Reservations

[cappy220]

I have just received my paperwork for ownership at BLT.

I am confused as to the reservations. If I am purchasing a time share why can't I get a reservation if there are rooms available for rent on the Disney web page. Aren't these villas just for time share owners? I tried to make a reservation but there is no availability however I can book and pay for the same reservation I am requesting. I am reconsidering ownership. Can anyone help me understand?

Thanks.

 

[drusba]

Disney retains 2% to 4% ownership interest of all units in the building and can rent its share. Also, when members trade out it gets the time equal to the traded out points to rent. Also at a new resort like BLT, it still owns substantial portion of the building which it can rent until the units are sold. All the rental inventory is thus separate from that available to DVC members to reserve and very often there can be rentals available when there is no DVC availability.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney retains 2% to 4% ownership interest of all units in the building and can rent its share. Also, when members trade out it gets the time equal to the traded out points to rent. Also at a new resort like BLT, it still owns substantial portion of the building which it can rent until the units are sold. All the rental inventory is thus separate from that available to DVC members to reserve and very often there can be rentals available when there is no DVC availability.

Well said.

 

[CarolAnnC]

This is partly why your choice of a home resort is important - so you can stay where you own by utilizing the 11 month booking window. There are times of the year where you will not obtain ressies unless you use this time frame. Also, last minute booking is difficult as these are basically timeshares, not hotel bookings.

That being said, if you are flexible with dates, villa size and resort, you may find something available in a shorter time frame. Good luck to you...

 

[Dean]

I have just received my paperwork for ownership at BLT.

I am confused as to the reservations. If I am purchasing a time share why can't I get a reservation if there are rooms available for rent on the Disney web page. Aren't these villas just for time share owners? I tried to make a reservation but there is no availability however I can book and pay for the same reservation I am requesting. I am reconsidering ownership. Can anyone help me understand?

Thanks.

You are smart to ask and understand these types of things prior to buying so you know what you're getting in to and how things work. As noted, members only have access to a subset of the villas at any given resort. Getting upset because CRO, RCI or another member has available for rent or exchange what you couldn't reserve simply reflects lack of understanding of the product. You are gaining that understanding now and I applaud you for that. Make sure you get comfortable before making a final decision.

 

[CarolMN]

At the present time, almost all of what you see available for cash rental belongs to the Developer (not members).

Only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the resort has been declared into the condominium. Since the entire resort is expected to be ready for occupancy at opening, that's a lot of villas that the Developer still owns. (The Developer improves it's bottom line by renting out the unsold villas that are ready for occupancy).

Once the resort is sold out, there will not be so many villas available to the general public for cash. But, due to the reasons already mentioned, there will always be some.

BLT is expected to be quite popular, so it may be difficult to get reservations there if you do not book relatively early in the reservation windows.

Good luck with your decision and welcome to the DIS DVC Forums!

 

[rcmsfeb04]

We bought BLT in February, I called in March for the following February and had no problem getting a reservation. I think the prior comments are correct, we'll probably always need to take advantage of the 11 month booking or we may have to stay else where. BLT is going to be very popular, especially for the next few years.

Have you considered staying at SSR? Or, maybe one of the Epcot DVC resorts?

Also, I would suggest you call you guide and tell her/him how you feel. Putting down thousands of bucks for a time share and then not being able to book a room is a little disappointing...they may be able to help you some how.

Good luck to you!