AKV in June...

[kristenrice]

Since it looks like the Expedition Everest Challenge may be a go for next year, I have a question for you availability experts.

We will need a studio for our family of 4 and we own at HHI (50 points) and AKV (100 points). In 2016, we are taking an extended-family trip which will be 7 nights instead of our usual 5 so we will need to bank some points. As of now, we would like a studio (standard or value) at AKV for next May for the race weekend. In 2016, we will need to do a split-stay (3 nights studio/4 nights in a 1BR) at AKV in standard view rooms, preferably at Kidani, for the third week of June.

So, my question is, should I use my 2015 HHI points (50) plus a few 2015 AKV points (22) and try to get a standard studio at AKV (either Kidani or Jambo) at the 7 month mark for May...

...or, should I bank my 50 HHI points and use 72 AKV points to book at the 11-month window for May 2015, which would force me to book our June 2016 reservation at the 7-month mark?

I guess my main question is which is more likely to be available at 7 months...a standard studio over a race weekend or standard studios and 1BR's for the third week of June?

(FWIW, I *think* the second option is my better choice...)

 

[geniegirl]

Any idea of the race date for exp Everest in 2015?

Looking to book a trip and can't find those dates to see of they match up. Thanks

 

[Msmithmd]

Doesn't look like Everest '15 has been announced. Bookmark this page, it does a good job keeping up the details on the Disney race series:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/disney-world-marathons.htm

 

[Sandisw]

I'm not sure of ease, but for your June trip, you are trying to secure more days and more rooms, so I might use my AKV points to get as much as that as you can and take your chances at the 7 month window for the May trip.

Once you get to June, you are competing with summer travel for many families...the race weekend, while popular I am sure, is still within the school year so may give you a bit of an advantage.

Good luck!

 

[drusba]

Both May and June are low to moderate DVC demand times at WDW. AKV standard view is highly likely to be open at 7 months out for any time during those two months. However, AKV value is a different issue. it disappears often during much of the year before 7 months out. If you intend to get value for either of those periods, you better reserve 11 months out.

 

[kristenrice]

Both May and June are low to moderate DVC demand times at WDW. AKV standard view is highly likely to be open at 7 months out for any time during those two months. However, AKV value is a different issue. it disappears often during much of the year before 7 months out. If you intend to get value for either of those periods, you better reserve 11 months out.

While I would be OK with saving the points and booking a value studio, my daughters are appalled that we have to stay in a (gasp!) studio! We typically stay in 1BR's for a majority of the trip so they are not too thrilled about the idea of a studio for the while stay...I've totally spoiled them.

I initially read rumors that the '15 EEC will be tabled, but then someone posted the link that RunDisney set up for volunteers for the 2015 event. I know that it doesn't confirm anything, but it gave me a spark of hope.

 

[kristenrice]

I think I have a plan...

Our dates for 2015 will be April 30-May 5 so our 11-month window opens in about 2 weeks. I will book a standard studio at AKV for those dates (using AKV points). I realized that the 7-month window also happens to coincide with our banking deadline. So, if there are still studios available on Sept 30, I will have MS rebook using the 50 current HHI points which will free up 50 of the current AKV points and then I can bank them.

This should accomplish the same goal...using the HHI points and banking the AKV points for use in 2016. It will also assure that we get a studio at AKV for the race. In 2016, some of our family is leaning towards OKW again so if AKV is not available for some reason, we can always stay at OKW.

Does this sound good?