7 month resevations

[Flametamr]

I have a question for the long time DVC people. I am thinking about buying from Disney but do not like the current resorts they are selling. How dificult is it to actually get reservations for the more popular resorts like BWV or BVC when you have to wait until the 7 month window ???

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just tell your guide that you want to buy points at BWV or BCV. You won't get the discounts like at AKV or SSR, but you'll get what you want.

If you decide to buy other points, as long as you don't want a BWV or standard villa or the dedicated two bedroom with two queen beds in the second bedroom at BCV, buy any points you want.

 

[KristiKelly]

We bought SSR, we have had no trouble get BWV - boardwalk view 2 years in a row @ 7 mo.

We rented points in 2003 and got BCV studio @ 6 mo.

 

[Muushka]

We bought SSR, we have had no trouble get BWV - boardwalk view 2 years in a row @ 7 mo.

We rented points in 2003 and got BCV studio @ 6 mo.

And we got a std view 2 BR at BWV @ 7 months out.

But I think those days will be over soon. We bought where we wanted to stay. We paid top dollar and are very glad we did. I would be upset if I was not able to stay at my favorite resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you are specific about where you want to stay, and if your trips are during very popular times at those locations (i.e. F&W for BWV and BCV, or holiday time), then buy at BWV or BCV for an 11 month booking window. If you are flexible with travel times and don't HAVE to have BWV or BCV for those very popular times, then go with whatever is cheapest and take a 7 month chance. BTW, you will find it far easier to get into BWV then BCV, because it is considerably larger.

 

[mikesmom]

This is one of those "it depends" questions. It depends on when you are traveling and it depends on your personal definition of "difficult".

-First of all, if remembering to call right at the 7 month window is a lot of trouble to you, then it may be difficult. We see people on the Boards all the time that are upset they could not get their resort of choice. Then you realize they didn't call right at 7 months, it was more like 5 months or even 3.

- If having to get on a waitlist for part or all of your stay is a problem, then yes, for sometimes of the year it may be difficult. For some people a waitlist is no big deal. For others, they want to call, get the reservation done, and move on, without concerns over where they may stay.

- Finally "busy" times at DVC do not always correspond to "busy" times at WDW in general. If you want to stay at BWV or BCV for the Food & Wine Fest (1st of October through mid-November), at VWL anytime during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays, or snag a Standard view at BWV anytime, or a Grand Villa at OKW almost anytime, it will be difficult. If you want Hilton Head in the summer months it will be difficult. If you want to stay anywhere but your home resort during Easter break, Christmas holidays, 4th of July or even the first 2 weeks of December, difficulty will vary from challenging (using waitlist or being flexible on resort) to impossible.

You can almost always get something at WDW somewhere at 7 months if you are flexible about location and occasional use of waitlist. If you generally want what you want, where and when you want it, you could find 7 month reservations difficult.

 

[CarolMN]

I totally agree with mikesmom's answer. I would add that if you want to get into the smaller resorts (VWL, BCV & BWV) at 7 months, you'll need to call day by day to make sure you get what you want. That's because the membership continues to grow and there are more and more people who are willing and able to call day by day to get what they want.

That means to get a week's vacation using the 7 month window, you may have to make a call on 6 consecutive days - each call made as soon as MS opens for the day. Depending on the type of unit and season, you may also have to use the waitlist. (It's not as bad as calling for breakfast at the castle used to be, but the principle is the same, LOL).

It is possible to get into the smaller resorts using the 7 month window, but by no means guaranteed. Those who know how to use the system and can plan ahead are the most successful.

 

[shellbelle1971]

We had mixed success getting BCV reservations during F&W right at the 7 month mark (calling day by day) trying to reserve a 2-br at BCV. Several years ago, we got it, no problem. Last year, we had to waitlist some of our dates and found that too stressful, so we gave up. This year we could have gotten it again, but changed our minds and decided that we need the extra space at OKW (where, by the way, we've never, ever, had a problem getting a 2-bedroom.)

Anyway, I like to plan waaaaay in advance, and we decided that having that 11 month booking window is important to us, so we're keeping our SSR points and adding 150 BCV points for our F&W trips.

 

[Dean]

While many will be successful at 7 months, it's getting more difficult and is likely to continue this trend over the next 3-5 years. Ultimately it does depend on what you need and what your expectations are. If you just want a room anywhere, you will do find most times other than maybe Xmas or Easter. If you want special units such as BWV BW view or Standard view, 2 queen bed units at BCV or GV in general, buy the place that comes as close to a guarantee as possible, at that resort.

 

[coloradodad]

We had mixed success getting BCV reservations during F&W right at the 7 month mark (calling day by day) trying to reserve a 2-br at BCV. Several years ago, we got it, no problem. Last year, we had to waitlist some of our dates and found that too stressful, so we gave up. This year we could have gotten it again, but changed our minds and decided that we need the extra space at OKW (where, by the way, we've never, ever, had a problem getting a 2-bedroom.)

Anyway, I like to plan waaaaay in advance, and we decided that having that 11 month booking window is important to us, so we're keeping our SSR points and adding 150 BCV points for our F&W trips.

Shellbelle, on a side note I just wanted to know how DVC has worked for you and the family? I am considering taking the plunge - we are making our 3rd trip in 3 years this December. Since we are in the same geographic area, wanted to get your take on the whole experience, since it is not a quick shot down the eastern seaboard!!

Thanks

 

[byoung]

If you are specific about where you want to stay, and if your trips are during very popular times at those locations (i.e. F&W for BWV and BCV, or holiday time), then buy at BWV or BCV for an 11 month booking window. If you are flexible with travel times and don't HAVE to have BWV or BCV for those very popular times, then go with whatever is cheapest and take a 7 month chance. BTW, you will find it far easier to get into BWV then BCV, because it is considerably larger.

I agree with diane.