Are people REALLY having a hard time getting ressies for Christmas time this year?

[Anjelica]

I've been a "little" concerned reading about all the folks who have had issues getting ressies for Christimas this year (like the whole month of December) - especially at the smaller resorts. I'm concerned not for this year but for next when we plan to go "home" to VWL......I took the advice on this board and bought where I plan to stay the most....but are there those on here that waitlisted at 11 months for VWL, BWV, etc. and still haven't gotten in?

If called at 11 months out - what do you think is causing this much "grief" over getting in?

 

[Fitswimmer]

I got SSR ressies for 12/20-12/23 back in May with no problem, but that is my home resort. I guess I'm not that picky being new, but despite all I hear about SSR on the boards I can't wait to get there. I have ressies for 11/26-11/29 there as well, which I also made in May.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We do not go on Christmas, but usually leave WDW around the 23rd of December.

We bought the points for my DM's 85th birthday party. We needed standard rooms, 1 2 bedroom and 4 studios for 4 weeknights. This was for December '04 and I was nervous, because I was borrowing as well as using all of our '04 BWV points and I knew that if I had to pay preferred prices I wouldn't have enough points.

Everything went PERFECTLY, absolutely no problems 11 months out, I called day by day.

We also own points at VWL, and needed 3 studios for 3-4 mostly weeknight points for December '05. Again, it was no problem at all. This time, I had done an add on, so actually was calling about 10 month out and still got what I needed without a waitlist.

This year we're going back to BWV, and it was no problem getting our 5 nghts standard view studio at 11 months. I don't think I called day by day for this one, but I really don't remember.

Bobbi

 

[MinnieFan]

We stayed at VWL from 12/26/05 to 1/1/06. I called at exactly 11 months from checkout (not day by day) since I know this resort is very popular at Christmas time. We had no problem at all booking the entire stay, no wait list or anything.

 

[Granny]

I've been a "little" concerned reading about all the folks who have had issues getting ressies for Christimas this year (like the whole month of December) - especially at the smaller resorts. I'm concerned not for this year but for next when we plan to go "home" to VWL......I took the advice on this board and bought where I plan to stay the most....but are there those on here that waitlisted at 11 months for VWL, BWV, etc. and still haven't gotten in?

If called at 11 months out - what do you think is causing this much "grief" over getting in?

We booked our December 23-30 trip at VWL this year, using the day by day at exactly 11 months. I think that if you use this strategy, you won't have any issues.

 

[Jenny0725]

We were able to get a 2 bedroom at SSR 7 months out without calling day-by-day for December 22-29. But we do have friends who just joined DVC who want to come the same time as us but are on a waiting list for a studio at any resort! They called in July.

 

[pbharris4]

I called in early July for a studio at any resort for 12/24 to 12/29. At 2:30pm they had all 5 nights, but I needed Dh's OK and got it 2 hrs later, called back and it was gone. I was able to get SSR (studio) for 12/24, 12/25, and 12/26. Was able to add on 12/28 2 weeks later. Now I am praying we get 12/27. If not, we'll just move for one night, I guess. This is our first time going at Xmas, but if we ever decide to go again at that time, I'll make sure we call and book at our home resort (BCV) at the 11th month. It is hard to get in at the smaller resorts at the peak times (IMO). I even had trouble just trying to CALL member services to make plans at the 7th month window for our June trip because everyone was calling for December. The smaller resorts simply have less rooms so they go quicker. IMO..earlier is always better. Make you reservation as soon as the 11th month w indow opens and if you change your mind you can always cancel it.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I booked a studio for 12/31 thru 1/3 at VWL without any problems on June 2. However I think I got lucky. IMHO I don't think you'd have any problems if you booked during your Home Resort advantage window. Not everyone in your resort wants to go during Christmas. I know I usually don't. The only reason I booked this was because I wanted to go last year on short notice and could only get one night at POFQ.

 

[MaryJ]

I called ~June 22 to ask about getting either a studio or 1BR at VWL for Jan. 1st thru the 4th. Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 were available in a 1BR, but not Jan. 2nd. I booked the 1st and the 3rd, and waitlisted for the 2nd. The waitlist came thru in less than a week!

 

[JerJan]

I called MS this morning looking for 12/23 through 12/30 for either a studio or 1 bedroom anywhere and guess what.....NOTHING is available for the nights of 12/26, 12/27 & 12/28/2006.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would book 11 months day by day.... I know somone who tried at 10 months out and just got the call. I booked at VWL at 7months out(day by day for 12/26-12/29th) and I don't think it looks good.

 

[Pocahantas]

I called on June 14 for a Studio December 17 - 22 and only Saratoga Springs and Old Key West had availability. I went ahead and booked Saratoga Springs and got on the waitlist for a studio at BCV. We just bought our points in May and decided we did not want to wait until next year to make our 1st trip home. We were a few weeks beyond the 7 month window and I know now not to let that happen again if we want to be at BCV.

 

[Dean]

If called at 11 months out - what do you think is causing this much "grief" over getting in?

Do call at 11 months and likely best to call day by day. IMO the reasons are multiple. But the main reason for it being different now is indirectly related to the extra SSR points. Mainly that the members of the smaller resorts are learning they have book earlier to get what they want and are doing so.

 

[crzy4dals]

We always call at 11 months out....... BUT today I was able to get a 1 bedroom at OKW for Dec 17-22.

I gave up 2 studios at Boardwalk (preferred) Hope some one here got em.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I booked at the 11 month window at BWV, and I am still waitlisted for a 2 bedroom, BW view, for Dec. 20,21. My other nights have come thru, but I was shocked that those rooms were gone so fast! Actually, my room was available some of the nights thru NYE, but apparently there is something going on for the 20-21. Who knew??

 

[Muushka]

I've been a "little" concerned reading about all the folks who have had issues getting ressies for Christimas this year (like the whole month of December) - especially at the smaller resorts. I'm concerned not for this year but for next when we plan to go "home" to VWL......I took the advice on this board and bought where I plan to stay the most....but are there those on here that waitlisted at 11 months for VWL, BWV, etc. and still haven't gotten in?

If called at 11 months out - what do you think is causing this much "grief" over getting in?

Or, in a pinch, you can check right here on our rent-trade board .
There is always a 'nice member' that has points to rent for those in-demand times .


All sarcasm aside, we have yet to have a problem booking at VWL in Dec, but as mentioned, it is a good idea to book day-by-day. Enjoy!

 

[Disneyrsh]

 

[halld6479]

why do people do day to day at 11 month out, isn't easlier on ms if you book the whole vacation at one time, what am I missing here? I am getting conserned that at 11 months I won;t be able to get the week I want for a fmily t SSR in erly Dec next year.

 

[Disneyrsh]

.

 

[RobDoc]

Let me see if I can explain it right. On Feb 25 you can call to book the dec 25 date. On feb 26 you can call to book the dec 26th.

Or you can just wait until the last day of your december vacation 11 month window and call then and book the whole thing.

Oy, clear as mud. Can anyone else help?

The 11 months is based on the checkout date. If your departure date is December 25 - it may be reserved on January 25.

If you are reserving day-by-day- you could reserve the night of Dec 24 on Jan. 25. The nite of Dec 25 could be resreved on Jan 26.

In most cases, unless you are reserving a GV, BW view or standard view room- the entire reservation can be reserved with one call. Exceptions might be early December, Holiday week and Thanksgiving.

Enjoy!