Anyone else notice things are filled up more so this year than last?

[*NikkiBell*]

I was hoping to book a trip for the beginning of November or Christmas week. Nothing was available at either. I know that the Fantasyland expansion is playing into this, but has anyone else noticed this? All I wanted was a studio.

 

[htmlkid]

Problem with the beginning if November it's The last few weekends of the Food and Wine, and the weekend of the 9th is the 1/2 marathon weekend along with the first weekend of Christmas lights at Hollywood Studios.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was hoping to book a trip for the beginning of November or Christmas week. Nothing was available at either. I know that the Fantasyland expansion is playing into this, but has anyone else noticed this? All I wanted was a studio.

It always fills up from early Oct to early Jan at seven to eleven months out. Studios are usually reserved first because they require half as many points as a one bedroom and sleep about the same number of people.

 

[bwvBound]

In addition to comments above, online booking may be playing a part. I'd suggest it would be worth both using the Waitlist and regularly stalking inventory for cancelations - especially near the 30-day window of your travel dates.

FWIW, I have one reservation in early Dec I will likely cancel. I booked it long ago "just because it was there" while I was poking around the online resv system. (My reservation won't help you - I offer it only as an example of turnover likely to happen 30 days from travel.)

 

[htmlkid]

In addition to comments above, online booking may be playing a part. I'd suggest it would be worth both using the Waitlist and regularly stalking inventory for cancelations - especially near the 30-day window of your travel dates.

FWIW, I have one reservation in early Dec I will likely cancel. I booked it long ago "just because it was there" while I was poking around the online resv system. (My reservation won't help you - I offer it only as an example of turnover likely to happen 30 days from travel.)

I agree with the above... I checked every day for the past 4 weeks to snag two nights for the second weekend of November and that was done manually checking everyday. My two waitlist's never came through.

 

[bobbiwoz]

At 5 months out, my work scheduled changed and I had to cancel a VWL reservation for the first whole weekend in December. I felt so fortunate when I was able to book a 2 bedroom at OKW for the next, (longer for us) weekend.

So someone got VWL for a prime time! I think you should keep checking and waitlist.

 

[disneynutz]

Bookings will only become more difficult as time goes on. Disney creates all of these extra activities that are designed to full the place up. Years ago there wasn't a F&W or marathons. In addition, IMO owners from Aulani, HH, and VB who book at WDW are competing with other WDW owners at 7 months. Anyone know what travel times are popular in Japan?

Bill

 

[*NikkiBell*]

What online booking are you talking of? I've only used member services via phone to book, but not the option on the DVC website. If you use it, are you committed to booking or is it just a way to see what's available?

 

[Sammie]

In addition to comments above, online booking may be playing a part. I'd suggest it would be worth both using the Waitlist and regularly stalking inventory for cancelations - especially near the 30-day window of your travel dates.

FWIW, I have one reservation in early Dec I will likely cancel. I booked it long ago "just because it was there" while I was poking around the online resv system. (My reservation won't help you - I offer it only as an example of turnover likely to happen 30 days from travel.)

Why would you book something that you don't plan to use. I mean did you plan to go, change your mind, etc?

I really hope others are not doing this, too, just because they can.

 

[Sammie]

What online booking are you talking of? I've only used member services via phone to book, but not the option on the DVC website. If you use it, are you committed to booking or is it just a way to see what's available?

Well if you complete the reservation online, then it would have the same cancellation policy as calling Member Services and booking.

 

[Checkers]

What online booking are you talking of? I've only used member services via phone to book, but not the option on the DVC website. If you use it, are you committed to booking or is it just a way to see what's available?

You can check availability without booking.

 

[disneynutz]

What online booking are you talking of? I've only used member services via phone to book, but not the option on the DVC website. If you use it, are you committed to booking or is it just a way to see what's available?

If you complete the transaction online, it's the same as if you called MS, you have a confirmed reservation.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

What online booking are you talking of? I've only used member services via phone to book, but not the option on the DVC website. If you use it, are you committed to booking or is it just a way to see what's available?

Yes, I was referring to the tool offered through the DVC website. This tool allows you to both see availability and book reservations. The reservations booked online have the same restrictions and same protections of booking through MS by phone. Agreeing with each of the responses quoted below.

Well if you complete the reservation online, then it would have the same cancellation policy as calling Member Services and booking.

You can check availability without booking.

If you complete the transaction online, it's the same as if you called MS, you have a confirmed reservation.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

Why would you book something that you don't plan to use. I mean did you plan to go, change your mind, etc?

I really hope others are not doing this, too, just because they can.

I made two reservations online the first day the online tool went live. I was sitting at the hospital at my Mom's bedside. Two day earlier I was at BWV expecting to celebrate my birthday with several hundred friends with a private party at Sea World. (Perspective: Our IBM business conf was hosting the party as part of the conference events. It aligned nicely with my b'day.) Then I got the call to come home, Mom is in the hospital.

On 1/19, she was greatly improved and we were looking towards the future thinking this was just a minor twist in the long path of her cancer treatment. The two reservations I booked that day were both specific to her dreams:

• A weekend at the Grand Californian, 1BR unit in April. This was not far out (less than 90 days) and was to satisfy a promise my father made to her when her cancer was first diagnosed. Sadly he passed, unexpectantly, within months of that promise. She was thrilled to know the reservation was on the books and told her doctors eagerly of the plans. While she didn't make it physically, we *know* she was with us in spirit: we were assigned a perfect room overlooking the World of Color show (she would have loved it!) and encountered so many delightful surprises that stay.
• A Treehouse Villa for early December. This was her favorite time of year to visit WDW and we've shared Dec trips many times with my folks and their friends in past years. They missed our prior Treehouse reservation (Dec 2009) as my Dad was undergoing a rigorous schedule of Proton Beam Therapy for prostate cancer. (Aside: the proton beam therapy was quite successful and minimally unpleasant, btw.) She had hoped we could rebook that trip someday and give her a chance for a do-over.

FWIW, we kept and used the two 2BR units she had booked for Aug at WM Oceanside. My brothers and I, along with spouses and family, filled the units and celebrated her "beach week."

Perhaps it was unrealistic for us to have planned the Dec trip that far out given the uncertainties. But one never knows. Better to book it and later cancel than to be too late to ever get the reservation.

Looking back, I'm so glad for the many crazy trips we booked and took even when things didn't look 'certain.'

• Several timeshare trips and one cruise with my FIL even while he fought lung cancer. (Someday ask me about the day I discovered his smoking medical MJ on the resort balcony ... oh, my.) He had a stroke while we were on the cruise and received excellent care at the 'wrong' hospital in Sitka, AK. While my husband remained with his father, we ladies went back to the ship to conduct an unscheduled debarkation via tenders! What an adventure!
• Talking my folks into joining us for a trip to the Holy Lands in a period of unrest. It was one of our best trips ever! We have great stories of not only the sites but also the rough encounters, scary moments, armed guards, etc. (I still shiver recalling some of those moments and laugh at others: I lost my husband in Jerusalem!)
• Holding on to a trip to Antarctica after the expedition company filed bankruptcy. It was a gutsy move but well rewarded.
• Booking a trip to Australia on just a few days notice in response to the first 9/11 fare sale.
• Embarking on a long RV trip with my folks at the height of gas prices in Summer 2008. We covered Zion NP, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Rocky Mtn NP and other sites having turned a deaf ear to the many concerned voices warning us to put it off a year (due to fuel costs). Sure glad we went!

Sometimes you just can't know ... you go by feel and hope for the best.

 

[DebbieB]

It always fills up from early Oct to early Jan at seven to eleven months out. Studios are usually reserved first because they require half as many points as a one bedroom and sleep about the same number of people.

I agree, that time of year is the most difficult to book DVC. I've never had problems with spring or summer trips. I stayed at BWV in late April/early May and just for the heck of it checked availability right before I left. They still had a boardwalk view 1 bedroom for every night except 1.

 

[Sammie]

I made two reservations online the first day the online tool went live. I was sitting at the hospital at my Mom's bedside. Two day earlier I was at BWV expecting to celebrate my birthday with several hundred friends with a private party at Sea World. (Perspective: Our IBM business conf was hosting the party as part of the conference events. It aligned nicely with my b'day.) Then I got the call to come home, Mom is in the hospital.

On 1/19, she was greatly improved and we were looking towards the future thinking this was just a minor twist in the long path of her cancer treatment. The two reservations I booked that day were both specific to her dreams:

• A weekend at the Grand Californian, 1BR unit in April. This was not far out (less than 90 days) and was to satisfy a promise my father made to her when her cancer was first diagnosed. Sadly he passed, unexpectantly, within months of that promise. She was thrilled to know the reservation was on the books and told her doctors eagerly of the plans. While she didn't make it physically, we *know* she was with us in spirit: we were assigned a perfect room overlooking the World of Color show (she would have loved it!) and encountered so many delightful surprises that stay.
• A Treehouse Villa for early December. This was her favorite time of year to visit WDW and we've shared Dec trips many times with my folks and their friends in past years. They missed our prior Treehouse reservation (Dec 2009) as my Dad was undergoing a rigorous schedule of Proton Beam Therapy for prostate cancer. (Aside: the proton beam therapy was quite successful and minimally unpleasant, btw.) She had hoped we could rebook that trip someday and give her a chance for a do-over.

FWIW, we kept and used the two 2BR units she had booked for Aug at WM Oceanside. My brothers and I, along with spouses and family, filled the units and celebrated her "beach week."

Perhaps it was unrealistic for us to have planned the Dec trip that far out given the uncertainties. But one never knows. Better to book it and later cancel than to be too late to ever get the reservation.

Looking back, I'm so glad for the many crazy trips we booked and took even when things didn't look 'certain.'

• Several timeshare trips and one cruise with my FIL even while he fought lung cancer. (Someday ask me about the day I discovered his smoking medical MJ on the resort balcony ... oh, my.) He had a stroke while we were on the cruise and received excellent care at the 'wrong' hospital in Sitka, AK. While my husband remained with his father, we ladies went back to the ship to conduct an unscheduled debarkation via tenders! What an adventure!
• Talking my folks into joining us for a trip to the Holy Lands in a period of unrest. It was one of our best trips ever! We have great stories of not only the sites but also the rough encounters, scary moments, armed guards, etc. (I still shiver recalling some of those moments and laugh at others: I lost my husband in Jerusalem!)
• Holding on to a trip to Antarctica after the expedition company filed bankruptcy. It was a gutsy move but well rewarded.
• Booking a trip to Australia on just a few days notice in response to the first 9/11 fare sale.
• Embarking on a long RV trip with my folks at the height of gas prices in Summer 2008. We covered Zion NP, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Rocky Mtn NP and other sites having turned a deaf ear to the many concerned voices warning us to put it off a year (due to fuel costs). Sure glad we went!

Sometimes you just can't know ... you go by feel and hope for the best.

Never a bad idea to plan something, we all have things that could cause us to have to cancel, I thought you meant you were "just playing" around with the online booking to try it out and forgot to cancel it.

You definitely have had some remarkable trips.