We're Official

[jd99]

Closed a week ago on a BCV resale and we are now "in the system" as DVC owners. Woo hoo. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's too late for us to convert our now-cash trip in early December to a points trip at our home resort -- or any of our other preferences. Only thing available is SSR, which I am sure is beautiful, but we are going with two little ones (a 6 year old and a one year old) and need walking access to at least one theme park, so we needed BCV or BWV. Would have even settled for VWL because of the easy access to MK, but alas it's not available either. Seeking advice. Do I
1. Just say it wasn't meant to be and keep my cash reservations knowing it's the last time I pay for a whole week with cash.
2. Keep my cash ressie and go on a waiting list for BCV -- does this ever work?
3. Use the points I have to burn to stay in the hotels we are planning to stay in all along -- but pay for the weekend nights with cash?

I'm leaning toward #3 since I am one of those people who looks at the points as a pre-paid vacation and plans to use them up every year, not worry about banking, etc. What would you do?

 

[CarolMN]

First of all, congratulations and welcome home!

I'd keep the cash reservations for a back up. Early December weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) often sell out - the decorations, MVMCP and CP are popular with the cash-paying general public and they almost always want to stay over a weekend.

I'd get on the waitlist for both a 1 bedroom and a studio (for the whole time I needed or t least the Sunday -Thursday night portion of my stay) at BCV, BWV and VWL. I'd hope at least one of them came through!

I wouldn't book the weeknights for points (in a non-DVC resort room) until just before the cancellation deadline for the back up cash reservation. If nothing came through before then, I'd cancel the Sun-Thur night portion of the cash ressie, keep the Friday & Saturday night portion, and then book the weeknights for points. I'd request not to change rooms (a possibility), repeat the request at check in and hope for the best!

Good luck!

P.S. Hope you don't have a February use year. If so, above may not work (unless you can make the changes before 12/1/2004) as you cannot both make a ressie and stay at a non-DVC resort during the last 60 days of your use year.

 

[jd99]

Explain to me what I can't do. I wish I would have known this before buying in because this is the time of year we always go.....I didn't want to have any "limits" to what I can do with my points.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by jd99
Explain to me what I can't do. I wish I would have known this before buying in because this is the time of year we always go.....I didn't want to have any "limits" to what I can do with my points.

This does NOT apply to reservations for a stay at DVC resorts.

As long as you make the reservation before December 1st you can use your points to stay at one of the non-DVC options.

For example, if you wanted to stay at the GF on points from 1/4-1/7, you'd have to call MS no later than 11/30 to make the reservation. If you waited until 12/1 to call, MS would tell you no.

HTH.

Best wishes -

P.S. If your desired stay is early December, maybe the cash ressie has to be cancelled before m11/30 anyway to avoid a penalty. If so, no worries for this year.

 

[jd99]

So if we end up staying two nights on points at the Polynesian, I can do it as long as I finalize the reservation by Nov. 30 -- even if I am traveling on December 4?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by jd99
So if we end up staying two nights on points at the Polynesian, I can do it as long as I finalize the reservation by Nov. 30 -- even if I am traveling on December 4?

Yes!

 

[lenshanem]

 

[jbwolffiv]

WELCOME HOME!

 

[MJTinNH]

Congratulations & Welcome Home!