Availability of studios at 7 month window?

[JudyS]

Hello, all!

I've been wanting to buy DVC for ages, but it's hard to fit into my budget. I've now found a 65 point OKW contract that I plan to buy. I'll mostly stay in studios, since the contract is so small. I'm wondering whether I'll be able to book studios in resorts other than OKW. My understanding is that studios, since they require the least points, often book up early.

The resorts I'm most interested in obtaining at 7 months are Beach Club and Boardwalk. I'm more interested in mid-week than in weekends (Gotta stretch those points! ) Times I'm most likely to travel are October through February, *not* including holiday periods, and May. I'm willing to call day-by-day. So, what do you think my chances are of getting a studio at those times?

I'm planning to go to the World this October for MNSSHP (Halloween party.) It would be great to get Boardwalk or Beach Club for those dates, but since my contract probably won't close until late June, I'm worried that booking an Epcot studio that late (during the Food and Wine fest) will be hopeless. Do you think wait-listing might work? Does anyone know if BCV and BWV studios are already sold out for October 2004?

 

[Chuck S]

Your chances are hit & miss. You will get lucky much of time, but not every time. If staying at your home resort is out of the question for you, you should not have bought there. If, however, you'll be just as happy at OKW when you are unable to book BCV or BWV, then go fo it.

 

[Beca]

Why not wait and try to get a 65 pt BWV resale? (Get on the agencies lists, and let them know what you are looking for). Then you would have the "home" advantage of booking the "standard" view at BWV, which would cost you just about the same as any studio at OKW (and really stretch your points). If you don't have the 11 month window at BWV, you would have a tough time getting a standard view (or, possibly even in at any room) during many of those months. Remember, the food and wine festival at Epcot is Oct, Nov(so BCV and BWV fill up quickly), and then ALL DVC resorts fill up quickly in Dec., so that really only leaves Jan and Feb to "not have to cross your fingers" for reservations. It's just SO tight...I don't know! And remember, everytime DVC sells to a new member, that's just one more family that might also be trying to do what you're doing...buy somewhere, but want to stay at other places. Just make sure you'll be happy staying where you own.

Good luck,
Beca

 

[JudyS]

Originally posted by Beca
Why not wait and try to get a 65 pt BWV resale? (Get on the agencies lists, and let them know what you are looking for).

Hi, Beca!

I have, in fact, done just that. However, I've had no luck so far after about 6 weeks of waiting. I talked to Jaki (who is the broker for the OKW contract), and she says she calls people based on how long they have been on her "waiting list." So far, all the small BMV contracts that have come up have been sold to someone higher up on the waiting list, so she has never had an opportunity to call me.

The Timeshare Store had a contract listed on their website a few days ago that I called about. They told me it was listed on their website only 45 minutes before I called, but had sold already by the time I called.

I've been wanting to buy into the DVC for a long time (years), so now that we have the money, it's very frustrating to keep waiting. I know 6 weeks isn't long, but I really have no idea how long I'd have to wait for a small BWV contract -- another month? 6 months? Who knows!

Also, I told Jaki that I would buy this contract. I haven't signed yet (and would have 10 days to back out after I did sign), but I don't want to go back on my word.

I'm considering buying this OKW contract but continuing to search for a small BWV contract. If I'm eventually able to find one, then I could try selling the OKW contract. Of course, there are closing costs involved each time one buys or sells a timeshare, but this might be preferable to waiting longer to join the DVC.

OKW is a beautiful resort; I've stayed there before and it was very nice. But I'm just in love with the Epcot resort area.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'd go with the OKW contract only if I was willing to stay there (or SSR) as my fall back position. People do cancel out so it is possible to book OKW at 11 months then waitlist for what you want. That doesn't mean you'll get it of course. If it twere me and a) I wanted to use it soon and b) I would pay cash to stay on site anyway in the fall I'd go ahead and buy it.

Please note that you cannot assume you'll get what you paid for it if and when you try to sell it down the road.

 

[donmil723]

I booked a studio last July for late October--Sun thru Friday--and got it. I had to take OKW originally but was on the waitlist for BWV and BCV and VWL. BWV finally came through. I did the day by day waitlist and was able to get 3 days together and then the last 2 came in one day and then the other. I agree with the other posters that if you would be happy with OKW just in case the others didn't come through then go ahead with the purchase. Don't buy something you know you won't be happy with. That's why they allow those days for you to change your mind.

Good luck!

Donna

 

[jaysue]

Keep in mind that OKW studios have the 2 Queen bed configuration so if you buy an OKW contract and cannot swap out to the other resorts, you would have that room configuration. This may or may not be a factor in your decision process.

As more and more DVC owners come on board it should in theory become more difficult to swap to the smaller properties (especially VWL and BCV - the smallest) due to higher demand

thanks
jaysue

 

[CarolMN]

Based on my experience, you will be frustrated more often than not trying to book a studio at the 7 month mark for BCV or BWV during the times you say you plan to visit - except for January and the 1st two weeks of February. Plan on using the waitlist with all the ramifications that may entail.

Bottom line: If you would not be happy staying at OKW if/when your 7 month plan doesn't work out, don't buy this contract. Just tell Jaki you will wait for a BWV (or BCV contract). She'll understand and someone else will buy the OKW contract. While you are waiting, you can rent someone else's points.

Best wishes -

 

[JudyS]

Thanks for all of the comments! Lots to think about!

I have a question about waitlisting. Suppose I have a ressie at OKW, and ask to waitlist at BWV. Now, suppose I have *just* enough points available for the BWV ressie that I want. What happens if the BWV ressie comes through a day at a time? Will I have to cancel the OKW ressie because I don't have enough points for both, or will Disney hold both ressies until we see if the waitlist comes through or not, despite my lack of points for both rooms? If I had to cancel parts of the OKW ressie, and just a few scattered BWV days came through, I'd have to move back and forth!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by JudyS
Thanks for all of the comments! Lots to think about!

I have a question about waitlisting. Suppose I have a ressie at OKW, and ask to waitlist at BWV. Now, suppose I have *just* enough points available for the BWV ressie that I want. What happens if the BWV ressie comes through a day at a time? Will I have to cancel the OKW ressie because I don't have enough points for both, or will Disney hold both ressies until we see if the waitlist comes through or not, despite my lack of points for both rooms? If I had to cancel parts of the OKW ressie, and just a few scattered BWV days came through, I'd have to move back and forth!

If you have "just enough" points, you either have to cancel each day of the OKW reservation as the corresponding day at BWV comes through (thus risking a move back and forth) or you have to waitlist for the entire reservation. For the latter, you only get the BWV reservation if all the days become available at the same time. There is less chance of this as DVC does not "hold" days for you while waiting for the other days.

DVC will not hold anything for you except a reservation. You have to make a reservation and you can't do that without points.

Waitlisting can be a gamble and frustrating for those of us who don't enjoy changing resorts during our stay. That's why I think you should hold out for the resort you'd be happy with even if your 7 month choice doesn't work out.

Best wishes -

 

[Beca]

Judy,

First of all, let me say how sorry I am that many of us are telling you things other than what you hoped to hear. DVC was a HUGE purchase for our family as well (although, my little brain is spinning, trying to figure out a way to add-on. Hee hee!). I think that is part of the reason posters on here are being SO honest. It is a BIG investment (for most people anyway). And, with 65 pts., well, that's just not a lot to "play" with.

I just had a wake up call when I tried to book a room at BWV for early Dec. I "closed" on my resale in April (before the 7 mo. window), and just barely got a room. I had hoped to get at least PART of the ressie in standard view (I'm sure old BWV'ers are at that). So, the story is this...in order to stay at BWV, I had to use 35 more points than I had planned. I have them...but, what if I did not have them?

I also have friends who have been LONG time members of DVC. They have over 600 pts, and decided they would take a trip with us. They go for long periods of time, and need a 2 bedroom....but, they could get NOTHING at any DVC resort the month of December. So...they're not going with us . I am SO sad, and they were "shocked". They said that NEVER would've happened a few years ago. They are telling me that due to the sheer number of people joining DVC...things are changing...it's harder to book.

People on this board are VERY helpful. They also know how "hard' paying for DVC can be (and then you add on the main. fees), and that is why they are encouraging you to wait. We almost bought at SSR (ease of financing), but I kept finding myself staring at the pages of the other resorts, and thinking, "Well, we can just stay somewhere else most of the time." Then, I realized how idiotic that was...to pay top dollar for a resort that didn't interest me. But, here's the catch...even resale is "top dollar" considering the timeshare market. And, I find it hard enough to make it through a dinner when I wish I had ordered what the person across from me is eating. I cannot imagine if that "dinner" lasted 38 yrs!! And yes, you CAN sell your OKW, but the fees involved mean that you will probably lose money. Additionally, your money will be "tied up" when that elusive BWV contract becomes available.

I would say, "Wait". Rent points now if you need to. I called Pat at "A Timeshare Store" about adding on to my BWV contract, and she assured me that she could get me one in a reasonable amount of time. I asked if I should go on a waitlist now, and she said, "No, wait until your ready..it shouldn't take that long." Get on EVERYONE's list....Pat, Jaki and Shontell.

It's your money...we just want to give you the best advice we can...we are not trying to discourage you, we really want you to be happy with your DVC. It is TOO expensive to not LOVE where you own.

Good luck in whatever you decide,
Beca

 

[JudyS]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! Yes, it is a big purchase (even 65 points is a big purchase! You can get nice non-DVC timeshares for less than $1,000) and I wouldn't want to make a mistake.

I was worried that Jaki would be angry at me if I wanted to back out, but now I am planning to call her tomorrow with my concerns.

Originally posted by Beca
And yes, you CAN sell your OKW, but the fees involved mean that you will probably lose money. Additionally, your money will be "tied up" when that elusive BWV contract becomes available.

Good point -- and to make things worse, this weekend a family of raccoons chewed their way into my living room! We can see baby raccoons sticking their paws through the hole they made in our ceiling! So, an animal control company is coming later today to try to cut into the roof and take the raccoons out. And worse, the roofers are coming tomorrow with a estimate for replacing the roof. We knew the roof was in bad shape (which is how "Miko" and his family were able to move in), but we were hoping to put off replacing it for at least a few more months. Now, we'll have to replace it right away, and the ceiling, too. I still figure I should be able to manage a 65 point contract, but this would not be a good time to buy *two* DVC contracts!

Thanks, everyone, for your comments!

 

[disneydiva58]

Hi all...I guess Ive been lucky.Ialso have a small contract (90 points OKW) Ive been able to book a studio at BWV and VWL at 3 weeks out for mid september. also i booked at the 7 month window BWV/BCV for this october with no problems,,,,,Like I said I guess I just got lucky Even if I cuoldnt get those requests Im still happy staying at home at OKW. Good Luck

 

[Beca]

Wow!!

Sorry to hear about your roof!!


Please post when you do get a contract, we would love to "welcome" you home!!!


Beca

 

[JudyS]

Thanks for all the comments!

I've decided to pass on the OKW contract. Jaki was very nice and said she'd just get another buyer. I'd recommend her highly, she was great to work with! Her email is japetz@attglobal.net

I may have found a BWV resale! I'll post about this on another thread.

That's the good news. The bad news is that we haven't been able to trap the mother raccoon. The raccoons made a bigger hole in the ceiling, and a baby raccoon fell through and landed in my living room this morning! The animal control people took it away and said they'd try to find a mother raccoon to foster it, if we are unsuccessful in live trapping the mother in the next few days. DH has now boarded up the hole in the ceiling.....

 

[Michael623]

Bummer about the coons. That is a crazy story!! I asked this on another thread but this one seems pretty active. People have mentioned that Sept and Jan-early Feb seem ok for a 7-month window? My fear is where these are the cheapest (point-wise) times to book do they fill up at all. I, like Judy, am looking to buy resale and stretch those points but could I get shut out at BC/BW at 7 months for the above dates?

 

[disneycrazed139]

I think since you are trying to stretch your points anyway, that staying at OKW is a great way to do it if your other choices don't come through for any reason. You said you loved OKW too, so I would just take what may come and stay at BWV when you can and be glad to save the points at OKW since studios are less points there. I think you will be very happy!!