Why aren't BC and BW regular Deluxe trades?

[happyrebster]

Hey all,

I am a newbie owner with a question. Bought SSR in the fall and, let me first say, that I know I will be thrilled! I am a spa addict and I really enjoy Pleasure Island. Being able to get home from PI at night without getting on a bus sounds like heaven! Also, I love horses and I think that motif will suit me.

I would, however, like to try other resorts. It's just DH and I, so all we ever need is a studio. Folks had been saying that it was sometimes difficult to book at Boardwalk or Beach or Wilderness at the 7 month window. And so I thought -- well, can't I use my points to purchase a HOTEL room at Boardwalk or Beach (about the same size as a studio) -- just as I would to get a room at Poly or AK? But the point charts don't show that as an option.

So, I guess I want to know: Is it an option? And, if not, why not?

Just curious, if anyone knows. Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If a DVC resort has a Disney hotel associated with it, you cannot use points to book a room at the hotel. Before BCV, you could reserve at BC (you still can at YC). Before VWL, you could reserve at WL.

 

[happyrebster]

Thanks, Deb! I hadn't noticed that Yacht Club was an option. I checked the points required for a room there and Yacht Club will do just fine! Thanks so much for your reply! I feel much better now!

 

[PamOKW]

It's true that once a resort builds a DVC (or they are built together), there is no point option for staying at the hotel.

Based on the points required for the Yacht Club (still available) vs. BCV you aren't giving up much. A studio is roughly comparable to a deluxe hotel room (and it includes the kitchenette). A studio at BCV Sun-Thurs runs 12-19 points depending upon the time of year. At Yacht Club the Standard room runs 31-52 points -- more than twice the points! In fact, a BCV two-bedroom costs less points -- 30-50 points.

 

[happyrebster]

Hey Pam -- thanks for taking time to reply. I am with you regarding points. If BCV had a studio available when I wanted to visit, I would of course take that over spending more points to stay at Yacht. However, if I am consistently shut out at the 7 month window, and can never stay at either BCV or BWV, then it is nice to know that I can at least stay at Yacht, even if it costs more points. It's just an oddly comforting thought to realize that I can definitely try the Epcot resorts if I want to, kwim?

 

[spiceycat]

most of time you won't be constantly shut out - just do it at the 7 month window - if you can't get what you want then - go on the wait list - automatic confirmation and day by day -

the only time this probably won't work is the early December time - but even then people have reported success. (might be Thanksgiving week too)

 

[princess&tig]

The booking exactly at the 7 month window is way over blown. Exceot for very unusual times (1st 2 weeks Dec, Christmas, Easter), you can get whet you want at 7 months. At 5 months if you are flexible on resort, you can get the time you want. I have made reservations 3 months before the trip.

Don't waste the points. Just try to plan ahead a litte, have flexibility, and utilze wait lists.

 

[MiaSRN62]

yep....I agree that you won't be consistantly shut-out. I got a BW studio at 60 days out last year in the middle of the summer. I think you'll only have trouble with BWV/BCV during holidays, Food and Wine Festival and early Dec. I have seen lots of people on these boards having their wait-list come through for them at these resorts all during the year.

 

[owensamo]

I have to say that I have never had a problem getting what I want at the 7month *or less* window. We've twice booked at 5 months or less and managed to get a room at the resort we wanted. It may not be the size we want, but we've gotten a room.

I have to say, though, that my most recent booking experience was the most hectic. We were looking for a 4-night stay, checking out on Memorial Day. I booked just over 2 months out (64 or 65 days) and the poor MS CM went through *all* the resorts and none of them had any single room size for all of the nights. She finally asked what I wanted to do, and I said, "What did you have at Old Key West again" And she pulled up a 1 bedroom that hadn't been there 2 minutes previously. So we booked that, if only to have a room.

We'd wanted a studio at OKW, but as we're taking my 2yo DD and my DH's parents, I think we'll be a little happier in a 1 bedroom, even with the sleeper sofa. The only other time we didn't get the size room we wanted was when we showed up at the OKW desk a day early this past January and again had to take a 1 bedroom rather than a stuio for the night.

That said, I would probably recommend checking on a different villa size (1 bedroom vs. studio) before spending the points on a hotel room at the YC. Even though it's only the two of you, you might be pleasantly surprised. My DH and I stayed in 1 bedrooms before we had our DD. Our first stay in a studio was at BWV for our anniversary last year (after DD - we left her home with the grandparents) and it was great for the two of us, but the 1 bedroom was just fine too - especially with the full kitchen and laundry facilities. And the king bed is nice as well.

Mur!