Question about floorplans

[gondep Member Find all posts View Profile Close gondep]

I have never been to a DVC resort. It looks to me like a 2BR unit is almost always a 1BR with a lockoff studio. Is that correct?

I'm going to go ahead assuming the answer to that is yes.

So from what I've read here, exchanging into a 2BR DVC is somewhat difficult. My question is:

Would it be possible to exchange in to a 1BR and then make a second exchange into a studio and then call the resort to request that the 2 units be located next to each other?

Obviously this might not be the most effecient use of resources. The scenario in my head would probably work something like this - exchange into a 1BR unit 2 months+ in advance which would be enough room for myself, spouse, and my son. Then inside the 2 month window (II) where weeks of lesser value might see a DVC studio, add a studio so my in-laws could join us.


Thanks in advance for any input.

jb

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

jb,

When are you thinking about visiting Disney? Your chances of getting a 2brm are increased during certain times of the year. You can always put in a request for a 2bdrm, and see if you get lucky. More, and more of them seem to be showing up. You can also look at the ex-op board, and try to grab one. Doing your own on-line searches is another possibility. You can grab anything that you can see on-line. A studio, AC, 1 bdrm, could get you into a 2 bdrm, if it's on-line.

If you do get a 1 bdrm, and a studio, you can ask to be placed next to each other, but I don't think you can count on it.

During flexchange, you will most likely be able to use an AC, if you have one, to grab a Disney. This way, you wouldn't need to use one of your timeshares.

Good luck!

[Autoeng Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Autoeng]

From a faq written by Judy Shapiro.

Most DVC two-bedrooms are lock-off units; that is, they are made up of a studio and a one-bedroom. If you need a two-bedroom and II doesn’t have any for your dates, you may be able to get a one-bedroom and a studio from II, and join them. If you give II a two-bedroom unit and II only has studios and one-bedrooms available at the resort you want, you are entitled to book BOTH a studio and one-bedroom in exchange for your two-bedroom unit, although you would have to pay two sets of exchange and resort fees. You could also get a one-bedroom from II and join that to a studio rented directly from Disney or from a DVC owner. Make sure you contact Disney as soon as you make your reservation to tell them you will need two units together (that is, you want the one-bedroom and studio to be combinable into a “lock-off two-bedroom.” They don’t guarantee that you’ll get two combinable units, but it is extremely likely, especially if you arrive at check-in early in the day. Also, if for some reason you don’t get a connecting room on your first night, Disney should be able to move you to connecting rooms the following day, although you would have to pay a room cleaning fee.

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

Would it be possible to exchange in to a 1BR and then make a second exchange into a studio and then call the resort to request that the 2 units be located next to each other? ..... Obviously this might not be the most effecient use of resources.

This would cost you two maint fees, two exchange fees, two Disney Resort Fees ($95 each). Is it worth that much to you vs. staying at a nice resort nearby but not Disney? Only you can answer that.

If you're trying to trade into DVC, make sure your deposit has the trade power to get in. If you can see the available weeks (see Sightings), then it does. If you are able to request your exchange during times when 2BRs are more readily available, do so. Try for January, May, early June, late August, September or mid-November. Keep your search open to all of the WDW DVCs - BCV, DBW, DSS, DVO, DWL. <<<== The bold ones are more likely to have 2BRs available - they're larger resorts with more II deposits.

The scenario in my head would probably work something like this - exchange into a 1BR unit 2 months+ in advance which would be enough room for myself, spouse, and my son. Then inside the 2 month window (II) where weeks of lesser value might see a DVC studio, add a studio so my in-laws could join us.

If the reason that your "week of lesser value" is unable to trade in sooner is due to a difference in the quality of the resort vs. DVC, then II will continue to block the week from trading in during flexchange due to their quality filter. If your week is "of lesser value" only because it's offseason but the resort quality is deemed high by II, then your plan during flexchange has a chance. However, you should know that DVC doesn't really deposit much new stuff in flexchange. So you'd be trying to snag a cancellation with no flexibility in check-in date. Not hopeful, as far as I can see. Sorry.