Does it matter if we check in Jan. 1 vs. Jan. 2?

[CarolynFH]

We're in the very early stages of planning a Jan. 2014 family trip to BWV and it looks like it might be the very first week. It will be our two adult children and their spouses as well as ourselves, so we'll need several rooms. We were thinking a 1-BR for us and 2 studios for them, but I'd like to try for a GV as it's been quite a few years since we all visited WDW together and it's likely to be quite a few years before we get another chance.

I kow a lot of folks come for the week between Christmas and New Year's, but I'm not sure what the most likely checkout day is. So, would our chances of getting a GV be different if we plan to check in on Jan. 1 vs. Jan. 2? Jan. 1, 2014 will be a Wednesday, if that makes a difference.

TIA!

 

[chainkid]

The only way to secure a grand villa reservation during a holiday period is to have enough BW points to walk your reservation and call each and every day first thing in the morning to cancel first day and then add a day at the end. It's tedious and time consuming but with only 7 grand villas available its the only way and even then its hard to get. Good luck.

 

[cvjw]

This is our 2nd year of visiting Disney the first week of January - arriving on the 1st. I don't think it will matter if you arrive on the 1st or the 2nd, both will be incredibly busy. The crowds won't really thin out that first week of January until after the 1st weekend. You should plan on booking at the 11 month window at your home resort for your trip. On a happier note, the Christmas decorations are still up, and we really enjoyed our January trip last year, even though it was cold and crowded.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're in the very early stages of planning a Jan. 2014 family trip to BWV and it looks like it might be the very first week. It will be our two adult children and their spouses as well as ourselves, so we'll need several rooms. We were thinking a 1-BR for us and 2 studios for them, but I'd like to try for a GV as it's been quite a few years since we all visited WDW together and it's likely to be quite a few years before we get another chance.

I kow a lot of folks come for the week between Christmas and New Year's, but I'm not sure what the most likely checkout day is. So, would our chances of getting a GV be different if we plan to check in on Jan. 1 vs. Jan. 2? Jan. 1, 2014 will be a Wednesday, if that makes a difference.

TIA!

When we checked in on Jan 1 a few years back, we actually did the check in around 7:30AM. Our villa wasn't available until nearly 6PM because the guests in the villa did not vacate until 3:30. When they finally left they left behind a NYE party mess that took a few hours and several CMs to clean up.

 

[dvcterry]

When we checked in on Jan 1 a few years back, we actually did the check in around 7:30AM. Our villa wasn't available until nearly 6PM because the guests in the villa did not vacate until 3:30. When they finally left they left behind a NYE party mess that took a few hours and several CMs to clean up.

The same thing happened to us. Split stay so we were there early. The room was trashed by previous occupants and we were not given our keys until almost Midnight Jan 2. We were all exhausted and stayed in lobby checking and waiting. I called MS the next morning and we were reimbursed for our points but it was a nightmare.

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

When we checked in on Jan 1 a few years back, we actually did the check in around 7:30AM. Our villa wasn't available until nearly 6PM because the guests in the villa did not vacate until 3:30. When they finally left they left behind a NYE party mess that took a few hours and several CMs to clean up.

The same thing happened to us. Split stay so we were there early. The room was trashed by previous occupants and we were not given our keys until almost Midnight Jan 2. We were all exhausted and stayed in lobby checking and waiting. I called MS the next morning and we were reimbursed for our points but it was a nightmare.

Both of these stories make me sad. As a member I could never imagine doing that to a hotel room. I would feel horrible to for the work I would be causing the CMs and the impact it would have on the next guess...

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

When we checked in on Jan 1 a few years back, we actually did the check in around 7:30AM. Our villa wasn't available until nearly 6PM because the guests in the villa did not vacate until 3:30. When they finally left they left behind a NYE party mess that took a few hours and several CMs to clean up.

The same thing happened to us. Split stay so we were there early. The room was trashed by previous occupants and we were not given our keys until almost Midnight Jan 2. We were all exhausted and stayed in lobby checking and waiting. I called MS the next morning and we were reimbursed for our points but it was a nightmare.

Both of these stories make me sad. As a member I could never imagine doing that to a hotel room. I would feel horrible to for the work I would be causing the CMs and the impact it would have on the next guess...

 

[Dean]

The only way to secure a grand villa reservation during a holiday period is to have enough BW points to walk your reservation and call each and every day first thing in the morning to cancel first day and then add a day at the end. It's tedious and time consuming but with only 7 grand villas available its the only way and even then its hard to get. Good luck.

Once you get a week going, you own't have to call every day right at opening. Assuming the total inventory is the same for all days, you can do a few days at a time without risk of losing access with walking.

 

[drusba]

With Jan 1 on a Wednesday in 2014, your high demand holiday period will extend until Jan 4, but likely Jan 1 will be closed out during the 11 month window for GVs a little before Jan 2 is.

 

[BrerNashville]

When is the best day to start walking the reservation during this period? They are pretty much booked up during the whole 12/24 to 1/2 period, right? So, if one were trying to arrive 12/30 or 31, and staying until 1/4, would you start walking the reservation as early as the 20th or 21st? Or is there enough transition between the 25th and 30th that one of those days will allow you to get in?

 

[butsy113]

When is the best day to start walking the reservation during this period? They are pretty much booked up during the whole 12/24 to 1/2 period, right? So, if one were trying to arrive 12/30 or 31, and staying until 1/4, would you start walking the reservation as early as the 20th or 21st? Or is there enough transition between the 25th and 30th that one of those days will allow you to get in?

I would like to know this too. Hoping for Jan 2-9, 2014 for my DD's birthday!

 

[drusba]

I tracked BWV at 11 months out this year for that period. As to GVs, Dec 31 did not disappear until Dec 28. Jan 1 was actually available on Feb 1 but only until 8:03 eastern time. Jan 2 was available for a couple hours on Feb 2 (and days after were still available then). To be on the safe side for a GV you probably want to start walking on Dec 27 or 28 since you cannot assume this year's experience with a GV will be exactly the same next year.