Using developer's points - is there a delay in making a reservation?

[peacefrogdog]

Just bought into DVC-AKV with, and tried to book a stay at SSR in October using the developer's points.

The guide I spoke with said that because they are developer's points, that there is a delay in order to get me a confirmation/reservation number (even though the room has been held for me) due to some extra administrative requirements because they are developer's points.

Has this occurred to anyone else, and is this the norm? Or should I try a different guide a different time?

Rene

 

[ChelleinNC]

Don't worry, you got the right information. This is exactly how it works with developer points. You have the reservation held, but they have to hand enter it and it takes a little while. Even after you get your confirmation number, it won't show up on the dvc member site (because they're not your points, so they're not in your account)

Welcome Home!

 

[vicki_c]

The developer ressies do show up on the DVC website now - that's a more recent development, though. In fact, I changed a reservation a few weeks ago with MS, and my changed information showed up on the website almost instantaneously (really, like 5 minutes later!). And those were all developer point reservations.

 

[Shide]

We joined on Friday (5/2), made a reservation using developer pts. for SSR the next day and she told us the same thing as far as a confirmation number.. But I checked the member website and I had a confirmation no. by Sun.

 

[ChelleinNC]

The developer ressies do show up on the DVC website now - that's a more recent development, though. In fact, I changed a reservation a few weeks ago with MS, and my changed information showed up on the website almost instantaneously (really, like 5 minutes later!). And those were all developer point reservations.

It's really strange how that works now. I still can't see my developer ressies online and I bought last June, using the last of the dev pts this June. They must be designating them differently now

 

[vicki_c]

Aaah, the mysteries of the reservation systems! Who knows? I just know I have 2 separate developer point reservations and they both show up online! Along with my leftover developer points, all 8 of them!

To be honest, I thought it was really weird that my changed ressie (from 4 days at SSR to 2 at VWL + 2 at SSR) showed up like immediately. Where's all the delay from doing the "manual" developer stuff? I assumed it was just because I changed an existing reservation, that wasn't needed!

Also, all my DVC planned trips now show up on the WDW website, along with past cash vacations! I heard some people's are showing up there now, and some people's are not!

 

[metalica23]

Wow this is all so weird. I just signed up in April at AKV and am trying to use my developer points (and some June 2008 points) at SSR.

Basically, I tried to use the 320 developer points with Interval...yeah, good luck with that. Anything and everything was booked (unless I wanted to go to Virginia Beach in November! )

Then, I settled for heading back to Disney instead, and using the points to go to SSR in October...So, I call on Monday and get everything squared away. I have a 2BR and a studio for 352 points (320 developer, 32 of my regular points that I get in June 2008).

I assume everything is set (especially when I'm told that the request gets sent over to SSR, but the rooms are available and locked). My wife then gets a call that lasts an hour where the Disney rep says the studio isn't available on two of the nights and we can't have that reservation. On top of that, they say the booking is set up to use all of our regular points and only a small portion of developer points (which CERTAINLY wasn't the case on the phone originally).

At the end of the hour (with my two young ones making a mess and fighting in the other room!), the woman apologizes that she was incorrect and that our reservations were properly made/recorded and that everything is set.

THEN, 30 minutes later they call AGAIN. This time the woman states that we can't use our June 2008 points until 2009 because that's when our specific AKV unit is scheduled to open. This I CERTAINLY was not told. Nor do I really buy it. So, I get points starting in June 2008 and I can't use them until Feb. 2009? Why would I want a June 2008 use year then? It should be Feb 2009?!?!?

Ugh, has anyone else run into this problem or have any advice for me??

Thanks!!
-Rodney

 

[vicki_c]

Definitely, sounds like a mess! I would call back (hopefully you will get someone who knows what they're doing!) and ask them to go over what you currently have in your account (reservations, points remaining, which types of points, which use year, the whole thing).

See where you stand once they give you that info. There is some unique thing going on with AKV purchases and SSR incentive points, due to the new part of AKV not being opened yet, but I'm not up on those details.

PS - you might want to start a new thread for your question, in case it gets buried here in this one.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Wow this is all so weird. I just signed up in April at AKV and am trying to use my developer points (and some June 2008 points) at SSR.

Basically, I tried to use the 320 developer points with Interval...yeah, good luck with that. Anything and everything was booked (unless I wanted to go to Virginia Beach in November! )

Then, I settled for heading back to Disney instead, and using the points to go to SSR in October...So, I call on Monday and get everything squared away. I have a 2BR and a studio for 352 points (320 developer, 32 of my regular points that I get in June 2008).

I assume everything is set (especially when I'm told that the request gets sent over to SSR, but the rooms are available and locked). My wife then gets a call that lasts an hour where the Disney rep says the studio isn't available on two of the nights and we can't have that reservation. On top of that, they say the booking is set up to use all of our regular points and only a small portion of developer points (which CERTAINLY wasn't the case on the phone originally).

At the end of the hour (with my two young ones making a mess and fighting in the other room!), the woman apologizes that she was incorrect and that our reservations were properly made/recorded and that everything is set.

THEN, 30 minutes later they call AGAIN. This time the woman states that we can't use our June 2008 points until 2009 because that's when our specific AKV unit is scheduled to open. This I CERTAINLY was not told. Nor do I really buy it. So, I get points starting in June 2008 and I can't use them until Feb. 2009? Why would I want a June 2008 use year then? It should be Feb 2009?!?!?

Ugh, has anyone else run into this problem or have any advice for me??

Thanks!!
-Rodney

First, Welcome to the Dis!

I have read that the new incentives for AKV include developer points that can only be used at SSR and 2008 points that can't be used until next spring. I highly recommend checking your paperwork and reading the details on your contract. I also suggest posting a new thread about this, and calling your guide (not MS) to have this better explained to you.

Booking with developer points can be tricky. Honestly, once you get past the incentives, it becomes much easier to use Good luck with making your reservations

 

[vicki_c]

I found this information and wanted to just add it here.

New Member Purchase
Animal Kingdom Villas***
$104 base price less $8 promotional discount; 160-point minimum purchase; first points available in 2008 Use Year but cannot be used until after 5/1/09 due to Kidani Village construction; matching set of Developer's Points to be used at Saratoga Springs or for Interval International exchange and expire 12 months after issue.

I'm sorry if you feel your guide didn't explain that to you, but according to that MS is correct, you can't use you 2008 points until 5/1/09 - I guess that means you will have double points during 2009 basically.

You can use your developer points 7 months out though, but it sounds like that's not enough for your trip, so you would have to borrow from 2009. At least I think that's it.

I'm sure it's in your purchase paperwork, but I don't doubt that it is all confusing, for sure!

 

[Cheshire Joni]

We just about into DVC about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I booked a Sept. 2008 trip. I was told the same thing .... they hold the room and in about 10 days you'll receive notification that its confirmed. No big deal really. The gal who spoke to me said that there is never a problem! Have fun in October!