7 month DVC reservation difficulties

[albertotahiti]

How difficult is it to make a 7 month reservation in your non-DVC home resort? I'm looking at purchasing a membership at SSR only because of reasonable dollar per point cost and maintenance fees. I wouldn't be traveling during holiday weeks or during peak summer months. Mainly it would be late April/early May or first week in December or October.

Thanks.

 

[lpereira]

I think some of those dates are very popular with the dvccrowd. If you'd be happy staying there then it's a good buy for you.
the caveat to that statement is that i don't own at any dvc resorts.i was thinking about buying one as a present to myself (and my daughter) but in reading around I got the impression those little 50 point contracts that look so attractive wouldn't be the best thing for for what i want too use it for. So I'm going to keep saving for an akl contract in a couple years when I finish school.

 

[albertotahiti]

I think some of those dates are very popular with the dvccrowd. If you'd be happy staying there then it's a good buy for you.
the caveat to that statement is that i don't own at any dvc resorts.i was thinking about buying one as a present to myself (and my daughter) but in reading around I got the impression those little 50 point contracts that look so attractive wouldn't be the best thing for for what i want too use it for. So I'm going to keep saving for an akl contract in a couple years when I finish school.

Not getting a resort at 7 months out would kind of bother me. I don't want to be "strapped" down to just one resort. I'm thinking about renting points...have you ever done that?

 

[cel_disney]

The Oct/Dec dates are very popular but there is plenty of evidence that suggests wait lists come through if made on the 7 month date, so SSR would really be a fall back.

This also assumes that if you rented points or owned elsewhere, you would be able to make arrangements at the 11 month window (this would be needed for those Oct/Dec reservations I think).

I havent rented personally since we bought in once we had kids but it could work for you if you - especially if you dont want to be strapped to a single resort!

 

[albertotahiti]

The Oct/Dec dates are very popular but there is plenty of evidence that suggests wait lists come through if made on the 7 month date, so SSR would really be a fall back.

This also assumes that if you rented points or owned elsewhere, you would be able to make arrangements at the 11 month window (this would be needed for those Oct/Dec reservations I think).

I havent rented personally since we bought in once we had kids but it could work for you if you - especially if you dont want to be strapped to a single resort!

Thanks for the response! Is there a Disney website where I could check reservation availability of DVC resorts?

 

[cvjw]

Thanks for the response! Is there a Disney website where I could check reservation availability of DVC resorts?

No, only DVC members can check availability by calling in to member services. We own at SSR, and haven't had any trouble using those points at the 7 month window during the months of May, early June, and September. During October and December, we use our points at other DVC resorts at the 11 month window.

 

[Brandis]

My home resort is BLT, I always book there at 11 month as a fallback, but never needed it until now.

In the past, I switched my reservations to the following resorts at the 7 month mark:

- AKV Jambo House Value Studio (actually barely 3 month out, as it was a spur of the moment thing) for May 2010.

- VWL 2BR for Oct. 2010

- AKV Kidani Village Studio and Vero Beach Inn Room for Jan. 2011

- OKW Grand Villa for Sept. 2011

The next one we want to do probably will be harder, but we will still try, a THV for Sept. or Oct. 2013. (But that's still a long time away)

 

[Lynne M]

Early December is probably the most popular time of year for DVC bookings. Members call when MS opens the day their 11 month window opens. You may get something at the 7 month window, but your selection of available resorts/room types is going to be quite limited. You'll likely be wait listed for at least some of your dates, or have to change resorts or room types during your stay.

October is also very, very popular because of the Food and Wine Festival. I wouldn't expect to get BCV, BWV and possibly BLT at 7 months.

There's a reason why the number one bit of advice on these boards is "buy where you want to stay", or "buy where you don't mind staying". If you don't mind spending most of your trips at SSR, or it's impossible for you to book at 7-11 months out, then by all means go with the cheaper SSR contract.

 

[vek239]

We've only owned (BLT &SSR) a little over a year but so far have had good luck switching at the 7 mo mark.

BLT to AKL for March, BLT to VWL and BWV 2nd week Sept for pre and post cruise.

Also booked HHI for 2nd week of May at 7 months. Booked BLT for the week after Thanksgiving and switched several days of that to AKL at 7 months.

Got a great airfare last week and decided to go again in October but could only get SSR but we're fine with that! Waitlisted at OKW just because we haven't stayed there yet.

 

[chalee94]

We've only owned (BLT &SSR) a little over a year but so far have had good luck switching at the 7 mo mark.

i'm not sure but i think the last 3 years or so have been a little unusual due to the recession, which may have hindered some long term planning and changed more plans than usual.

i could be wrong but i wouldn't be surprised if the 7 month window got a little tougher in the future.

 

[magicaldisney]

i'm not sure but i think the last 3 years or so have been a little unusual due to the recession, which may have hindered some long term planning and changed more plans than usual.

i could be wrong but i wouldn't be surprised if the 7 month window got a little tougher in the future.

I think we already might be seeing signs of that. It seems more people are reporting this issue.

 

[mouseaider]

We just found out our DGD will not be joining us in January at AKV Kadini in our savanna view studio so I called this morning to see what was available for less points.

I was surprised to get an AKV Kadini Standard view and we are wait listed for a BWV standard Studio that was only missing two nights.

Now January isn't prime time DVC but, it is nice to save the points.

And I'm happy that somebody staying with kids will be able to use that savanna view.

 

[wdwfan1]

How difficult is it to make a 7 month reservation in your non-DVC home resort? I'm looking at purchasing a membership at SSR only because of reasonable dollar per point cost and maintenance fees. I wouldn't be traveling during holiday weeks or during peak summer months. Mainly it would be late April/early May or first week in December or October.

Thanks.

I own at VWLand BWV. I could not get all my days for October or March at either resort at the 10 month window. I have a split stay for both trips and I am on the WL. So far the WL has not come through and I dont think it will. I tried to extend my trip by an additional day and the only resort available is SSR. October is a very busy time for DVC members, and the resorts book fast.

If you would be happy staying at SSR if you cant stay at a different resort, go for it. If not, think about it before buying. As others often say, buy where you want to stay. Good luck!

 

[juncker]

I think that the people here have painted a proper picture for you. Make your reservation at SSR at 11 months and try to move at 7 months. Most of the time you'll probably be successful, but certain resorts at certain times won't be available. If you are going in October during F&W and want to stay at BCV or BWV, it wouldn't suprise me a bit that they weren't available. I'd expect more choices then just SSR to be available though (probably OKW and AKL at a minimum). Book SSR at 11 months and you'll never get 'shut out'. You'll probably experience more success than failures in getting what you want at 7 months, but never 100%. If you're flexible, then SSR would work good. If you really want to have BWV every October though (or a similar situation), you should buy there.

 

[Sandisw]

While I think it is tempting to buy based on price, just be sure you choose a home resort that you are comfortable with if the plan to trade out a 7 months does not work.

It sounds like you want variety and not stuck one place, and in most cases, you should have luck getting something. But, it may not be the one resort you want or forced to split stay and you have to be okay with that.

We spent extra to buy at BLT because we knew we wanted to be there for all or at least part of our yearly summer trip. We also wanted a chance at SV points.

We had luck changing a few nights at the 7 month mark the least few years to BWV and BCV and realized that doing a split between BLT and one of those is what we enjoy so we are in the process of adding on at BWV (just went to ROFR yesterday). Got a great deal too!

I would not advise buying SSR if you don't want to stay there at least some of the time. Pick something that you will be okay with if all else fails.

Good luck!

 

[crisi]

In a previous thread you indicated that you are looking at the rooms that are a good value. I think your plan is...

1. Buy SSR resale because the cost is low and the dues are low.
2. Use those points to book BWV Standard View, VAKL Value, BLT Standard View.
3. Profit.

There are a LOT of people who think like that - and a very small quantity of those low point rooms available. Which isn't to say you'll never get them, just that the question "will I be able to book outside my home resort" (sure, flexibility is important) is VERY DIFFERENT than "will I get a BWV Standard View room consistantly in October or December" (not a snowballs chance in hell).

 

[Pakey]

I own 2 large contracts at BC and a small contract at SSR. I regret buying my SSR contract. I have been unsuccessful at waitlisting at 7 months with my SSR points twice now. Once was May and once was October; both waitlists did not come through and we stayed at SSR. We bought SSR when Pleasure Island was still around and intended to use it for that but now, we prefer to stay elsewhere and I wish that contract was at BC along with the rest of my points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Now January isn't prime time DVC but, it is nice to save the points. ...

Early January can be DVC prime time with the Disney marathon.

 

[mouseaider]

Early January can be DVC prime time with the Disney marathon.

Can be is true. But in this case my trip starts on the Wednesday after the marathon.

 

[hollis]

As of right now (meaning for the past couple of years), I can pretty much get most resorts at the 7-month window for late April/early May. First week in December or October seem to vary. But generally speaking, BLT (except lake view), BCV, BWV boardwalk view, AKV concierge go fast. If you are not picky about resort or view, and just want to try something different each time, I think you can safely go with your reasonable dollar per point SSR choice.

But keep in mind things change. For example, VWL used to be one of the hardest to get. Since BLT, VWL has gotten quick a bit easier. Also, Disney has several events that draw crowds besides the U.S. holidays. And Disney is planning to add more events (e.g. half marathon) to increase occupany rates. And who knows, they may build another resort within WDW and that will likely change things again.