Availability of VGC at 7 months

[Pinktink11]

Hi, we are considering buying DVC and trying to gather as much info as possible to make our decision. We're looking to buy resale but we're in CA and rarely get out to WDW. I'm trying to figure out if we can buy SRS or if we have to buy into VGC for that 11 month window. There isn't a whole lot of info on VGC compared to the other resorts other than that its tough to get a reservation there. How likely (or unlikely) would it be for us to make a reservation for a 1 bedroom at the VGC during the week (M-F stay), adventure or choice season at the 7 month window? I hope that makes sense and thank you in advance for your help!

 

[supersnoop]

It's going to depend entirely on when you travel. There are only 23 one-bedrooms at VGC. Late January through May? You probably have a chance if you book right at 8 a.m. But other times, well, you need to own there.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's certainly possible much of the year but if that's where you intend to stay almost all of the time I'd save the worry and headache and buy there. And that's only if you definitely want to stay onsite.

 

[zavandor]

if you want to use points to stay consistently at the VGC and can book 11 months out, then it's worth to buy there.
That said, I've already booked the VGC twice at the 7 months window. However during slow periods.
If you want one bedrooms it would be way easier than studios.

 

[maburke]

We like to go to DL every other year and stay at VGC, so we own there. The resort is extremely small, and we cannot take the risk that we couldn't get what we want. Resales do pop up, so my advice is not to be penny wise and pound foolish. Don't buy a resort that won't get you what you want, and then later feel that you have to buy VGC anyway.

 

[tasha99]

I have been successful in January and September. That said, this fall through December there were so many unhappy posts here by people seeing availability the night before and having it disappear right as the booking window opened. For a 1 BR you will likely get lucky if you're flexible, but if you want to count on it, buy vgc.

 

[drusba]

Adventure season: early Jan to about Feb 20: it is difficult to get anything at VGC at 7 months out for the Wednesday to Monday of race/MLK weekend in Jan and the week with Presidents Day, otherwise it can sometimes have issues but 1BRs very often open. For Sep after Labor day to Oct 1, it is usually open including 1BRs.

Choice Season: for April (excluding any of the two Easter weeks when they fall in April), May, and even early June it is usually easy to get rooms at 7 months out including for 1BRs but you should not wait beyond 7 months out to reserve; rest of June that is in Choice season is difficult but 1BR's have better chance of being open than other room sizes. For the other Choice season dates in Oct and Nov, you should assume it can be difficult to get anything including 1BRs at 7 months out.

 

[Pinktink11]

Thank you all so much for your help! If we traveled to WDW every year, this would be a no brainer but since we're so close to Disneyland, we prefer going there. Everything makes sense for us to buy in to DVC, we ALWAYS stay at the Grand CA, we are flexible with our time and we like to go in the off season and avoid weekends. The less crowds, the better. The thing that's really holding me back and making me consider buying SSR and not at VGC is price. VGC holds it value and is pretty expensive. We have been able to book a room at the Grand for the last few years using the military 40% discount. Since we get such a great rate, its going to take us twice as long to recoup our investment. I can justify buying into SSR because its cheaper and won't take 20+ years to actually see savings. BUT, I don't want to buy in if I can't get a room and if that would likely be the case, we'll just continue as we are. That 40% discount may go away in the future and that may change things but for now, its there and we use it. It sounds like we may be able to get a room at 7 months but its a crapshoot.

 

[tasha99]

One thing to think of, is that weekends are often easier to book than week days because they don't take as many points.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

One thing to think of, is that weekends are often easier to book than week days because they don't take as many points.

I think you mean the weekends take more points. Sometimes the weekends are gone first though - especially off season when the shows are only done on the weekends.

 

[maburke]

One thing to think of, is that weekends are often easier to book than week days because they don't take as many points.

Do you think that's true at VGC? I think people are a little more local, and are more likely to take a long weekend than a whole week, the way they do at WDW.

 

[castle1]

At 7 months out, the second week of February is already booked for the first few days in a 1 bedroom. However, the week before looks open, so you just never know.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

At 7 months out, the second week of February is already booked for the first few days in a 1 bedroom. However, the week before looks open, so you just never know.

That time around Valentines day always seems to book up but early other times of the month will be open.