Extending Your DVC Stay

Sometimes you just aren’t ready to end your vacation.  After all, who ever wants to leave Walt Disney World?  Well, that happened to us during our June trip, and I was able to extend our DVC stay at the last minute.  Here’s how!

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Be Persistent in Checking Availability

DVC isn’t known for last minute trips, but sometimes if you’re lucky, you can still find a room.  As soon as I started seriously considering staying longer, I began stalking the DVC website to check room availability.  Being persistent can really help.  I noticed availability changed significantly from day to day.  In my search for either Studios or One Bedrooms, I saw a decent range of room types from Deluxe Studios at Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Riviera to a One Bedroom at Copper Creek or Old Key West. 

Try for the Same Room Type

While I didn’t find anything I truly wanted the first few times, I lucked out on the night before we were originally supposed to check out.  I found a Polynesian Standard View Deluxe Studio, which happened to be the exact room type we were staying in.  My goal was to stay in the same room for the sake of convenience.  While I do enjoy split stays, it would have been extra work to pack up, check out, and then wait for a new room to settle into for just an extra night, particularly with a toddler in tow.  

Contact the Front Desk for Assistance

If adding on a day or more at the same resort and within the same room type and view or booking category, you can request to stay in the same room, so you don’t have to move.  To do this, I used the room phone to call the front desk.  The cast member was able to take my new reservation confirmation number and link it to our existing reservation.  He let me know that this would allow us to stay in the same room without checking out.  It made for a very seamless extended stay!  

Note that requests aren’t always guaranteed, but it is worth asking.  

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Extending a Disney trip this easily is another bonus of owning DVC.  Yes, I borrowed some points from the next Use Year, but I also didn’t have to pay hundreds for a cash reservation.  As they say, points are fun!