7 Month Window

[friendoffigment]

seems I have been having less and less choices with resorts at the 7 window these past couple of years. is it me or have other members had this problem. it seemed so much easier years past

 

[BillPA]

It's getting much more difficult at 7 months. Too many have purchased where they don't want to stay just to save a few bucks. Do you really save if you just hate your home resort?

 

[gharter]

I think many more people have jumped on the buy where the points are the cheapest and then try to switch to where they want to stay.
Also, the parks are more crowded with more guests staying.
While we generally stay where we purchased, when I look later, I see fewer rooms available at the 7 month window. But we are also traveling in more of the peak DVC times.

 

[Marionnette]

Actually, I don’t think it’s so much a case of people buying “cheap” points with the hopes of staying elsewhere. I think it’s a case of people buying where they want to stay and then not changing at 7 months. Face it, we’re 7 months out from October and Fall Frenzy. If I have a BWV reservation, I’m not switching out for a stay at SSR or OKW. I bought BWV, scary clown pool and redrum hallways be damned, to be able to stay at BWV. I bought VGF to be able to stay at VGF. If I have reservations at my home resort in the fall, you can bet that’s where I’m staying.

I also think that there’s a lot more renting going on than in the past. Renters aren’t switching at 7 months. They made their reservations 11 months in advance and paid a premium for them precisely so that they could get the reservation they want.

 

[Bigrigross]

It's getting much more difficult at 7 months. Too many have purchased where they don't want to stay just to save a few bucks. Do you really save if you just hate your home resort?

Yeah, I do not get it. I stayed on cash before buying OKW because I wanted to make sure that was the resort for us and it was everything we wanted so we took the plunge and bought at the end of that week. I cant believe the people who either just buy the cheapest or just buy one because they saw the sales center at SSR and dont take noise and layout of the resort into consideration. We like to stay other places as well, but if nothing is available at 7 months, I am never disappointed with staying at OKW. So far the last three times we booked, at 7 months (I check at my 7 month window) in both May and September, the only things available have been OKW, SSR, AKL, and a smattering of open rooms at other resorts to which split stays would be necessary. The last 7 month window I was looking at 2 Bedrooms for this May. Not many options for sure.

 

[Liv&Leah]

When we purchased in 2014, we really were clueless. Of course DVC makes it seem like you have access to all the resorts and booking reservations are a walk in the park. That couldn't be further from the truth. I have learned a lot over the last few years. Although we were naive buyers, I am so glad we lucked out and purchased VGF. We have never even attempted to switch at 7 months. Too crazy for me! We may book a last minute reservation at less than 7 months, but we know our options are limited and can't be picky.

 

[chalee94]

Actually, I don’t think it’s so much a case of people buying “cheap” points with the hopes of staying elsewhere.

Well, people have been warned for years that buying SSR or VB with the notion that "I'll never have to stay there" was a risky choice. Lately, that seems to be an increasing source of disappointment (but they can't say that they weren't warned.)

 

[sleepydog25]

A little bit of buying at the cheapest price point and a little bit of Disney greed. It's true that too many didn't realize that 7 months is NOT a given (heck, even 11 months isn't if you aren't quick about it), despite the success of many. Further, Disney lowered the amount of points needed to buy in and buy add-on contracts, thus creating a lot more contracts that people bought just to get started rather than opting to buy where they truly wanted to stay. Whatever the reasons, however, the situation of booking at 7 months is getting bleaker unless you can be very, very flexible.

 

[Geomom]

Our first contract was an OKW resale, because the point cost was lower than other Disney World resorts. We have only stayed 1x at OKW with the points (our first stay), we've managed to book stays at all the Disney world properties at 7 mths out--for February or April vacation. We did buy a small BWV resale contract specifically for BWV, with the plan to stay at it in the Fall. We ended up using the BWV pts at SSR for Thanksgiving as I couldn't book until 8 mths out...and nothing left at BWV then and only SSR was left at 7 mths. We're also using the BWV pts this summer at CCV to try it--switched to BRV right at 7 mths, then to CCV a couple days later.

So I'd say it depends on the time of year, and if you're flexible about 'where' you'd like to stay.

 

[BillPA]

Our first contract was an OKW resale, because the point cost was lower than other Disney World resorts. We have only stayed 1x at OKW with the points (our first stay), we've managed to book stays at all the Disney world properties at 7 mths out--for February or April vacation. We did buy a small BWV resale contract specifically for BWV, with the plan to stay at it in the Fall. We ended up using the BWV pts at SSR for Thanksgiving as I couldn't book until 8 mths out...and nothing left at BWV then and only SSR was left at 7 mths. We're also using the BWV pts this summer at CCV to try it--switched to BRV right at 7 mths, then to CCV a couple days later.

So I'd say it depends on the time of year, and if you're flexible about 'where' you'd like to stay.

What size unit? Studio, 1 or 2 BR??

 

[mort1331]

Time of year is a big factor in the 7 month rule. I love our SSR and it is our both our daughters favorite place. That being said we have tried almost all the other resorts at least once. I am heading down for boys weekend in May and staying at OKW for the larger rooms, booked 4 months out.
Size of room is also a big factor. You can not blanket the statement that it is getting harder and harder to book 7 months out. Rooms are filled 12 months of the year. Now if you want DVC busy time, then yes hard times are here, but right now I can book middle of summer and stay most places. Except HH which the wife is wanting at the end of July,,,go figure. But you have to know the patterns.

 

[Geomom]

What size unit? Studio, 1 or 2 BR??

Usually studios, but 2 bedrooms when we're travelling with friends/family.

7 mth bookings:
2 bedroom w/ OKW pts: 2/17 BWV, 2/16 BLT, 2/12 BWV, 4/10 BWV.
2 bedroom w/ BWV pts: 11/18 SSR

Studios w/ OKW pts: 2/19 AKV, 4/18 PVB, 4/15 BWV, 2/14 VGF, 8/13 AKV and VWL, 4/13 BCV, 10/11 AKV, 2/11 BWV, 11/10 SSR,
Studios w/ BWV pts: 8/19 CCV,

11 mth bookings:
2 bedroom stay booked at 11 mths w/ BWV pts: 11/15 BWV
Studios booked at 11 mths w/ BWV pts: 10/17 BWV

Waitlist filled under 7 mths: BWV 10/13

 

[happiest in Disney]

I purchased OKW in the beginning, the first DVC to open, it was the only one there. Now there are others I like better so I try to switch at 7 months. When you bought the first one, who knew what else would be coming....

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I do think it is getting harder at 7 months to get different resorts...not impossible...but harder.

Think about this...some of DVC most recent additions were Aulani and Poly....Aulani put more people into the group of those looking at 7 months since they dont want to go to Hawaii every year and also the Poly only has studios and those bungalows with insanely high point charts....so lots of poly owners are looking for other resorts at 7 months since studios wont always be ideal for them.

We've still had pretty good luck overall at the 7 month mark these past few years but its not as easy as it was several years ago. It is important to e on line at 8 am EST and be ready to book asap!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

DVC Member since 2001. Home resort WL, which we love. Only time(s) we’ve booked in 7 month window is Aulani years ago & just this March @ BC. Had no other success all these years.

 

[LILJAN59]

It's getting much more difficult at 7 months. Too many have purchased where they don't want to stay just to save a few bucks. Do you really save if you just hate your home resort?

 

[LILJAN59]

It's getting much more difficult at 7 months. Too many have purchased where they don't want to stay just to save a few bucks. Do you really save if you just hate your home resort?

I know what you mean
We bought at SSR and stayed there a lot
We’re in our 70’s now harder to get in and off busses so used to be able to get a week at BW for us 2 or AK for the grandsons
Rarely can we get into a monorail Resort now
Tried for the last week, staying at SSR with 2 scooters in October WL FOR BW AND BAY LAKE for 5 nites but doubt it will come through
Definitely oversold for 7 month window and new DVCS opening
Seriously thinking of selling points and using David’s DVC rentals!!