Welcome Home trip question

[GeekRemix]

So I recently got my Animal Kingdom Lodge points resale. And I want to get 150 points direct at riviera because I want to be able to go to the new hotels in the future and I like some of the member benefits and want in before the 150 minimumturns into 300 or something. Do I still get a welcome home trip if this is my first time buying direct? Or am I second class citizen trash?

 

[VGCgroupie]

No welcome home trip.

 

[GeekRemix]

No welcome home trip.

uhg! thank you for the information

 

[VGCgroupie]

uhg! thank you for the information

No problem. I’m in the same 2nd class boat, about to buy direct and I need a reservation that’s not available to boot.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

Did you ask your guide to see if they could get you some pixie dust ??

 

[VGCgroupie]

Did you ask your guide to see if they could get you some pixie dust ??

Yep

 

[VandVsmama]

(question from a not-yet-DVC-owner)
What's the big deal about the 'welcome home' trip?

 

[VGCgroupie]

(question from a not-yet-DVC-owner)
What's the big deal about the 'welcome home' trip?

They can sometimes book you a stay that is not available in the traditional DVC system. Usually a stay that is close in date.

 

[rentfn]

We just bought VDH direct and they got us a room for a rundisney weekend that our friends have been trying to book for a couple of months haha.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Welcome Home is intended both to help someone brand new who didn't get 11 months, and also because they've never had a booking. Anyone - direct or resale - who buys a second contract who has had a DVC stay booked on points they own are ineligible.

It's not so much about the resale as the purpose.

 

[smileyanna]

Your second class citizen trash status is getting you existing member incentives, worth a lot more than a Welcome Home trip

 

[VGCgroupie]

Your second class citizen trash status is getting you existing member incentives, worth a lot more than a Welcome Home trip

That is true.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So if you are still considering direct, ask your guide about still getting a welcome home trip booked. I think they may just be able to do it especially if your purchase relies on it.

 

[GeekRemix]

So if you are still considering direct, ask your guide about still getting a welcome home trip booked. I think they may just be able to do it especially if your purchase relies on it.

thank you for the tip. I have a very hard time being pushy or demanding in situations like this. So I think it would be good for me to try and ask.

 

[Sandisw]

thank you for the tip. I have a very hard time being pushy or demanding in situations like this. So I think it would be good for me to try and ask.

If you are already an owner, they will not help with welcome home, even if you say you won’t buy.

They wouldn’t even give it to my adult kids who were added to our membership because DH and I were already owners

The purpose of welcome home is to help you with the booking process for your very first trip and for those who buy direct inside the 7 month window.

 

[GeekRemix]

If you are already an owner, they will not help with welcome home, even if you say you won’t buy.

They wouldn’t even give it to my adult kids who were added to our membership because DH and I were already owners

The purpose of welcome home is to help you with the booking process for your very first trip and for those who buy direct inside the 7 month window.

thanks! I think i'm still going to buy since I want the benefits.

 

[rentfn]

This is going to sound super greedy, sorry for that hahaha. I've read sometimes they semi upgrade you on your first stay, standard view to premium view sorta thing. Is it better to not make a request for your first stay, certain room or floor, because they might not "upgrade" you. Sorry if this is rude, just wanted to check. TIA

 

[Sandisw]

This is going to sound super greedy, sorry for that hahaha. I've read sometimes they semi upgrade you on your first stay, standard view to premium view sorta thing. Is it better to not make a request for your first stay, certain room or floor, because they might not "upgrade" you. Sorry if this is rude, just wanted to check. TIA

Never heard that and upgrades with DVC is rare. But not rude to ask at all!

 

[rentfn]

I could have sworn I heard this on a podcast a couple of times, I think it's mostly from my friend's dad. He's been DVC for a long time and he always talks about how they upgraded him to a one bedroom his first trip. He added on points a year later and he thinks they planned that upgrade to trick him haha.

Basically it's a "my uncle works at Nintendo" situation haha.

 

[CarolynFH]

I could have sworn I heard this on a podcast a couple of times, I think it's mostly from my friend's dad. He's been DVC for a long time and he always talks about how they upgraded him to a one bedroom his first trip. He added on points a year later and he thinks they planned that upgrade to trick him haha.

Basically it's a "my uncle works at Nintendo" situation haha.

During Covid, when the resorts weren’t as full as normal, it seemed that upgrades from studios to larger villas happened more frequently. But other than that, DVC upgrades are rare and usually related to some maintenance issue or other problem with the villa that was booked.