Vent about resort availability - includes issure about renters

[dianeschlicht]

Not necessarily---if each new resort is equally "desirable", then the existing members would want to book that new inventory just as much as new members would want to book the existing inventory.

Of course, each new resort isn't necessarily equally "desirable", especially at certain times of the year.

True, but desirable to me might be completely different to desirable for you. For example, I have absolutely no desire to ever stay at BLT, but I'm sure I'm in the minority there. I also have no overwhelming desire to stay at BWV, and VWL is too much like my home for me to really have a desire to stay there either. The point is, I really DO enjoy my OKW home the most.

 

[Brian Noble]

but desirable to me might be completely different to desirable for you.

That's fine. As long as it works out in the aggregate, then adding members has no impact on resort availability in the long run.

Of course, it doesn't. But that's another story for another time.

 

[ead79]

Oh good, thanks! Did you call back? I got the 15th and 16th around 10:30. They still had BWV (not sure of the view) at that time too. It seems their inventory is changing frequently. Best of luck to you. Like I said to my DH, I can think of worse things than being "stuck" at AKL with a savanna view!

I did, but nothing quite worked out. They did still have some days at BLT available beginning on the 17th, so I'm going to call for those tomorrow and waitlist from that point depending on what I can get.

And you're right, AKV is fantastic (it's my home resort for a reason--I love it!). So it's not like I'm in too bad of a spot anyway, LOL.

 

[ccgirl]

I did, but nothing quite worked out. They did still have some days at BLT available beginning on the 17th, so I'm going to call for those tomorrow and waitlist from that point depending on what I can get.

And you're right, AKV is fantastic (it's my home resort for a reason--I love it!). So it's not like I'm in too bad of a spot anyway, LOL.

Bummer! Hoping you get what you want! Love the wedding pictures BTW.

 

[ead79]

Bummer! Hoping you get what you want! Love the wedding pictures BTW.

Thanks! And thanks for the compliment--it was a dream come true!

 

[Wedgeh]

VWL is too much like my home for me to really have a desire to stay there either.

Wow - you live somewhere like VWL, jealous!

 

[Greysword]

Here is the good news, BLT isn't fully declared yet!

Ok, so how is that good news? It just means that a remaining few of the rooms are still owned by DVD, BUT will likely be transferred to DVC by the end of the year (if wdrl and dizfan's predictions are correct, and I think they are).

Once they release the new rooms, wait lists will be filled quickly with the inventory, so if BLT sells well over the next few months, you may have your studio after all.

Good luck!


P.S. I had the same sentiment as Brian Noble, since booking other resorts is technically a perk, which can be revoked by the board (extremely unlikely). Thus, an owner at a resort, who pays dues to upkeep that resort, should have renting priority over those of us from other resorts. This would mainly come into play at non-WDW resorts, especially Hawaii and maybe California, since the inventory is relatively low. This isn't a comment just for Elisabeth, but mainly a discussion point at large, especially with the new rules for resales coming out.

 

[Dean]

I'm sorry, but I feel the need to vent, so please excuse me.

I am vacationing in WDW on October 15-23. I called months ago and booked my home resort, AKV, so no problems there.

While I love my home resort, of course sometimes I like to stay at other DVC properties. We have friends staying at BLT during that same time frame, so I wanted to switch to a BLT studio instead of an AKV studio.

No luck for our stay at all, right at 9 AM sharp on the 7 month window. They had a few nights available here and there, but it would require moving multiple times over the trip.

Not only was BLT not available, but neither were BWV or BCV studios, my 2nd and third choices.

Of course I understand that sometimes this just happens, such is life. And I know that Food & Wine impacts the BWV/BCV reservations quite a bit. However, it just seems to me that the whole booking situation has just gotten crazy.

On top of that, I noticed on another thread that someone renting DVC points from a member got a BWV studio for almost my exact dates. While I know that it's a DVC member's right to rent out their points, and I'm not encouraging Disney to completely do away with the practice altogether, I must admit that it frustrates me. I own DVC, yet I can't get what I want because a point renter has it instead. I realize they rented from another owner, and that owner has rights as well. But it just rubs me entirely the wrong way. To be 100% honest, I wish there was a way Disney could limit point renting until after members have had a shot to book first (i.e. maybe let point rental reservations not book until 6 months out).

I'm just frustrated I suppose. When I bought DVC my guide assured me that there are virtually no issues with booking other resorts. This marks the 2nd time I've had an issue. While I didn't really believe my guide in the first place, LOL, I admit I'm frustrated.

Let me make sure I understand. You're upset because there was no availability at a busy time and that another member, likely using their home resort priority, was renting out the time you wanted. IMO, a member reserving and renting IS EXACTLY the same as the owner using it themselves.

 

[MiaSRN62]

ead79...sure hope something comes through for you. Certain resorts at certain times can be tough. I can usually get BWV any time of the year except F&W (though it did happen one time--in 2006).

I am really glad I purchased at BLT because I ALWAYS have a tough time getting the MK view. I can't imagine how non-members get it ??? I've tried in the month of May, Oct and Dec (combo of studio and one bedrooms). I usually call 8-10 months prior and I've had limited luck with that view. I just booked BLT studio for Dec 17-22. I called on Feb 25---only "lake" and "standard" view left. I seem to recall that prior to BLT opening there was some discussion about how people would probably not want to cough up the pricey MK view points. Guess that's not turning out to be the case ? So anyway ead79....I *get* that occasional frustration. I'm a BLT owner and even I have issues getting exactly what I want there
Hang in there ! Look at it this way....you'll be in WDW for F&W !!!

 

[ead79]

Here is the good news, BLT isn't fully declared yet!

Ok, so how is that good news? It just means that a remaining few of the rooms are still owned by DVD, BUT will likely be transferred to DVC by the end of the year (if wdrl and dizfan's predictions are correct, and I think they are).

Once they release the new rooms, wait lists will be filled quickly with the inventory, so if BLT sells well over the next few months, you may have your studio after all.

Good luck!


P.S. I had the same sentiment as Brian Noble, since booking other resorts is technically a perk, which can be revoked by the board (extremely unlikely). Thus, an owner at a resort, who pays dues to upkeep that resort, should have renting priority over those of us from other resorts. This would mainly come into play at non-WDW resorts, especially Hawaii and maybe California, since the inventory is relatively low. This isn't a comment just for Elisabeth, but mainly a discussion point at large, especially with the new rules for resales coming out.

That's a good point about the additional units coming online. I didn't realize they weren't all declared yet. And of course I understand the appeal of renting out your points, and I wouldn't necessarily want DVC to end that as it would affect members negatively.

Let me make sure I understand. You're upset because there was no availability at a busy time and that another member, likely using their home resort priority, was renting out the time you wanted. IMO, a member reserving and renting IS EXACTLY the same as the owner using it themselves.

Gotcha, yes, I was a bit miffed--mainly at the fact that I seem to have more trouble than I anticipated booking resorts other than my home resort. I totally understand your opinion. Mine is just a bit different. I of course realize that the system as it is now is how it's likely to remain. To me, a member renting out points is different than using it themselves, though it's really just different to me in the "emotional" sense if that makes any sense, LOL.

ead79...sure hope something comes through for you. Certain resorts at certain times can be tough. I can usually get BWV any time of the year except F&W (though it did happen one time--in 2006).

I am really glad I purchased at BLT because I ALWAYS have a tough time getting the MK view. I can't imagine how non-members get it ??? I've tried in the month of May, Oct and Dec (combo of studio and one bedrooms). I usually call 8-10 months prior and I've had limited luck with that view. I just booked BLT studio for Dec 17-22. I called on Feb 25---only "lake" and "standard" view left. I seem to recall that prior to BLT opening there was some discussion about how people would probably not want to cough up the pricey MK view points. Guess that's not turning out to be the case ? So anyway ead79....I *get* that occasional frustration. I'm a BLT owner and even I have issues getting exactly what I want there
Hang in there ! Look at it this way....you'll be in WDW for F&W !!!

Yes, thanks for the encouragement! And you're totally right--I'm going to WDW!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow - you live somewhere like VWL, jealous!

Sure. Just look at the picture on the right in my signature. That's MY "wilderness Lodge".

 

[ccgirl]

Sure. Just look at the picture on the right in my signature. That's MY "wilderness Lodge".

One word...AMAZING!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Gotcha, yes, I was a bit miffed--mainly at the fact that I seem to have more trouble than I anticipated booking resorts other than my home resort. I totally understand your opinion. Mine is just a bit different. I of course realize that the system as it is now is how it's likely to remain. To me, a member renting out points is different than using it themselves, though it's really just different to me in the "emotional" sense if that makes any sense, LOL.

The problem with the emotional is that there's no real standard, that's where rules come in. Legally, they really don't have a lot of leeway in preventing owners from renting other than at the extremes.

The 7 month window has gotten more difficult the last 2-3 years and likely will get slightly more so the next 2-3 as SSR sells out and all owners there get a couple of trips under their belt.. After that it's likely to stabilize assuming no new resorts. Any new resort will tilt the scale depending on it's inherent demand compared to the other resorts. The problem is that a resort that has high demand will have a far greater retention of it's owners leaving little at 7 months where a resort that has a demand below the average will tend to have a far greater effect on the system. SSR is a perfect example due to the fact that it's inherent demand is lower than all other WDW resorts (even OKW to a degree) and is so large. Thus even a small difference is magnified. It'd likely take 10 resorts the size and demand of BLT to balance the affect that SSR had on the system. I'm not blaming SSR or the owners there, it's just the way it is. HH and VB actually have larger differences but they were already part of the system and are much smaller even when looked at as a combined unit.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Dean : It'd likely take 10 resorts the size and demand of BLT to balance the affect that SSR had on the system. I'm not blaming SSR or the owners there, it's just the way it is.

wow....that's an eye opener......

 

[gkrykewy]

Sure. Just look at the picture on the right in my signature. That's MY "wilderness Lodge".

Lovely!

 

[cseca]

Sure. Just look at the picture on the right in my signature. That's MY "wilderness Lodge".

sigh... beautiful...
does it smell like WL too?
If it does, could I move in with you?

 

[Greysword]

I'm not blaming SSR or the owners there, it's just the way it is.

I think for a period of time, SSR was the only DVC resort being sold.

 

[dianeschlicht]

sigh... beautiful...
does it smell like WL too?
If it does, could I move in with you?

LOL! Well, it smells fine unless you go out to the kennel in the morning!

 

[realmom1229]

I have NEVER had any luck with the waitlist. I always call in the minute they're open on the first day that I'm able to call, exactly 7 months out if I don't intend to stay at my home resort. I've been put on the waitlist more times than I care to mention and it's never happened for me. It's just extremely difficult to get a decent reservation for anywhere except for your home resort, unless you don't mind moving mid-vacation...

 

[MiaSRN62]

I always call in the minute they're open on the first day that I'm able to call, exactly 7 months out if I don't intend to stay at my home resort. I've been put on the waitlist more times than I care to mention and it's never happened for me. It's just extremely difficult to get a decent reservation for anywhere except for your home resort, unless you don't mind moving mid-vacation...

Are these during very high DVC times ? Such as early Dec ? F&W ? Holidays ?
Because I've been a member since 2000 and had relatively good luck getting outside my home resort. I've gotten BWV & VWL particularily during May, July, Aug and Sept. I've even gotten these at 3-4 months out. Usually if I'm booking under 60 days, SSR and sometimes OKW is all that is available.