Question about reservation window

[MIDisFan]

I understand the 11/7 rule in regards to reservation windows, but my question has to do with competing with the cash paying customers.

I don't understand why non DVC members can book rooms at DVC resorts up to 1 year in advance. I understand that so many rooms get turned over to central booking to make cash reservations, but you would think that those reservations wouldn't be made available until, say, 6 months at the earliest to give all DVC members first crack at them. I am looking at this the right way or can someone correct me?

We have decided to become members, but we don't know if we should buy at SSR or waitlist for BCV. We toured with Mike Brunson back in 2003, and should have bought at BCV back then.

Also, I just want to thank everyone for all the great information that you provide to these forums. I am trying to gather as much info as possible before I call Mike.

 

[browniemtb]

I'm not to sure how the CR works either. All I know is that DVC puts some in inventory because of trades by owners and they will dump more into inventory if they have things available with in a few month span o fdeparture. You have to figure they will do this to get the money out of the units instead of leaving them vacant...........
I would waitlist for BCV...not sure of the time frame though. BCV is a beautiful resort.....Good Luck
Brownie

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Disney has something like 4% of the rooms at the DVC resorts that are "theirs" as far as I know. Then, like was stated, if members trade out for Hawaii or whatever, more rooms go to inventory. But they do maintain a separate cash inventory all the time.

Doc knows the answer to this. I know he does.

 

[MIDisFan]

I think I understand a little better. Disney doesn't sell every single unit at each DVC resort. They keep so many units to themselves for cash reservations in the future. I don't necessarily like it, but I understand it. I think I would be upset if I can't get a reservation at 11 months while cash reservations are available. I still think top priority should go to members, even if that meant tapping into the cash reservation bank.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I think I would be upset if I can't get a reservation at 11 months while cash reservations are available.

I would be too but the chances of that happening are slim. You should always be able to get your home resort at 11 months. Maybe not a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk for New Year's Eve but there will be something.

HBC

 

[MIDisFan]

I would be too but the chances of that happening are slim. You should always be able to get your home resort at 11 months. Maybe not a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk for New Year's Eve but there will be something.

HBC

I think you you are right about that. I have seen a lot of complaints about being waitlisted, but I think that has more to do with "Commercial renters" as opposed to those making cash reservations. When we buy, we will probably be using our points for studios during the summer months for the first few years, so I don't think availabilty will be a big issue for us.

 

[paults]

I have seen a lot of complaints about being waitlisted

lots of reasons for this. members failing to book at 11 month, failing to book before the 7th month, trying to add to an existing ressie, etc

IMO I don't think of it as complaining

I've had people going with us have to cancell on me and I had to use the pts. I call MS 2 months out or closer to add days for me and guess what I have to waitlist. This is how it works, if people complain sorry but IMO its there fault and not MS's .

I think waiting is the by-product of poor planning

 

[Dean]

I feel there are some misleading components in this thread. The only UNITS DVC owns are the ones at SSR that are not yet declared into the sales inventory. They have kept a minimal amount of ownership at the sold out resorts RUMORED to be between 2-4%. This appears to be used mostly for maintenance and to balance out the inherent losses associated with such a flexible day by day system. They could certainly rent undeclared SSR units any way they want but they could not then sell those units. They can use any points repurchased by ROFR to reserve to rent out, but again, they couldn't then sell those points until those reservations had passed.

Realistically, any units for rent through CRO will be either units given up by members for exchange options excluding II & BVTC or breakage inventory. None of this should be available a full year out but could be 10 3/4 months out. The other group that could fall into cash rentals are points of members who are delinquent.

I think you you are right about that. I have seen a lot of complaints about being waitlisted, but I think that has more to do with "Commercial renters" as opposed to those making cash reservations.

I also don't believe this is an accurate statement. When a wait list is in effect, it means other members have reserved that time. It is only speculation that those renting their time has a larger impact than any other member usage, I frankly don't believe it does. Remember the prime times are in high demand for everyone, not just those looking to rent from a member.

 

[RobDoc]

I understand the 11/7 rule in regards to reservation windows, but my question has to do with competing with the cash paying customers.

I don't understand why non DVC members can book rooms at DVC resorts up to 1 year in advance. I understand that so many rooms get turned over to central booking to make cash reservations, but you would think that those reservations wouldn't be made available until, say, 6 months at the earliest to give all DVC members first crack at them. I am looking at this the right way or can someone correct me?

In general, there should be minimal cash inventory available a year in advance at DVC resorts. Recently, there may have been some availability at SSR because the developer inventory (completed units not yet declared into member inventory for sale) was available. There should be nothing available at any of the other resorts more than 11 months ahead.

The 2-4% of each resort still owned by DVD (the developer) is used to replace rooms taken out of the member inventory for maintenance and rehab issues. Any rooms not needed for that purpose would be available at 11 months for cash reservation. This is a very small number of rooms. (Just think of all the rooms removed from service at BWV while the exterior and plumbing was being redone over the last couple of years.) DVD does not really hold any rooms expressly for cash reservations.

The remaining rooms are ALL held for members to make reservations 11 months (or less) in advance. As noted, when members choose to use their points for the non-DVC options (like DCL, other WDW resorts, DL resorts, DLP resorts, Concierge Collection, Adventurer Collection) those points are used by CRO to cover the expenses of paying for those choices. World Passport exchnages, made by MS thru II, do not free up any rooms, since that is a direct exchange and those rooms are reserved using DVC points for the II trade.

If there are cash reservations actually available more than 11 months in advance at any of the DVC resorts (at this time, my understanding is that all completed villas at SSR are part of the DVC Member inventory), please post the details- as that should not happen. In addition, if there is an indication that something is available 1 year in advance, it may appear on a listing, but not actually be able to be reserved ... another issue altogether.

60 days in advance, any villas unreserved by members are also made available to CRO for cash reservations. Income from those rentals is applied to our DVC budget to offset annual dues. This is called "Breakage Income".

Owners should not have any problem reserving their home resort at 11 months- with the possible exception of GVs during popular times, BW view and SV rooms at BWV. However, even those accommodations are often available well within 11 months - sometimes even within 7 months.

Enjoy!

 

[MIDisFan]

If there are cash reservations actually available more than 11 months in advance at any of the DVC resorts (at this time, my understanding is that all completed villas at SSR are part of the DVC Member inventory), please post the details- as that should not happen. In addition, if there is an indication that something is available 1 year in advance, it may appear on a listing, but not actually be able to be reserved ... another issue altogether.

Thank you Doc. I made a mistake when I was trying to analyze this. When using Disney's online reservation system, DVC resorts are only available at 11 months out. I missed a small detail when I was trying to place reservations further than 11 months out. I tried for BCV, but availabilty came up at BC Resorts not Villas. I misread that.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

See! I knew Doc would know!!!