11 Month Reservation Question

[Jannino]

I am considering buying into DVC with the thought of using points for the Saturday after Thanksgiving through Wednesday (5 nights total).

I am assuming I can make reservations exactly 11 months before at my home resort but given that my stay would start on the Saturday after Thanksgiving couldn't I possibly not get my reservation because many people have reserved the entire Thanksgiving week (i.e. arriving the Sunday before Thanksgiving and leaving the Sunday after Thanksgiving)? When you make a DVC reservation, is iot the rule that you can make it when the first day of your stay is 11 months out?

 

[cobbler]

You make your reservation the first day of your check out day. So just for easy number argument sake, you want to book November 25th check in day and you would check out November 26th, your would make your reservation December 26th (that's 11 months, right?? )

That is why some people call day by day. It isn't like regular WDW reservations where you can book your whole stay your check in day. With DVC you book your stay based on your check OUT day.

 

[Jannino]

So in my situation, I would still have a problem as my check out day would be after most everyone else. If everyone gets their reservation on their check-out day, then I'm guessing many check out on a Saturday during the busy times in order to get their reservation.

I guess my next question (which I should put in another post) is how crowded are the DVC resorts during the holidays? I've also read that the DVC resorts are also crowded in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas as many try to take advantage of using a lower amount of points and still seeing WDW during the holiday season.

 

[Chuck S]

For holiday weeks, Member Services usually recommends that you call day by day for your reservations. For instance, call on Monday to book Saturday & Sunday nights, then call Tuesday to book Monday night, etc.

Tell Member Services you are doing Day by Day and they will leave the reservation open until you have all the nights you need, then send you the confirmation.

By booking day by day, every member is equal, no matter when the start/end dates of their vacations fall.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

If the other responses weren't clear, you have the same chance to book the Sat night after Thanksgiving as any other DVC member with the same home resort who calls exactly 11 months before the Sunday after Thanksgiving. No preference is given to another DVC member who has already stayed X number of nights over you, for whom this would be your first night.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Jannino]

When and at what time does DVC start taking reservations (i.e. waht time does the phone line open up, or is there a website where you can make reservations)?

 

[cobbler]

Member services opens up at 9am EST M-F and 1pm on Saturday. There is no way to make reservations online at this point.

And to answer your question in post #3, the DVC resorts are booked pretty much to capacity during the Holidays. And the weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas are very popular too because of low cost points.

There are currently people on waitlists for this time frame.

 

[beachblanket]

To simplify things: given the core objective you've laid out -- which is wanting to generally stay at WDW during peak demand holiday periods -- here are the two critical elements you have to understand/consider before purchasing:

• The long-held DVC gospel of "buy where you will want to stay most often" is absolutely critical. Or put another way, if you are going to focus on holiday periods, you will pretty much be limited to your home resort at 11 months - so make darn sure it's one you really want to have repeat stays at. Don't be sucked into SSR unless that's what you really want - your dream property might require buying a resale.
  
  
• As far as the day-by-day booking, yes, that will also be mandated if you are looking to do holidays. However, you won't be at any "competitive disadvantage" when doing that vs. people checking in earlier than you. That's because they are also doing day-by-day ressies.
  
  So if you call MS right when they open at 9am exactly 11 months to the day out from your first check out day, you and the "earlier arrivers" who are also calling that day to add on to their existing ressie are all in the same boat (put another way, the people who are starting their vacation before you can't reserve that day any earlier than you can) - and hence you have an equal shot at getting that space.

 

[cobbler]

Also just note that even SSR isn't a sure thing. There are folks on a waitlist for SSR right now for the first week in December.

I called yesterday for an upcoming trip and SSR wasn't avail at all, only a couple of nights at OKW.

I think the holiday time is going to require day by day booking at 11 months, pretty much no matter where you own.

 

[Jannino]

If you call exactly 11 months out at 9AM, what is your chance of getting a reservation at your home resort? Is it 50-50?? Is it better than 50-50?? Worse than 50-50??

This is a critical fact for me as if there is a possibility that I cannot get a reservation between Thanksgiving and New Years, I may choose to not purchase DVC and maybe go with another cheaper Orlando TS (Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour).

 

[cobbler]

Oh I would gather it is better than 50/50. Planners will be the ones that snag the rooms, those that wait for popular times will most likely have to waitlist.

However, I am going during a popular time. Food and Wine festival and I was able to get 2 of the 3 nights I needed at 12 weeks out. It was at OKW and I am waitlisted for the 1st of my 3 nights, hopefully it will come through.

 

[Chuck S]

If you call right at 11 months, the only people you are competing against are other ownes at your home reso. Your chances are very, very good you'll get a reservation. Probably 95%+.

 

[RobDoc]

If you call exactly 11 months out at 9AM, what is your chance of getting a reservation at your home resort? Is it 50-50?? Is it better than 50-50?? Worse than 50-50??

This is a critical fact for me as if there is a possibility that I cannot get a reservation between Thanksgiving and New Years, I may choose to not purchase DVC and maybe go with another cheaper Orlando TS (Grande Vista or Cypress Harbour).

If you call right at 9:00am right at 11 months I'd expect you will never find yourself without some accommodation at most of the DVC resorts. The only exceptions might be Grand Villas and BWV Boardwalk or Standard views - but even there, at 9:00am right at 11 months you will have good chance for success for any dates. It is true that late November and early December are busy DVC times and the resort do fill up, but unless you wait to call until 7 months you are very likely to find something.

One of DVC's strengths is it's flexibility - as long as members can be flexible with dates, room types and resorts there should be few disappointments regarding reservations.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Jannino]

IF it is 95% +, then with the proper planning I should get what I want at my home resort.

One last question - when is the "unofficial" slow time for DVC?? The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the slow times for non-DVC resorts in WDW, but apparantly this does not hold for DVC and now I'm not sure what the slow times are for DVC. The point chart should help but based on that, I never would have expected the weeks b/t Thanksgiving and Christmas to be busy.

 

[Chuck S]

Point based timeshares really shouldn't have a "slow time." In order to really work well, DVC needs to operate at nearly 100% capacity year round. If they see a really "slow season" they will adjust the point charts accordingly.

 

[RobDoc]

...
One last question - when is the "unofficial" slow time for DVC?? The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the slow times for non-DVC resorts in WDW, but apparantly this does not hold for DVC and now I'm not sure what the slow times are for DVC. The point chart should help but based on that, I never would have expected the weeks b/t Thanksgiving and Christmas to be busy.

Technically the DVC resorts are "sold out" since all but a small percentage of rooms are owned by individuals - thus the high occupancy. Typically the "slower" times will be in September, January and May - but even there is will vary from resort-to-resort. Late August is often a little slower as well as some dates in April and early June.

When DVC started in 1991, early December was not a particularly busy time at WDW and even as other resorts were added this was true. At the same time Disney has worked hard to create a desire to go to WDW during early December (special programs, Holiday decorations) and the lower points for DVC members created a natural utilization of the DVC program.

Disney has worked hard to develop other programs to entice guests (Marathon, F&W, Flower&Garden, etc) and as time goes on I wouldn't be surprised to see other "slow" times become more popular for DVC members.

Stay tuned!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I think the other factor in changing the demand for certain times has been that more DVC members are free (or have unchained themselves) from the school calendar than DVC anticipated would be the case in 1991. More year round school schedules or home schooling, more willingness to take kids out of school for a vacation and more adults travelling without children to WDW.

-- Suzanne

 

[cm387]

I have another question in regards to the 11 month window. The 11 months applies just to your check out date and has nothing to do with your use year? As long as I have points available 11 months out I can make a reservation correct? TIA.

 

[Chuck S]

I have another question in regards to the 11 month window. The 11 months applies just to your check out date and has nothing to do with your use year? As long as I have points available 11 months out I can make a reservation correct? TIA.

Yes, as long as points will be in your account when your trip begins, you can book at 11 months out, no matter what your use year is.

 

[spaddy]

I bought this year in March and I was able to book my Dec. 9-14 without a problem. This was at SSR. I know I am one that does not want to be on the phone at 9 am exactly 11 months before. That is one reason I thought SSR would be a good home resort for me. I would think (at least for now) you could get a reservation at SSR at 10-8 months at anytime of year. (I could be wrong because I have yet to try Thanksgiving or Christmas week)