UPH v. PVC UPH

[kimkatmom]

It has been suggested that I post this on this forum by another member, so -- here it is!

Any response would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

We are literally stuck in the middle: We are not DVC members, but traded into the DVC property at the Beach Club. I have spent all day trying to attach a UPH to our reservation. I am told by the people at DVC that we have to work through the central reservations for the UPH.

I just got off the phone [for the umpteenth time] with CR -- they tell me that we are not able to purchase a UPH through them because we "don't really have a regular room". I was told that we have to purchase the UPH when we check in at the Beach Club. Further, we have to pay full price [because we can't purchase the UPH ahead of time] and we don't get the 10% DVC member discount [because we are not really DVC members].

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! Any suggestions?

 

[crisi]

You will have to purchase your UPH at checkin. DVC rooms do not include the "prepurchase package." We DVC members can't do it either - it has nothing to do with trading or renting.

You may get the 10% discount at checkin, although, as you are not a DVC member, you are not entitled to it (most people renting or trading report they get it).

You may be better off buying advance purchase park hoppers. They generally offer a slightly cheaper per day cost. And if you are that concerned over getting the discount, its probably a safer bet. Check the ticket brokers listed on www.mousesavers.com.

 

[BigDisneyKids]

Join DVC.

 

[Dean]

You are stuck. You will have to pay full price at checkin if you want the UPH. This may not be your best ticket anyway so look at other options which you may be able to buy in advance at a discount through AAA or other similar sources.

 

[Jimbo]

I beg to differ. As far as I know, no one that is staying on points has ever paid full price for a UPH. This includes my father, when he stayed on my points, and my brother's family, when they stayed on my points. They both got the 10% discount, and I am sure that the OP will, too.

If I'm wrong, and someone has been refused the 10% discount, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Doctor P]

Sounds like the OP is neither staying on points nor a renter--sounds like an II or RCI exchange ("traded in"). Don't know how the keys read in that case--I suspect it may be just like a cash reservation.

 

[littlestar]

If I were you, I'd check into buying the PHP tickets. Read the mousesavers link that someone posted for you. They NEVER expire until you use all your days.

I'm always afraid of the UPH - if you get sick or have something happen, the days just go to waste. Or, what if you want to spend a day at Beach Club Villas and just hang out at the pool (fantastic pool by the way). If you buy the UPH, you have to go, go, go every day to get your money's worth. We had friends that did this and two of their kids got sick (bad sick) and their UHP tickets were a waste. Now, if they had bought the regular park hoppers or the PHP (park hopper pluses) they could have used it for another trip and not been out of luck.

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by Doctor P
Sounds like the OP is neither staying on points nor a renter--sounds like an II or RCI exchange ("traded in"). Don't know how the keys read in that case--I suspect it may be just like a cash reservation.

I didn't catch that. In that case they ARE stuck.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Jimbo
I beg to differ. As far as I know, no one that is staying on points has ever paid full price for a UPH. This includes my father, when he stayed on my points, and my brother's family, when they stayed on my points. They both got the 10% discount, and I am sure that the OP will, too.

If I'm wrong, and someone has been refused the 10% discount, I'd love to hear about it.

As Dr. P noted, this appears to be an II trade. They will not get the discount in all likelyhood though it's possible they could. They won't know for sure until checkin. I do know of some that have been denied the 10% discount but only a couple of times including renters. As you likely no, the written rules say the member must be in the unit though they rarely (but occasionally) care.

 

[kimkatmom]

Here's the latest and greatest! Spent lunch hour talking to Jerry then Joe, a supervisor, at DVC. I was told the following:

1. It's up to the resort whether or not to give a DVC discount upon check in for the UPH.

2. This is a system issue. The systems (DVC and CR) do not talk to each other, then don't recognize each other.

3. This has nothing to do with DVC. When you trade in [as we did through II] you are considered a guest, not a DVC member. [I didn't ask to be considered a DVC member.] A guest of a DVC member is not afforded the same privileges as a DVC member, including the purchase of a UPH.

4. Can't purchase a UPH at the advance purchase price because DVC and WDW are two completely different entities.

So, how do you like that -- right back where I was before I had lunch. You know, it's not so much the discount as it is the principle of the thing. Why are people who trade in or guests treated completely differently than everyone else who stays on property?

 

[rocketriter]

We members also have to purchase the UPH at check-in. It's not discrimination against you.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Why not just buy PHP online, get the advanced purchase savings and be done with it. this way, if you don't want to go to the parks for a day, you have that day for life?WDW ticket info

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by kimkatmom
So, how do you like that -- right back where I was before I had lunch. You know, it's not so much the discount as it is the principle of the thing. Why are people who trade in or guests treated completely differently than everyone else who stays on property?

MOST timeshare offer specials deals, discounts or privileges to members that they do not offer to exchangers. Some extend those privileges (or some of them) to guests of the member, others do not. To expect to get them is unreasonable, if they are offered, great. You are implying there are two classes of guests staying at the DVC resorts. That is not true, there are actually 5. They are members, guests of members, those that rent directly from Disney, those that rent directly from a member and exchangers. While the resort might extend the discount, I doubt they will. To expect it is unreasonable, IMO. Also remember you have an additional $95 fee above and beyond your exchange fee which is actually supposed to be paid BEFORE your trip. Also, as an exchanger, expect not to get the best views.