Anyone a homeowner for AKV & BWV?

[PianoWithSam]

An owner of a resort can reserve up to seven nights at the resort beginning at 8 a.m. eastern 11-months out from date of arrival; more nights can be added thereafter once one has a reservation . If your intent is to get AKV value or BWV standard studio or 2BR, be aware that those usually book full within nanoseconds after 8 a.m. at 11-months out for any given arrival date of the year; most owners who are trying to book lose the battle. The rooms cannot even be walked because it is so hard to find any date to begin a walk. Many AKV and BWV owners (including me) will not even agree with someone to attempt to rent one of those rooms. Even the 1BRs in those categories can often have that 11-month issue, although chances are much better during the summertime.

Also note that BWV boardwalk view rooms have the same 11-month issue during the "fall" season, which is DVC's high demand season at WDW and runs from late Sep to marathon weekend in Jan. and sometimes have the issue at random times the rest of the year.

AKV standard view rooms do not have that 11-month issue and you can usually get a room as long as you do not wait until long after the 11-month window opens. Outside of that high demand fall season, AKV standard view rooms at Kidani are often (but not always) open even at 7-months out when a DVC owner can begin reserving at a non-owned resort.

This is a very useful, insightful reply. Thank you. We were looking at BWV standard view because it was one of the most cost effective options out of everything listed. I’ll continue weighing things up and discussing it with my friend. Thanks for your help.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

Thank you! So, does that mean the only real way we’d stand any chance is to rent points from a BWV home owner who is prepared to try and get us the dates at the 11 month mark as soon as they go on sale?

I think it's highly unlikely that you will be able to get a standard view BWV studio from anyone other than someone who owns at BWV. They tend to be gone within a fraction of a second right a 11 months. Sometimes random nights will reappear after 11 months but not many owners are willing to check constantly in order to put together a reservation for a renter. Even fewer owners are willing to walk a reservation forward for a standard rental price.

For instance, I've been watching availability for a BWV standard studio for the week leading up to 4th of July. So far, they're either already gone or booked quickly every morning right at 11 months. And then later in the day (sometimes just a few minutes later) a standard view studio will open up for the previous day. If I wanted any of those days I could grab them one day at a time and put a week together bit by bit. But if I can't get the full week because 4th of July itself is already taken there's no reason to try. I can get a pool view for more points and still enjoy the resort.

Maybe I'm just a lazy owner for not trying harder. But if I won't put the effort in for my own family I not likely to do it for a stranger. I tend to check things as I'm waiting for a flight or in the morning before heading out to see a client.

 

[PianoWithSam]

I think it's highly unlikely that you will be able to get a standard view BWV studio from anyone other than someone who owns at BWV. They tend to be gone within a fraction of a second right a 11 months. Sometimes random nights will reappear after 11 months but not many owners are willing to check constantly in order to put together a reservation for a renter. Even fewer owners are willing to walk a reservation forward for a standard rental price.

For instance, I've been watching availability for a BWV standard studio for the week leading up to 4th of July. So far, they're either already gone or booked quickly every morning right at 11 months. And then later in the day (sometimes just a few minutes later) a standard view studio will open up for the previous day. If I wanted any of those days I could grab them one day at a time and put a week together bit by bit. But if I can't get the full week because 4th of July itself is already taken there's no reason to try. I can get a pool view for more points and still enjoy the resort.

Maybe I'm just a lazy owner for not trying harder. But if I won't put the effort in for my own family I not likely to do it for a stranger. I tend to check things as I'm waiting for a flight or in the morning before heading out to see a client.

This makes sense, thank you.

I’m using the DVC Calculator app to see how many points equates to a trip.
Is a pool view at BWV the same as a preferred view? They seems to be the only two options.

 

[CarolynFH]

This makes sense, thank you.

I’m using the DVC Calculator app to see how many points equates to a trip.
Is a pool view at BWV the same as a preferred view? They seems to be the only two options.

Yes, for BWV, Preferred view = Pool/Garden view. The other two booking categories are Standard view and Boardwalk view, both of which are very difficult to book because there are relatively few of them.

 

[Genie+]

This makes sense, thank you.

I’m using the DVC Calculator app to see how many points equates to a trip.
Is a pool view at BWV the same as a preferred view? They seems to be the only two options.

Standard studio at AKV is pretty easy to rent at 11 months, even Jambo house is possible (which many prefer).
BW standard view studio is hard to get through a rental, especially when 9 or 10pts/nt.
Value studio at AKV is no joke when people say impossible.

At 11 months I’d see if std/BW view is open, if not try BCV. Backup: P/G BWV. Then get std AKV-Jambo. Backup: Kidani.

AKV standard is the easy part. There’s the temptation to leave this until after 7 months to get a lower $pp rental, just be aware the risk is only savannah left, and standard view at Jambo will very likely be long gone.

BWV has the same points/nt for pool/garden or boardwalk views. The BW view goes very quickly after standard is booked and is also not very reliable. Pool/garden is the easiest of the 3 views and pretty reliable at 11 months. Often BC studio is going for the same number of pts/nt here, which many renters pivot to when only p/g view is left at BWV. That’s not a slam dunk either, but is more likely than BWV standard or BW view studios.

 

[skier_pete]

Owner at both BWV and AKV. I didn't see the dates you are looking for, but generally for AK you should not expect to be able to get a value room - especially a studio. They are hard to get even at 11 months. AKV standard view is much easier and should be available most of the time to book at 11-months if you find an AKV owner to rent points from.

BWV standard view studios have gotten harder and harder to book over the last few years. I think more and more people are walking that reservation. I only have 75 Boardwalk points, and I have been trying to book standard view since they increased point costs in the fall, but last fall I could not even get standard view at all. I did manage to get one this fall but had to give it up. Been watching to get "in the loop" for a standard view for the last few days and it's gone every day at 8 AM.

 

[PianoWithSam]

Standard studio at AKV is pretty easy to rent at 11 months, even Jambo house is possible (which many prefer).
BW standard view studio is hard to get through a rental, especially when 9 or 10pts/nt.
Value studio at AKV is no joke when people say impossible.

At 11 months I’d see if std/BW view is open, if not try BCV. Backup: P/G BWV. Then get std AKV-Jambo. Backup: Kidani.

AKV standard is the easy part. There’s the temptation to leave this until after 7 months to get a lower $pp rental, just be aware the risk is only savannah left, and standard view at Jambo will very likely be long gone.

BWV has the same points/nt for pool/garden or boardwalk views. The BW view goes very quickly after standard is booked and is also not very reliable. Pool/garden is the easiest of the 3 views and pretty reliable at 11 months. Often BC studio is going for the same number of pts/nt here, which many renters pivot to when only p/g view is left at BWV. That’s not a slam dunk either, but is more likely than BWV standard or BW view studios.

Thank you for your very helpful reply.

I hadn’t looked at BCV just because BWV was more cost-effective. However, BCV does look like another good option and doesn’t seem too dissimilar from the boardwalk accommodation. I see that it’s also walking distance to Epcot, which is handy. I’ll do some more research.

Is a studio at BCV hard to get or is that a bit easier because people are aiming for BWV first? I think I’d rather go for something we’re more likely to get rather than be on edge about potentially not getting something.

Also, I think we have our heart set on standard view at Jambo. Value would be nice (and we will probably try) but standard should be fine.

If we were to go for BCV and AKV, would it be wise to rent from two different owners because I guess two reservations can’t be made at once by the same owner? Or would it not matter if the accommodation isn’t particularly difficult to get in the first place? Hope that makes sense!

 

[PianoWithSam]

Owner at both BWV and AKV. I didn't see the dates you are looking for, but generally for AK you should not expect to be able to get a value room - especially a studio. They are hard to get even at 11 months. AKV standard view is much easier and should be available most of the time to book at 11-months if you find an AKV owner to rent points from.

BWV standard view studios have gotten harder and harder to book over the last few years. I think more and more people are walking that reservation. I only have 75 Boardwalk points, and I have been trying to book standard view since they increased point costs in the fall, but last fall I could not even get standard view at all. I did manage to get one this fall but had to give it up. Been watching to get "in the loop" for a standard view for the last few days and it's gone every day at 8 AM.

Thank you for your reply!

If we were to get a standard view at AKV, would we be able to put a request in for a partial savannah view? Are these type of requests honoured for DVC renting?
I’ve done some research and found out that some of the ‘standard’ rooms have an obscured view of the savannah, which would be very lovely

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you for your very helpful reply.

I hadn’t looked at BCV just because BWV was more cost-effective. However, BCV does look like another good option and doesn’t seem too dissimilar from the boardwalk accommodation. I see that it’s also walking distance to Epcot, which is handy. I’ll do some more research.

Is a studio at BCV hard to get or is that a bit easier because people are aiming for BWV first? I think I’d rather go for something we’re more likely to get rather than be on edge about potentially not getting something.

Also, I think we have our heart set on standard view at Jambo. Value would be nice (and we will probably try) but standard should be fine.

If we were to go for BCV and AKV, would it be wise to rent from two different owners because I guess two reservations can’t be made at once by the same owner? Or would it not matter if the accommodation isn’t particularly difficult to get in the first place? Hope that makes sense!

The thing is that until someone can book, you may or may not have look at 11 months getting something.

The near park resorts, especially studios, are going to be harder to get than the ones that are larger like AKV, oKW, and SSR.

Only an owner who has the points at the resort you want, if you are booking during the home resort booking, which is 7 to 11 months ahead, can reserve rooms so someone has to own both AKV and BCV, or whatever else you choose, to book those.

If you go through a broker, then you will open up your options because they have owners at all the different resorts….

In terms of requests, the owner would have to do that For you. Requests are just that and it may or may not happen.

 

[Genie+]

Is a studio at BCV hard to get or is that a bit easier because people are aiming for BWV first? I think I’d rather go for something we’re more likely to get rather than be on edge about potentially not getting something.

BCV only has one view category. Even though BWV have alot more studios than BCV, the amount of standard and BW view studios is lower than how BCV studios are available. I think that helps make BC a little easier at 11 months.
Number of studios:
BCV - 110
BWV - 246, but 165 of those are Pool/garden, then there 29 BW view and 52 standard.

An extra complication is some of these are part of 2BR lockoff unit, here’s a full breakdown:
https://www.dvchelp.com/page/all-resorts-overview

Also, I think we have our heart set on standard view at Jambo. Value would be nice (and we will probably try) but standard should be fine.

We prefer Jambo too! Kidani was fine but we try for Jambo first because everything feels more convenient.

Value is basically impossible. Very popular for owners to try, but even rare for them. This room is #1 target for people renting confirmed reservations due to highest profit per point (BW std studio is #2). These prolific renters have advantages of experience, methods and tools of the trade that typical owners stand little chance unfortunately.

If we were to go for BCV and AKV, would it be wise to rent from two different owners because I guess two reservations can’t be made at once by the same owner? Or would it not matter if the accommodation isn’t particularly difficult to get in the first place? Hope that makes sense!

Renting from 2 owners is fine. There’s not much difference if you rent from one or two owners. The 11 month window will happen on 2 different dates, so even one owner of both resorts can get in 8am for both bookings.

 

[PianoWithSam]

BCV only has one view category. Even though BWV have alot more studios than BCV, the amount of standard and BW view studios is lower than how BCV studios are available. I think that helps make BC a little easier at 11 months.
Number of studios:
BCV - 110
BWV - 246, but 165 of those are Pool/garden, then there 29 BW view and 52 standard.

An extra complication is some of these are part of 2BR lockoff unit, here’s a full breakdown:
https://www.dvchelp.com/page/all-resorts-overview

We prefer Jambo too! Kidani was fine but we try for Jambo first because everything feels more convenient.

Value is basically impossible. Very popular for owners to try, but even rare for them. This room is #1 target for people renting confirmed reservations due to highest profit per point (BW std studio is #2). These prolific renters have advantages of experience, methods and tools of the trade that typical owners stand little chance unfortunately.


Renting from 2 owners is fine. There’s not much difference if you rent from one or two owners. The 11 month window will happen on 2 different dates, so even one owner of both resorts can get in 8am for both bookings.

Can I just say how much I really do appreciate your help. I really would be in the dark without your (and everyone else’s!) very informative answers. Thank you ever so much.

I’ve just seen that for the dates we’re wanting to go (adjusted to 2025), a BWV boardwalk/preferred view is the same number of points as a BCV standard view.
Would it be sensible to have BWV standard as plan A, preferred view as plan B and BCV as plan C, considering the latter two are the same number?

Also, if you’re staying in a BWV preferred view, is a boardwalk view something you can request (in the same way as you can request partial savannah at standard AKV rooms)

Many thanks!

 

[Genie+]

Animal Kingdom may be fine to book through a broker.

BW and BC’s best chance is through an owner directly. This is because the brokers have so much interest in BW and BC rentals (due to the low point chart and locations) but not enough inventory to go around at 11 months to meet the demand. The most common experience is being told your request has been put in but they’re just waiting for an owner to match. For that reason I suggest looking for owners privately (like here on Disboards) who own BW or BC, and most importantly first confirm they’re willing to try at 8am at the 11 month mark. Then you know they have the points available to try at 11 months. With the brokers you won’t until it’s too late. That’s very common to be the case.

 

[PianoWithSam]

Animal Kingdom may be fine to book through a broker.

BW and BC’s best chance is through an owner directly. This is because the brokers have so much interest in BW and BC rentals (due to the low point chart and locations) but not enough inventory to go around at 11 months to meet the demand. The most common experience is being told your request has been put in but they’re just waiting for an owner to match. For that reason I suggest looking for owners privately (like here on Disboards) who own BW or BC, and most importantly first confirm they’re willing to try at 8am at the 11 month mark. Then you know they have the points available to try at 11 months. With the brokers you won’t until it’s too late. That’s very common to be the case.

Thank you for the advice.
Is there a reason to go for AKV through a broker over a private owner? I’ve been looking at the Facebook groups and on here as you mentioned and have found private owners to have better rates.

 

[drusba]

Thank you for your reply!

If we were to get a standard view at AKV, would we be able to put a request in for a partial savannah view? Are these type of requests honoured for DVC renting?
I’ve done some research and found out that some of the ‘standard’ rooms have an obscured view of the savannah, which would be very lovely

A member usually cannot request through Member Services a partial savanna view if one has standard view -- a common response of the often-inexperienced MS person on the other side of the phone is to tell you that you need to reserve savanna view. However, with standard view, a member can request, including on behalf of a renter, through MS the following: (a) at Jambo, one can request a room on the Kudo Trail side of the building (the left side of the u-shaped building); if that request is granted (all such requests are not guaranteed to happen), you will have Sunset savanna view because all standards on that side of the building have such a view; (b) if Kidani, you can request room near the Pumbaa elevator; that elevator is between the sixth and seventh building units from the lobby on the north wing of Kidani (the lobby faces west). all the rooms on one side of those two building units are deemed standard view but actually face the Pembe savanna (the other side of those two building units are savanna view rooms that face Sunset savanna).

And note most of those standard view rooms that are covered by my above paragraph don't have an "obscure" view of the savanna, but instead directly overlook the savanna

 

[Genie+]

Can I just say how much I really do appreciate your help. I really would be in the dark without your (and everyone else’s!) very informative answers. Thank you ever so much.

You’re very welcome! Many people helped me here when I first rented Then also helped me make decision buying DVC lol.

I’ve just seen that for the dates we’re wanting to go (adjusted to 2025), a BWV boardwalk/preferred view is the same number of points as a BCV standard view.
Would it be sensible to have BWV standard as plan A, preferred view as plan B and BCV as plan C, considering the latter two are the same number?

You have to book BW view specifically. Those rooms cannot be requested from Pool/Garden view.

BW standard is fine as plan A. No matter what you’ll need some backup plans though. It’s hard to predict what will be available for your exact dates at 11m. From hardest to easiest: BW standard, BW View, BC, BW P/G view. These are hard rentals to secure for studios.

Also, if you’re staying in a BWV preferred view, is a boardwalk view something you can request (in the same way as you can request partial savannah at standard AKV rooms)

Many thanks!

 

[Genie+]

Thank you for the advice.
Is there a reason to go for AKV through a broker over a private owner? I’ve been looking at the Facebook groups and on here as you mentioned and have found private owners to have better rates.

No reason to go with broker for AKV. I was more pointing out not to use broker for harder rooms like BW and BC because more often than not they don’t have inventory of points to cover right at 11m. At least lining up an owner you know they have the points.

 

[Genie+]

Thank you for your reply!

If we were to get a standard view at AKV, would we be able to put a request in for a partial savannah view? Are these type of requests honoured for DVC renting?
I’ve done some research and found out that some of the ‘standard’ rooms have an obscured view of the savannah, which would be very lovely

You can request standard view AKV that have partial savannah view. Your chance is as good as an owner. They don’t prioritize owner request over guest of owner. I’ve used touringplans room finder to look at which rooms are under standard category that have a slight view of savannah and request those. Chances aren’t great that your request will be granted but definitely worth a shot.

 

[PianoWithSam]

A member usually cannot request through Member Services a partial savanna view if one has standard view -- a common response of the often-inexperienced MS person on the other side of the phone is to tell you that you need to reserve savanna view. However, with standard view, a member can request, including on behalf of a renter, through MS the following: (a) at Jambo, one can request a room on the Kudo Trail side of the building (the left side of the u-shaped building); if that request is granted (all such requests are not guaranteed to happen), you will have Sunset savanna view because all standards on that side of the building have such a view; (b) if Kidani, you can request room near the Pumbaa elevator; that elevator is between the sixth and seventh building units from the lobby on the north wing of Kidani (the lobby faces west). all the rooms on one side of those two building units are deemed standard view but actually face the Pembe savanna (the other side of those two building units are savanna view rooms that face Sunset savanna).

And note most of those standard view rooms that are covered by my above paragraph don't have an "obscure" view of the savanna, but instead directly overlook the savanna

Thank you! This is good to know.

Is there any advantage getting a booking in early when it comes to putting in a reservation or is it completely random? As in, is one more likely to have a reservation request granted if they book the room at 11 months out rather than 7?

 

[PianoWithSam]

You’re very welcome! Many people helped me here when I first rented Then also helped me make decision buying DVC lol.

You have to book BW view specifically. Those rooms cannot be requested from Pool/Garden view.

BW standard is fine as plan A. No matter what you’ll need some backup plans though. It’s hard to predict what will be available for your exact dates at 11m. From hardest to easiest: BW standard, BW View, BC, BW P/G view. These are hard rentals to secure for studios.

Sorry if I’m being silly but is the BW view a different number of points? I’m only seen preferred view on Dave’s DVC and it’s titled boardwalk/preferred on the calculator.

Thanks for that. Despite them being all hard rentals for studios, if we have a home owner lined up for the 11 month mark, do you think we’d be likely to score a reservation for one of those plans? I know it’s hard for you to say, I just want to check I’m not being completely delusional and holding onto false hope here.

 

[CarolynFH]

Sorry if I’m being silly but is the BW view a different number of points? I’m only seen preferred view on Dave’s DVC and it’s titled boardwalk/preferred on the calculator.

BW view and P/G (Preferred) view are the same number of points, for historical reasons.

Thank you! This is good to know.

Is there any advantage getting a booking in early when it comes to putting in a reservation or is it completely random? As in, is one more likely to have a reservation request granted if they book the room at 11 months out rather than 7?

My theory is that the sooner the request is made, the better the chance of having it granted. But actually, it comes down to how many of the rooms that fit your request are being vacated the day you check in. So the larger the number of rooms that fit, the better your chances of receiving your request.