Very confused about something...

[hulagirl]

Let me first say, please don't flame me...I am really happy for people who are getting a good bargain and are able to go to WDW because of it this summer. I am just really confused about something and thought maybe you guys would have an answer.
I'm noticing on the resort board that there are folks booking the Fairytale Package at BWV - in 1 bedrooms. I read on another thread that all 2-bedroom units at BWV are lock-off units (correct?). I am on a waitlist at BWV for a 2 bedroom unit for our time period this summer. If they are selling 1 bedroom units with the Fairytale Package, doesn't that limit the chances that those of us on a waitlist for a 2 bedroom will actually get that waitlist request met? Are there 2 separate inventories and if so, why wouldn't DVC members always have first crack at those rooms? Am I missing something here? Our trip is in 6 weeks and I'm still waiting for several days to come through....

 

[CRobin]

Those booking BWV through the Fairytale Package are getting their rooms through one of two ways:

1). The 4% of undeclared BWV rooms that are owned by the developer.

2). Those rooms which have been made available by a member trading out his / her points for a non-DVC stay (like a cruise).

 

[hulagirl]

So, if I wanted to reserve a room with cash, I could do it but with points I cannot? Do those cash rooms become available for the waitlist at some point if they do not fill up? I still don't understand why those rooms would not be offered to DVC members on a waitlist first? I hope I don't sound like I have an air of entitlement because I don't mean to - but we paid alot of money for our membership and we sure would like to be able to stay at our home resort.

 

[Granny]

hulagirl....Disney maintains a certain percentage of occupancy at every DVC resort (4%??) for cash reservations. These rooms are really not part of the DVC inventory at all, so there is no "claim" by DVC on them.

I don't know if they ever convert those cash rooms to allow them to be available for points or not. It would seem silly for Disney to not make them available to DVC members and have the rooms stay empty.

Just wanted you to know that Disney is indeed "playing fair" with those rooms

 

[Pa@okw95]

I never liked the 4% deal but it is true. I once called trying to get the cash reservation and was told that I could not get it because the members have first crack at reservations. I did this through the CRO situation and it happen with FWV, but as most of us know by now, one employee of WDW will tell you one thing another will tell you something else. I did not call back to try again with another CRO at the time. They should sell the 4 % to people that want to be members, then with about 3 months to go if the inventory is open rent it to cash customers. I don't think that will happen.

 

[Lisa F]

Because of the member cruise a LOT of people traded a LOT of points out of the system this year. I think that is why there is so much cash availability at the DVC resorts and not so much available on points. I know it can be frustrating to not get what you want, but don't think of it as all of those cash people using something that belongs to DVC... it's more like all of those DVC people already used their points (for cruises) and those points have to be paid for somehow (by disney renting the equivalent inventory to cash paying guests).

Lisa

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by Granny

I don't know if they ever convert those cash rooms to allow them to be available for points or not. It would seem silly for Disney to not make them available to DVC members and have the rooms stay empty.

Granny, I suspect they do, but it's only a suspicion.

Once I called for ressies, gave my dates, and was put on hold for a minute. When the CM returned, she said she had to ask a supervisor if she could give me a room for a particular nite that was "not available".

So, my guess is that they are perhaps sometimes allowed to "dip into" the 4% undeclared in order to fill a room.

 

[Granny]

CRobin...thanks...I think maybe as they get down to the wire they might open up both DVC and cash ressie availability to keep the resorts filled.

Which is actually a good thing for both cash and DVC members for those last minute ressies.

 

[Snowgod]

DVD also bought back a # of contracts by ROFR and are now renting those until the points are sold.

 

[kda]

hulagirl--

Have you been calling every few days (since you're getting down to the wire) to ask if the waitlist has come through? Some people have 'magically' found out there's a room available. You also need to be sure they keep you on the waitlist after the 30 day mark. Keep calling, with a smile in your voice.



Pixie dust!!! Pixie dust!!!

 

[chris1gill]

Cash reservations can be swapped out for DVC reservations like 7 days in advance... I've actually had this occur several times when we booked very last minute stays....

As somebody mentioned, that 4% was never DVC's to begin with, so we definitely have no claim to it... and that was a great point about the exchanges this year for the cruise, that did free up a LOT of availability at the resorts...

 

[hulagirl]

Thank you all for the replies.
kda - I really appreciate the extra pixie dust. I read a thread earlier today about waitlists and think I will call to check periodically next week.

 

[disneyberry]

hulagirl, just wanted to echo what chris1gill said.
we called MS a few weeks ago 'cause we were considering a last minute trip (decided not to go after all though).

anyway, i called to inquire about room availability 7 days in advance.
the MS agent told me she checked availability, and it looked like VWL was not oversold on the nights i asked about.
she said, if i wanted, she can call VWL directly, and ask them if they can convert some of the cash inventory so we could book the rooms w/ points.

so, yes, i believe once you get to 7 days before your check-in date, MS might be able to call the resort directly and convert the cash inventory to points.

of course, this would involve actually waiting until 7 days out, and that would just be nerve wracking!

 

[nanajoyx2]

When I called in March for my June reservation I was told VWL was not available but MS offered to call the resort to see if it was available. When she came back to me I had my studio. I didn't ask how she was able to get it for me, I was just happy to get it.

 

[CarolA]

I have had them call the front desk at OKW numerous times on my last minute trips. I think that the resort management must have to say, yep we aren't going to sell that room for cash, take the points and run!

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by hulagirl
I hope I don't sound like I have an air of entitlement because I don't mean to - but we paid alot of money for our membership and we sure would like to be able to stay at our home resort.

Nope, I don't feel you sound like that at all. It's a reasonable question if you don't understand it.

Without knowing the particulars, it does sound a bit at first like Disney might be pushing their advantage just a tiny bit. As mentioned previously, Disney does retain a percentage of the resort, plus the use of any points that have been used to trade into DCL or the Disney collection. However, the use of those points should be subject to the same availability as everyone else. They should not be able to lock up a large block of 1 bedroom units in advance.

Of course, their could be more to this than we realize (or understand).