Vent about resort availability - includes issure about renters

[GEB@okw]

Renting has become a "commercial activity" and Disney is unwilling to enforce thier own rules regarding this..... So expect that the renters will have a better shot then owners at 7 months at key places (like Epcot resorts for Food/Wine)

That's one reason I won't sell my BCV points even though they are probably the most "profitable" as I downsize

If a person is renting from an owner, how can they have a better shot than the owner?

There is an Oct 16, five night stay for rent on another website. You could rent that and rent your points to pay for it.

 

[Dean]

If a person is renting from an owner, how can they have a better shot than the owner?

There is an Oct 16, five night stay for rent on another website. You could rent that and rent your points to pay for it.

My guess is the other poster is correctly identifying the fact that someone renting from an owners could get that done at the home resort ahead of owners at other resorts trying to trade at the 7 mo window. To me that's as it should be but the tone of OCC's post seems to suggest they feel otherwise.

 

[lmshaggard]

We love AKV as well and have stayed there several times, but I have been able to get almost any view as late as 30 days out depending on the time of year. I think a lot of it has to do with the number of villas available (size of the property) vs how sold out the property is. We have tried to stay away from the large properties as it seems there is always availability.

 

[metzger01]

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 !!!

Actually, I called on Tuesday and could have gotten MK view at BLT for 6 nights beginning on Oct 29--and that was right at the 7 month window. Probably gone now, but too many points for me.

 

[Wedgeh]

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

I've only just caught up with this thread, your home looks extraordinary!

 

[Hunclemarco]

I think some of your hostility is that your guide probably never mentioned how quickly a resort can get booked. They just tell you your 11/7 month booking availabilities and say you can choose different resorts...not mentioning how difficult it could be to get into some of the resorts.

Hope you get your waitlist approved soon

 

[ead79]

I think some of your hostility is that your guide probably never mentioned how quickly a resort can get booked. They just tell you your 11/7 month booking availabilities and say you can choose different resorts...not mentioning how difficult it could be to get into some of the resorts.

Hope you get your waitlist approved soon

Oh no, I hope my post didn't come off as hostile! Really I was just more frustrated than anything. While I knew that what my guide said (that I would have virtually no trouble booking different resorts at the 7 month window) was not true, I admit that I had no idea just how difficult it would be. I suppose there's no way to know until you try for different dates. That being said, I do wish my guide had at least been a bit more clear that it might frequently be hard to get other resorts besides your home resort. I do love AKV, so I'm happy to own where I own, but I do enjoy trying different resorts too.

 

[TisBit]

Renting has become a "commercial activity" and Disney is unwilling to enforce thier own rules regarding this..... So expect that the renters will have a better shot then owners at 7 months at key places (like Epcot resorts for Food/Wine)

I think Disney has made some efforts and have actually created some rules in the last few years. Before, there was absolutely no rules to curb renting. Limiting the Associates on an account, setting a max number of reservations not in your name were all established to help ease some of the concerns that members had.

Renters having a greater chance of getting a resort than someone at 7 months is similar to the argument that fastpass is unfair. If the owners could not rent/gift/make reservations for someone else, they would still have to use their points and most likely your availability would still be the same.

Oh no, I hope my post didn't come off as hostile! Really I was just more frustrated than anything. While I knew that what my guide said (that I would have virtually no trouble booking different resorts at the 7 month window) was not true, I admit that I had no idea just how difficult it would be. I suppose there's no way to know until you try for different dates. That being said, I do wish my guide had at least been a bit more clear that it might frequently be hard to get other resorts besides your home resort. I do love AKV, so I'm happy to own where I own, but I do enjoy trying different resorts too.

I think you will find that as time goes on, getting other resorts won't seem impossible. When we first tried to use some points at HHI or Vero we called in the hopes of getting a last minute reservation and absolutely nothing was available. Since doing this a bit, we were able to get reservations at HHI, knowing not try the peak times, etc. In just a few stays we have stayed at about half the DVC resorts, just to try them out. The other thing that I have found is that the more resorts that I have stayed at, the more comfortable I feel at my "home" resort. SSR takes a bashing here on the DIS, but after a few stays (our first stay was at SSR for 12 days and we didn't even try switching over Thanksgiving) we have just felt that it was at home. I even encourage people to stay at their home resort at least twice before switching, it will get you in a different mindset when you start jumping around.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have only rented my points out once....and that was for a reservation for friends who are at OKW right now on my points. I don't understand the hostility toward renting. Most of those who rent do so as I did....rent only occasionally and to friends. I can understand being upset about commercial renters, but DVC has made some rule changes that make that a lot more difficult. The reality is...If you OWN points, why should you not also be able to rent them out? I know it is maddening to see prime reservations being offered on EBay for rent, but the fact is, those people who booked those reservations did so under the rules of DVC. While it might irritate us that someone who is not an owner is getting the benefit of those prime times, the actual owner does have every right to use his/her points anyway they want to. Each of us has the same opportunity. No one can call earlier than the 11 month booking window. Frankly, I feel that "walking" a reservation is more outside the spirit of the "rules" than renting is.

Oh, and those people I rented my points to for the trip ending today....They just signed a DVC contract of their own yesterday and got a GREAT deal because of the Family and Friends referral!

 

[ead79]

I think you will find that as time goes on, getting other resorts won't seem impossible. When we first tried to use some points at HHI or Vero we called in the hopes of getting a last minute reservation and absolutely nothing was available. Since doing this a bit, we were able to get reservations at HHI, knowing not try the peak times, etc. In just a few stays we have stayed at about half the DVC resorts, just to try them out. The other thing that I have found is that the more resorts that I have stayed at, the more comfortable I feel at my "home" resort. SSR takes a bashing here on the DIS, but after a few stays (our first stay was at SSR for 12 days and we didn't even try switching over Thanksgiving) we have just felt that it was at home. I even encourage people to stay at their home resort at least twice before switching, it will get you in a different mindset when you start jumping around.

That's a great suggestion about staying at your home resort multiple times before trying out the others. I agree with you on that for sure! I have stayed at AKV several times, plus I stayed at AKL back before we joined DVC. It really does feel like "home" to us, so I totally understand your point.

I have only rented my points out once....and that was for a reservation for friends who are at OKW right now on my points. I don't understand the hostility toward renting. Most of those who rent do so as I did....rent only occasionally and to friends. I can understand being upset about commercial renters, but DVC has made some rule changes that make that a lot more difficult. The reality is...If you OWN points, why should you not also be able to rent them out? I know it is maddening to see prime reservations being offered on EBay for rent, but the fact is, those people who booked those reservations did so under the rules of DVC. While it might irritate us that someone who is not an owner is getting the benefit of those prime times, the actual owner does have every right to use his/her points anyway they want to. Each of us has the same opportunity. No one can call earlier than the 11 month booking window. Frankly, I feel that "walking" a reservation is more outside the spirit of the "rules" than renting is.

Oh, and those people I rented my points to for the trip ending today....They just signed a DVC contract of their own yesterday and got a GREAT deal because of the Family and Friends referral!

You are totally right, Diane. While it might be irritating to see points up for rent on eBay, it's totally within the rules. And I agree with you totally about walking a reservation, for what it's worth.

Congrats to your friends! What home resort did they pick?

 

[Greysword]

Oh, and those people I rented my points to for the trip ending today....They just signed a DVC contract of their own yesterday and got a GREAT deal because of the Family and Friends referral!

Well, I guess that means whatever happens from this point forward is all your fault addonitis, the need for APs, multiple trips each year, family asking to use their points, all on you

Good job!

 

[dianeschlicht]

LOL! I didn't tell them about "those" things! They wanted OKW, but ended up with SSR because they couldn't pass up the price incentives there. The funny thing is that they will likely want to stay at OKW most of the time.

 

[bytheblood]

I understand the frustration. When you are speaking to a tour guide/sales person, they go on and on and on about how many choices you have, what is available to you, that you can stay at any DVC resort, etc - yet they neglect to mention two things...
1 - It is more difficult to get into a resort at the 7-month mark
2 - When you buy in, only so many DVC properties are available and those others you are interested in fall under that 7-month mark

I mean, they tell you the 2nd part, but they are so "passive" about it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My guess is the other poster is correctly identifying the fact that someone renting from an owners could get that done at the home resort ahead of owners at other resorts trying to trade at the 7 mo window. To me that's as it should be but the tone of OCC's post seems to suggest they feel otherwise.

You aren't just competing with the odd person renting thier "one extra" reservation. You are now competing with several "commerical renters" who are doing LOTS and LOTS of renting... IMHO that's changed the playing field.. maybe I am wrong, but....

 

[MiaSRN62]

Actually, I called on Tuesday and could have gotten MK view at BLT for 6 nights beginning on Oct 29--and that was right at the 7 month window. Probably gone now, but too many points for me.

Wow....lucky you ! I booked Sept 29-Oct 1 AND Oct 8 back on Jan 20, 2010. No MK studios. We have Lake view for both those reservations.

Also, booked Dec 18-22 at BLT on March 13. No MK views left for a studio either.

I don't feel the point difference is that bad ? 3 points xtra/night for the MK view for the studio. I would have taken it if it had been there.

 

[Dean]

You aren't just competing with the odd person renting thier "one extra" reservation. You are now competing with several "commerical renters" who are doing LOTS and LOTS of renting... IMHO that's changed the playing field.. maybe I am wrong, but....

IMO it doesn't really matter. As correctly pointed out, the points will still be used to reserve something. The renter from a home resort owner is MORE deserving than a DVC owner at another resort.

 

[laura-k]

I think some of your hostility is that your guide probably never mentioned how quickly a resort can get booked. They just tell you your 11/7 month booking availabilities and say you can choose different resorts...not mentioning how difficult it could be to get into some of the resorts.

Hope you get your waitlist approved soon

I had a meeting with a guide last month and I asked about BCV points and she told me the price and then kept pushing me towards Saratoga Spring points , telling me I could stay at the other resorts anyway and that would save me money -
Isn't Saratoga sold out too ?
I didn't say that the BCV points cost to much ,so I am not sure why she would push towards a property I didn't inquire about ,She was a senior guide so I couldn't believe she would not go with the buy where you want to stay thing -anyway I think some of the guides need to be more clear that its just not a given to get what you want at 7 months -

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

when we had trouble making our first @ our home [ blt], i thought
liked "orange". however, i noticed when i kept calling ,dvc workers
made it a point that this was not the case. professional renters.
so that got me thinking if they were sure that it wasn't them-then
who could be taking up the revs.? then i noticed all
those working @ dvc are also owners. so i switched & started
asking about dvc workers pulling strings. instead of getting
denials , the managers reacted in anger. you think?

buy where you want to own is a real important factor. but overall
we are very disappointed with dvc. there are some real nasty
folks in the front office. think nothing about lying & passive/
aggressive behaviors. but what we were most disappointed with
are the broken promises, the vandalism inside our room,
& the solicitation right outside our room. i rather be in the value
resorts & the "braizillians" .

as for the op., i can understand the frustrations but i don't think
the system failed you. just keep trying & good luck! as for
renters, have you read some being ripped off on other threads?
[ i feel sorry for those that were robbed of their dreams ].

 

[Geezer]

Lil grumpy....You need to get that shift key fixed.

 

[LisaS]

You aren't just competing with the odd person renting their "one extra" reservation. You are now competing with several "commercial renters" who are doing LOTS and LOTS of renting... IMHO that's changed the playing field.. maybe I am wrong, but....

With the Internet making information about renting more widely available, it's quite possible that fewer DVC members are just letting their points expire and opting to rent either on their own or through a rental broker. So it's quite possible that there is less availability 7 months out than there used to be. Some members have posted that they bought the lowest cost resort (purchase price + dues) with no intention of ever staying there, creating more competition 7 months out. Others are swayed by the "buy where you want to stay" perspective, increasing the number of owners at certain resorts who will book within the 11-month window, leaving less availability at 7 months.

I also agree with Dean's comment:

The renter from a home resort owner is MORE deserving than a DVC owner at another resort.

I pay higher dues at the resorts I own (BWV, VWL, AKV) for the privilege of booking there 11 months out. If I ever choose to rent, I have the option to do so 11 months out because I pay for the upkeep there.