DVC sure seems to enjoy tinkering with the program lately. In the upcoming issue of Vacation Magic, DVC is poised to unveil a number of new changes to the program.
The highlights include:
Point Banking Guidelines – Until now the banking rules were rather convoluted. Members could bank 100% of the points they own within the first 6 months of their Use Year, 50% of points owned in months 7-9 and 25% of points owned in month 10. Effective January 1, 2008, the policy will change such that members will have a total of 8 months to bank 100% of their points. After that point no banking will be permitted. The net result is two additional months in which to bank 100%, coupled with the loss of all banking privileges in months 9 and 10. To illustrate, a member with a February Use Year will have until September 30 to bank 100% of his points.
New Booking Category at Old Key West – DVC will be creating at least one additional booking category at Old Key West Resort. Until now the resort has had a single category and all resort locations / views were treated as requests which may or may not be accommodated t check-in. At a minimum DVC will be creating a separate reservation category for rooms that are near the Hospitality House. Given the size of OKW, requesting a room near the Hospitality House (location of the front desk, main pool, Olivia’s restaurant, gift shop, etc.) has become quite common, particularly among guests who will be relying on Disney transportation. With the creating of this new category, members will know at the time the reservation is made whether their room will be within a reasonable distance of the Hospitality House or not.
(Editor’s Note: This move should give added hope to members who have been wishing for the introduction of similar categories at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Please see the threads at the DISBoards and MouseOwners.com for additional information. Those who share a desire for these added categories are highly encouraged to share your comments with DVC.)
Non-DVC Booking Fees – DVC currently charges fees of $75 or $95 as an administrative fee associated with using points for some destinations outside of the eight DVC resorts. The fees will be standardized at $95 per reservation (the $75 level is being dropped) and it appears that the application of the fees will be expanded. Reportedly DVC is poised to begin charging the $95 fee for reservations made at any non-DVC resort at Walt Disney World. If this information is correct, members using points to book stays at resorts like the Polynesian or Grand Floridian will be charged a fee of $95 in addition to the posted nightly point requirements.
These changes are to be detailed in the next issue of Vacation Magic, due to arrive in mailboxes very soon.
