7 Month, 11 Month Observation

[wbl2745]

This might be really obvious to some (most) of you, but I was looking for a studio at my home resort, the Villas at the Grand Californian. DW and I just decided that we wanted to go out in October for three days to see the decorations, the new Star Wars, and the Little Mermaid. Can't wait until June 2012 when we've got a family thing planned. Need to do it sooner.

I called MS this morning (3/21) and started looking for dates mid-week, which is when we want to travel. 10/4? Nothing available. 10/11? Nothing available. 10/18? Nothing available. 10/25? MS said, I couldn't reserve that date until I reminded her that VGC is my home resort. 10/25 was available. I know that VGC is small and that the studios are popular since they don't cost as many points. I was interested in how just stepping over the 7 month window into the 11 month window made getting the nights we wanted possible. I guess there really is something to home resort advantage.

Now I'm going to wait list for 10/4, which is what I really wanted because it costs fewer points, but at least we have something for sure.

 

[eva]

I would think that at VGC the home resort advantage is almost necessary, if you plan to go there often. It's not like DVC resorts at WDW. You can settle for other places at the 7-month window.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I own VGC points also and last week was invited to a wedding on 11/11/11! Called MS and was surprised to book 11/8-12 studio because Friday is a Fed holiday Then I realized I was still in my 11 month window
I agree a few more weeks and I would not have fared so well.

 

[disfan100]

I added on at VGC specifically for the 11-month window. Every summer we visit family in southern Califormia. Now we can have a DLR vacation, too! Have also had luck with the waitlist. Though have had to be flexible and take either a studio or 1 bedroom.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[mdsd8700]

We stayed in VGC last July and called to make reservations just past the 7 month mark and there were no studios left and the 1 Bdrm we did get we had to move the dates just a bit which was no big deal. I felt lucky to get that since the I knew by not calling exactly at the 7 month mark could have been a big mistake.

 

[DebbieB]

I was able to book a studio for the first week of May at 7 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was able to book a studio for the first week of May at 7 months.

But that's the start of May Gray and June Gloom.

 

[Dean]

My experience and my impression from DIS and other venues is that the 7 month window has become more important a larger % of the time over the past 3 years or so. I think this is in large part due to the effects on the system that SSR points has had. I suspect it will get a little worse over the next 2-3 years then start to stabilize. I doubt any new resorts will come on board that have the same dramatic effect but I could be wrong. Ultimately it would come down to the size AND demand of any new resort. Any new resort that is of similar demand to BCV, BWV, VWL and BLT will have little effect EITHER WAY. IF there is a new and large resort that has a significantly lower 7 month demand than those, it will further worsen the 7 month issue.

 

[rillsung]

I called at the 7mo mark to get the first week of October. In fact, I originally had Sept 28-Oct 4th and called the next day to change because flights were actually cheaper on Saturday and we use fewer vacation days. She told me that we would lose our room because there was no availability on the 2nd I think (though she was wrong and after I questioned several times, she asked a supervisor and then did it)