Any problems with these dates as far as booking?

[lenshanem]

I had to revamp next years plans since hubby doesn't want to go at Christmas. What we now have planned doesn't include a stay at our hoem resort so I'm wondering if anyone sees any red flags with these dates as far as booking at the 7th month window. (Such as special events or holidays, etc. that might cause these to be hard to book.) I'm probably not even going to bother with booking at my home resort at 11 months, then trying to swap. Too much to keep up with and I'm now trying to simplify my travel planning. I was starting to develop quite a complicated DVC vacation folder! I threw out most of it last night. Thanks for any advice!

7 month window problems with any of these dates and resorts?

VWL studio early February 2005
SSR studio early April 2005
VB 2 bedroom early June 2005
HH studio any time in July 2005
(I know HH will be tough, but we can go any time in July and will use waitlist if we have to.)

Thanks again!

 

[PamOKW]

It's very hard to know until you actually make the call.

In 2005, Easter is March 27. That may have an effect on your April trip, depending upon how early you are thinking of going.

As you mention, worst case is you'll have to spend some time on the wait list. You might want to consider booking at least one trip at your home resort so t hat you know you have something set for sure.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Pam. Darn, you're right. I need to have a back up plan for that spring break trip. I was just trying to make things easy. Guess I'll book at home resort and then try to swap. I might as well do it for the other February trip, too since that is an important trip! (10th anniversary, no kids!!!) We want to go at the spring break trip to squeeze in that last trip before the AP runs out!!!
Thanks!

 

[lenshanem]

Thought of soemthing else...
Does anyoen think i need to worry about claling day by day for any of these trips?
Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Definitely call day by day for the April and HH trip. Also, for WDW, make the type of reservations you want at the 11 month window then try to change over at 7 months. You may even want to do that for the two non WDW trips of HH and VB. VB though shouldn't be difficult for June, that's a relatively low time from a demand standpoint.

 

[lenshanem]

Thansk Dean. When you suggest calling day by day for the April trip do you mean just at the 7 month window or for both the 11 and 7 month windows? I will definetly try the "swap" for thsi trip now.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Thansk Dean. When you suggest calling day by day for the April trip do you mean just at the 7 month window or for both the 11 and 7 month windows? I will definetly try the "swap" for thsi trip now.

I'd call the first day at 11 months out and ask them if it's necessary to do so for the rest, they should be able to give you a good idea. Still, if you're set on specific days, calling day by day improves your chances. If by chance, you miss a day(s), make sure you get on the wait list.

This gets a little more complicated at the 7 month window depending on how many points you have and the use year/banking issues. Say you have 7 days in a 2 BR at SSR and you want BCV for the same days and unit size. If you have enough points to book both reservations you could book BCV then cancel SSR and possibly bank the points. OTOH, if you don't have enough points to do both or at least most days for the second before you cancel the first, you must make a decision. Do you book one day at BCV at a time and cancel the correspoinding day at SSR or do you wait until you can book the entire thing before you do so and then cancel SSR. It does require some choices and minor risk either way. Of course you could always go on the wait list for the entire BCV with the instructions to cancsel SSR if it becomes available.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks again. I should have enough points at that point to cover two ressies. I'll go add to my palm to book day by day...

 

[hulagirl]

Shan, Quick!!! I think you need to go get that "complicated DVC vacation folder" out of the trash!!!!