Wilderness Lodge construction dilemma, booked with rented points :(

[dwight16]

Wow thank god leaving in the 19th glad to see it before the changes.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I got a call, too. i told them I wasn't interested in switching hotels because I've got 4 rooms that need to stay together, plus I don't think we really care about the quiet pool or beach. Next they offered free memory maker and I said I'd already purchased it. Finally he offered free park-hopper upgrades. I don't think I'll use them this time but I said sure. Mind you, I haven't seen our tickets change in the system yet....

 

[GaryDis]

Could someone please clarify me, as I've just started researching the idea of renting points for next Sep/Oct at BCV.

Is this purely about compensation because of one pool being out? I get that, and don't think it's a huge deal.

What worries me is confirming a room as a renter at BCV, and then discovering that the refurb is so delayed that the room is physically unavailable. What happens then? Does that still have to go through the owner or broker?

 

[Sandisw]

Could someone please clarify me, as I've just started researching the idea of renting points for next Sep/Oct at BCV.

Is this purely about compensation because of one pool being out? I get that, and don't think it's a huge deal.

What worries me is confirming a room as a renter at BCV, and then discovering that the refurb is so delayed that the room is physically unavailable. What happens then? Does that still have to go through the owner or broker?

When you rent a reservation from a DVC owner, your agreement is with them, not Disney. Therefore, all aspects go through them and that would include contact if a room was taken out of service. But, if a room that the owner reserved for you is not available for some reason, then DVC would be working with that owner to make the adjustments necessary for that to happen, so you would not be out a place to stay.

One of the main benefits of renting is obviously the savings. The main drawback, IMO, is that you are not dealing with Disney but a person and the lack of flexibility to make changes--many have no cancellation or change policies--or be involved in decisions regarding the reservation.

In this case, it sounds like Disney is working with DVC owners, if possible, to accommodate them and their guests/renters best they can given the construction that will be going on. But ultimately, any issues with a resort and changes to reservations would go through and need the approval of the owner you have rented from. If a broker is involved, then yes, you would start with them as they would be the ones to have contact with the owner directly.

 

[crisi]

When you rent a reservation from a DVC owner, your agreement is with them, not Disney. Therefore, all aspects go through them and that would include contact if a room was taken out of service. But, if a room that the owner reserved for you is not available for some reason, then DVC would be working with that owner to make the adjustments necessary for that to happen, so you would not be out a place to stay.

One of the main benefits of renting is obviously the savings. The main drawback, IMO, is that you are not dealing with Disney but a person and the lack of flexibility to make changes--many have no cancellation or change policies--or be involved in decisions regarding the reservation.

In this case, it sounds like Disney is working with DVC owners, if possible, to accommodate them and their guests/renters best they can given the construction that will be going on. But ultimately, any issues with a resort and changes to reservations would go through and need the approval of the owner you have rented from. If a broker is involved, then yes, you would start with them as they would be the ones to have contact with the owner directly.

Its also unusual for Disney to be moving people around. Generally, they close down the part of the resort they are working on - you won't be in a room with construction going on in it - nor will you be in a room with major construction happening very close by. But a few rooms will be out of service at a time - sometimes (when they did the BWV exterior), it will be quite a few, but the resort will still be 90% occupied and most people will be staying in a resort with scaffolding on the outside or plumbers moving through the hall - and generally there is no compensation. Generally, if the THEME pool is closed, you'll get access to another THEME pool (at BWV, you get to go to SAB), and if its SAB that's closed, you get waterpark tickets.

The expectation should be that if construction is happening, you'll still be staying there, you won't get compensation, but it won't be very disruptive. The expectation you should have as a renter is the same - you will end up in the resort, there will be no compensation - and as a renter, don't plan on cancelling because you suddenly hear there is construction - reservations are usually final.

 

[GaryDis]

Grr, I'd be most extraordinarily bummed if we booked at BCV and got forced to a non-Epcot resort, even the GF. either because that's all Disney would have or worse, miscommunication with the owner. The entire reason for wanting BCV is both the walk to Epcot and Stormalong Bay.

It seems that we'd be making reservations this Oct for next Sep. It's not that far away. Hopefully, by then, there will be a better handle on when the renovations at BCV will start and finish.

 

[GaryDis]

Its also unusual for Disney to be moving people around.

Thanks, your reply appeared just as I was finishing up my previous reply.

That makes me feel much better. DH is hard of hearing, and I grew up in NYC, so being near the construction won't bother us, as long as we don't get smothered in dust.

EDIT: Is it fair to assume that they reduce the number of available rooms in anticipation of construction?

 

[crisi]

Thanks, your reply appeared just as I was finishing up my previous reply.

That makes me feel much better. DH is hard of hearing, and I grew up in NYC, so being near the construction won't bother us, as long as we don't get smothered in dust.

EDIT: Is it fair to assume that they reduce the number of available rooms in anticipation of construction?

Yes, they try and plan for construction more than a year out so those rooms are taken out of service before they are bookable. I suspect that some of the BCV delays are because the VWL schedule changed, and more rooms were taken out of service that weren't in the original plan for the timeframe they are calling about. So its in Disney's best interest to get some of those people to move, to do that, they need somewhere to move them to, so they open up the BCV rooms they were going to have out of service for their refresh and move some VWL people there.

On the other hand, they never ANNOUNCE when and where construction is happening until its nearly upon us. That keeps the membership from thinking that every change in schedule is a problem - it also keeps us from trying to "book around" construction. If you want BCV, you need to book it when you can - if it turns out that SAB is closed or partially closed while you are there, you are unlikely to know that's been scheduled when you book unless its fairly last minute. That's made for some very disappointed members who book BCV just for SAB, only to find out that its closed or partially closed during their trip.

The other point I'm trying to get at is that for renters, like with members, you shouldn't expect compensation for these events, or for Disney to bend over backwards because there are painters or tile guys moving through the resort. Disney is ALWAYS under construction. Landscaping is always torn up somewhere, somewhere is always getting painted, there are always replacement furniture or appliances being moved in. Because of DVCs very high occupancy, this process of continual upkeep might be more noticeable than it is in a non DVC resort where an entire floor or building might close.

 

[GaryDis]

Thanks crisi and Sandisw for taking the time for your replies.

Everything you mention makes sense. I'm not worried about all the construction, or fearing a Griswold Wallyworld experience. The only time I ever felt close to being upset about construction was on our first trip overseas, where our London hotel had insanely noisy construction starting at 8am. I've been to WDW many times, and never sweat problems with construction or ride closure. It's just that this is looking like the first time we'll be doing the DVC rental bit, it's harder to find all the gotchas in the process, and our only justification for this is the location. If we couldn't get BCV or maybe BWV, our next choice would be Coronado Springs, not a different DCV property.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I think this construction is going to be very disruptive hence why so many guests are being relocated. I know many are choosing to stay but I fear it is going to be very disruptive. I hope those choosing to stay don't try to get compensated after the fact.