When can you reserve Disney Resorts (non-DVC) using points???

lisareniff

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
3,746
We are starting to plan our next trip for Feb 2005 and were considering staying at AKL for a couple days. My DD(7) loved the animals and the bunk beds!!

First, we are not sure if we want to pay cash or points. Does any one have any experience on which may be better during President's Week? We have the points but I would prefer not to borrow.

Is there any max. time for making a point reservation at a Disney Resort Hotel?? 11 months?

Lastly, when will they have the 2005 point schedule available for the Resorts?

Thanks.
 
using cash is generally better -

no maximum time for a WDW resort hotel. you can if the hotel has rooms availability made it 30 days before you leave - if you want - which you probably don't.

this year they were late - most of the time they have this to member by Sept.
 
I believe you can reserve at 11 months. One thing to consider - once you make a reservation at a Non-DVC resort, the points become "reservation points" and cannot be used at a DVC resort later if you cancel. I would not be in a hurry to book, there should be availability for some time. You can look at the 2004 points on the DVC Site to figure what it would be this year. The points needed are much higher than DVC resorts, I would use cash if you can. A pool view is 37 points for weeknights during that time, 40 points for savanna view (using 2004 points).
 
For DVC point reservations at non-DVC resorts, you may reserve 11 months ahead- but cannot make a reservation and travel during the last 60 days of your Use Year. (You can use points during the last 60 days- as long as the reservation was made more than 60 days ahead.)

The 2005 point charts should usually be available later this spring.
 

OK, so there is no max. time for reservations on points but I should hold my horses a bit due to the cancelation policy and abundant availablity. This is very hard since I am a big time planner!

I'm new at this Disney stuff. So, next I need to research more closely which would be better points or cash.

So if I understand DebbieB correctly I couldn't reserve with points and switch to cash later because the points would then be 'reservation points' and have to be used up by the end of the UY. (we travel every 1-2 years)

Thanks again
 
Originally posted by lisareniff
OK, so there is no max. time for reservations on points but I should hold my horses a bit due to the cancelation policy and abundant availablity. This is very hard since I am a big time planner!


Yes- there is a maximum for point reservations- 11 Months.

This timeframe applies both to our home resort and also for any of the non-DVC options for point reservations.

Enjoy!
 
Originally posted by lisareniff
OK, so there is no max. time for reservations on points but I should hold my horses a bit due to the cancelation policy and abundant availablity. This is very hard since I am a big time planner!

Just to clarify - the earliest you can make a points reservation at a non DVC WDW resort is 11 months ahead of check out. You can make a points reservation as along as there is availability at the non-DVC resort. Once the points cost chart is out for 2005, the points cost won't change for your dates, so there really isn't any hurry as long as there is still availability at the resort. DVC doesn't limit the number of rooms that can be booked at a non-DVC resort for points. The only exception to that is as Doc posted. You cannot make a reservation for a non-DVC resort 60 days or less before the end of your use year if you also plan to stay at the non-DVC resort during the last 60 days of your use year.

I'm new at this Disney stuff. So, next I need to research more closely which would be better points or cash.

So if I understand DebbieB correctly I couldn't reserve with points and switch to cash later because the points would then be 'reservation points' and have to be used up by the end of the UY. (we travel every 1-2 years)

Thanks again

Again, just to clarify a little more - "reservation" points cannot be used at a DVC resort or for a Members Getaway exchange through II. They are only valid for use at a non-DVC WDW resort, the DCL, or one of the options in the Adventurer's or Conceirge Collection.

Enjoy the planning - it's at least 1/2 the fun for me!
 
:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:
OPPS!! Yes, 11 months - that's it! I had a momentary lapse of brain cells! Thanks for the correction!

Thanks CarolMN for the detail. It's a great help.

I'm leaning toward going cash for the AKL ressies but DH want to use the points! I guess you can tell our personalities. I'm a saver (banked mode) and he's a spender (borrow mode). We have a few months to figure it out.

We had a great first trip to
BCV and looking forward the next in Feb 2005!!
 



















DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top