BLT booking question

[OurBigTrip]

I'm planning a trip for our family for July 2014, and our first choice is BLT, 2 bedroom villa with a Theme Park view.

I called CRO, and they said that DVC resorts don't open up to non-members until six months out...is that correct? Or does that only apply to BLT, since it is so popular?

If that's the case for all DVC resorts, then I'll just go ahead and book regular rooms, and then try to get one of of the DVC resorts later, but I'm hoping that someone here knows "ground truth", so to speak.

 

[OurBigTrip]

 

[ptlohmysoul]

I'm planning a trip for our family for July 2014, and our first choice is BLT, 2 bedroom villa with a Theme Park view.

I called CRO, and they said that DVC resorts don't open up to non-members until six months out...is that correct? Or does that only apply to BLT, since it is so popular?

If that's the case for all DVC resorts, then I'll just go ahead and book regular rooms, and then try to get one of of the DVC resorts later, but I'm hoping that someone here knows "ground truth", so to speak.

They open at 11 months to dvc blt owners only. Then, they open to all dvc owners at 7 months. So that seems reasonable that they open to non-members at 6 months out. That applies to all resorts. However, Disney owns some rooms vs. dvc owners. I would think those few rooms are available to the public.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm planning a trip for our family for July 2014, and our first choice is BLT, 2 bedroom villa with a Theme Park view.

I called CRO, and they said that DVC resorts don't open up to non-members until six months out...is that correct? Or does that only apply to BLT, since it is so popular?

If that's the case for all DVC resorts, then I'll just go ahead and book regular rooms, and then try to get one of of the DVC resorts later, but I'm hoping that someone here knows "ground truth", so to speak.

Only inventory that belongs to Disney is available immediately for cash booking. BLT is basically sold out to members, so only about 3-4% is still owned by DVC to be used for repairs and other issues. As members trade out their points for non-DVC Disney stays like the DCL, the villas those points represent are sold for cash stays to pay for the members' trip.

So, like ptlohmysoul said, you would have to wait until about 7-8 months out to see if it was available. Or you could try to purchase a reservation from a member ("rent points"). For the theme park view, you would need to do that at 11 months out (so in August).

 

[Lynnp]

You could get lucky. I got BLT at 10 months out on a cash ressie.

 

[Missyrose]

Disney doesn't appear to have hard and fast rules when it comes to cash reservations at DVC resorts. Some people have reported DVC villas being available through CRO as easily as nine months out. So I'd start looking then and keep checking until you find what you want.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thanks for all of the responses! I'll keep checking every few days...I'm hoping that with the Grand Floridian Villas opening this fall, some BLT people will want to try that out...or, there will be openings at the GF Villas, then we can try to book a theme park view there.

Thanks again!

 

[smooreo]

I booked the same room at about the 10 or 11 month mark. I kept checking every day and when it finally became available online, I called and got it. It was great....loved the hotel and being so close to MK).

 

[bbn1122]

My Sister booked a studio at BLT about 5 months out for cash.

2 bedroom dedicate are very roomy. We own at BLT and stayed in a 2 bedroom north side lake view, but had a great view of Space Mountain and the castle, plus the lake.

Good luck

 

[jkroach]

I booked a 1 bedroom theme park view for cash last July for this June, so I think it can be done. I booked the day prices were released for this year and also got a 20% AAA discount for room only rate.

 

[twodogs]

I booked a 1 bedroom theme park view for cash last July for this June, so I think it can be done. I booked the day prices were released for this year and also got a 20% AAA discount for room only rate.

I booked LV 2 Bdrm at BLT in August 2012 for May 2013 as a cash reservation and also got 20% off room-only with my AAA membership. Booked directly with disney, though you have to call to see if AAA rooms are available during your days and book by phone, instead of online. Well worth enroll ign in AAA, as that cost $52 and saved $1550 for our 7night stay! I called disney to make sure it was available, then immediately enrolled in AAA online, they instantly emailed my new AAA member number, called disney right back and booked it (they did ask for the AAA number when I booked). One of the best discounts you can get at BLT, other than military, which I was eligible for and tried and tried, but could only get for a studio, not a 1 or 2 bedroom. Points rental would have been more savings than the 20% off AAA, but I needed the flexibility to cancel close to trip and like daily housekeeping.

 

[rlovew]

Thanks for all of the responses! I'll keep checking every few days...I'm hoping that with the Grand Floridian Villas opening this fall, some BLT people will want to try that out...or, there will be openings at the GF Villas, then we can try to book a theme park view there.

Thanks again!

GFV do not have a theme park view they offer lakeview and standard view only.

 

[OurBigTrip]

GFV do not have a theme park view they offer lakeview and standard view only.

Oh, thanks for that info!