Less and Less Availibility?

[mjc2003]

Please quit generalizing.

YOU don't want to stay there

As a general rule I will take SSR over BWV any day, but I am not rude enough to assume only MY view counts

As your rule, you will take SSR over another resort. As a GENERAL rule, the facts categorically show that most don't want to stay there as a first choice. That doesn't mean it can't be your favorite; it's just not most peoples favorite.

For example, I can't even count how many posts like this I've read:

"We booked our home resort, SSR, at 11 months but are REAAALLLLY hoping to get into *** for our next trip! Of course we love SSR and would be happy staying there, but hope-hope-hope our waitlist comes through!!"

Now, conversely, how many posts like this have you read?:

"We booked our home resort, BCV, at 11 months, but really can't wait to switch to SSR at 7 months! I sure hope it's available, we don't mind BCV but are dying to stay at SSR!!!"

.....crickets.....

 

[rcchello]

Sounds closer to a fact than a generalization. If it were not the case, SSR would not be the resort with the most availability on a consistent basis.

SSR has the most rooms may be one reason it has the most rooms available! SSR has more rooms than BLT, BCV and BWV put together!

 

[bwvBound]

I think ONLINE BOOKING has also played a role in availability issues. Surfing the inventory online is a new "free" activity. It doesn't carry the perceived "cost" of phoning Member Services nor the guilt of phoning to simply explore inventory without any particular intentions.

Surfing online may lead an owner to stumble upon attractive travel opportunities. Perhaps they'll book it right away as a measure to "hold" the dates while they research their own schedules, flights, and logistics.

I know I've booked two DVC reservations outside my normal usage patterns directly related to Online capabilities. I'm sure I'll book plenty more to come ... perhaps other owners are finding similar changes in their patterns?

 

[DebbieB]

SSR has the most rooms may be one reason it has the most rooms available! SSR has more rooms than BLT, BCV and BWV put together!

If you put it next to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, I would bet there would not be so many empty rooms. And CRO would not have difficulties with cash reservations. They built it too big for the non-park location.

 

[disneynutz]

SSR has the most rooms may be one reason it has the most rooms available! SSR has more rooms than BLT, BCV and BWV put together!

SSR is a huge resort but that doesn't change the fact that many of it's owners are staying somewhere else. If they weren't, there wouldn't any availability there.

Bill

 

[JWG]

In July of 2010 we booked a December 2010 stay and while availability was very limited, we were able to get 6 days at AKV Kidani or Jambo (studio).

This year, I called at the 7 month mark to try an move our BWV resie to BLT and BLT was not available, nor was anything other than SSR.

So yes, it does seem like availability is tighter.

 

[kdzgon]

You didn't book your home resort?

Nov 1-14 includes end of F&W, Veterans Day, Jersey Week, start of Christmas parties.

Jan 16-30 includes the days after the marathon (some runners come right before the marathon starts and stay a few days afterwards) and MLK holiday.

...

Nov 1-14 also includes the Wine and Dine Half Marathon (Nov 9-10), and Jan 16-30 the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (Jan 18-20).

BTW, I also vote "yes, it is getting more difficult to book" in general.

 

[Sandisw]

I think ONLINE BOOKING has also played a role in availability issues. Surfing the inventory online is a new "free" activity. It doesn't carry the perceived "cost" of phoning Member Services nor the guilt of phoning to simply explore inventory without any particular intentions.

Surfing online may lead an owner to stumble upon attractive travel opportunities. Perhaps they'll book it right away as a measure to "hold" the dates while they research their own schedules, flights, and logistics.

I know I've booked two DVC reservations outside my normal usage patterns directly related to Online capabilities. I'm sure I'll book plenty more to come ... perhaps other owners are finding similar changes in their patterns?

Have to say that I have done the same thing..a few weeks back, I booked a 3 night trip for Memorial Day weekend in 2013. I did this so I could get a SV studio at BWV.

I may or may not be going on this trip. It all depends on how the winter is in Syracuse. As a teacher, if we have a mild one and don't use all of our snow days, we get days added to Memorial Day weekend. and will be going. If we use them all up, then we wont have the extra days and will have to cancel. The problem is I won't know until probably mid to late March.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As your rule, you will take SSR over another resort. As a GENERAL rule, the facts categorically show that most don't want to stay there as a first choice. That doesn't mean it can't be your favorite; it's just not most peoples favorite.

For example, I can't even count how many posts like this I've read:

"We booked our home resort, SSR, at 11 months but are REAAALLLLY hoping to get into *** for our next trip! Of course we love SSR and would be happy staying there, but hope-hope-hope our waitlist comes through!!"

Now, conversely, how many posts like this have you read?:

"We booked our home resort, BCV, at 11 months, but really can't wait to switch to SSR at 7 months! I sure hope it's available, we don't mind BCV but are dying to stay at SSR!!!"

.....crickets.....

They are probably AFRAID to post. After all this board tends to "attack" anyone who DARES to disagree with the common "wisdom" (Trust me, I have been attacked for DARING to use points for a cruise, for DARING to say you can book late etc... ) And of course when I point out that NOT everyone wants BWV over SSR out of the woodwork come the posts determined to PROVE me wrong.

So if you disagree with the common "wisdom" prepare for attack

The DIS has spoken and the decision is MADE! LOL!

 

[bwvBound]

Have to say that I have done the same thing..a few weeks back, I booked a 3 night trip for Memorial Day weekend in 2013. I did this so I could get a SV studio at BWV.

I may or may not be going on this trip. It all depends on how the winter is in Syracuse. As a teacher, if we have a mild one and don't use all of our snow days, we get days added to Memorial Day weekend. and will be going. If we use them all up, then we wont have the extra days and will have to cancel. The problem is I won't know until probably mid to late March.

Good for you! How nice to have something lined up ... ready to go ... just in case the dates are free. I hope your school year runs perfectly smoothly with no surprises!

Correcting my earlier post: I find I've booked three reservations via Online that are outside my normal pattern. Two are already completed, one is coming up in Dec for Treehouse Villas. I booked it to squeeze in one more THV stay before the points adjustment ... but logistics aren't looking good. More than likely, I'll cancel this one just before the 30-day window. Gladly, the reservation is early in my UY and I can bank the points if needed.

 

[Sandisw]

Good for you! How nice to have something lined up ... ready to go ... just in case the dates are free. I hope your school year runs perfectly smoothly with no surprises!

Correcting my earlier post: I find I've booked three reservations via Online that are outside my normal pattern. Two are already completed, one is coming up in Dec for Treehouse Villas. I booked it to squeeze in one more THV stay before the points adjustment ... but logistics aren't looking good. More than likely, I'll cancel this one just before the 30-day window. Gladly, the reservation is early in my UY and I can bank the points if needed.

Thanks...I hope so too...I am not a fan of snow...last year, we only had like 55 inches and ended up with the long weekend and I loved going to Disney for it. Hoping that mother nature and winter is nice to me again...

 

[cseca]

I agree with you.
And I'm curious that IF DVC hears more and more members saying "I can't even book at my HR at 8/7/6/x months out !!!" if they would start to consider changing the 11/7 rule.
Especially with GFV coming on board.

 

[cc_nike]

Number of rooms at BW or BC or Anywhere else has not increased
The number of people wanting those rooms have

Simple supply and demand

I for one am new to DVC and I have went on 4 DVC trips taking my 5th in November and I have not stayed at my home resort. I own OKW and VWL. I have stayed AKL. BLT, GC, BW. I'm going home to VWL in November. I believe there a far more people that want to stay everywhere than just their home resort. I know lots of people say buy where you want to stay. It would suck if I could only stay in one place. I would not be happy at any resort year after year after year. I like Variety and I believe lots others do to.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks...I hope so too...I am not a fan of snow...last year, we only had like 55 inches and ended up with the long weekend and I loved going to Disney for it. Hoping that mother nature and winter is nice to me again...

55 inches of snow! Wow! We had such a mild winter I could have worked, no snow days at all! I took off the winter, it was a mistake!

In the topic of the thread, I own at most of the resorts I care to stay at, but sometimes book at 7 months extra days that I need. At that time, I may only need 1-2 more days, & I've gotten what I need.

Once about 4 Decembers ago, there was a Sunday night that wasn't available anywhere about 2 months out. I was able to get a Value studio AKV for the Monday & Tuesday, again it was 2 months out. That's the only time I HAD to pay cash for a room since buying DVC. I have a friend who's daughter had just found out her school would be singing in the CP, so that was the reason for the late booking, and I wanted at least a 3 night stay.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...And of course when I point out that NOT everyone wants BWV over SSR out of the woodwork come the posts determined to PROVE me wrong. ...

I'd take SSR over BWV any day.

I agree with you.
And I'm curious that IF DVC hears more and more members saying "I can't even book at my HR at 8/7/6/x months out !!!" if they would start to consider changing the 11/7 rule.
Especially with GFV coming on board.

How would changing the 11/7 rule improve booking a home resort at 8 months out?

 

[majortom1981]

Hasnt boardwalk always been hard to book ? I do not see that many people having problems booking at kidani or ssr?

 

[crisi]

Hasnt boardwalk always been hard to book ? I do not see that many people having problems booking at kidani or ssr?

VAKL and SSR are huge resorts with lots of rooms. BWV is a smaller resort. Even if all resorts were equally desirable, more people would trade out of big resorts and fewer out of small resorts - its just proportional math.

But some resorts do seem to be more desirable - VWL is a very small resort, but doesn't seem to be nearly as desirable as BWV which has more rooms and often less availability. However, because VWL is a smaller resort (and VWL owners overall tend to have bought VWL because they love it) it doesn't have as big an impact on balance as bigger resorts do.

Maybe not EVERY DVC owner coming down for Food and Wine wants to stay at an Epcot resort, but for many of them that is a first choice. A LOT of DVC rooms have been added since BCV was built and BCV and BWV haven't gotten any bigger (well, BWV did add a few rooms from the sales center). That makes F&W in particular really tough. Add in that DVC owners who spread their points around often own BWV or BCV specifically to book at those hard to get points of the year, and yeah, it can be rough.

 

[keishashadow]

I agree with you.
And I'm curious that IF DVC hears more and more members saying "I can't even book at my HR at 8/7/6/x months out !!!" if they would start to consider changing the 11/7 rule.
Especially with GFV coming on board.

Wonder if they'd ever consider changing it to a 11/4 month rule via for a trial period of say, 1 year. Although i'm not how they'd put a positive disney spin on it

I have noticed in the last year or so that when studios are unavailable, many more resorts still have 1 BRs in the mix of inventory for the dates i'm checking.

I'm guessing we must be very lucky to have booked GCV just 4 months out this February near President's Day weekend.

VAKL and SSR are huge resorts with lots of rooms. BWV is a smaller resort. Even if all resorts were equally desirable, more people would trade out of big resorts and fewer out of small resorts - its just proportional math.

But some resorts do seem to be more desirable - VWL is a very small resort, but doesn't seem to be nearly as desirable as BWV which has more rooms and often less availability. However, because VWL is a smaller resort (and VWL owners overall tend to have bought VWL because they love it) it doesn't have as big an impact on balance as bigger resorts do.

Maybe not EVERY DVC owner coming down for Food and Wine wants to stay at an Epcot resort, but for many of them that is a first choice. A LOT of DVC rooms have been added since BCV was built and BCV and BWV haven't gotten any bigger (well, BWV did add a few rooms from the sales center). That makes F&W in particular really tough. Add in that DVC owners who spread their points around often own BWV or BCV specifically to book at those hard to get points of the year, and yeah, it can be rough.

BW studios were long gone when I tried to book this year (for 4 nights prior to columbus day) just a few weeks past the 11 month window. Glad I grabbed WL. It was still open the day before the 7 month window opened but when i checked the next day it was gone.

F&W is great but I do enjoy WL being so close to the MK after MNSSHP.

 

[Dean]

Please quit generalizing.

YOU don't want to stay there

As a general rule I will take SSR over BWV any day, but I am not rude enough to assume only MY view counts

BWV has no appeal. I do like BCV, but I much perfect SSR, OKW or AKL to BWV, BLT or VWL. And I can't imagine ever even bothering to stay at the upcoming Grand Floridian. If they have the same hotel management don't expect much

While the principles can apply to other resort situations as well, SSR has had a significant impact on availability due to the fact that the membership as a whole apparently find it less in demand than some other resorts. That doesn't mean it's not a nice resort, only that in comparison, the demand is less. When you combine that with it's size and large number of points in play, it has had a significant impact on availability including other resort back to their 11 month window. Here's how it works: People who normally books at 5-6 months out now can't get anything and start booking earlier, that creates a trickle down affect all the way back to the 11 month window. HH and VB (more HH due to it's seasonal nature) are actually even less in demand but were already in play and are smaller. OKW has similar principles but far less impact due to the cheaper points when evens out demand in large part. Some will say that resorts like BLT and GF will help but in reality they won't because those who buy there are far more likely to stay there and therefore there is far less time % wise at the 7 month window. It likely takes more than 10 high demand villas to make up for a single lower demand villa.

I agree with you.
And I'm curious that IF DVC hears more and more members saying "I can't even book at my HR at 8/7/6/x months out !!!" if they would start to consider changing the 11/7 rule.
Especially with GFV coming on board.

Likely not because at 8 months it's still other owners at that resort and at 7 months or after, everyone had an opportunity of 4 months to book. I think they only way one would see a shorter window would be if DVD decided to start a new system but interconnect them. If so, you might say 3 windows instead of 2 say 11 months, 7 months then 6 months or similar.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I bought where I wanted to stay and I pretty much fit into the perfect timeshare profile, I almost always book 11-9 months out. Unfortunately, past the 7 month window, just like SSR, many who didn't buy into OKW must be booking there because it's often un-available. Then the process falls to just getting into a villa without a split stay for the dates we want and that typically means SSR or AKV because of the shear size of the resorts.

1. I've never had to change my travel dates, I always get in somewhere w/out waitlisting.
2. I've enjoyed all of the resorts, some I prefer over others but none would ruin my vacation, not even SSR's "Carousel" area.
3. If tomorrow the DVC hammer came down and I could only stay where I bought (OKW), I'd be good with it.

And no, though I enjoy SSR, I've never started the reservation process with it as my 1st choice, but I'm happy to end up there if need be! Love the Congress Park area!