Why Can't DVC Members cannot book 1-2 bedrooms on DCL?

[minimahaki]

Can someone please explain to me why we can not use point to book a 1-2 bedroom aboard the DCL? I tried last year on the Wonder and again for this year on the Magic. If I have the points, and or combination of cash/points to do so why is this not permitted? I was informed on the DCL boards that it was probably because these rooms filled up very quickly and were expensive. Can anyone on the DVC boards give me a better explanation?
I am very happy to be able to book as high as a family suite and do stay in a category 5 on deck 7 when I do cruise. But I would love to be able to use my points to stay in a 1-2 bedroom at least once...
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members Since May, 1993

 

[LIDisneyFan]

We ran into the same thing - se we paid cash for our Cat 3 on the 4 day cruise, and used our points for the Disney stay (and made it a full week land + the cruise)

I agree, it would be nice to offer it to us, and I don't understand the exclusion, but I guess it's another Disneyism

[This message was edited by LIDisneyFan on 04-27-01 at 11:52 AM.]

 

[TnRobin]

There are only two Cat 1 cabins and only two Cat 2 cabins on each ship. These 4 cabins book FAST. I have heard that they often are reserved 2 years in advance. Since DCL has no problem booking these staterooms well in advance of out 11 month window, they do not feel it is necessary to offer them to DVC as an exchange. Even though there are more Cat 3s, they too book rather quickly. DCL has probably decided that they do not need to offer them to DVC as an exchange, they would rather have the cash, than the trading power.

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[DVCDAVE]

Believe it or not, I believe there are room restrictions at most of the resorts in the Disney collection. For instance, you can not book a room on points in the Contmporary Tower, just the gardens. I think it has to do with demand for certain rooms, and Disney doesn't feel that the need to offer its enrire inventory for points, if the cash system brings enough demand to fill them with cash payors.

WDW:
76,77,78,87,FW
92,Offsite
95 POL
96(2), GF,Offsite
97,GF
98,99,00,FW
8/00 DVC member @ BWV
3/01 BWV, FW
3/01 DVC member @ WLV
11/01 BWV !
3/02 VWL !

 

[Here'sTigger2U]

In regards to the Contemporary; you can book the tower, I did it last year. Regarding upgrade rooms at other resorts, depending on when you go, if a room is available at check-in, you should be able to get it, regardless of category, but you may have to pay the difference in cash-this from member services. I also know that when you book a non-DVC Disney resort, that resort does not get the booking until the one or two days before, making it hard to call that resort in advance to get the room category or location you want.
Back to the topic, I thought I had heard a DVC member getting an upgrade from cat 4 to cat 3 on a cruise. Am I mistaken? I really would love to do a cat 3 with my family down the road.

Bob.

1980-Offsite
1993-Hotel Santa Fe, Eurodisney
1995-Dixie Landings
1996-All Star Sports
1997-Carribean Beach Resort
1998-Port Orleans
1999-Polynesian; Disneyland
2000-DVC Boardwalk
2000-DCL Wonder (4-day)
2000-Contemporary
2002-Grand Floridian
2002-Boardwalk Villas

 

[TnRobin]

The upgrades to Cat 3 last year were a fluke. DCL had overbooked Cat 4 and had to bump some people in Cat 4 up to Cat 3. These people were drawn at random. Some were DVC and most were cash. (I was one of these lucky people last year). Upgrades with DCL do happen, and they have happend to DVC members paying with points. They are not the norm. On the Cruise boards we have noticed a decline in the number of people getting upgrades. Upgrades are great when they happen, but they do not happen often. Don't expect one, but if you get one - ENJOY


Of course when you check in - you could always ask if one is available. IF so they would just charge you the difference. Others have reported doing this for a veranda. Keep in mind the cash differene between a Cat 4 and Cat 3 is around $2500 in off-season. (I know I called to check last year.)

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robi

 

[minimahaki]

ROBI
Thanks for the response. I think you responded to me over on the DCL boards.... I guess I was just wishing to here a better answer on these boards....Thanks again
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Members Since May, 1993

 

[Olaf]

A Cat 3 cabin on points, would probably be in 450 points per person range. I guess if you've got points burn, then it would be a good deal. Too steep for me.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[Dean]

Cruise lines don't normally discount their highest cabin categories and though DVC doesn't get much of a discount compared to rack rates, there is some. I would be very surprised if an upgrade were available in any fashion going farward but it never hurts to try. I wouldn't even be surprised if they dropped the categories down to 5 or lower in the next year or two taking cat 4 and possible even 5 out of the points structure.

As for Contemporary Tower, you can book it with points. It's just a higher categorie and more points that a garden/wing room.

Dean