Need Advice - need to downsize reservation

[BaybeeYoda]

So, here's food for thought, I do gift a lot of my points to friends and family sometimes I am there sometimes I just book the room for them to go.

I will always be more likely to book separate studios then larger accommodations depending on who it is I've invited. It's always easier to cancel studios for others leaving my plans intact at the 1 bedroom or another studio for myself. Sometimes that is not always the most cost effective way to use my points but it has worked out in the past to be able to cancel a studio for friends that canceled short notice.

I usually always text them about 60 days out and confirm they are still going reminding them that the lodging accommodations may be "free" to them they are costing valuable points and asking them to confirm they are still going or back out now so I can cancel or gift the room to someone else giving them 60 day notice to make travel arrangements to get there if need be.

Does it always work out in my best interest, no. I try to not let that affect my decision to make it possible for friends and family to experience DVC in the future more times it has been a positive experience then negative.

One trip in particular I had a two bedroom and a studio booked for everyone, I didn't need all that room, but I was thinking the family of 4 in the studio, I might take the kids a night or two give the parents some privacy and much needed break. They canceled after the 31 day mark.

I didn't cancel that studio either, on day one of my trip, I went to Magic Kingdom "All stars bus stop" and waited. Didn't take long for my daughter to point out a young couple in a "bride' and "groom" mickey and minnie t shirts. We approached them and congratulated them. Inquired on their departure date explained what had happened and moved them to upgraded studio at Boulder Ridge for the last 3 nights of their trip. They were reluctant at first and felt obligated to offer some money for the upgrade, I asked if it was their first trip to WDW, to which they replied yes. I said consider this the ultimate "pixie dust"

I think that was almost more fun then our own trip was that week.

That is an incredibly generous and amazing gesture restoring my faith in people!

 

[Sandisw]

A reminder to everyone...the DIS does not allow the sharing of real time availability on the boards. Thank you.

 

[crisi]

We've had the two of us in a two bedroom at HHI - I used the second bedroom to "office" while my husband used the kitchen and we only used the Master for sleeping in. we've had four in a Grand Villa at BWV - each of our kids got their own room. Sometimes it works that way and you have to be prepared for the "flake" - or in our case health tragedy after health tragedy.

I never "suck it up for the sake of points" - because we honestly have more points than we really want to use anyway. So if its four of us in a Grand Villa, well, that's what it is. And we are at the resort we want to be at.

 

[Ohmymonty]

We've had the two of us in a two bedroom at HHI - I used the second bedroom to "office" while my husband used the kitchen and we only used the Master for sleeping in. we've had four in a Grand Villa at BWV - each of our kids got their own room. Sometimes it works that way and you have to be prepared for the "flake" - or in our case health tragedy after health tragedy.

I never "suck it up for the sake of points" - because we honestly have more points than we really want to use anyway. So if its four of us in a Grand Villa, well, that's what it is. And we are at the resort we want to be at.

I get that...I'm trying to get myself in this mindset. A lot of the points were banked points anyways that we would have limited opportunity to use if not using here.

But then part of me wants to save it for a nicer trip next year (where we were expecting friends to join but now I'll know better to book 2 rooms or a lock off!)

For those of you who have asked family/friends to contribute just to have some "skin in the game"...how do those conversations go? Hubby was mortified at the thought of even asking, so probably not something he'll do...but I think it sounds like a good idea

 

[crisi]

I get that...I'm trying to get myself in this mindset. A lot of the points were banked points anyways that we would have limited opportunity to use if not using here.

But then part of me wants to save it for a nicer trip next year (where we were expecting friends to join but now I'll know better to book 2 rooms or a lock off!)

For those of you who have asked family/friends to contribute just to have some "skin in the game"...how do those conversations go? Hubby was mortified at the thought of even asking, so probably not something he'll do...but I think it sounds like a good idea

Remember that you can ask to drop part of a lockoff, but they do not need to let you do that (and it takes some pixie dust). Its best to just book your guests a studio - even if its extra points - but also watch your banking window - dropping a room after the banking window passes can be throwing away points.

And you say up front "hey, you want to go to Disney? We will cover the room, but you are going to need to cover park tickets, airfare, food....and this is what that budget looks like. Covering the room is a commitment on our part, if you back out, we are out hundreds of dollars, so seven months before you go, we need you to buy park tickets so we know you really are going because that's about the amount of time we need to make other arrangements." At the very least be up front in the invitation about what is involved - a lot of people backing out comes down to realizing how expensive this vacation that seemed like a good idea a year ago is going to be. But even then, our people backing out have been mostly health related and death.

Other people just figure out the cost of dues for the additional room and charge up front. You can do it as a trip deposit and refund the money if they go, or use it for dinner or car rental or something if you want it to be your treat.

But we've always just treated the room - being up front about all the costs they are expected to pay for so they can say yes or no up front with as much information as possible. Then wandered around four in a Grand Villa when my brother in law died of cancer (when we made the reservation, he was in remission).

Have regular meetings at various points - especially with Disney newbies - both to maintain excitement and interest (its harder to back out when they are invested) and give them an idea of the logistics - so they can say "this is more work/money for vacation than we want to do" - that's a tightrope to walk. Meeting can be "which attractions are a priority for you?" "Is anyone going afraid of heights, dark, etc" (especially with little kids). "What does a Disney day look like?" (we've lost guests when we explain the alarm goes off at 7:00am so we can be at the park at 9:00am and we aren't inviting them to Disney so they can sleep until noon), "What restaurants should we be booking" (along with menu pricing).

 

[Boardwalk III]

Haha @DVCanadian I like the term "hopeful reservations"! Now that our children are grown but like to join us sometimes, I find myself booking hopeful 2 BR units. But since the kids typically can't plan 11 months ahead, I am also starting to book an extra studio just in case they can't come. It takes more points (we just bought an extra resale contract) and requires some vigilance so I don't lose points to holding or won't be stuck not being able to bank them. When I "controlled" my kids vacation days, it was much easier to plan a year in advance, but I love having them with us, so it's worth it to me.

Same! Empty nesters with adult children who occasionally want to come, but rarely commit 11 mos out. I was just making a similar “hopeful” reservation today. We luckily have a fair amount of pts so am using this process for most bookings now…it’s a great option, unless I forget to cancel the extra room, fingers crossed I keep good calendar notes