Swapping reservations

[jar]

I have a DVC reservation for a 1 BR at BWV for a 4-day weekend in November. Since we're going to spend most of our time in MK (we have young children), we were thinking about staying at the GF instead (which we did last year). But even though dollar cost of a single room at GF for those dates is comparable to the price of a 1 BR at BWV (perhaps a bit less for the garden view at GF than a preferred view at BWV ), the points are so significantly different as to make is a very poor value choice: 142 at BWV vs. around 250 at GF given that the latter is not a DVC property. Which got me to wondering whether it is possible/practical to find someone to swap reservations -- they'd make one for me at GF using $$ and I'd give them mine at BWV using my points reservation. I get the location I prefer without costing more points and they'd get a better value for their money (assuming their interest in BWV). Any views as to how possible and practical it is and how I'd go about doing it? Thanks for any guidance.

[my alternative if this doesn't work out is to stay at VWL, which is a boat ride away from MK, but our first choice is to stay on the monorail for this short trip even if it is in a standard hotel room instead of the much more spacious DVC 1BR]

 

[Chuck S]

I do not think what you are asking ofr at GF is actually possible, I don't think you can "change names" on a cash reservaton like you can on a DVC point reservation.

Your alternative would be read the guidelines and submit a post on the Rent/Trade board for a BWV/VWL trade with another member. You could each make a reservation in the other parties name.

 

[dis-happy]

You can change the name of the person staying at DVC without a problem. But I don't see how the person who already reserved the GF room would be able to change the reservation to your name (unless room capacity hasn't been met and the original person remains on your reservation and just adds your names). It might be easier to rent out the BWV reservation and use the cash to book your own room at the GF.

BWV is a wonderful place and the proximity to Epcot and MGM is really nice. You might want to give it a try! VWL is also very nice and it's easy to get to MK. Either way I think you'll have a nice vacation.

PS. I just noticed you have a 1 b/r. Have you stayed in one yet? You really can't compare to a standard hotel room, even one on the monorail.

 

[jar]

Thanks to both of you. If the GF idea isn't possible or practical, VWL should be easy -- a 1 BR is available on the dates I want (at least as of now, so I'd have to wait a few weeks for the 7-month window to open) so I can cancel my BWV and re-book directly into VWL. But if there is a way to do GF practically through some kind of exchange (perhaps someone who wants to make a new booking directly in my name in return for me transferring my BWV to their name, if that is possible), that would be great.

By the way, I do love BWV. It's our home resort, which we purchased after staying there with rented points and being convinced that DVC was a terrific program. I plan to stay there many times, particularly when the kids are older and more into Epcot or when we have longer stays that involve more parks and more resort time. But for just a weekend at this stage of my kids' lives, MK proximity seems like the biggest priority (particularly for DW, who actually made this decision; I had booked BWV).

 

[mikesmom]

Actually, if you think it through, why would anyone want to? A person who reserves a room at GF has to put down a pretty good chunk of cash to stay there. Why would they want to pay that much and then stay at BWV when they could get BWV from CRO for the same or less money? Unless you had the Boardwalk View, which can't be reserved for cash, why would they want to go to the trouble and trust involved?

I'm not trying to criticize, I'm just in Marketing so always trying to think "what's in it for them?", other wise how do you get the potential swapper to buy into the deal?

 

[jar]

When I stayed last November, a preferred view in a 1 BR at the BW was several hundred dollars more than a garden view room at the GF over the course of several nights (probably around $100 or so per night).

I agree that if the person doesn't save money by booking the GF and getting the 1 BR preferred at BW, there is no reason anyone should or would do that. So this is all predicated on there being a cost savings to the person considering the swap.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Why not make just rent the points? You should then have at least $1,420 to spend to stay anywhere you like. Best of luck -- Suzanne