11 Months Out / BWV ?

[MargaretMary]

I have a question about the 11 months out procedure.

I understand that you can reserve at your home resort at 11 months. Is there a guarantee to those that do so that day will get the dates, etc. they are seeking? Since we're considering Boardwalk and we want to buy enough points for a 2 bedroom STANDARD VIEW (to keep point #'s down) to be used during a school vacation week, I sense these may be limited.

I'm wondering if it is absolutely crucial to use the same plan of attack as one might for Cindy's Royal Table or AP discounted rooms, i.e. be absolutely sure that the reservation/call is made on the day they become available for reservation, ideally early in the a.m. when reservations opens? Or, can you be a bit more leisurely about it making sure the reservation is made within a couple of days or so of this period?

I'd like to think that the investment of significant $$$ eliminates the necessity of the absolute craziness we all go through to nail down the discounted ressies or coveted breakfast ressies, but maybe not. Should I be worried that I might not get what we want if I forget for a day, week or two to make the reservations we'd like when the day opens on the system?

Thanks!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

If you call eactly 11 months in advance, you should have no trouble getting what you want every time. You may have to call day by day for the busiest times to do it but that way you will be sure.

I own at the BWV and the only time I had trouble was for New Year's eve. I waited until 11 months from our check out date to make the reservation for a 2BR standard view and had to go on a wait list for one night (New year's eve) of the 7 we were staying there. It never came through but the CM's at the front desk left us in the room and must have moved someone else to our preferred view room that was only staying for that one night.

HBC

 

[spiceycat]

for very popular times for DVC members you need to make your reservation day by day.

this includes - Dec 1-14, THanksgiving week, some weeks in Oct (food/wine festavial) -

I don't think spring break is includes unless it is the week before Easter or Easter. One the first day (not the last) 11th month out call MS and ask them if you need to make the reservations day by day or you can wait until the last day.

a couple of years ago - I made my standard view at 11 month out day by day (for Thanksgiving) the last day I forget until 9:00 am (10:00am Eastern time) (still at 11 months) all the standard views were gone...... I got on a waiting list so about 3 months later I did get it.... So the standard views go very fast.....

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've only been members for a year and I needed 5 rooms standard view for Dec. 19-23rd this year. I called day by day last January because I didn't have enough points for all 5 rooms to be preferred. I don't know if I could have waited until Jan. 24th to reserve all of them, but I didn't. Two weeks ago, I cancelled a 1 bedroom for that time, so someone's waitlist came through. At that time we booked a studio for that same time period, no standard studios were available, but pool/Boardwalk view were, and so, unless our waitlist comes through, DS will have to move twice, but at least he's at the same resort we're at, and at only 4 months out.

I don't think the system for standard rooms is as crazy as for CRT. On the last day of my booking in January, I asked to have the points that were borrowed all put on the ressie for our 2 bedroom, because we knew we were going no matter what and we thought if there would be a cancellation it would be for the 1 bedroom. I asked that the 1 bedroom be booked with only '04 points so they could be banked within the deadline if they had to be. MS had to check availability and cancel the ressies to change point allocation. Since all were available, it didn't matter that I did it day by day for those 2 rooms, the 1 bedroom and the 2 bedroom standard.

We wound up using the points and not banking them, good flight prices and availability at OKW and a Halloween party are now in our schedule. Of course, we used more points than we saved by switching from the 1 bedroom to a studio. Oh well.

Bobbi

 

[DebbieB]

It's first come/first served. If there are 20 standard view 2 bedrooms (just an example, not sure of the actual #) and 25 members want it at 11 months, they give them to the first 20 who call. There's no way they can 100% guarantee availability for dates you want, although it usually isn't a problem. The home resort priority period gives you an advantage over other members who own elsewhere. What's nice about DVC is unlike CRO, they have a waitlist

 

[childsplay]

I would agree with what the previous posters have stated...the times you need to call day-by-day at the 11 month window are few and far between.......about the only thing I would add to Spiceycat's list might be NYE and the week before and after Easter...and even those are maybes.

BTY....in 6 years I have never called day-by-day for any of our reservations, and I have always gotten exactly what we wanted (except for the time my MIL and FIL decided in April that they would be able to join us in June at HH.......LOL......I love'em but they have no idea how DVC works)

 

[spiceycat]

oh I forgot I was trying for a studio - and I am pretty sure that the studios go before the 2-bedroom.

the best system - as I say call Ms the first day you can make reservation and ask - they know when the demand is gonna make it hard for you to get your room - they want you to be happy - so if they say call everyday - do it - if they say it is not necessary to call everyday - believe them.

 

[Dean]

To be clear, there are things you could call day by day at exactly the time they open and not get it. Things like standard view for peak times at BWV and 3 BR at BWV, VB and HH for peak times. Possibly 2 queen bed 2 BR at BCV as well. So you are not guaranteed even if you call day by day at exactly 11 months out.