New to DVC - So exactly how hard is it to book AKV CL?

[ekball]

We just bought DVC in Sept. and have decided that we would love to stay CL for our first trip home to AKV. How difficult will this be if I call at 11 months out first thing in the morning?!?! Any advice???

TIA

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's probably what you will need to do. Only five two bedroom lockoffs available. Three savanna view (at least one is handicapped accessible) and the views are not that good. Two pool views.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've booked 2 cl stays and did both at 11 months on first day I could. Haven't stayed there yet, that's coming up in March!

Bobbi

 

[disneynutz]

Just tried to book at CL a few days ago. Called at 11 months, redialed to be one of the first callers.

While the Advisor was making our reservation, someone else snatched our dates. I was told that there was nothing that could be done. We are now on the waiting list.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We stayed CL for our first AKV ressie last March. I just called yesterday and got CL for our first 4 days of our Dec. '09 trip. We needed to use up some left over AKV points, and the rest of our trip will get booked Sunday at OKW with OKW points.

I think booking during busy DVC times is going to be difficult at best and impossible at worst. My thought is taht I would shift the dates of the trip if I had to in order to accommodate CL ressies. My intent is to ONLY use our AKV add-on for CL reservations. Any 7 month window ressies I make at AKV will be in savanna view with our OKW points.

 

[SunnieRN]

We booked on Jan 2 for Dec 2nd concierge studio next December 2. We tried to start our trip on the first, but it was already gone despite the holiday and the fact it was available, but couldn't be booked on Dec. 31st.

 

[kimberh]

I have been on a waitlist for 2 days in May since the 11 month window. It has not come through yet. I would say "hang" the waitlist for Concierge. I really thought it would come through when Kidani Village opened, Nope! I call from time to time to check but no. I would bet that it is the hardest DVC reservation to get.

 

[Tozzie]

I have two stays booked at AKV CL one in August 09 that I booked at the 11 month window I actually didn't get through until 930 am because I was at WDW at the time and on a ride but I got it and I booked one for October actually 2 days after the 11 month window opened because I forgot to call but it all worked out. I also have Friday and Saturday night stays booked.

 

[Tozzie]

Just tried to book at CL a few days ago. Called at 11 months, redialed to be one of the first callers.

While the Advisor was making our reservation, someone else snatched our dates. I was told that there was nothing that could be done. We are now on the waiting list.

That is wrong, they should actually get a real IT person or company in there to design and maintain their computer programs so that a room can be held while the CM completes the reservation.

 

[Mattsmommy]

Just tried to book at CL a few days ago. Called at 11 months, redialed to be one of the first callers.

While the Advisor was making our reservation, someone else snatched our dates. I was told that there was nothing that could be done. We are now on the waiting list.

What dates and room size were you trying to reserve?

 

[kimberh]

That is wrong, they should actually get a real IT person or company in there to design and maintain their computer programs so that a room can be held while the CM completes the reservation.

Oh, this is what happened to me also for my May 09 stay. The MS rep was slow as Molassas. I kept saying shouldn't you get the room. We could still do DbD at this point. The next 3 days I got my room.

 

[LeCras]

I called to book a 1BR concierge for 6 nights about 9 months out. Got two nights (the second and fifth ones )and was waitlisted for the rest - which came through within two weeks!

I actually had no idea there were so few CL units at the time. If I'd known I probably wouldn't have bothered waitlisting; I would have just assumed it would never come through..!

Charlotte

 

[Tozzie]

Oh, this is what happened to me also for my May 09 stay. The MS rep was slow as Molassas. I kept saying shouldn't you get the room. We could still do DbD at this point. The next 3 days I got my room.

I have read of this happening to others and it is wrong, it isn't like MS doens't know who you are the first thing they do is to verify your DVC number and who you are then they look for the room, at that point the room should be held while they fill the information

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have read of this happening to others and it is wrong, it isn't like MS doens't know who you are the first thing they do is to verify your DVC number and who you are then they look for the room, at that point the room should be held while they fill the information

But, another MS staff member could have been talking to another member at the same time, only seconds before you. Since the room isn't held until it is reserved, who knows how many members were told "Yes, that is available".

 

[Nikisha421]

call at 11mths at the beginning of the day its probably the only way...thats what i did for my upcoming July trip

 

[danno523]

Hey all,

Just purchased my first interest in DVC. Since I am very flexible with my schedule, I thought that the lowest cost option on the resale market was the best route. I bought into Vero Beach but plan to split vacations between VB and AKL for the most part. Since I will only have the 7 month booking window to work with, what are my best options for securing either a concierge level studio or a savannah view studio? I am probably looking at a 3-4 night weekday stay anytime of year. Which months are likely to have this availability?

 

[NSL]

I decided after booking a 7 night stay using my developer points at SSR to change resorts the last two nights and move to AKV. I was using my own points for the last 2 nights and we prefer AKV. When I called I thought well I will just see what they have for concierge, knowing they wouldn't have anything. This was at about 6 months they had a 1 bedroom for 2 nights. I didn't take it because I needed a 2 bedroom. But I guess this means there is a chance!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I found out that miracles do happen. On 12/31, we went on a WL for a CL studio for Fri and Sat night (5/8-9). It came thru within a week, because someone else on the DIS gave up the studio when she got her WL for a 1 BR for those nights!

So if you only need a few nights, it can happen, but you probably need to be very flexible. -- Suzanne

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hey all,

Just purchased my first interest in DVC. Since I am very flexible with my schedule, I thought that the lowest cost option on the resale market was the best route. I bought into Vero Beach but plan to split vacations between VB and AKL for the most part. Since I will only have the 7 month booking window to work with, what are my best options for securing either a concierge level studio or a savannah view studio? I am probably looking at a 3-4 night weekday stay anytime of year. Which months are likely to have this availability?

There is always a possibility that Concierge rooms may be available at any time depending on cancellations. But you need to go on the waitlist to make sure you even have a shot at it. Early May, early Feb, Sept might be the easiest times to get.

Ultimately, you will probably pay more for your VB points because the dues are so much higher there than the other DVC resorts. But if you plan to stay at VB, especially during the summer AND if you want a shot at a Beach Cottage, VB points are the way to go.

 

[disneynutz]

Hey all,

Just purchased my first interest in DVC. Since I am very flexible with my schedule, I thought that the lowest cost option on the resale market was the best route. I bought into Vero Beach but plan to split vacations between VB and AKL for the most part. Since I will only have the 7 month booking window to work with, what are my best options for securing either a concierge level studio or a savannah view studio? I am probably looking at a 3-4 night weekday stay anytime of year. Which months are likely to have this availability?

The problem with your best route is that Disney does an excellent job of offering events that increase attendance every year. Slow periods are fading fast and will continue to do so. We used to attend during slow periods and now our slow periods have become busy periods.