DVC travel times

[merina888]

My husband and I are considering buying into DVC at resale level eventually. I've seen a lot of mention of what is the most popular times to use DVC. So could someone tell me what are the most popular times to use DVC and possibly the reasons that it is so popular at that time? I'm curious to know if we travel during the most popular DVC times.

 

[disneynutz]

Take a look at the point charts and also consider the holidays and special events at WDW.

Bill

 

[Sammie]

Two of the most popular are during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot and early December.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

It is also worthy of note that DVC is, by design, to be at 100% occupancy year round. While Disney would love for their on-site hotels to always be at 100% occupancy, it rarely happens. On the other hand, DVC will almost always be at 100% at all resorts because of the way the system is designed.

As noted above, there are times when it is harder to secure a reservation 11 and 7+ months out as well.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My husband and I are considering buying into DVC at resale level eventually. I've seen a lot of mention of what is the most popular times to use DVC. So could someone tell me what are the most popular times to use DVC and possibly the reasons that it is so popular at that time? I'm curious to know if we travel during the most popular DVC times.

When are your favorite times to travel?

 

[CRobin]

My husband and I are considering buying into DVC at resale level eventually. I've seen a lot of mention of what is the most popular times to use DVC. So could someone tell me what are the most popular times to use DVC and possibly the reasons that it is so popular at that time? I'm curious to know if we travel during the most popular DVC times.

We are DINKS so travel in non-summer months which we prefer by avoiding the heat and the crowds, however more and more we see people with school-age kids traveling in the September October time frame. 15 years ago the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in Oct / Nov was the best kept secret around but now become very popular, particularly with the locals. We also like February but avoid President's Day weekend.

 

[karrit2000]

The most popular times to use DVC are the low points seasons (Sept-January) and Premier Season (Christmas & Easter). Those are the times the 11 month booking window is extremely important. Also any time there is a special event going on at WDW you will have difficulty booking DVC. For example; Marathons, F & W, the 1st 2 weeks of December (for holiday decorations & events), holiday weekends, school breaks. The first week of November has been dubbed Jersey week because they have a couple of holidays combined with teacher conferences which means little or no school for the kids, this plus the end of the F & W Festival makes it a very busy time. First week of December is usually Pop Warner which is some sporting event so this gets combined with those wanting to see the holiday decorations at a non-peak time. Other times of the year the Parks are busy with visitors from South American Countries or European countries that coincide with their school holidays.

 

[merina888]

I'm a teacher in New York state so I travel when school is not in session. I've been in the summer time, most recently the last week of August (hot, wet, but not as crowded as our previous trip). I've traveled for Mid-winter break and we usually have a spring break, generally in April, and often not around Easter. My impression is that DVC seems most popular in months where the regular hotels are not at capacity.

I get that DVC is supposed to be at 100% capacity, but I'm trying to figure out if we travel during less popular times for DVC (although maybe not for regular resort guests). And yes, if/when we buy, we will choose a villa at a place we would have no problem staying at so we would have 11 month advantage. I'm just curious that if we did want to try another villa, how we'd fair at the 7 month mark given when we like to travel (although I don't think that's the right word - forced to travel would describe it more). And who knows, perhaps a cheap flight will bring about a long weekend trip sometime.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Less popular DVC times would be late January through early February. Early May, Late August/early September, but not Labor Day. And that's about it.

October through early January is very popular and some of those times are even more popular that the rest of the time. Holidays, summer, spring break all are popular. If you haven't booked your home resort for a stay in early December at 11 months out, you might not get it. October is also very popular because of F&W festival.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Even 4 months out, I've been able to change my January's reservations to other resorts and room types. This isn't for Marathon weekend, but I do stay in WDW for just about all of January.

I feel very lucky that in August, I was able to change a December reservation from VWL to OKW because my schedule changed drastically. I could not have gone into VWL from OKW at that time, but what I got is fine with me. I went from the early part of December into the slightly higher points of the second part of December but before the holiday high point time.

For F&W, it's not only the time, but the resorts you want to get into. People here are so happy that they got BWV or BCV at 7 months, because it does happen and those resorts are so convenient for F&W. I think people also have the lucky feeling that could get into BLT during that time because of the Halloween parties, and later the Christmas parties.

There is some movement, and if you go for a 1 bedroom, it seems you are a bit more likely to get what you want at 7 months even for the most poplular DVC times.

Still, I would buy where I wanted to stay and use the advantage whenever I can. I own at 7 resorts because I know what I like when I use my DVC membership. This December is the first time I won't be at my first choice, but still, it was August, and I was able to get a 2 bedroom at OKW, I am thrilled. I book NYE time at 11 months exactly, and I'm at BWV then!

 

[keishashadow]

Less popular DVC times would be late January through early February. Early May, Late August/early September, but not Labor Day. And that's about it.

October through early January is very popular and some of those times are even more popular that the rest of the time. Holidays, summer, spring break all are popular. If you haven't booked your home resort for a stay in early December at 11 months out, you might not get it. October is also very popular because of F&W festival.

I tried for early Feb (week leading up to President's day) and pickings were slim four months prior this year. In the past i had no issue booking it when leaving on the Friday.