1st time DVC reservations-need help

[NicoleLarson]

We joined DVC in August of this year. We where very happy with our decision and where happy to start thinking of our vacation this year. My husband is in the military so it is difficult for us to make plans several months in advance. We decided on Jan 1-6th this year. We wanted a 2 bedroom but when calling we found out that all rooms are booked (1 bed and studios where checked too) except for a room at SS. We're not opposed to this resort but it was our last option. Will this always be the case if we can't make reservations several months in advance? If so I'm starting to regret our decision to join. Also if all rooms are booked then why can I reserve a 2 bed at all the resorts we wanted on WDW website? Any tips on getting a better resort? Can I call everyday to check for cancellations? Does this ever happen? Thanks for any advice.

 

[mousefan1972]

We joined DVC in August of this year. We where very happy with our decision and where happy to start thinking of our vacation this year. My husband is in the military so it is difficult for us to make plans several months in advance. We decided on Jan 1-6th this year. We wanted a 2 bedroom but when calling we found out that all rooms are booked (1 bed and studios where checked too) except for a room at SS. We're not opposed to this resort but it was our last option. Will this always be the case if we can't make reservations several months in advance? If so I'm starting to regret our decision to join. Also if all rooms are booked then why can I reserve a 2 bed at all the resorts we wanted on WDW website? Any tips on getting a better resort? Can I call everyday to check for cancellations? Does this ever happen? Thanks for any advice.

DVC is best for those who can book at least 7 months in advance. I am actually surprised there is any availability for your dates, considering that it is less than 2 months away.

The only way to get a "better resort" is to book earlier. You can also waitlist a different resort, and/or call daily to try and piece a reservation together one day at a time. The reason cash rooms are available through Disney is because those rooms are in a completely different inventory than points rooms. I hope you are able to get what you want....

 

[disneynutz]

Your situation is the reality of owning that many don't learn until it's too late. The fact that you get a 11 month booking advantage at you home resort should be a big clue about availability. Seeing signature banners telling you that a lot of DISers own at multiple resorts should be another hint.

I'm not saying that you will never get what you want, but it is getting increasing difficult as more members are added.

Room inventory is available through Disney because they own some of the DVC inventory.

I hope that things work out for you.

Bill

 

[NicoleLarson]

So what is this wait list? They didn't say anything about that today. Do I have to give them an exact resort and room type to be put on? Thanks for the advice. Also someone said I could piece together a reservation? Like everyday call and book one day at a time as it comes? Would I have to move everyday? Sorry if these questions sound dumb, I'm new!

 

[mousefan1972]

So what is this wait list? They didn't say anything about that today. Do I have to give them an exact resort and room type to be put on? Thanks for the advice. Also someone said I could piece together a reservation? Like everyday call and book one day at a time as it comes? Would I have to move everyday? Sorry if these questions sound dumb, I'm new!

You are allowed to have 2 active waitlists per UY. So you can choose 2 other resorts for your January reservation. Keep in mind that different room categories count as one of your waitlists. So for example you could waitlist Bay Lake Tower, lake view and Bay Lake Tower, standard view. Or you could pick 2 different resorts. Where are you trying to book? And yes, I meant calling every day and booking each day as it becomes available. This may be more likely to happen just before the 30 day mark, when members cancel their ressies before the points would go into holding. You would need to decide if you are ok w/moving. You might get 3 nights at one resort, then 3 nights at another. Or 2, 2, and 2. If you don't want to move, then that method probably won't work.

I am a new DVC member, too (we joined in April) but I did a lot of research before buying, to make sure DVC was a good fit for our family. Since we are able to book 11 months in advance, it works well for us. Is there a chance, going forward, that you can book farther in advance to secure the resort you want? What is your home resort?

 

[Sonnyeclipse]

I think it depends a lot on the time of year.

I tried the same time as you this year and could only get into SSR. Then, I booked with about 4 weeks notice in May and got AKL. I just booked for this coming Feb this past weekend and had my choice of resorts except for BLT.

I think if you stick to the 7 month mark, you'll generally do better.

 

[NicoleLarson]

BLT is our home resort, we would like to try the BWV, WL, or BLT. We stayed there(BLT) in August which is what made us think about buying into DVC, we just wanted to try something different but still close to parks, we have an 20 month old. Which view at BWV am I more likely to get? I was thinking the 30 day mark might open up something, but I will call everyday if that what it takes. I'm just glad that you all are positive and not all hope is lost at least! Thanks for the support, just trying to get the hang of all this.

 

[mousefan1972]

BLT is our home resort, we would like to try the BWV, WL, or BLT. We stayed there(BLT) in August which is what made us think about buying into DVC, we just wanted to try something different but still close to parks, we have an 20 month old. Which view at BWV am I more likely to get? I was thinking the 30 day mark might open up something, but I will call everyday if that what it takes. I'm just glad that you all are positive and not all hope is lost at least! Thanks for the support, just trying to get the hang of all this.

Preferred (pool/garden) view is the category with the most rooms at BWV. I'd waitlist that, and also BLT lake view. Good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

BLT is our home resort, we would like to try the BWV, WL, or BLT. We stayed there(BLT) in August which is what made us think about buying into DVC, we just wanted to try something different but still close to parks, we have an 20 month old. Which view at BWV am I more likely to get? I was thinking the 30 day mark might open up something, but I will call everyday if that what it takes. I'm just glad that you all are positive and not all hope is lost at least! Thanks for the support, just trying to get the hang of all this.

If you are up for a split stay, you can call and waitlist for a few nights instead of the entire time.

For example, you could call and put in a wait list for Jan 4 - 6 at BWV. That might be easier to get then wait listing all the nights.

If it gets filled, you can then call back and wait list the other part. Of course, the drawback of this is that you could end up having to move mid trip if one part comes through and the other does not. When you wait list all nights, you either get it all or you don't.

With a 20 month old, it may or may not be worth it for you to attempt a wait list.

Good luck!

Good luck!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Thanks for all your help. I kept calling back each day hoping to get lucky and I did. Got a ressie at WL!

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks for all your help. I kept calling back each day hoping to get lucky and I did. Got a ressie at WL!

Awesome news! Congrats!! We were just there earlier this month.

 

[linzbear]

Popped in to ask another question but saw this!

Just wanted to note that the biggest problem with your ressie was that you wanted it to start on Jan 1 - one of the busiest days of the year. In the future you may have better luck booking different days with short notice!

 

[ba60515]

Good for u.

 

[MerriH807]

We booked a "last minute" trip for the END of January and had our pick of two bedrooms...except for BLT. We wanted to change our reservation to the weekend of the 7th so we could do the 5k but most things were booked.

I know that kids in Ny don't go back to school to the 3rd and then beginning on the 7th marathon weekend begins. Perhaps your dates are falling in a time where a vacation is ending and many people r coming in for marathon weekend......

either way SSR is better than nothing

 

[DVC SSR Owner]

We have not had any problems booking right at 7 month window. Got exactly what we wanted.

 

[NancyDVC]

I have been able to book at 1 month or 2 months. I think that the time you are asking for is the WDW marathon. Regardless ask for a wait list. They will ask you for resort choices for your waitlist. Give them 2 choices for your dates. I have been very lucky with waitlist and so have many others. Someone just posted that they got a wait list for next week-Thanksgiving!
So don't be sad! Waitlists do come through.

Remember when a member books out of DVC to an exchange-a hotel at WDW, a Disney cruise or any other exchange those accommodations (with the point value of that exchange) for the time the exchange is booked go into the main Disney reservations system for people to book with cash. That is why you see meet non members at DVC resorts during busy times.

Keep your fingers crossed for a waitlist!