Reservation Options - In-Laws

[disney0505]

We are DVC owners now and travel to Disney usually accompanied by our in-laws. I figure we will go for an extended trip once a year but would not have enough points to get a 2 bedroom villa if they came. My in-laws have no problem paying for a portion of the room since they are not DVC members. I wonder what our best option would be in making a reservation. Should I borrow from the next year in order to make the full reservation and than try to get a point transfer from someone to replace next years points, or should I make a reservation with the points I have w/o borrowing and rent another reservation from an existing member? If you rent points for this use year can you bank them and do the same banking deadlines apply? Also, if I do 2 different reservations, can I link them? I would prefer not to have to check out and check back in if my room could potentially be switched.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

Your options are:

Renting a reservation from another member.

Transferring points from another member. If you receive points via a transfer, you can bank them. They are supposed to retain their original use year and home resort booking priority.

Renting for cash from Disney Reservations (this would include promoios like free dining, annual pass discount, etc) or renting for cash from Member Services, which will give you a 25% discount, but the discount is subject to availability.

As far as linking reservation, it depends upon what you are looking to do. If you are loking to rent 3 days from one member and 4 days from another or using your points for some days and renting a reseraton from another member some days, then yes they can be linked.

If you are looking to link two totally different reservations, like a studio and a one bedroom, then no, they can not be linked.

 

[backyardponder]

Or buy more points!

 

[CNPHILLY]

My in-laws have no problem paying for a portion of the room since they are not DVC members.

If that's the case, and to make it easier on everyone, (1) book them a studio room at a discounted cash DVC rate and have them pay for it or (2) if you're an annual passholder, book them a room at that discounted rate and have them pay for it. Do whichever is cheaper. Either way, you can book your own DVC 1BR or Studio and not have to worry about banking/borrowing points on account of your in-laws.

 

[alamode]

Most rooms have balconies. perfect for inlaws.

 

[WDWFERN]

If your inlaws joining you is going to be a regular occurrence every year or every other year, would it make sense to put the money they are willing to pay for a room into a small add on? We have found it is likely we will be contnuing to bring either my parents or inlaws with us quite regularly and it is beginning to look like it might make more sense for us to add on points than to pay cash for a portion of the trip each year or worry about renting and transferring. Just a thought, have a wonderful trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I would book a separate room for the in-laws. That way if something comes up and they can't join you, you are not stuck with the larger room or have to deal with what to do with borrowed points.

 

[Dean]

We are DVC owners now and travel to Disney usually accompanied by our in-laws. I figure we will go for an extended trip once a year but would not have enough points to get a 2 bedroom villa if they came. My in-laws have no problem paying for a portion of the room since they are not DVC members. I wonder what our best option would be in making a reservation. Should I borrow from the next year in order to make the full reservation and than try to get a point transfer from someone to replace next years points, or should I make a reservation with the points I have w/o borrowing and rent another reservation from an existing member? If you rent points for this use year can you bank them and do the same banking deadlines apply? Also, if I do 2 different reservations, can I link them? I would prefer not to have to check out and check back in if my room could potentially be switched.

Thanks.

As noted, lots of options. Depending on your situation and needs, adding more points may indeed be a great choice. For temporary needs renting from a member, getting points transferred in, getting cash for part either through CRO or DVC, trying other properties including off site are all legit choices. The variations and choices are almost endless. Getting a 2 BR one way or another will likely be your best and cheapest option for staying on property regardless of how you accomplish it. IMO, one of the best options for this situation is to get cash rooms for weekends (possibly with a 25% member discount) enough to stretch your points. Looking at non DVC timeshare options might be an even better choice for many then you could stay off property part of the time or some trips and use those for none Orlando trips. Hilton, Bluegreen, Marriott and Wyndham would all be great potential options for such a situation.

 

[ToddyLu]

Actually at AKV our 2 studios with SV are cheaper points wise than the 2 br SV. We get one and MIL gets one......she loves her own space and it works out great for everyone. I can't wait to take my parents in 2011. I asked Daddy last weekend if he was ready to go back and have a SV this time as opposed to Pop Century....He said, " I think I can handle that, we will be ready". People talk all the time about the joy of seeing WDW through their children's eyes---I get it from watching them enjoy their time there.

 

[Dean]

Actually at AKV our 2 studios with SV are cheaper points wise than the 2 br SV. We get one and MIL gets one......she loves her own space and it works out great for everyone. I can't wait to take my parents in 2011. I asked Daddy last weekend if he was ready to go back and have a SV this time as opposed to Pop Century....He said, " I think I can handle that, we will be ready". People talk all the time about the joy of seeing WDW through their children's eyes---I get it from watching them enjoy their time there.

I think 2 studios are always cheaper than a comparable 2 BR but the difference is usually only roughly another 20% in points or so or about half what a 3rd studio would be. The benefits of the 2 units are having your own space, the benefits of the 2 BR are huge including the Master suite, full kitchen, separate den, better set up for the BR for the dedicated units. If you get a lockoff you can still have your own space and separate entrances.