What's considered peak DVC times?

[cpc430]

I've heard that busy times for the park aren't always the busy times for DVC (and vice versa). What's considered peak times of year for DVC?

 

[disneynutz]

IMO you should consider all year a peak DVC time. People who bought before Food & Wine never thought that that period was going to be busy and Disney keeps adding dates.

There are so many events with more on the way, and Disney has invested 1.5 billion to increase attendance and manage crowds so expect things to get busier.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've heard that busy times for the park aren't always the busy times for DVC (and vice versa). What's considered peak times of year for DVC?

DVC resorts are sold to be nearly 100% occupied 100% of the time. But mid-Sept through mid-Jan is currently a very busy time for DVC. Add in vacation times, holiday times, and there isn't much left for slower times.

 

[drusba]

A DVC member can reserve at the resort he owns starting 11 months out and then at any other DVC resort at 7 months out. Scope of demand for DVC is measured basically by how fast rooms fill after the 11 month window opens and then what is left at 7 months out. Particularly for any near park DVC resorts, it can become difficult to get anything if you wait any time beyond the 7 month window before trying to reserve much of the year. Measured by things being gone even before the 7 month window opens, DVC's highest demand night at WDW is NYE, highest demand week is first week of Dec, highest demand month is Dec, second highest demand month is Oct, third is Nov, highest quarter is end of Sep to the Monday after marathon weekend in Jan, The rest of the year, including all the holidays from mid January to latter part of Sep, is basically DVC's off season at WDW when even near park resorts can be fairly easy to get at 7 months out with the exception that certain categories of high demand rooms that are low in number are often gone before 7 months out even during that off season (AKV club level and value, BLT standard view, BWV standard and boardwalk view, and likely studios at VGF)

 

[CarolMN]

A DVC member can reserve at the resort he owns starting 11 months out and then at any other DVC resort at 7 months out. Scope of demand for DVC is measured basically by how fast rooms fill after the 11 month window opens and then what is left at 7 months out. Particularly for any near park DVC resorts, it can become difficult to get anything if you wait any time beyond the 7 month window before trying to reserve much of the year. Measured by things being gone even before the 7 month window opens, DVC's highest demand night at WDW is NYE, highest demand week is first week of Dec, highest demand month is Dec, second highest demand month is Oct, third is Nov, highest quarter is end of Sep to the Monday after marathon weekend in Jan, The rest of the year, including all the holidays from mid January to latter part of Sep, is basically DVC's off season at WDW when even near park resorts can be fairly easy to get at 7 months out with the exception that certain categories of high demand rooms that are low in number are often gone before 7 months out even during that off season (AKV club level and value, BLT standard view, BWV standard and boardwalk view, and likely studios at VGF)

IMO, an excellent summary! Well done!

 

[crisi]

Note the "measured how fast the rooms sell out" - if you are planning on booking trips a month out - you'll find availability spotty year round.

If you are referring to busy times as "we like the feeling of having the resort to ourselves" DVC operates at pretty much 100% occupancy year round - it really is a measure of how fast you go from 0-100%.

This is the reason that there are two pieces of not quite but close to universal advice around here - DVC is for planners - if you are using it for short notice trips, you might not be happy (and you'll need to be flexible) - and buy where you want to stay - or at least where you won't be disappointed to end up. Buying SSR with the intention of staying in a standard view room at BLT isn't going to work.

 

[DizBub]

This is the reason that there are two pieces of not quite but close to universal advice around here - DVC is for planners - if you are using it for short notice trips, you might not be happy (and you'll need to be flexible) - and buy where you want to stay - or at least where you won't be disappointed to end up. Buying SSR with the intention of staying in a standard view room at BLT isn't going to work.

We decided to try to book a trip after New Years. The only availability was SSR, no shocker there. We had to wait until the end of Feb and into March to get a full week. Luckily we really like SSR and don't mind staying here.

Even if you buy where you want to stay you must be prepared to book early. Owning at BLT, VGF, Epcot resorts, etc doesn't guarantee availability even 7 months out at busy times.