Availability at 7 months for longer stays

[HFJohnson]

I'm currently swaying towards resale at SSR over RIV partly because I really would be happy to stay there but also because I would like the flexibility of staying elsewhere on some trips.

I would be looking at stays of 8-10 days but wanted to get a feel for my options at the seven month mark for places like CCV/BWV/AKL etc. Am I going to struggle to find something? Is it easier to book two stays of, say, 4 nights each, at SSR then try and switch them separately?

 

[TCRAIG]

A lot of 7 month availability depends on the size of the unit you’re looking to book and the season…for instance, if you want a Boardwalk view Studio during Fall Frenzy - you’re be lucky to get a day here or there at 7 months…but a 1 Bedroom Pool and Garden during August would be possible to get 4 days or so. I would definitely book SS in smaller intervals (even daily) and then modify to other resorts at 7 months.

 

[Royal Consort]

Your answer really depends. When do you travel? Are you booking one bedrooms or studios?

If you are booking studios between late September- January you're mostly going to stay at your home resort as its peak DVC season and there is almost no availability elsewhere (other than possibly SSR). If this is the case, I would much rather have Riviera than Saratoga.

You have a bit more flexibility with one bedrooms but you may have to consider split stays for that length of time.

 

[HFJohnson]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I would be looking at the smaller rooms like the studios rather than 1 bed and up, and I would be travelling off peak, usually first half of May, with some flexibility around dates.

 

[jason423]

I think at the 7 month mark you can probably find a few of the resorts to be available. I think what you suggest about booking two separate 4 day stays at SSR is probably the best bet so you can try to string things together. We typically stay in studios and while we havent really tried to piece together a trip that big we have often added days on the front and backend of a stay and are always surprised at how often rooms pop up here and there if you check daily.

 

[tx911]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I would be looking at the smaller rooms like the studios rather than 1 bed and up, and I would be travelling off peak, usually first half of May, with some flexibility around dates.

I would say that for studios availability is very spotty except at SSR and OKW at 7 months, unless you are going very low-demand times of year.

If you want reasonable availability at 7 months, you really need to step up to a 1BR villa.

 

[Patmcpsu]

If this is your strategy, I recommend buying enough points for one bedroom suites, as they have the best availability. Consider it as forced luxury.

 

[Unclelude]

Early May is a good point value. So that can make it competitive. We have done studio split stays in early May with no problem... flexibility helps...

Here's a good link
https://dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables

Good luck!

 

[HFJohnson]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I could bank or borrow points to upgrade. I'm likely to be travelling solo sometimes though so a 1BR would be a lot of space for just me!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'd also include AKL studios as a potential 7-month option during less busy times of the year.

 

[VGCgroupie]

In my experience right at 7 months it is hard because people have FOMO a book as soon as 7 months hits. Then they reevaluate and cancel or switch resorts etc. So I would say if you are also flexible with not needing to have your travel plans set in stone at 7 months you have a much better shot at what you want. If you are okay with a split stay even better then you will have zero problem getting rooms (aside from value rooms or boardwalk view things like that)

 

[MICKIMINI]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I could bank or borrow points to upgrade. I'm likely to be travelling solo sometimes though so a 1BR would be a lot of space for just me!

You are worth it!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I would be looking at the smaller rooms like the studios rather than 1 bed and up, and I would be travelling off peak, usually first half of May, with some flexibility around dates.

I would not buy into SSR expecting to be able to frequently book studios at more desirable resorts at 7m for longer stays. You will more often than not end up stressed and frustrated.

 

[muppets3d]

Not going to happen consistently most likely. You could probably assemble split stays though if you're open to that. There is a lot of shuffling that goes on at the 7 month mark.

 

[HFJohnson]

Hmm, so my plan is to visit every couple of years, staying 8-10 nights in a studio. If there isn't much availability at 7 months out then that kind of goes against the argument to buy SSR for flexibility. Which takes me back to my other choice, and where my heart lies, which is a resale at Riviera. Yes, I would be tied to one resort but I feel like I would be ok with that, plus I would always be booking dead on 11 months out so hopefully I would have no issue getting a tower or deluxe studio.