VGF studio 7 months

[River Country]

Anyone ever land a studio at VGF at the 7 month mark? If so when?

 

[m3owbox]

We did but it was for March 17-22 last year.

 

[drusba]

There are only 47 studios and those are all part of 2BR Lock-offs and thus can be reserved as studios or 2BRs. VGF opened Oct 2013 and non-owner members started staying there in January 2014. At the time 80% of the resort had been designated for DVC while sales were still in the earlier stages and only about 25% of the resort had been sold. Back then, studios were actually easy to get at 7 months out and that continued for some time. VGF is now approaching sell-out with all of the resort designated for DVC. The result is that it is now even becoming difficult at times to get studios at 11 months out much less 7. In other words, despite that many can report to have easily gotten studios at 7 months out for times through about Sep of 2014, that pattern has turned 180 degrees since with studios now being difficult to get at 7 months out any time of year and extremely difficult to impossible if looking for time during the last quarter of the year, DVC's high demand season at WDW.

 

[River Country]

@drusba You seem to have a real understanding on how this works. better than most really. So let me ask you how could it be difficult at the 11 month mark if no one can book before you? Is it just overlapping days?

 

[wendybeth75]

We were able to get it for the first week in June but only the first four nights. Once the poly opened up I could've added another two nights but we were already booked over at the boardwalk and had all of our reservations for the Epcot area for the second half of the week.

 

[nalajms]

Got 2/13/2015 & 14 (standard studio) right at 7m. Don't expect more than a few nights here and there. But it may become easier with Poly construction is done.... but I won't be one of those owners switching over.

You can get shut out at 11m because of the number of people booking and others starting their vacations earlier than you. For example if I wanted Dec 3 for 7 nights, it'll be gone because others are starting their vacation on Dec 1 or even Sunday Nov 29.

 

[drusba]

@drusba You seem to have a real understanding on how this works. better than most really. So let me ask you how could it be difficult at the 11 month mark if no one can book before you? Is it just overlapping days?

As noted, since members can book up to 7 nights at 11 months from date of arrival, members have a risk that their start date can be gone when they try at 11 months out. What I have also seen with VGF is the factor of one's computer speed. Reservations open online at exactly 8 a.m. eastern 11 months from date of arrival. A minute before 8 a.m., I have seen studios open at VGF and then a minute after, I have seen the applicable start date is filled. Thus far, the threat for VGF at 11 months out has been during extremely high DVC demand times that are in the late Sep through marathon weekend in Jan period, DVC's high demand quarter, particularly first week of Dec, Christmas week, second week of Dec, time around Thanksgiving, marathon weekend in Jan, the weekend in first half of Nov when they have the Food & Wine race, Columbus Day weekend, and the weekend after Columbus Day.

A tell-tale sign of the future is what is happening now at 10 months out for the last half of Jan 2016, one of DVC's low demand times of the year. VGF standard studios are filled for all but five scattered nights in that period and lake view is filled for five. That kind of pattern of being partially to almost filled so early in a slow season at 10 months out shows similarity to AKV value rooms and BLT standard view, which are seldom availlble any time of year at 7 months out. That does not mean one cannot get lucky -- at 7 months out, you have a lot of turnover going on and something may pop open for a bried period -- but currently no one should be making plans that depend on getting a VGF studio at 7 months out any time of year.

 

[River Country]

WOWZERS!!!! Yeah I guess if you want to stay there you should buy there. Which is always what has been said "buy where you want to stay"

 

[Minniesgal]

Members are really struggling with studios at 11 months so I wouldn't expect many if any at 7.

 

[Minniesgal]

@drusba You seem to have a real understanding on how this works. better than most really. So let me ask you how could it be difficult at the 11 month mark if no one can book before you? Is it just overlapping days?

More owners want to book a studio than the number of studios that exist. It is that simple

 

[drusba]

WOWZERS!!!! Yeah I guess if you want to stay there you should buy there. Which is always what has been said "buy where you want to stay"

Actually, I would not recommend to anyone to buy there at all if they want a studio. Once you see there is a real possibility of being blocked out even at 11 months for very popular times, you would be better served looking elsewhere. This a not a situation where one category of studio at the resort can go before 11 months out like at BLT for standard view, but an issue that no studios at the resort could be available. At least at BLT and AKV you have other options for studios that are usually open far beyond the 11 month window. Moreover, if a studio is what you need, then you are mostly stuck to always reserving 11 months out at VGF just to be safe even during slow seasons and thus if you suddenly get the desire at 9 months out to take a trip, your out of luck.

 

[Johnny D]

Actually, I would not recommend to anyone to buy there at all if they want a studio. Once you see there is a real possibility of being blocked out even at 11 months for very popular times, you would be better served looking elsewhere. This a not a situation where one category of studio at the resort can go before 11 months out like at BLT for standard view, but an issue that no studios at the resort could be available. At least at BLT and AKV you have other options for studios that are usually open far beyond the 11 month window. Moreover, if a studio is what you need, then you are mostly stuck to always reserving 11 months out at VGF just to be safe even during slow seasons and thus if you suddenly get the desire at 9 months out to take a trip, your out of luck.

I have a different point of few. You will be able to stay at VGF in a studio at most times of the year if you own there by booking at your 11 month window. If you don't own there you will almost never stay in a studio except for a day or two here and there. Some people this year got upset trying to book the 1st couple weeks of December in a studio and getting shut out. That will happen. I actually was able to book Dec. 13 to 20, 2015 the morning of my 11 month window in a standard studio. I have stayed in nothing but standard view studios at VGF. This past Oct for 5 nights and March 8 to 13 a couple weeks ago. I am in the Buy where you want to stay camp. People tend to cherry pick certain instances and make it sound that is what happens most of the time. Most of the time you will be able to book a studio if you can plan well in advance. Preferably at close to 8am at the 11 month window as possible.

 

[Minniesgal]

I have a different point of few. You will be able to stay at VGF in a studio at most times of the year if you own there by booking at your 11 month window. If you don't own there you will almost never stay in a studio except for a day or two here and there. Some people this year got upset trying to book the 1st couple weeks of December in a studio and getting shut out. That will happen. I actually was able to book Dec. 13 to 20, 2015 the morning of my 11 month window in a standard studio. I have stayed in nothing but standard view studios at VGF. This past Oct for 5 nights and March 8 to 13 a couple weeks ago. I am in the Buy where you want to stay camp. People tend to cherry pick certain instances and make it sound that is what happens most of the time. Most of the time you will be able to book a studio if you can plan well in advance. Preferably at close to 8am at the 11 month window as possible.

As an owner who has just bought extra VGF points to be able to book 1 bedrooms rather than studios due to difficulties with availability I disagree with this. Many times of they year outside December owners are being locked out because too many people bought with the intention is only staying in studios. VGF is an abnormal is due to the high points cost and low studio count which mean studios are exceptionally difficult year round. Sure they can be booked at 11 months but there will often be some people disappointed

 

[bwang123]

i wanted just one day in may and had to wait list at 7 months. it came through a few weeks later.

 

[Noelle]

We usually book 2 bedroom units. This year I needed to also book a studio for my parents for our December trip and I was online right away at 8:00 when my 11 month window opened. The standard view studios were already gone within the minute it took get onto the page. I booked a lakeview and wait listed the standard which came through in about 4 weeks. If I really needed to have a studio for each of my vacations and I had my heart set on VGF, I think I'd be a frustrated owner. Unless of course, you can do a fixed week.

 

[DebbieB]

I got 5 nights last May 18-22, lake view.

 

[CarolMN]

Actually, I would not recommend to anyone to buy there at all if they want a studio. Once you see there is a real possibility of being blocked out even at 11 months for very popular times, you would be better served looking elsewhere. This a not a situation where one category of studio at the resort can go before 11 months out like at BLT for standard view, but an issue that no studios at the resort could be available. At least at BLT and AKV you have other options for studios that are usually open far beyond the 11 month window. Moreover, if a studio is what you need, then you are mostly stuck to always reserving 11 months out at VGF just to be safe even during slow seasons and thus if you suddenly get the desire at 9 months out to take a trip, your out of luck.

I have a different point of few. You will be able to stay at VGF in a studio at most times of the year if you own there by booking at your 11 month window. If you don't own there you will almost never stay in a studio except for a day or two here and there. Some people this year got upset trying to book the 1st couple weeks of December in a studio and getting shut out. That will happen. I actually was able to book Dec. 13 to 20, 2015 the morning of my 11 month window in a standard studio. I have stayed in nothing but standard view studios at VGF. This past Oct for 5 nights and March 8 to 13 a couple weeks ago. I am in the Buy where you want to stay camp. People tend to cherry pick certain instances and make it sound that is what happens most of the time. Most of the time you will be able to book a studio if you can plan well in advance. Preferably at close to 8am at the 11 month window as possible.

As an owner who has just bought extra VGF points to be able to book 1 bedrooms rather than studios due to difficulties with availability I disagree with this. Many times of they year outside December owners are being locked out because too many people bought with the intention is only staying in studios. VGF is an abnormal is due to the high points cost and low studio count which mean studios are exceptionally difficult year round. Sure they can be booked at 11 months but there will often be some people disappointed

If I only wanted studios at VGF, I would buy the fixed week option, assuming availability for the week I wanted. IMO, that's the only way to go, especially if one prefers to travel during the last 3 months of the year. (This may end up the best strategy for the Poly, too, but IMO, it's too soon to make a determination there).

Johnny D, I think you have been lucky and that your experience is not typical. There are too many reports of others ending up disappointed to suggest otherwise.

 

[Airb330]

I have a different point of few. You will be able to stay at VGF in a studio at most times of the year if you own there by booking at your 11 month window. If you don't own there you will almost never stay in a studio except for a day or two here and there. Some people this year got upset trying to book the 1st couple weeks of December in a studio and getting shut out. That will happen. I actually was able to book Dec. 13 to 20, 2015 the morning of my 11 month window in a standard studio. I have stayed in nothing but standard view studios at VGF. This past Oct for 5 nights and March 8 to 13 a couple weeks ago. I am in the Buy where you want to stay camp. People tend to cherry pick certain instances and make it sound that is what happens most of the time. Most of the time you will be able to book a studio if you can plan well in advance. Preferably at close to 8am at the 11 month window as possible.

My experiences mirror yours. We also managed F&W (October 2014) and December 2014 (2-night weekend stays) by booking in November 2013 and January 2014. It does require planning, but if I am looking at 11-months out, I have been able to get the weekend we want. We actually had December 6th at 11 months, but then decided a few weeks later to do the next weekend of the 12th, and it was available still. But yes, it is starting to get harder to get the studios at 11 months, but like you said and others say I still think 'buy where you want to stay' is sound advice, even for VGF.

 

[daisyx3]

This is a bummer! Thinking of a few nights in June of 2016 at either VGF or the Poly. I know "buy where you want to stay" but I just want to try the VGF once. I tried booking at 7 months 3 times before (for June 14, October 14 and this next week) but nothing. Maybe next time I will see if a waitlist will come through. I've never tried that. I booked two nights lakeview at the Poly next week knowing they will be hard to get when everything is open and construction is done.
Daisyx3

 

[moejoe]

Anyone ever land a studio at VGF at the 7 month mark? If so when?

we got one for this coming September 6 days booked it at 6 months. Checked website everyday and one day it just showed up. Lucky i guess! Was considering cancelling and switching to poly. But after reading all the posts not a chance. we may never get this lucky again.