Subsonic Radio

Greetings to all,

I have a question for those in the know about DVC. I am a "new" member. I saw "new" because I bought in last year and have yet to make my first trip using my points.

I currently have a reservation for Saratoga Springs for 10/3 - 10/13 of this year. I would prefer something that is closer to one of the parks. I have bounced around some numbers using the Planning Guide and have found that changing my trip to a week at either WL Villas or BW Villas (10/4 - 10/11 - Sun - Sun) and the next two nights (10/11 - 10/13 - Sun - Tues) at Bay Lake Towers is within my point range and would work well for me.

The question I have is that I have checked on-line at disneyworld.com through their online reservations and found that there is availability for the general public at these resorts for these dates. If these rooms are available to the general public, are they then no longer available to DVC Members to use their points for?

In other words, can I call Member Services knowing that the rooms are "available", and change my reservation to these rooms at WL and BLT? My use year is December, so I know I have to make any changes by the end of this month.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Not sure, but if MS says there's nothing for those nights at those locations, my guess is that those spots have been reserved for cash customers. You could try to waitlist them.

Meanwhile, have you visited the forums at http://www.mouseowners.com yet? They're great, and I know someone there will be able to answer your question.

rknrlrcstr wrote:The question I have is that I have checked on-line at disneyworld.com through their online reservations and found that there is availability for the general public at these resorts for these dates. If these rooms are available to the general public, are they then no longer available to DVC Members to use their points for?

In other words, can I call Member Services knowing that the rooms are "available", and change my reservation to these rooms at WL and BLT? My use year is December, so I know I have to make any changes by the end of this month.

The short answer to this is unfortunately no. Each DVC resort at all times has to have 20% of it's rooms available to the general public. Now, I don't know how that is broken down in terms of room categories, etc but I do know they can only reserve 80% of the rooms to the DVC points system.

My suggestion is to go on the wait list. We've been on the wait list numerous times and every time a room came through. No guarantees but I'd say your chances are pretty good.

Thank you for responding. I did call Member Services the other day and was given the response that those rooms were not available.

Thank you for your insight 99Soulz. I have another question for you. You said that you have done the wait list before with success. How and how soon to your arrival do they inform you that your wait list choice has been approved? Do they call or send an email, or do you find out when you are checking in?

Also, as stated before, my reservation is for Saratoga Springs and is "costing" me 140 points. That leaves me 20 points that I would need to bank prior to July 31 (my use year is December). If my wait list choices are approved, the points needed change to 170. What I am guessing is best for me to do is to bank the 20 points to my next use year and if I get my wait list reservation, then borrow the necessary 30 points from the next use year. That way I won't lose the 20 points from this year and I would still have a net total of 150 points for next year (160 - 30 (borrowed) = 130. 130 + 20 (banked) = 150. Am I right doing it this way, or might there be a better way?

This is my first year as a DVC Member, so I am still learning all the ins and outs.

Thank you again for your help.

The success has varied. Sometimes we get the news early on and months in advance of the trip. Other times we hit the 30 day mark and from then on the computer won't check daily and you need to call every day on your own. I'd say if you're down to the last week then you probably won't get it.

You have the right idea of banking the points and then borrowing back if your WL comes up, you sound like a pro now!

As for your WL choices, there's a good chance BWV will open up for you with less for WLV (merely due to amount of rooms). As for BLT, I hear there are a ton of people on the WL for this fall so baring a miracle, I would not count on that at all.

Good luck, let us know how you made out. And talk to Member Services, they will help guide you in your decision.

Thanks again for your help 99Soulz.

I called the other day and put in for my wait list. I was told that I can have up to two alternate choice put onto wait lists. I selected BWV - BW View as one and BWV - preferred view (pool/garden), basically taking your advice regarding WLV having fewer rooms compared to BWV. The wait list will remain in effect until 7 days prior to arrival - which for me is fine since I already have ressies at Saratoga. I was given the option of 30 days out and 7 days out. Good info to know for future.

I commented to the person I spoke with (not sure what to give her as a title, reservationist?) about noticing that what I have wait listed was available as "cash-only", and would hopefully be able to get one when they "revert back to DVC Members at a certain point." She informed me that these rooms that are made for general public (the 20% you had noted before) are as such and do not "revert" back and if not sold to the gen pub, they are left empty. (or maybe filled with upgrades). That surprised me that they would leave rooms empty. Wouldn't it be better to allow somebody who is wait listed and may not already have a reservation to be able to use one of these rooms? Having a room filled is better, b/c the person is there and most likely spending $$. I'm sure they have their reasoning, be it logic or legal, for not doing that.

I also did as I had suggested to myself (and you confirmed) by banking the remaining 20 points so as to not lose them. If I do get into BWV it is only 150 points, so I would only have to borrow 10 from next year. Not a bad deal I must say. I am sure that there is still alot more that I have to learn and will learn over the next 40+ years, but the experience will be a "magical" one to say the least.

Once again, thank you for your help, it was appreciated.

np rknrlrcstr, sounds like you are already on your way to getting to know the ins and outs of the DVC. I knew about being able to have 2 wait lists at a time but did not know the window can be down to 7 days, that is good to know. As for the 20% for "cash only" it is some sort of legality issue. Not sure if it's something in the state of Florida that all timeshare programs are held to or if it's just something special for Disney??

Good luck with your wait list, and let us know how you make out. Just a little over 2 months to go!

I am going on the same days as you are. I reserved my BWV room seven months out so I would be close to EPCOT for the food and wine festival. As a member I found that if you want to stay at WL or BWV and BC, you need to take advantage of the seven months out reservation limit. I've been wait listed for these in the past and have not been able to get in the 2 times I wanted to change (same scenario as you - had reservations at SSR and wanted to change to be closer). By no means am I saying you won't get in, that's just my experience over the last 3 years.

I have rather enjoyed though the friendliness the cast members show. They go through every resort for me when I call and lay out all of my options.

I hope you get what you want! and have a great trip!

I know that was part of my problem. The fact that I didn't book seven months out. Classic case as to what has been happening for reservations at Disney all around, not sure if I could swing the vacation, so didn't want to book and then not be able to go and lose out on the points. I'd love to be able to get into BWV, but if it doesn't happen this year, I am not going to be upset. At least I will be in Disney anyways.

I do have to agree with the friendliness and diligent work of member services. Then again, that is what we are paying for with our annual dues.

Swede375, your sig says it all...."Hey...you never know".

Thanks

Its true.... you never do know...

Enjoy your stay. SSR is still a cool place to stay. I've had fun each time I have stayed there.

So, how were your trips?

rknrlrcstr did you get into another resort? and swede375 did you like staying at BWV this time?

there is a real good site for DVC info and it is mouseowners.com

Try it you might like it!!!!