Short notice DVC trip?

[Moira222]

We are waiting for our DVC resale purchase to go through ROFR. Provided all goes well (fingers, toes and everything else crossed!!!) we will have 230 points that we need to use before June 1. (I know, horrible, right?)

Anyway, knowing that this won't all wrap up till sometime in January (probably late January) won't give us a lot of time. Our ideal trip would be the second week of February, with early March & early April as our alternate weeks. (Its hard with kids in school, work projects, etc.) We would be renting two studios (traveling with another family). What are my odds of getting reservations short notice? Our home resort will be OKW, with my other possible resorts as AKV, BWV, and SSR (in that order). Thoughts?

thanks!

[chalee94]

anything is "possible" - but on short notice, you need to be very flexible. SSR will be your best bet (largest resort) and you'd be much better off avoiding holiday weeks. (1BRs might be easier to find than studios as well.)

good luck.

[missycj96]

I've gotten lucky on short notice for short trips - luck requires diligence and being flexible on date, size of unit, view and of course resort. And when you see something that works - grab it. I actually love most of the dvc resorts. I just picked up 2 nights pre-cruise at bay lake tower mid jan.

[bobbiwoz]

May, early May, has been a light time for DVC, so maybe that would have a better selection.

[Moira222]

Originally Posted by chalee94

anything is "possible" - but on short notice, you need to be very flexible. SSR will be your best bet (largest resort) and you'd be much better off avoiding holiday weeks. (1BRs might be easier to find than studios as well.)

good luck.

I promised my friends that we would have separate rooms -- sometimes our girls get on each other's nerves after a while (we camp together often) so we need our own space. but I'll see if a 2 BR would work, I think if I borrowed a few points from next year I could swing it. Good to know that SSR is the best bet.

Originally Posted by missycj96

I've gotten lucky on short notice for short trips - luck requires diligence and being flexible on date, size of unit, view and of course resort. And when you see something that works - grab it. I actually love most of the dvc resorts. I just picked up 2 nights pre-cruise at bay lake tower mid jan.

I'm curious to see how the online reservations work for DVC. Is it better to call or go online?

Originally Posted by bobbiwoz

May, early May, has been a light time for DVC, so maybe that would have a better selection.

Good to know about May. Its pushing it for me, as mid-late May is busy in my office, but the first two weeks are on our list of possible dates. thanks!

[chalee94]

Originally Posted by Moira222

I'm curious to see how the online reservations work for DVC. Is it better to call or go online?

i'd agree that early may is a great option.

since you're not locked in on specific dates, i think it's more fun to poke around and look at what is available online. i don't think it'll be difficult at all to book online (edited to add: referring to the process - availability might be iffy).

[Simba's Mom]

I've seen AKV, savannah view, available at just a couple weeks out, but this was in September. In late February, you might want to consider trying out at HHI, if you've never been. I sat in the front lounge there one morning at 10:00, and listened to a family that was scheduled to check out book an extra night. You can't get much shorter notice than an hour.

[helenk]

I just booked AKV Jambo house, standard view (I don't have a lot of points left) for 5/5-5/9.
When I looked AKV were available for standard and savannah views, SSR was available and OKW was available. I had just stayed at SSR in Oct and OKW in Dec so opted for AKV, although I did waitlist VWL.
But anyway, I was surprised at the resorts that were available.
If you are flexible you should be able to book something, once you have your points go on line and play around with your dates & different resorts.

[Moira222]

Originally Posted by Simba's Mom

I've seen AKV, savannah view, available at just a couple weeks out, but this was in September. In late February, you might want to consider trying out at HHI, if you've never been. I sat in the front lounge there one morning at 10:00, and listened to a family that was scheduled to check out book an extra night. You can't get much shorter notice than an hour.

I know HHI is an option, but its not Disney World and hubby is set on WDW

Originally Posted by helenk

I just booked AKV Jambo house, standard view (I don't have a lot of points left) for 5/5-5/9.
When I looked AKV were available for standard and savannah views, SSR was available and OKW was available. I had just stayed at SSR in Oct and OKW in Dec so opted for AKV, although I did waitlist VWL.
But anyway, I was surprised at the resorts that were available.
If you are flexible you should be able to book something, once you have your points go on line and play around with your dates & different resorts.

This is great info, thanks!