserved, will MS let you drop the studio from your reservation and keep the 1-bedroom? ( I think I know the answer, but have to ask just in case!)

We have a 2-bedroom lock-off reserved for Aulani in June. We've had this big milestone birthday/college graduation/last family trip before DS 22 is in the Army - trip planned and booked since early August. Now DS 24 is hedging on going. If he doesn't go, there will only be 5 of us and I'd love to have the 130+ points (difference between 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom with ocean view) to use on another trip.

I'm holding on to hope that he will still go, but I'm looking at options just in case.

Thanks!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It would be a cancel and rebook with the possibility of losing the 1BR in the process.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have actually switched from a two bedroom lock off to one bedroom before at Aulani. We weren't in prime season so the agent was able to cancel two bedroom and immediately get one bedroom. But in June, there are lots of people wait listed for both a studio and a one bedroom. Once you cancel, there is very strong likelihood that the agent couldn't book a one bedroom before it was grabbed by the system But you could always go online and check availability for a one bedroom for the same time frame just to see. I can tell Yu that a two bedroom with five people is going to be a lot more comfortable than a one bedroom. We go every year with 4 of us and It gets pretty tight with one bathroom etc

 

[Dean]

It would be a cancel and rebook with the possibility of losing the 1BR in the process.

Historically this should be the case and IMO, all changes should be a cancelation and rebooking. However, it appears the last couple of years that some have been able to drop a portion a lockoff without canceling.

 

[Sandisw]

Give them a call...I was told at BWV I could not do that and I have heard that others have been allowed in some cases.

 

[drusba]

The historical rule was you had to cancel the whole thing and rebook subject to availability at the time of doing so to make the change. However, some have reported in the last two to three years that they have been allowed to drop either the studio or one bedroom side of the reservation and keep the other. Nevertheless, we do not know whether that was (a) a new policy, or (b) misinformed MS employees not following policy, or (c) MS simply doing an exception that could always be made without telling the member that is what was happening, to-wit: that if the reservation you wanted to keep was itself independently available, then MS could just adjust the reservation you already had rather than going through a formal cancellation and rebooking process. Thus, the only way you are going to find out is by calling MS when you want to do the change and possibly speaking to a supervisor if initially told you cannot do it.

 

[sgrap]

The historical rule was you had to cancel the whole thing and rebook subject to availability at the time of doing so to make the change. However, some have reported in the last two to three years that they have been allowed to drop either the studio or one bedroom side of the reservation and keep the other. Nevertheless, we do not know whether that was (a) a new policy, or (b) misinformed MS employees not following policy, or (c) MS simply doing an exception that could always be made without telling the member that is what was happening, to-wit: that if the reservation you wanted to keep was itself independently available, then MS could just adjust the reservation you already had rather than going through a formal cancellation and rebooking process. Thus, the only way you are going to find out is by calling MS when you want to do the change and possibly speaking to a supervisor if initially told you cannot do it.

OK, thank you. Hopefully our son will be able to go and it won't come to this anyway.

 

[sgrap]

Historically this should be the case and IMO, all changes should be a cancelation and rebooking. However, it appears the last couple of years that some have been able to drop a portion a lockoff without canceling.

I agree, although in some ways dropping the studio from a lock-off gives someone who wouldn't have been able to go a chance to go, so there is a plus there for someone. Hopefully our son will work it out and we won't be worrying about it at all.

 

[sgrap]

I have actually switched from a two bedroom lock off to one bedroom before at Aulani. We weren't in prime season so the agent was able to cancel two bedroom and immediately get one bedroom. But in June, there are lots of people wait listed for both a studio and a one bedroom. Once you cancel, there is very strong likelihood that the agent couldn't book a one bedroom before it was grabbed by the system But you could always go online and check availability for a one bedroom for the same time frame just to see. I can tell Yu that a two bedroom with five people is going to be a lot more comfortable than a one bedroom. We go every year with 4 of us and It gets pretty tight with one bathroom etc

So there is only 1 bathroom in the 1-bedroom at Aulani? We have 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom at VGC, which I agree made it much nicer. We had 5 of us in November in the 1-bedroom at VGC and it worked great. But 1 bathroom with 2 teenage girls + me+ dh&ds gets tight.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Historically this should be the case and IMO, all changes should be a cancelation and rebooking. However, it appears the last couple of years that some have been able to drop a portion a lockoff without canceling.

What I recall from reading was back just prior to MDE when they began making some system changes that were likely leading up to it's implementation, a few people were able to do it. During that same period people were also able to split their reservations after the fact into whatever length they wished in order to have the dining plan for just part. It's been awhile since I've seen anyone saying they could drop part of the lock-off although I could have missed. Approx 1 1/2 -2 years ago I inquired and was told they could not.

So there is only 1 bathroom in the 1-bedroom at Aulani? We have 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom at VGC, which I agree made it much nicer. We had 5 of us in November in the 1-bedroom at VGC and it worked great. But 1 bathroom with 2 teenage girls + me+ dh&ds gets tight.

It's a split bathroom just like they did at VGF. So, 1 toilet/shower/sink in part that is accessible from the living area or the master and a sink/tub in the master bedroom area.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Yes the one bedroom at aulani only has one split bathroom which I found odd since BL snd AK have two bathrooms. The dedicated two bedroom has two and half baths with a powder room just inside the front door. But the two bedroom lockoff only has two bathrooms with no half bath.

 

[Dean]

I agree, although in some ways dropping the studio from a lock-off gives someone who wouldn't have been able to go a chance to go, so there is a plus there for someone. Hopefully our son will work it out and we won't be worrying about it at all.

While it may go to someone else, it may not go to the person who was trying to get something at the opening of the 7 or 11 month window. My belief is the each change should be a cancelation and rebooking and that you go to the end of the line in doing so.

 

[sgrap]

While it may go to someone else, it may not go to the person who was trying to get something at the opening of the 7 or 11 month window. My belief is the each change should be a cancelation and rebooking and that you go to the end of the line in doing so.

Yes, I can see that side too. Of course we booked it with all intentions of filling it. We had it all mapped out, planned, plane tickets bought, etc. I am not going to be very happy with my son if he backs out! But what can you do . . .he's an adult. With the bathroom set-up, we might just keep the 2-bedroom anyway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So there is only 1 bathroom in the 1-bedroom at Aulani? We have 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom at VGC, which I agree made it much nicer. We had 5 of us in November in the 1-bedroom at VGC and it worked great. But 1 bathroom with 2 teenage girls + me+ dh&ds gets tight.

Yes, only 1 bathroom in a 1 bedroom. I'm glad that the 2 bedroom dedicated in Aulani has a powder room off the living room area.

 

[DanenRox]

Reviving this old thread to ask the question a different way (but fully expecting the same answer)... If, at the Boardwalk, I have a standard view one bedroom and a standard view studio, can MS combine and make it a standard view two bedroom?

 

[Dean]

Reviving this old thread to ask the question a different way (but fully expecting the same answer)... If, at the Boardwalk, I have a standard view one bedroom and a standard view studio, can MS combine and make it a standard view two bedroom?

Only if they're booked the same way, like all on points. But you can get them put together at the resort usually.

 

[DebbieB]

Reviving this old thread to ask the question a different way (but fully expecting the same answer)... If, at the Boardwalk, I have a standard view one bedroom and a standard view studio, can MS combine and make it a standard view two bedroom?

Maybe, maybe not. Many of the studios and 1 bedrooms at BWV are dedicated, which means they do not have the lockoff door. So it may not be possible to combine them.

BoardWalk Villas - Villa Types
-97 Dedicated Studios
-130 Dedicated 1BR villas
-0 Dedicated 2BR villas
-149 Lockoff 2BR villas
-7 Grand Villas
Total = 383 Villas / 532 Max. Available

 

[Dean]

Maybe, maybe not. Many of the studios and 1 bedrooms at BWV are dedicated, which means they do not have the lockoff door. So it may not be possible to combine them.

BoardWalk Villas - Villa Types
-97 Dedicated Studios
-130 Dedicated 1BR villas
-0 Dedicated 2BR villas
-149 Lockoff 2BR villas
-7 Grand Villas
Total = 383 Villas / 532 Max. Available

But they are no longer a booking category like they used to be so it's possible, esp if one plans ahead.

 

[DanenRox]

But they are no longer a booking category like they used to be so it's possible, esp if one plans ahead.

What does that mean? The "plan ahead" part I mean. What should I be doing to increase my odds?

 

[Dean]

What does that mean? The "plan ahead" part I mean. What should I be doing to increase my odds?

I've done this in the sense that I've had a 1 BR opening up to a 2 BR and vice versa several times. How I handled it and how I'd suggest is this. First you check to see if it's possible, at BWV that's mean having them all the same view type. You couldn't link a BW view studio to a 1 BR standard view. Then you make the request on both reservations to have them together and you make the same request at check in (not arriving late). Don't put any other requests in if possible because any other additions affects your chances. Then you hope. It's been my experience that this is one area of requests where DVC tends to do well in.