As a 1 bed sleep around practitioner, sleep around points are certainly not becoming a thing of the past. Always tons of choice, and Skier Pete’s charts are slightly pessimistic (Pete has explained why previously, I think he said they were not always checked at 8am ET and ‘spotty’ means there was often availability). This Xmas and New Year I’m at Beach Club 20-26 December (no issues booking any resort those dates, aside from Copper Creek I think from memory, everything else open) and BLT then to New Year. BLT is quite difficult to New Year but maybe I got lucky.
Choices wide open included BCV (I do not usually find that difficult to get in 1 beds), BWV (always available, often standard view), OKW, AKV, SSR, BRV, VGF, RIV, (standard went immediately at 8am but I could have booked it, and preferred no issues).
Summer when I often go, everything is available and nearly every view. I’ve even had AKV value open, buy not Club. BLT standard is tough.
Even in food and wine time, Boardwalk usually available, pool and garden bang on 7 months at 8 am. BCV is a bit more challenging mid Sept to Mid December. No issues anytime else.
As someone who keeps a close eye on this and books it, I can safely say that in 1 beds at least, sleep around points are still a great strategy at DVC.
As to the claim competition is increasing in 1 beds, I don’t know where that stat comes from, but on my personal experience I have not noticed this at all.
Will it change in 1 beds? Dunno, I don’t see it tightening as we do for studios as there is always the scramble for studios, especially as prices go up.
Studios, yes much harder and will probably tighten further.
So OP if you do intend to stay in 1 beds, have some flexibility and just want to do some sleeping around go ahead. Go into it with your eyes open though as no one can say it will never tighten but if it does, it will be a lot slower than studios. Also be prepared to be changing at 8am 7 months out, and don’t always expect the exact place you want or the value view you want.
I love my SSR sleep around points, but when that refurb is done in the SSR standard I’m often booking there as the 1 beds with 5 sleep surfaces are phenomenal, and at a great price point.