Availability during Marathon Weekend?

[harningtj]

First, let me state we are NOT dvc owners as it is not a commitment we are ready to make yet. However, we are planning a trip for January 2014 (I am a bit OCD with planning) so that I can run the Goofy Challenge.

We will be traveling as a family of 7 - my self, DH, DD6, DS4, my mom, dad, and sister. Because we want to stay together, I am thinking the Villas are really the only option.

Obviously, nothing is available at this time, but I am wondering what the general availability is for the villas during the marathon weekend? Our favorite villas are kidani village, villas at wilderness, and saratoga springs treehouse but truly we are open to anything that allows us to stay together.

Would we be able to get a villa going directly through disney or will we need to rent points? My main concern is that going directly through disney you can't book until later. I know that prices are higher that way, but sort of nervous about the uncertainty of renting.

Any tips, pointers, or advice would be greatly appreciated! I am a newbie and TOTALLY overwhelmed!

 

[drusba]

A DVC member can start reserving at his home resort 11 months out from date of arrival and 7 months out at other DVC resorts.

Thus, a resort owner can make a reservation for that marathon weekend time at his home resort starting in the Feb before that time. That owner's chances of getting what he wants at his home resort if he tries to reserve 11 months out are 100 percent. The longer you wait beyond that 11 month window in finding an owner from whom to rent the more you will risk finding rooms full although it is likely that even at 7 months out, you will be able to get a 2BR (the minimum size you need) AKV savanna or standard view, BLT lake view, SSR, OKW, or BWV pool/garden view. However, SSR treehouses and VWL are likely to be gone before that 7 month window opens and you should aim to reserve exactly 11 months out for one of those, meaning arrange to have the reservation for 2014 made on Feb 8 or 9, 2013, depending on whether you want to arrive on a Thursday or Friday of marathon weekend 2014 .
'

 

[harningtj]

Thanks so much for the information. I am looking for January of 2014, so I guess that means I need be ready to book by February of 2013!

Are there ever DVC members who know this far out whether they would be using points in 2014? Or, when would you start looking? I've read all the pointers about how to make sure the "rental" goes smoothly, but I will admit its a bit of a scary risk for a first timer!

 

[drusba]

Since we go every year during the first half of Jan, yes they are members who know they will going that time of year in 2014. As far as finding an owner from whom to rent you should likely start looking by mid-Jan 2013. You also have the option of going through David's Vacation Club Rentals, a broker for arranging rentals and a sponsor of the Dis Boards, see his ad by going to the DVC Rent/Trade board.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much for the information. I am looking for January of 2014, so I guess that means I need be ready to book by February of 2013!

Is this your first Goofy challenge? DH is doing it for the first time in 2013, and he looks at it this way-by booking the DVC resort 11 months in advance, he now feels he HAS to train for it. After all, the arrangements are made-no backing out now!

 

[OhioDVC]

take a good looking at staying at OKW for the marathon. You can walk to the start in 10 minutes and save on sleep. Since you are doing the Goofy the extra sleep will make a big deal on Sunday morning. My wife dd the Goofy 5 years in a row and walking over from OKW made a big difference in how rest she got.

 

[harningtj]

Is this your first Goofy challenge? DH is doing it for the first time in 2013, and he looks at it this way-by booking the DVC resort 11 months in advance, he now feels he HAS to train for it. After all, the arrangements are made-no backing out now!

Yes, it will be my first Goofy challenge. I am really looking forward to it, it will be my second full marathon (running my first this December). So far I have done 3 halves, and I have 4 on the books for this year. I am hoping by 2014 I will have enough training - 2 years should be enough right? LOL

Thats a fantastic way to look at it! Of course, for me, training will always be mandatory. I started running in January of 2011 as part of my quest to lose weight. To date I have lost 125 pounds - I am afraid if I stop running the weight will all come back!

I would LOVE to book a room right at 11 months, I guess I am going to have to either suck it up and join DVC or get comfortable with the uncertainty of
"renting points." I have looked into David's, but I am assuming even that isn't a guarantee that nothing will go wrong. It's only going to be my second trip to Disney and I would be really sad if our place to stay fell through!

 

[harningtj]

take a good looking at staying at OKW for the marathon. You can walk to the start in 10 minutes and save on sleep. Since you are doing the Goofy the extra sleep will make a big deal on Sunday morning. My wife dd the Goofy 5 years in a row and walking over from OKW made a big difference in how rest she got.

Thanks for the info regarding OKW, doesn't Disney still require you be at the start line pretty early? I am imagining OKW probably books pretty quickly on marathon weekend for this reason?

Any idea how long it would take to get from Kidani to the start line?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks so much for the information. I am looking for January of 2014, so I guess that means I need be ready to book by February of 2013!

Are there ever DVC members who know this far out whether they would be using points in 2014? Or, when would you start looking? I've read all the pointers about how to make sure the "rental" goes smoothly, but I will admit its a bit of a scary risk for a first timer!

There are DVC members who have set this up as a business... So start looking early!

It's getting harder and harder to walk from OKW. They keep putting up more barriers to try to stop this so I don't bother anymore.