Availability of studios vs 1 BR during F&W?

[vdub322]

I am a DVC member who has never used my membership during the F&W Festival, but we are doing it for the first time this year. It will also be our first time kid free!

We have always stayed in 1 BR accommodations with the kids, so we were excited to only need a studio. My question is...are studios more popular and harder to come by? Since I have no experience with booking a studio OR F&W season, I was just wondering if we are more likely to get a waitlist fulfillment of one or the other. Currently we are booked at our home resort (AKV) in a studio, and are waitlisted at two other resorts (BCV and BLT) for studios. If I am willing to spend more points, would I increase my chances by waitlisting 1 BRs?

Sorry for all the rambling! We just decided to book this trip and yesterday was the 7 month mark. I didn't have much hope for a weekend during F&W, and we will be more than happy at AKV if nothing else comes through. But I just figured it couldn't hurt to ask the experts!

 

[Andrew015]

From what I've heard, studios at the Epcot resorts during F&W are difficult to get at this time of year (especially, the cheaper standard view studios at BWV). Many people have the same idea as you, hoping to be walking distance to F&W.

Also keep in mind that school is back in session, so a higher % of travelers will not need accommodations for a larger group as they might say June – August, thus further driving up demand for studios.

 

[vdub322]

Thanks for your reply Andrew...that's kind of what I was thinking. We are just so excited to go to F&W that we aren't too worried about where we stay. We stayed at BWV in January and ended up spending a lot of time at BCV (due to pool refurbishment) and really enjoyed it, but I know it's a long shot to stay there during F&W. Thanks for your reply!

 

[mjc2003]

I am a DVC member who has never used my membership during the F&W Festival, but we are doing it for the first time this year. It will also be our first time kid free!

We have always stayed in 1 BR accommodations with the kids, so we were excited to only need a studio. My question is...are studios more popular and harder to come by? Since I have no experience with booking a studio OR F&W season, I was just wondering if we are more likely to get a waitlist fulfillment of one or the other. Currently we are booked at our home resort (AKV) in a studio, and are waitlisted at two other resorts (BCV and BLT) for studios. If I am willing to spend more points, would I increase my chances by waitlisting 1 BRs?

Sorry for all the rambling! We just decided to book this trip and yesterday was the 7 month mark. I didn't have much hope for a weekend during F&W, and we will be more than happy at AKV if nothing else comes through. But I just figured it couldn't hurt to ask the experts!

The fall is incredibly busy. I've been looking for one night in October in a 1br at either VWL, BLT, BCV, BWV, and nothing. We have 9 nights at BCV already booked but need one more night on the front end and I've been looking for 2 weeks.

Changing your request to a 1br would absolutely increase your chances. Generally 1br's are the last to book. How many nights will you be there? One consideration would be to wait list only a few nights at either BCV or BLT because that would be more likely to come through, and then if it does you can just waitlist the rest or do a split stay (easier with no kids). If you cut your waitlist from say, 5 nights down to 2 or 3, your odds of it coming through would increase. Then you could waitlist the remaining 2-3 nights. While this is a little more work and does expose you to the possibility of a split stay, it's probably more likely to get you what you want.

Good luck!

 

[vdub322]

I guess I failed to mention we are trying to go over the weekend, which I know makes a difference...cheap airfare 11/1-11/4 (also when we have child care lined up).

I might just switch to a 1 BR and invite another couple to share it with us...

 

[vdub322]

I also didn't think about how much easier it would be to do a split stay without kids. We usually do split stays with the kids on our longer trips and have never had a problem, but with less luggage it would be even easier. I could take advantage of those BWV nights starting with 11/2...

Now you guys have me thinking...thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

People who go for F&W are looking to save points, they just want to be there for the festival. So they go for studios at half the number of points. But even a one bedroom at exactly seven months out can be hard to get at BCV, BWV and BLT. We were lucky to get a one bedroom at BLT last year for mid-October for seven nights. But a few days later, we couldn't have gotten it.

But check on line and see if you can get a one bedroom. Don't wait, you are already one day past your booking time.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I wanted to add a one bedroom or a weekend in October at 7 months. I checked about one day late and now have a unit for Sat and again Monday to Thursday (the week was booked with BCV points earlier). Hopefully the wait list comes throught

 

[vdub322]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I acted fast after asking the question and managed to get a 1BR at BCV for the first night and a 1BR Standard View at BWV for the second and third night. We don't mind split stays (especially with no kids!) and achieved our goal of staying the entire three nights in the Epcot resorts for under 85 points. NOW I'm really excited!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I acted fast after asking the question and managed to get a 1BR at BCV for the first night and a 1BR Standard View at BWV for the second and third night. We don't mind split stays (especially with no kids!) and achieved our goal of staying the entire three nights in the Epcot resorts for under 85 points. NOW I'm really excited!!!

It's great that you got something that works for you! Enjoy F&W!

 

[vdub322]

It's great that you got something that works for you! Enjoy F&W!

Thank you! We weren't too optimistic at 7 months (minus one day) but we will take it! So excited!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I acted fast after asking the question and managed to get a 1BR at BCV for the first night and a 1BR Standard View at BWV for the second and third night. We don't mind split stays (especially with no kids!) and achieved our goal of staying the entire three nights in the Epcot resorts for under 85 points. NOW I'm really excited!!!

Congrats...did you wait list the BWV standard view for the first night so you don't have to move ?

 

[vdub322]

Congrats...did you wait list the BWV standard view for the first night so you don't have to move ?

I actually didn't...I considered it, but DH really wants to try out BCV for our next trip (with the kids) so I figured I would just leave it. Plus then if the weather is nice, we might get a little Stormalong Bay time!

Also, and this is the big reason...I borrowed the points for this trip, so it is my understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong) that if I change to lower point accommodations then the point difference will remain in the use year of the trip. Right?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I acted fast after asking the question and managed to get a 1BR at BCV for the first night and a 1BR Standard View at BWV for the second and third night. We don't mind split stays (especially with no kids!) and achieved our goal of staying the entire three nights in the Epcot resorts for under 85 points. NOW I'm really excited!!!

Wow! Getting a standard view 1 bedroom is remarkable!

Bobbi

PS. Yes, you are right about the borrowed points staying in the UY borrowed into.

 

[mdsd8700]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I acted fast after asking the question and managed to get a 1BR at BCV for the first night and a 1BR Standard View at BWV for the second and third night. We don't mind split stays (especially with no kids!) and achieved our goal of staying the entire three nights in the Epcot resorts for under 85 points. NOW I'm really excited!!!

How wonderful and what a score that was!

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I actually didn't...I considered it, but DH really wants to try out BCV for our next trip (with the kids) so I figured I would just leave it. Plus then if the weather is nice, we might get a little Stormalong Bay time!

Also, and this is the big reason...I borrowed the points for this trip, so it is my understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong) that if I change to lower point accommodations then the point difference will remain in the use year of the trip. Right?

Yes your right the borrowed points would remain in the use year of the trip........we love both resorts....have a wonderful trip