How often do DVC members get shut out

[bsbrady]

I wanted to know how ofetn to DVC members get shut out. Meaning, how often do they get told that there is no availability for the dates they requested, when booking at less than the full 11 months out.

[keys2kingdom]

I'm just speaking for myself but I've never had that happen. I don't think it's very common unless maybe at an extremely busy time. I've never had any problems with availability and I've always gotten what I wanted whenever I've called.

That being said, you might not always get your first choice but finding SOMETHING available shouldn't be a problem during most times of year.

[Steamboat Girlie]

This is a very good poll. Thanks for doing it! I am a very new member and have only made one reservation so far. I have to say, all of the drama about the new booking rules has me worried! It is making me rethink my whole purchase! I hope hearing some positives from this thread will put my mind at ease.

[crisi]

I think you have to ask with some more information.

Its HIGHLY UNLIKELY you will get shut out before six months. Though you may find some unit types book quickly at some times of year. Its HIGHLY LIKELY that you will find spotty availability at a month. DVC is configured to operate pretty much at 100% capacity (DVC continues to own some units for maintence purposes).

[WolfpackFan]

The only time I've ever really been totally shut out was with short notice trips, like within a month. Other than that, I've always been able to book something. It might not be my first choice (I've never been able to book BCV), but there has always been somewhere I could book a room.

[DebbieB]

The only time I was shutout was when I wanted to book a Sunday night in Mid-October last year about 3 weeks out. I ended up with POFQ (before the fees started).

[toyboy]

I've been shut out for the last 4 months in trying to get a 2bdrm during the second week of Dec. I've been on the waitlist for any resort except SSR, but nothing has come through yet.

[DOUGLAS ADDEO]

with short notice in high demand times of year you have to take what is available, it always seems like Saratoga has some availabilty. Also all resorts are nice. If you have a specific preference of location and room type etc I would suggest booking as far into future as you are able.

[JimMIA]

I'm just speaking for myself but I've never had that happen. I don't think it's very common unless maybe at an extremely busy time. I've never had any problems with availability and I've always gotten what I wanted whenever I've called.

That being said, you might not always get your first choice but finding SOMETHING available shouldn't be a problem during most times of year.
This is us exactly.

But I also agree (as usual) with crisi. It matters greatly how far in advance you try to book.

We always book non-peak times, and more than 5 months out and have never been denied. But I'm not very sympathetic to the "Why can't I get a ressie 60 days out??!!!!" rants. Some folks you just can't help.

[bsbrady]

I've been shut out for the last 4 months in trying to get a 2bdrm during the second week of Dec. I've been on the waitlist for any resort except SSR, but nothing has come through yet.

I have been reading that the first 2 weeks of Dec are some of the busiest for DVC. I would think its value season, but apparently with the christams decorations up and the lowest point values, its makes it a good deal fro DVCers. There is a thread Dec 08 waitlist. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1724111

[bsbrady]

I guess than i wouldnt have a problem, we go every year somewhere between Dec 1 & Dec 15. So I could make my ressie 11 months out, every year.

Thanks everyone for your help, keep it comin'

[ACDSNY]

I've never had any booking problems and I've never booked at the 11 month mark. We're usually 6-8 months out, and I've had success with booking only a few weeks out for last minute trips.

[ssrmouse]

I've been waitlisted a couple of times at 2 months out for February vacations, but my request always came through.

I've also booked 4 vacations at 4 months out and got what I wanted.

One time, we were ahead of schedule on our drive down from Michigan (Dec 15th) and called MS to see if we check in a day early. The call was placed at 10:00AM in the morning; the accommodated us, and we checked in at 2:00PM that day.

All of our vacations have been at SSR.

[iloveokw]

I voted NEVER shut out, but because of my DH is a dentist and we have to plan a year ahead I have always booked at the 11 month window. Also we have bought points at OKW, Vero and HH - where we want to stay - no matter the season :banana:

[crisi]

I guess than i wouldnt have a problem, we go every year somewhere between Dec 1 & Dec 15. So I could make my ressie 11 months out, every year.

Thanks everyone for your help, keep it comin'

The only thing to remember for those dates is that Grand Villas anywhere, Boardwalk Standard and Boardwalk preferred views, VAKL Conceirge and BCV 2 bedrooms with two queens will go almost as soon as the eleven month window opens - with day by day booking, sometimes some of those rooms would be gone by lunchtime the day their window opened during that period.

However, unless you are going to get one of these low quantity "specialty" rooms - you aren't likely to have a problem.

[jarestel]

I would imagine a complete shutout is rare anyway, defined as no availability at any resort. It's not all that unusual though to find your preferred resort unavailable at times, especially the smaller resorts. And of course if shutout is stretched to mean a wait list doesn't come through, partial or total, that's likely to occur occasionally as well.

Have I ever been completely shut out, ie no availability at any resort? Nope.
Have I ever been shut out at my preferred resort? Sometimes.

[KAT4DISNEY]

We're new but to strictly answer this poll my answer will be all the time. Do I think that is what will happen now that we'll be within full booking periods - no, but we were booking 6 months out and were unable to get our first choice to stay at any of the locations. We had to change times. And that was ok and not unexpected for the time we wanted to go.

What's going to have me making this face :headache: though is how I think the new booking policy may make this also happen in the future - even at 11 months.

[Longhairbear]

The only times I was shut out was calling for my home resort of VWL at less than 3 months out during F&W. The other time was booking using holding account points for a stay 30 days out at Disneyland Hotel, or Paradise Pier Hotel at DLR.

[DeeCee735]

So far this hasn't happened to us, we've run into an issue where they didn't have our home resort, but we were perfectly willing to take OKW (gorgeous place)!

[bsbrady]

My feeling is, I really dont care where I stay. I love all the Disney properties. I always try to stay at a different place everytime.

[jade1]

We always reserve 11 months out day by day, except the occasional summer trip, which is flexible enough to take whenever BWV is available. My DBIL has missed out in Feb/Mar, many times for BCV/VWL or BWV because he always waits too long.

So for us...never, but with the new rules-ask in about 6 months from today.

[Inkmahm]

I wanted to know how ofetn to DVC members get shut out. Meaning, how often do they get told that there is no availability for the dates they requested, when booking at less than the full 11 months out.

I've been told that AT 11 months. Trying to book AKV concierge and not getting the room becuase there was a phone system screw up at MS and I didn't get through until after others did later in the morning.

[El&Asmom]

We are new DVC members in the last year. We have made 5 reservations thus far and have always found a place to stay. Each time we even got our desired location. We have booked once each at SSR, OKW, BWV, HH and I just booked an OVIR for VB for Sept last week. I have never booked more than 5 months in advance. A couple of the times were within 2-3 months of the ressie. Granted they were not for extremely popular times but still. The way people on the boards talk, it's like you can't ever get a room unless you call at 9am on your 11 month booking window.
I think you have to be flexible on where and when you want to stay, but there likely will be room at the inn if you are not trying to book the most popular times at 60 days out.

[eva]

Well, I had to say rarely only because we were shut out for the 4th week of the month this past April. But I have to say that I was trying to book only 6 weeks out. So I changed my dates to the week prior and was able to get a 1-bedroom at SSR. I was amazed there was anything just 5 weeks out. I did have a bit of trouble getting BWV the first week of December years ago. I was trying about 4 or 5 weeks out. But I called a couple times every day after the 30 day mark and finally got a 1-bedroom for 5 nights in a row. That was a bit nerve racking. But I had back up reservations at a moderate. What's the scariest with that type of booking is having non-consecutive nights booked after the 31 day cancellation period. Other than those two times, I haven't had problems booking in 11 years. And both those times actually worked out OK.

[ead79]

We are new members, so I've only booked twice so far. We booked a stay in early March for a studio at AKV about 4 months out, with no problem at all. We booked our upcoming stay at AKV in a 1 BR concierge villa day by day at 11 months and got that as well. Since we usually go in early to mid-December, I plan to book at the 11 month mark as a general rule.

[ses1230]

I called at exactly 7 months for Nov. 8 - 15 for a 2BR.

No availabilty except OKW or SSR so I am waitlisted for AK and BCV (not that I have much hope for that).

But I am excited for our first trip to our home resort!!!!

[JimC]

I voted rarely. However I should note that the only time I have had that happen was when I wanted to change a reservation within 4 months. At the 11 month booking date it has never happened. At the 7 month booking date it has never happened. But I use the 7 month booking date only for late January and early May reservations when demand is low.

[kimberh]

So far never, I don't count AKV concierge where the odds were not very good to start with. I did get the last 3 days for my reservation next May. The MS rep took her sweet time taking my information. The next day, the rep was great, after that I talked real fast!:rotfl:

[Grandbuddy]

Only members for a few weeks, but two weeks ago, I was able to reserve a studio at SSR for my son's family, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (before their 6-day stay in a family suite at All-Star Music); and early this week (after a short wait), I got a Friday and Saturday night in a BCV studio the first weekend in November, followed by 3 nights in a 1 BR at OKW.

Looking forward to lots of family memories made at WDW.

[SLM]

We've booked at 7 months for VB and VWL-11 months for our home resort (BC). We were not able to get a 2BR at HH at the 7 month window for a summer stay, but did not really expect it would be available-hoped to take our daughter and son-in-law-they are teachers. No problem getting a 1BR in September, however! :)

[dsneygirl]

We've never been shut out. We even booked once on a Monday for Sat but could only get SSR for the last 3 nights and did All Stars on Sat.

[thebigman79]

We rarely have trouble getting something anytime we go. Now you don't always get the resort you want, but there always seems to be something open. We are going in Jan.2009 and we could get a 1 BR anywhere but AKV, which is understandable.

[PrettyKitties]

I've been shut out in Orlando when not planning far enough in advance. The biggest problem for me has been HHI since I do not own there & it is very hard to get into prime times if you don't. Offseason is not such a problem if I plan far enough in advance. There are too many savvy DVCers out there so if you are a semi-airhead, you can be out-of-luck! :smokin: