7 month DVC reservation difficulties

[zumbergc]

In my short experience with dvc 3 years. The first year before the economy tanked, it was hard to get anything on short notice but SSR. (like 3-4 months out)

After the economy tanked, i suspect a lot of people banked, or just didn't use there points because a couple months out I could get bwv, and sometimes a standard room view room.

It seems to be getting harder to get resort 3-4 months out besides SSR but it all depends on the time of year. I suspect if the economy recovers even more and people are using all of there points and can afford to travel, buy the tickets it will become more difficult again.

Buy where you want to stay. Because otherwise you will be disappointed.

 

[disney_bob]

My parents-in-law have owned at OKW since the mid nineties. They've never stayed at OKW and have always been able to get the resort they want 7 months out going in the "non busy" times of the year.

 

[River Country]

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).

I bought at SSR becasue 1 POints were lower cost and it is the largest of the DVC resorts and i can always get a reservation there in case my 7 month window prohibits that.

Not a problem on Ressies for April and May but December is one of the most popular times of the year for DVCers

 

[Eventer98]

I guess I am kinda the odd one out...I needed 3 studios at VWL the first week of Oct last year and was able to get them all at the 7mon mark (called right at 9am) I also just got a 2BR, MK view at BLT at the 7 month mark but that was for Jan. in 2008 I was able to get another studio at VWL the week of Xmas with only having to waitlist 3/10 days, which all came through. So I guess I have had really good luck with the waitlist and hope it continues!

 

[Figment&Piglet]

We own at BWV and have enjoyed being able to use the 11-month window there, because many times we've tried to book more "spur of the moment" (i.e., 7 months or less) and been shut out. Never can get BCV at 7 months, either, which is our other favorite. We also like the BWV standard view for the points savings, and always get those at 11 months.

That said, we're sort of locked into popular vacation times (DD school) so that means April, or around the Columbus Day/Veteran's Day holidays in Oct./Nov. We're also picky and don't want to be stuck at SSR or OKW. We want to be at our own BWV or at BCV.

That's just taught us that we're so, so happy to own where we want to stay.

 

[Crystal_27]

We own at BLT but really like staying at BCV. We've booked 3 stays at BCV at our 7 month window and have had zero problems. I think for our upcoming stay in September we had to waitlist the first night, but the waitlist came through within a matter of days. We'll really see how we do, though, when we try and book Hilton Head for Spring Break. BUT, if we don't get it, there's always Disney World - LOL.

 

[Daddio]

Here is a little 'tip' page we put together for our guests. Keep in mind that these are recommendations designed to produce positive results.

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

David

 

[loveswdw]

Nice tip sheet Daddio!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Here is a little 'tip' page we put together for our guests. Keep in mind that these are recommendations designed to produce positive results.

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

David

Nice tip sheet, David, but I think you need to add OKW GVs to that list in the 10 month or earlier window.

 

[magicaldisney]

Here is a little 'tip' page we put together for our guests. Keep in mind that these are recommendations designed to produce positive results.

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

David

Awesome tip page. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Mtnman44]

In my limited experience, and observing others' experiences here, I would say that the 7 month window can not be relied upon for anytime during December. Also, it will likely be dissapointing for these other circumstances:

-days adjecent to holidays or holiday weeks
-BLT MK Views or Standard Views
-AKV Values or Concierge
-BWV standard view
-BWV Boardwalk view
-Any grand Villa
-OKW hospitality house catagory
-BWV or BCV from late Sept to Nov
-Tree House Villas at SSR

We own at SSR and recently were unable to secure our first or second choices when I called exactly at 7 months and this was for a reservation in the last half of January. We enjoyed staying at SSR, it is my wife's favorite and we loved the Treehouses, but I would not recommend buying points there if you have no interest in staying there.

 

[Daddio]

Nice tip sheet, David, but I think you need to add OKW GVs to that list in the 10 month or earlier window.

Thanks Diane. We haven't had much history of rentals of GV at OKW so we'll have to make that addition.

David

 

[wehavesix]

Well, so far we've had no trouble getting our first choice at 7 months out. Could that be because we always get a 2 bedroom? Even though we've had good luck with booking at other resorts, I think it's good advice to be sure you would be happy staying in your home resort. We usually book at our home resort (SSR) 11 months out then see if we can get something at another resort when the 7 month window opens. We will be happy at any of the DVC resorts though.

 

[albertotahiti]

Well, so far we've had no trouble getting our first choice at 7 months out. Could that be because we always get a 2 bedroom? Even though we've had good luck with booking at other resorts, I think it's good advice to be sure you would be happy staying in your home resort. We usually book at our home resort (SSR) 11 months out then see if we can get something at another resort when the 7 month window opens. We will be happy at any of the DVC resorts though.

Thanks for your response. Are you really happy with Saratoga Springs? I was looking at that one and Old Key West. I would only be booking a studio for all my trips.

 

[Daddio]

I would only be booking a studio for all my trips.

And that is where addonitis will come into play. At some point during your ownership, a studio will not be available so you will splurge and go a 1 bedroom villa. Then you will be hooked. You'll want to do it again, but that will require more points. Haha. Welcome to the Club.


David

 

[bicker]

We've been much more successful than we have rights to expect. We just switched into a savannah view Kidani Village studio in late January, and this past year had no issue switching into a lake view (which turned out was actually a lake-and-MK-view) BLT one bedroom villa, two weeks before Easter. In the past we've been able to switch into the Beach Club Villas in early February with no problem. We've never hit a major barrier, but that's mostly because our home resort, BWV, is good enough for those times that we haven't been able to switch.

I do think that the relative lack of sophistication of many DVC owners has helped us in the past, and the economic troubles since 2001 has further smoothed things out. I think increasingly DVC owners are becoming more savvy, so if the economy stays on its upward track, then we're in for a few years of "having to" stay at our home resort. So be very sure that you'd be happy staying at SSR for a few years in a row, over the next several years to come, before you consider purchasing there. While you probably won't be locked in there forever (the economy goes in cycles, and so will the tightness of the 7-month window), don't be disappointed if you face the limitation in the short-term.

 

[Dean]

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?

IMO SSR tends to be the best value for a WDW oriented purchase. I also believe that most people will be successful in your stated situation MOST of the time IF they are flexible for the other resorts and they put in the effort to book home resort 11 mo out and attempt a change day 1 at opening 7 months out. However, if you'll be unhappy staying at SSR say 30-50% of the time (more for your Oct/Dec stated time), I do not feel you should buy there. I think you should find the cheapest option that you will be comfortable with if you can't get something else. Realize that even having home resort priority does not guarantee availability for high demand times and options. Things like AKV concierge, BWV standard and BW view, 3 BR in general all tend to evaporate very quickly. With the reservation walking it's entirely possible you'll be the first caller on day one 11 months out and still not get what you want for some options.

 

[wehavesix]

Thanks for your response. Are you really happy with Saratoga Springs? I was looking at that one and Old Key West. I would only be booking a studio for all my trips.

Well, this may sound snobby but I wouldn't bother with DVC if all I wanted was a studio all the time. To me, the point is the space and amenities in the villas. At this point, we always travel in a pack with our large family and the occasional friend added in. But I've already decided that even when it's just me and DH, we will have a 1 bedroom!

As for SSR, it's lovely. The pros are parking right by your villa if you drive like we do and it's near DTD. Now that there's an additional pool and QS, I think that adds to the appeal. We've only stayed there once since becoming owners in 2007 and that was the year I broke my leg and arm on day 2 of the trip! I spent the rest of the week in FL Hospital in Orlando. So I have to admit my experience with SSR is very limited! But we anticipate lots of fun trips there in the future. Like you, we are spreading our trips around to as many resorts as we can.

 

[albertotahiti]

Well, this may sound snobby but I wouldn't bother with DVC if all I wanted was a studio all the time. To me, the point is the space and amenities in the villas. At this point, we always travel in a pack with our large family and the occasional friend added in. But I've already decided that even when it's just me and DH, we will have a 1 bedroom!

As for SSR, it's lovely. The pros are parking right by your villa if you drive like we do and it's near DTD. Now that there's an additional pool and QS, I think that adds to the appeal. We've only stayed there once since becoming owners in 2007 and that was the year I broke my leg and arm on day 2 of the trip! I spent the rest of the week in FL Hospital in Orlando. So I have to admit my experience with SSR is very limited! But we anticipate lots of fun trips there in the future. Like you, we are spreading our trips around to as many resorts as we can.

No, you don't sound snobby at all. I'm just looking at costs, needs, etc. I take my mother to Disney for her birthday once a year, so a studio would probably work just fine for my needs and budget. Now, if my wants and needs should happen to change along the way, then I'd probably purchase more points to be added to my contract. Actually, I've put pen to paper and 100 points at Boardwalk Villas would give me four nights in late April/Early May and four nights the first week of December! Both studios would be standard view, of course.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Actually, I've put pen to paper and 100 points at Boardwalk Villas would give me four nights in late April/Early May and four nights the first week of December! Both studios would be standard view, of course.

And you'll need to own BWV points to get those stays. SSR or OKW won't get you those.