AKV 7 month booking window Question

[ToodlesRN]

I was wondering for those of you who book at AKV during your 7 month window do you usually get the dates and room you want?

Our plan is to sale our AKV points and buy into the GCV's then buy into the Hawaii resort when that becomes available. I would also like to buy a smaller resale of AKV, but if we can't I would use our other points and use the 7 month booking window.

Thanks!

 

[MikeyNS]

I think it depends on the time of year and the room category you want. I was able to get a value studio about 4 months out for March this year. Once Kidani comes online I don't think it will be a problem getting any standard room. Savanna might be a small issue during popular times, but we're really not going to know until everything is up and running!

 

[ToodlesRN]

Thanks!
We always go off season as our little one is still young to be able to go without worrying about school, but that will change in a few years!

 

[MichelleB]

You just never know. I called this morning (1/14) and was able to reserve a 1 bdrm. savannah view room at AKV for a week in July. We do not own at this resort but decided last minute (for DVC anyway) to take a birthday trip for my son. He loves the animals so we figured it was worth a try. I would have taken any resort but was thrilled to find AKV available at the 6 month mark and savannah view at that!

 

[DISHUD]

My wife called at the 7 month window for a one bedroom sav view and a studio sav view (Jambo house) for June 7 thru the 14th and had no problem what so ever.
I was really shocked that we got both, but like a previous poster stated you never know.

 

[jenstall]

I've done this three times without any problems. Once for a value studio in February, got all dates on first call. Then for a value 1 bedroom in November, week before Thanksgiving (not staying over Thanksgiving though), ditto.

Third time, I booked a value studio for January and had to waitlist some nights, but they all came through before the trip.

 

[daisyduck123]

I've done it three times (at EXACTLY 7 months) w/o any problem:

AKV studio: Dec. 20-26, 2007
studio: one night July 2008
studio: July 28 & 29, 2009

When we stay at AKV, we usually tack it on the beginning or end of a BCV trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I booked a room for the last week of April, Jambo Savannah view studio at 7 months. I changed my mind and cancelled it and booked June 14 to 20 Kidani savannah view studio when the 7 month mark for those dates came up. Both were my first choice requested.

 

[momsully]

I have been on the waiting list for a Savannah view 2 bedroom June 7 - 12th since the 7 month window.

 

[tamclan]

I don't think there is an answer. AKV has not yet been sold out, thus all potential Members who would have 11 month booking advantage not here yet.

So there may be some experiences but a true pattern won't emerge for awhile.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[dclfun]

The hardest thing to get is concierge, followed by the value rooms. As others have posted, it's yet to be seen what happens when all memberships are sold at AKV. It's also yet to be determined how popular Kidani will be. I'd think your chances would be good at 7 months out unless you want concierge. I've never had trouble getting a ressie at non-home resorts elsewhere so doubt AKV would be any different.---Kathy

 

[DisneyWalker44]

You can't really use past experinece. Because the resort is new and growing, 7-month booking window experiences will be different once everything is built than it has been in the past. Given the size of the resort, I will be shocked if it's impossible to get standard or savanna rooms once the resort is done (other than peak times such as December).

If you do decide to sell your points and get an AKV add-on, remember that you can do the add-on first, keep the add-on and sell your points. For a small contract, that could be cheaper - and will certainly be easier, than resale.

 

[starbox]

You can't really use past experinece. Because the resort is new and growing, 7-month booking window experiences will be different once everything is built than it has been in the past. Given the size of the resort, I will be shocked if it's impossible to get standard or savanna rooms once the resort is done (other than peak times such as December).
QUOTE]

I was able to get savanna-view and value studios at 7 months. I'm an owner and used my home resort advantage to get 2 value rooms during spring break. We tried to make a reservation at 7 months for a June savanna-view studio and only Jambo was availiable. We waitlisted Kidani but have not gotten it.

 

[tidefan]

I tried to get a Standard View for this March at 7 months and it was unavailable. I think though, that some of that was because Kidani won't be ready yet...

 

[ToodlesRN]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We called at 7 months to get a one bedroom savanna view Kidani Village for late May/early June. They didn't have seven days in a row available.

 

[JACKie SPARROW]

Just got off the phone with MS;today opens my 7mo. window. Wanted a 2BR at AKV in Kidani with a Savanna View for August 16-23 - NOT AVAILABLE. I was told there were some standard views available, but since I have to use some extra points I really needed the more expensive view. I am waitlisted and will see what happens.

 

[cameron991]

Today is also my 7 month window. We are travelling Aug 16-21. I called this morning we were able to get 1BR Savanna view and were told Value was available as well. I waitlisted for Conceirge...not expecting it to come through but you never know!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I called this morning at my 7 month mark and was able to book a standard view one bedroom in Jambo House for 7 nights in August (which is exactly what I was hoping for when I called). I've been hearing that August is a relatively "easy" time to book 7 months out though ... so not sure about the results in busier times.

 

[Lindamary123]

Just got off the phone with MS;today opens my 7mo. window. Wanted a 2BR at AKV in Kidani with a Savanna View for August 16-23 - NOT AVAILABLE. I was told there were some standard views available, but since I have to use some extra points I really needed the more expensive view. I am waitlisted and will see what happens.

I called today for the same time for a 2 BR too, except check out on the 24th. I waitlisted for Kidani Savanna view and booked VWL. We'll see what happens; we would like to try the new Kidani Village but we love Wilderness Lodge. Good luck to you!

Linda