Quick Trip--Didn't Work

[sueg]

Sometimes, you just don't see it coming. We have an annual trip to WDW in March & to HH in Aug. But occassionally, we add a trip. In fact, we just expanded our Aug. HH trip to include 5 days at OKW.
On Monday, a co-worker told me that he is taking his family to WDW to celebrate his wife's 40th & they were leaving in 3 days. I asked where they were eating & he said they had no plans. HORRORS!!! I questioned him to make sure that his DW hadn't, perhaps, made some PSs, without his involvement, but he told me that she isn't into planning.
I called WDW-DINE and booked them into a dinner at the Castle, noting that it was DW's birthday. A surprise for DW. He was amazed. How does this relate to my "Quick trip" topic? I started to stew that we weren't going to WDW until March. We have APs, because of the Aug. trip. So why aren't we going on the days leading up to Thanksgiving, when both DSs are off from school for the entire week. The points are REALLY low, if you leave before Thanksgiving. I called Delta & SONG had good flights at an acceptable price. ($252 per person...We try to stay below $200, but this was last minute) Moment of truth, I call MS & we can only get a studio at OKW for the Fri. & Sat. nites-thank you point schedule! But there was no DVC availability for the Sun., Mon. & Tues. No trip & I'm really sad.

 

[dianeschlicht]

This kind of problem is EXACTLY what Richyams is talking about when he says it is hurting DVC to not book weekends.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
This kind of problem is EXACTLY what Richyams is talking about when he says it is hurting DVC to not book weekends.

Why not stay the Friday and Saturday and waitlist? Have a backup hotel at the Marriott in case waitlist does not come through. The system will never be perfect. Either Fri/Sat will be open or not depending on how the points are spread. If they even out the points, NOTHING would have been available.

If a member does not have enough points to stay a Fri and Sat, how is that DVC's problem? Just asking.

 

[spiceycat]

some people think DVC should work just like a regular timeshare - well I for one think it is great the way it works now - I only need 5 days and since I drive it is nice to have 2 whole days to relax before I return to work.

If DVC did require everyone to get a week - you would not have any availability - Thanksgiving week is very, very popular - most of the kids are out of school the entire week - so I would guess than getting any reservations would be kinda hard especially this close to it.

I love being able to call and make a reservation for 3 days (holidays), 4, 5 or 7 - it is what you want - not what the timeshare demands - I love it!!!!

I hate it when I stay in the other kind of timeshare because - when that 5th day comes up - we will be leaving - I need my 2 days before work starts. So noone can use the place until my week is up - very wasteful in my opinion - DVC is much better!

 

[robinb]

That time after Thanksgiving is actually a pretty busy DVC time for the exact reasons you mentioned. I would keep on checking ... maybe put yourself on the waitlist for all 3 days together. I have had a day suddenly become available less than a week before.

 

[sueg]

I guess my original post did sound like a whine about the points schedule. I really was more disappointed that we couldn't pull off a last minute trip. DH & I are not spur-of-the-moment people. We got really psyched about going and then felt sad when it didn't work out. This was the weekend before Thanksgiving & I guess I thought that my kids were the only ones who had that whole week off. In our immediate area, they attend the only school that closes for the whole week of Thanksgiving. I wasn't really complaining about the points, as much as saying that I'm not surprised that only Fri. & Sat. nites were still available.

 

[dizneeluvr]

By any chance do your kids attend a lutheran school? We get that week off as well out here in MO!

And it never even DAWNED on me to try for those few days before T-giving. I just assumed it would be crazy! Note to self for the future.

 

[sueg]

No Dizneeluvr, our DSs go to a private school in Montclair, NJ. Their vacation schedule is very different from our local public and Catholic schools. They get 2 full weeks, in March, not near Easter, and that is when we traditionally go to WDW. But we are going to consider the days leading up to Thanksgiving, for next year. We would leave WDW on the Tuesday nite, before the holiday crunch. DH & I were in WDW in the fall & the weather is great. The points are low & the Food Festival is in gear. Nothing like DVC to get you planning at least a year in advance.

 

[wilderness01]

I am sorry you were both disappointed

Your post did not sound like you were whining at all, just bummed out! Maybe something will come through for you. Let's hope so.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Your post did not sound like you were whining at all, just bummed out!

I agree....and you have right to be. It's like it was so close....only so far away at the same time. That's what's tough about booking last minute, because if you waitlist, it's kind of touchy what you do about the airfare if the waitlist doesn't come through for you. Maybe if you call every day there might be a last minute cancellation somewhere. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[DebbieB]

Would you consider staying elsewhere? There may still be AP rates available. We did an "extra" trip last month, we stayed at CBR. Moderates have a $79 plus tax AP rate (if available). I didn't even check DVC resorts, I didn't have extra points available.

 

[sueg]

DH suggested checking the AP rates, but I didn't want to:
1. We are spoiled by DVC, esp. since I am coffee addicted and want to make my REQUIRED first cup of Gevalia (yes, Gevalia) coffee with microwaved milk, as soon as I wake up. I'm really not that difficult a person, once you get past that first cup of coffee!
2. Just before Christmas, I can somehow justify a DVC trip, when we have APs, as "it's only airfare and meals" but paying for the room and breakfasts just puts me over my fiscal edge.
Thanks for all of your support, as only fellow DVCers can give.

 

[Lesley]

Thanks for the reminder...haven't had my Gevalia yet this morning!

Sorry the trip didn't work out. But, you know, most of the hotels do have coffeemakers in the room ( I know the moderates do....). If you really need the microwaved milk you'll have to go to the food court, though. We've also done breakfast in the room at a moderate. Or you could priceline...we've never gotten anything that wasn't okay. Usually we end up at the Wyndham Palace that way! But I definitely know the "its only gas and meals" justification!

Never hurts to try to get something DVC on short notice! Really sorry it didn't work for you.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
This kind of problem is EXACTLY what Richyams is talking about when he says it is hurting DVC to not book weekends.

Naw, if points are evened out the weekends will all be taken and only weekdays available. The system's set up fine. Higher demand for weekends is balanced out with higher pont values.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
This kind of problem is EXACTLY what Richyams is talking about when he says it is hurting DVC to not book weekends.

Can't agree with you - this is a last minute trip near a holiday! (There are lots of schools around here that have the days leading up to Thanksgiving off - due to teacher work days and conferences, IIRC. There are many parents who take children out of school for WDW vacations and there are also quite a few of us "empty nesters" who like to travel at that time). I'm surprised that there is any availability at all left for that week. If the OP was trying to book at the 10 or 11 month window, I might agree.

sueg - sorry the trip isn't working out. I'm not a spur-of-the-moment trip taker, either and I also love my morning coffee (not Gevalia, though, LOL). Seems like when I try to plan something lat minute, there's always a snag. Anyway, better luck next time!