What is DVC waiting for re: May cancellations?

[Spridell]

More power to you, of course. However, I suspect you might be a bit of an outlier.

It might be a little more than you think. I have 2 trips planned one in June and one in July. I am going to both if they are open even if NO parks.

Won't be full hotels, but I would imagine people in FLorida and within driving distance, and with lots of points to burn WILL come even if NO parks. Pete was mentioning this yesterday during the DVC video. There was a poll out back couple of months ago and lots of DVC members do HOTEL ONLY stays.

 

[Sandisw]

Has anyone been able to book in May in the last few weeks?

I have been watching availability in the last 2 weeks of May and nights open up in blocks of dates which looks like cancelled reservations.

They mostly disappear at the end of the day. I was thinking of was expiring June points being used just to try to get something on the off chance the resorts opened up before 6/1. I am ow wondering if it might be DVC blocking out the rooms so they have less to cancel

Any thoughts

Honestly, I think they are being pulled. A few weeks ago there was nothing there except a few nights, Now, when things show up I also think it’s from owners canceling.

I don’t think they will be opening before June and are Trying to remove as many as they can

 

[_auroraborealis_]

lots of DVC members do HOTEL ONLY stays.

I guess the wild card is how they feel about "resort only!" stays with no resort hopping, restaurants closed, pools closed, no activities, which seems probable. It creates a whole different kind of "resort only" stay when you can't go to TOTW to watch fireworks, or hang at the pool bar.

 

[Spridell]

I guess the wild card is how they feel about "resort only!" stays with no resort hopping, restaurants closed, pools closed, no activities, which seems probable. It creates a whole different kind of "resort only" stay when you can't go to TOTW to watch fireworks, or hang at the pool bar.

Yes all true. But, as long as the hotel is technically open it solves so many point problems that DVC will have if staying close.

ALL restaurants would have to be takeout. More outdoor tables places around the resorts spread out to eat. Pools could open with social distancing rules.

NOT IDEAL at all. But one would have the make the personal decision, "is it better than nothing"

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Golf might see a resurgence as that's still open.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

We would gladly burn points even if that meant no parks, pools, or sit down dining. I'd rather burn points on a stay doing nothing than just losing them all together.

Can I get an "amen?"

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Honestly, I think they are being pulled. A few weeks ago there was nothing there except a few nights, Now, when things show up I also think it’s from owners canceling.

I don’t think they will be opening before June and are Trying to remove as many as they can

I think they are being pulled too. We have a grand villa reservation still sitting out there starting on 5/21, I have been looking periodically at grand villas, they appear to all be blocked out for all of May except that I think I saw only one available at one point for the last weekend in May. I have seen availability scattered throughout the month however for studios and 1 bedrooms. Makes me think that for grand villas they might be pulling cancellations down quick, as even if they soft open you probably can't/shouldn't have more than 10 people in a confined space, guessing there's no way to automagically limit it down from 12.... just speculating.

 

[Tink10]

I don't know why, but I have a feeling that we'll see phased reopening of Disney resorts. Perhaps earlier than what we're expecting.

This is JUST a gut feeling, but I think we'll see the resorts that closed last (Hilton Head, Vero & Aulani) open first. Possibly to test new safety measures. I see Vero as a perfect place to test new measures.

After that, I can see them rolling out phased openings of resorts. Possibly SSR, OKW, the moderates that have outdoor entrances to rooms...But I can see OKW AND SSR being the first on-property DVC's to open...Especially if Disney Springs has anything to do with it.

I just booked May 29 - June 1 at SSR, June 1 - 5 at Vero and June 5 - 6 at SSR. I also booked Magical Express. I assumed I'd get an email from DME saying that they weren't offering service, but to the contrary, they simply advised that they may not be able to process luggage tags for our flight in.

Is it hopeful thinking on my part...Maybe, but DeSantis said Disney is definitely ahead of the curve for reopening.

 

[Yinn]

I assumed I'd get an email from DME saying that they weren't offering service, but to the contrary, they simply advised that they may not be able to process luggage tags for our flight in.

Did they tell you to pick up your bags then? Or did they just mean it’ll take longer?

 

[Tink10]

Did they tell you to pick up your bags then? Or did they just mean it’ll take longer?

Below is the email. They would take out luggage, we just need to provide the baggage claim number at DME. Granted, it's the old standard email, but they haven't cancelled the resort reservation...yet

The Disney's Magical Express Team (Disney)

Apr 22, 8:57 AM EDT

Thank you for including Disney’s Magical Express® with your Walt Disney World® Resort room reservation. This service provides complimentary motorcoach transportation and luggage delivery service between the Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World® Resorts on your day of check-in and day of check-out.

Unfortunately, we may not have the ability to create and mail your confirmation letter and luggage tags before your arrival date. You are still able to utilize all of the services that Disney’s Magical Express provides. Please follow the information provided in this confirmation email in the event your collateral is not received before travel.

Please consider your arrival day plans before deciding to use our luggage delivery service as access to your luggage will be delayed. More information is below.

Reservation Number: Removed

Please be prepared to present your reservation number or your MagicBands to check in for your transportation. Please keep this confirmation letter during your travel, as it contains helpful information regarding your reservation.

Before You Leave Home
Be sure to pack any medications, valuables, and other essential items you will need upon arrival in a carry-on bag.

To update flight information, please contact your booking agent for your Walt Disney World® Resort reservation or call Disney’s Magical Express at 1-866-599-0951. Disney’s Magical Express is not responsible for airline schedule changes.

Upon Arrival
Take the train from your gate to the main terminal; you will arrive on Level 3. Follow the airport signs to Disney's Magical Express which is located in Terminal B, Level 1 of the Orlando International Airport.

If you would like to participate in the luggage delivery service that is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm, please bypass baggage claim and present your airline baggage claim numbers to the Disney’s Magical Express Representative.

· If you participate in the luggage delivery service, your luggage will be collected from your airline and travel separately to your Disney Resort hotel.
· If you prefer not to utilize our luggage delivery service, please collect your luggage from baggage claim and bring it with you to Disney’s Magical Express where it will accompany you on the motorcoach.
· Luggage that is untagged, can only be collected by Disney’s Magical Express after you have provided the airline baggage claim numbers upon arrival. Luggage delivery generally takes up to three hours after you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel to be delivered to your room: untagged luggage may take an additional two to three hours.
· If you arrive after 10:00 pm, please bring your luggage with you to Disney’s Magical Express where it will accompany you on the motorcoach.

Motorcoaches depart continuously and you will experience a wait before you depart the airport. Your travel time is 45 to 75 minutes as the motorcoach will make multiple stops before arriving at your Disney Resort hotel.

Child safety seats are not recommended for use on motorcoaches. Not all motorcoaches have seat belts and those that do may not properly secure the child safety seat. Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

International Arrivals
Upon exiting the aircraft, you will enter U.S. Immigration. Please have your passport and any required documents available for inspection.

After retrieving your luggage, proceed to the Customs checkpoint. When exiting the Customs and Immigration area, you may keep your checked luggage with you to travel on the motorcoach or you may use Disney’s Magical Express luggage delivery service.

Disney’s Magical Express luggage delivery service is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm; simply return your checked luggage to the transfer carousel after completing the Customs and Immigration process. Bypass baggage claim in the main terminal and proceed directly to Disney's Magical Express. Be prepared to provide your airline baggage claim numbers and Disney will collect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Disney Resort hotel.

If you arrive after 10:00 pm, please bring your luggage with you to Disney’s Magical Express where it will accompany you on the motorcoach.

 

[disneygrandma]

I thought you couldn't make any new reservations before June 1st. Did that change, or was I wrong in my thinking?

 

[Sandisw]

I thought you couldn't make any new reservations before June 1st. Did that change, or was I wrong in my thinking?

That was for cash reservations, DVC rooms were still available if they were there

 

[WDWCrazyfromGA]

Me! I am going as long as I have a room. If nothing is open...pools, etc...then We will just hang out on the balcony and visit Disney Springs...if no Disney Springs, we will order take out and just relax.

We will be at VGF so can spend time walking to/from Poly...sit on the beach, etc.

Like I said, we shall see what happens once those order are lifted and how Disney decides a reasonable timeframe to open DVC Resorts,

I do think the opening of beaches, and other things is a good sign to see some limited and phased open come June.

We also intend to go if they open hotels! Our points expire anyway - so I would rather use them at our Home away from Home regardless of the parks/fireworks/pools. For my family, being at Disney always brings a level of peace to us. It's something we all feel when we drive under that sign! My husband and I are both "mission essential" and have been working crazy schedules since this thing started. We will enjoy the little break hanging on our balcony at the resort or just walking around enjoying the beautiful mornings and cool evenings. DD said we could just watch Stacy all day on TV at the resort LOL! Our stay is split at BLT and BWV - so we can mix it up a bit We realize the reservation will likely cancel, but made it the other night thinking "why not, it's worth a shot"

 

[taaren]

I don't know why, but I have a feeling that we'll see phased reopening of Disney resorts. Perhaps earlier than what we're expecting.

This is JUST a gut feeling, but I think we'll see the resorts that closed last (Hilton Head, Vero & Aulani) open first. Possibly to test new safety measures. I see Vero as a perfect place to test new measures

Vero makes sense. Aulani, less so.
A lot of it is going to come down to local regulations and the Western US tends to be leaning more heavily towards tighter regulation than the Eastern US. I'm island born with the majority of my family still in Hawaii so I've been following the local news, and Gov Ige really doesn't want to be held responsible for more unnecessary deaths so even though hotels can technically stay open, few are since they're trying to keep all visitors out because the health care infrastructure is so sparse there. Each island is kind of running its own show right now, and the mayors are publicly disagreeing over state restrictions that may make more sense for different islands to have different restrictions on residents, but they all agree that keeping non-residents out is essential for now, and probably some time to come.

 

[sgrap]

Does anyone else still have an early May reservation that hasn't been cancelled yet? We have a May 2-7 VGC reservation that is one we rented out and DVC still hasn't cancelled it yet. Rental agency says not to cancel it until they find something for me to rebook. I've seen many people with later reservations say that they've already had them cancelled.

 

[kmc33]

Does anyone else still have an early May reservation that hasn't been cancelled yet? We have a May 2-7 VGC reservation that is one we rented out and DVC still hasn't cancelled it yet. Rental agency says not to cancel it until they find something for me to rebook. I've seen many people with later reservations say that they've already had them cancelled.

I had an April 28 arrival that was just cancelled today. I didn't get an email; I only know because yesterday my dashboard still had a countdown, 7 days until arrival, and today it shows my next reservation for 100 and some days from now.

 

[dizzneebabe]

Mine did not auto cancel and we were booked for Run Disney Star Wars Weekend April 17-22, 2020. I didn't want to deal with the phone wait times and cancelled on my own about 1.5 weeks ago. Thankfully, the points went back to their prospective years.

 

[sgrap]

Do we need to cancel prior to 5 days out if DVC doesn't automatically cancel it?

 

[KPeterso]

Our city has closed all pools all summer because they feel pools are the opposite of a social distanced activity.

My condo community has all pools and hot tubs closed right now. It is 90 degrees in CA today. Going to the pool would have been nice when I was done working today. The other communities around me also all have their pools closed too. Watched someone hop the fence for the community across from mine a couple weeks ago to go to their pool.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Do we need to cancel prior to 5 days out if DVC doesn't automatically cancel it?

If the resorts are still closed then no. However if it's your own personal reservation and you won't be going there isn't any need to wait either. I cancelled our April trip online and did not bother waiting for DVC. I had a few banked points and just did a quick call a few days later and they restored them to their original UY. If you don't have any borrowed points then you don't even have to do that.