Switching for BLT

[acummings81]

My parents and I both are finishing the contracts for our DVC memberships. We currently have reservations for a 2 bedroom, SV at AKV on January 4  10, 2014. We would really like to stay at BLT in a two bedroom villa with a theme park view as this is a 40th anniversary trip for my parents and a welcome home from Afghanistan for myself. We won't be able to make this change until seven months out. Our vacation club guide indicates this shouldn't be a very difficult thing to do but I'm skeptical about our chances. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts about the possibility of doing this?

Also, I'm reading my contract and it says something about canceling reservations and having to use those points within your use year and only making reservations within 60 days of actually using them. Does this apply also if you're switching from one resort to another at the seven-month marker? It doesn't make sense to me. It would seem you would have to wait to make reservations within 60 days of arrival and that doesn't seem logical.

I really appreciate any wisdom regarding switching resorts at the seven-month mark.

 

[erionm]

Also, I'm reading my contract and it says something about canceling reservations and having to use those points within your use year and only making reservations within 60 days of actually using them.

This only applies if you cancel/change a reservation 30 days or less from arrival. Any unused points go into a holding account and can only be used for a new reservation that is booked 60 days or less from arrival.

 

[DannysMom]

As Michael has already said, the "holding points" would only come into play if you had to cancel a trip at less than 31 days out.

At 7 months out, many members are switching resorts with out issue, or penalty. The only problem is that you will not be able to tell if BLT has your desired availability until the day 7 months from check in. A 2 BR with theme park view may be hard to get if you do not own there and are not able to book early. You might have more luck getting a lake view, and perhaps wait listing TPV.

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[acummings81]

This only applies if you cancel/change a reservation 30 days or less from arrival. Any unused points go into a holding account and can only be used for a new reservation that is booked 60 days or less from arrival.

Ahh, that makes much more sense and is quite an incentive not to cancel less than 30 days out. I can't imagine it's easy to find anything available within 60 days of arrival? I'm still hoping will be able to switch to BLT at that seven-month mark.

 

[acummings81]

As Michael has already said, the "holding points" would only come into play if you had to cancel a trip at less than 31 days out.

At 7 months out, many members are switching resorts with out issue, or penalty. The only problem is that you will not be able to tell if BLT has your desired availability until the day 7 months from check in. A 2 BR with theme park view may be hard to get if you do not own there and are not able to book early. You might have more luck getting a lake view, and perhaps wait listing TPV.


Thanks for the advice! How, exactly, does wait listing work? Do we keep our current reservation at AKV, or will that be forfeited while we are wait listed?

 

[DannysMom]

Ahh, that makes much more sense and is quite an incentive not to cancel less than 30 days out. I can't imagine it's easy to find anything available within 60 days of arrival? I'm still hoping will be able to switch to BLT at that seven-month mark.

SSR is a lovely resort, and is very large. Often at 60 days out, it will be the only option not requiring a split stay.

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[erionm]

Ahh, that makes much more sense and is quite an incentive not to cancel less than 30 days out. I can't imagine it's easy to find anything available within 60 days of arrival? I'm still hoping will be able to switch to BLT at that seven-month mark.

It's possible to get reservations at less than 60 days if it's not a busy time for the resorts and you are flexible with where you willing to stay. We booked a one night stay for the LIVE! with Kelly & Michael taping recently only 10 days out. The only resort that had a studio open was SSR.

 

[DannysMom]

I have not yet done much at all with regard to using the wait list. From what I have read, sometimes it comes through (when other members with reservations change plans) and sometimes it doesn't.

So you would keep A reservation. What you keep, depends upon what is available when you can book, and what you prefer. If on the day 7 months from check in, only the first 3 nights are available TPV, or the whole week is available lake view, do you take lake view & keep the rest of your nights at AKV? Lots of members enjoy split stays. I prefer to unpack and settle in once. I would go for the guaranteed room at my preferred resort, even if it isn't my preferred view. Other members would choose differently.

But do take note of your 7 month from check in day & check availability early & call MS as soon they open to make changes. Waiting even a few days, sometimes hours, may be the difference in getting what you want, or not.

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[acummings81]

But do take note of your 7 month from check in day & check availability early & call MS as soon they open to make changes. Waiting even a few days, sometimes hours, may be the difference in getting what you want, or not.

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I'll be deployed at the time and will be relying on my DH to make the call...will have to make sure he has explicit instructions before the day arrives.

 

[Sandisw]

This only applies if you cancel/change a reservation 30 days or less from arrival. Any unused points go into a holding account and can only be used for a new reservation that is booked 60 days or less from arrival.

Just to clarify, you must cancel at least 31 days prior to avoid holding points.