Truly last minute vacation

[erdoc38]

Hi,
We finally got our member number for our new resale contract (got Member services to give it to us over the phone). Our contract has points that will expire the end of this month (and can't be banked), so we planned ahead and booked some refundable air tickets to try and use them. Unfortunately, at this point there isn't any availability to book anything for next week. What are the chances of something opening up? It appears that there are rooms to book with cash, but not by points. Are we outta luck?
TIA
Ryan

 

[DenLo]

Welcome Home!

Sorry, but your chances are very slim. Emergencies do occur so members sometimes cancel with 30 days or less but it's not done willingly since the points go into holding which has a lot of restrictions on booking those points since they don't go back into your regular account.

I would still call member services to wait list a reservation and also book a cash reservation since you have the air fare already booked.

Another option is to move the points into RCI to extend the date they expire. I think you will have to pay a $95 fee and the points remain with RCI for another two years and then expire.

Good luck.

 

[disneynutz]

Hi,
We finally got our member number for our new resale contract (got Member services to give it to us over the phone). Our contract has points that will expire the end of this month (and can't be banked), so we planned ahead and booked some refundable air tickets to try and use them. Unfortunately, at this point there isn't any availability to book anything for next week. What are the chances of something opening up? It appears that there are rooms to book with cash, but not by points. Are we outta luck?
TIA
Ryan

I wouldn't count on getting anything but you never know. Availability is a best guess, DVC turns over inventory to CRO at 60 days prior to any given check in date but members change their minds up until check in.

During December we had a vacant boardwalk view studio next to us at BWV for several nights during our stay. I checked availability and is showed nothing available so we don't see the whole picture.

Bill

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Saratoga Springs has 2 and 3 Bedrooms. There is a link on the member site where you can check for last minute opportunities. And as you say, they are very limited.
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/vacations/last-minute-magic-getaways/

 

[erdoc38]

We had planned on 1/22-1/26. If we waitlist something, it would expire 1/15 (expires 7 days prior to check-in). I guess I will keep checking and hope for some magic.

 

[disneynutz]

Saratoga Springs has 2 and 3 Bedrooms. There is a link on the member site where you can check for last minute opportunities. And as you say, they are very limited.
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/vacations/last-minute-magic-getaways/

The data in the above is only updated weekly so you would be better off checking yourself daily.

Bill

 

[RobynPrincess]

I rocked up at vgf last year and got 2 nights, could have had 3 if we wanted. Lake view studio. I think they use some of the emergency inventory if there's been no use for them, least that's what I think the girl was telling us (i was just so over the moon at getting those nights I stopped listening!)

 

[hjlawton]

Hi,
We finally got our member number for our new resale contract (got Member services to give it to us over the phone). Our contract has points that will expire the end of this month (and can't be banked), so we planned ahead and booked some refundable air tickets to try and use them. Unfortunately, at this point there isn't any availability to book anything for next week. What are the chances of something opening up? It appears that there are rooms to book with cash, but not by points. Are we outta luck?
TIA
Ryan

We were in a similar situation as you in November. We closed on a contract with 180 banked points that were expiring at the end of the month. My husband and I stalked the availability tool multiple times each day and were able to piece together an 11 night stay at multiple resorts.

We had a fabulous trip and it was a great way to essentially tour DVC first hand. Since we were putting our trip together last minute, member services told us to contact them directly if we were still searching for a reservation within 10 days. She stated that they can check precise availability with the resorts directly and this wouldn't necessarily be evident on the availability search tool. I wasn't aware of this possibility. So I would definitely contact member services about your situation if you haven't already.

I was amazed at how much availability changed in the course of a given day even with last minute bookings and November was a really challenging time to find availability. So don't give up hope and keep being persistent! I did see some consecutive nights open at the Beach club this evening for your dates. I really hope it works out for you and that you can enjoy a last minute trip as much as we did! Good Luck...

 

[erdoc38]

We were in a similar situation as you in November. We closed on a contract with 180 banked points that were expiring at the end of the month. My husband and I stalked the availability tool multiple times each day and were able to piece together an 11 night stay at multiple resorts.

We had a fabulous trip and it was a great way to essentially tour DVC first hand. Since we were putting our trip together last minute, member services told us to contact them directly if we were still searching for a reservation within 10 days. She stated that they can check precise availability with the resorts directly and this wouldn't necessarily be evident on the availability search tool. I wasn't aware of this possibility. So I would definitely contact member services about your situation if you haven't already.

I was amazed at how much availability changed in the course of a given day even with last minute bookings and November was a really challenging time to find availability. So don't give up hope and keep being persistent! I did see some consecutive nights open at the Beach club this evening for your dates. I really hope it works out for you and that you can enjoy a last minute trip as much as we did! Good Luck...

Thanks for the encouragement! I have seen a few days available, but since we have a whopping 52 points to work with, we can really only "afford" a studio. I wouldn't object to buying one-time use points if something opened up that worked, though...

 

[com_op_2000]

When I am talking last minute:
DW and I several times have been at DTD for the day and decided we wanted to stay the night. Called the resorts directly (back before MS was open on Sundays) or MS and checked in within 15 minutes.
At MK for the day in Feb ’14 for our anniversary, called MS @09:00, and booked a room at BLT for that night. Checked-in @11:00 and the room was ready. We did not plan on this day going like this until @05:00 while still in bed.

 

[crisi]

Make sure to call directly. Sometimes - not frequently, MS can see rooms available that aren't on the website once you are close.

 

[erdoc38]

Well, I was able to book 2 of the 4 nights at OKW. Hopefully the other 2 open up somewhere. If not, I was going to lose the points anyways, so I've got nothing to lose!

 

[ziravan]

We had planned on 1/22-1/26. If we waitlist something, it would expire 1/15 (expires 7 days prior to check-in). I guess I will keep checking and hope for some magic.

Check 10 times a day. Book what you find immediately and move it around when you find something better. Don't worry about holding points because the points are already use or lose.

There are 9 DVC resorts at WDW and thousands of rooms. Very few people make changes in the last month, true. But if 1/2 of 1% make changes, that means dozens of rooms are actually changing hands each day, right up to check in.

Last July, we decided to go 1 month out. I stalked the availability tool and found 2 nights at OKW, 2 at BCV, and 2 at AKV. It was an awesome trip!

Consider split staying an adventure, a chance to experience multiple resorts as a new member. Also, mix and match room sizes to make something fit.

You are not going to get 7 nights in the same room. Even if that opened up, waitlists will take some of the days or CRO will take the reservation to sell for cash, which they are allowed to do within 60 days.

I'm confident that if you stalk the avail tool, you can piece something together. I say that from experience.

 

[ziravan]

I saw you say you have 52 points. You can buy up to 24 one time use points in order to make a reservation from MS for $15/pt.

 

[erdoc38]

We're getting there! Just missing one night, the 24th. So far have 2 nights in studio at OKW and 1 at SSR. Just need some pixie dust to get one more night!

 

[ziravan]

Bell services will move your bags from resort to resort on moving day.

 

[TeeterTots]

We're getting there! Just missing one night, the 24th. So far have 2 nights in studio at OKW and 1 at SSR. Just need some pixie dust to get one more night!

Good for you and welcome home! It will be a great trip!

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

Good luck on getting your last night! My fingers are crossed for you

 

[Lakegirl]

Good luck. I was in a similar situation in August. I called member services and explained and they were wonderful and found something that was not showing on the availability tool. Try calling!!

 

[erdoc38]

Good luck. I was in a similar situation in August. I called member services and explained and they were wonderful and found something that was not showing on the availability tool. Try calling!!

I've been calling every day, and so far they have not found anything for me. Worst case scenario I will pay cash for one night, but maybe if I start begging they will find something for us!