Availability reality at non home resort 7 months out

[chlwodud85]

I am in a very similar boat as you (own SSR for the value to reserve around). The best suggestion I can make is to be flexible in your booking and things will come around. Sometimes you have to be open to moving around vacation to make the resort stay work (or even jumping resorts).

As a example I was able to book Grand California at 3 month (1 night studio and 3 nights at 2br - I had a 1br booked but switched to 2br as both were available). Also booked VGF and AKL all within 3 month mark (GF was studio and AKL was 1br). So its not impossible to book but you just have to be flexible and change things around.

I still say its worth it for the saving and as others have suggested book at 11month at SSR then switch it around at 7month

Good luck and enjoy your DVC

 

[DonMacGregor]

Well, the naïve part is that most people's patterns of travel are very likely to change over years. For a lot of DVC members, they have changed the timing of their yearly trip due to school/work or Disney events - "we've never been to the F&G Festival" or "Now that Austin is doing Spring and Summer baseball, late Fall works better" or "the new job has its big project crunch, we need to move the trip." Others discover they start adding trips - deciding to squeeze in a trip every year or every few years for Christmas decorations or F&W or they decide to try a RunDisney event.

Or they realize that moving their trip to a different points season allows them to add an extra day (or even 2) on to their trip each year.

 

[tom1944]

Or they realize that moving their trip to a different points season allows them to add an extra day (or even 2) on to their trip each year.

I would love to move our trips to January but August it will be as long as we go with my daughter and granddaughter.

 

[Stargazer65]

So, realistically speaking, I should not expect to reserve a value room at AKV since my home resort is SSR but can I bank on a studio room at AKV in August? Your thoughts?

As others have stated you cannot expect a value room, however...if you are flexible and your stay is short you can sometimes snag a reservation on short notice.

i.e. One January a few years ago we reserved a value studio for four nights in April. We just picked up a window that happened to be available.

 

[jrieder]

I am in a very similar boat as you (own SSR for the value to reserve around). The best suggestion I can make is to be flexible in your booking and things will come around. Sometimes you have to be open to moving around vacation to make the resort stay work (or even jumping resorts).

As a example I was able to book Grand California at 3 month (1 night studio and 3 nights at 2br - I had a 1br booked but switched to 2br as both were available). Also booked VGF and AKL all within 3 month mark (GF was studio and AKL was 1br). So its not impossible to book but you just have to be flexible and change things around.

I still say its worth it for the saving and as others have suggested book at 11month at SSR then switch it around at 7month

Good luck and enjoy your DVC

 

[jrieder]

Thanks I'm looking forward to my vacations I have to say though I only want to say in studios I don't see I need to stay in one bedroom.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Thanks I'm looking forward to my vacations I have to say though I only want to say in studios I don't see I need to stay in one bedroom.

That sentiment is likely true for a majority of DVC owners. Studios provide the best value in terms of point usage and of course that is why studios book up the quickest. I have SSR points, but because we would generally prefer at least a 1BR, I am fairly confident I'll be able to use my points at other resorts without too much difficulty. I'd also be fine to stay at SSR. If I were only going to stay in studios, I wouldn't be as confident in my SSR points as SAP.

 

[Genie+]

Thanks I'm looking forward to my vacations I have to say though I only want to say in studios I don't see I need to stay in one bedroom.

This is us too. We’re starting to travel more just as a couple and studio works fine. When people join us I’d more likely get 2 studios over 1BR. If the kitchen and space to hang out together mattered then 2BR.

 

[jrieder]

That sentiment is likely true for a majority of DVC owners. Studios provide the best value in terms of point usage and of course that is why studios book up the quickest. I have SSR points, but because we would generally prefer at least a 1BR, I am fairly confident I'll be able to use my points at other resorts without too much difficulty. I'd also be fine to stay at SSR. If I were only going to stay in studios, I wouldn't be as confident in my SSR points as SAP.

 

[jrieder]

Based upon what others have said I believe I'll be okay when I go in August getting studios at akv

 

[lilsonicfan]

Based upon what others have said I believe I'll be okay when I go in August getting studios at akv

I'm sure that's true for standard and savannah view.

 

[jodifla]

27 years of owning DVC. Have stayed at every DVC, most multiple times, even though we just own at OKW and BCV.

 

[crisi]

Based upon what others have said I believe I'll be okay when I go in August getting studios at akv

Yep, its your stated desire for BCV and BWV that are going to be a problem with studios. When you can book them, do. But don't tell your kids "this year, BCV" until its booked.

 

[bassplayrr]

In the vein of the 11/7/etc month booking question, but on a much shorter time horizon: my wife and I are very seriously considering buying into DVC this coming month (starting with just 150 points, likely at Riviera). Our concern, as is the case with all others on this thread, is our ability to actually land rooms and use said points. I'm fortunate to be able to travel from Dallas to WDW frequently to vacation with my wife. However, the nature of my job is such that I have to do it pretty ad-hoc and usually just for a weekend, flying out Thursday or Friday evening and then flying back on Sunday evening. All to ask: will I be SOL? I always stay on property, usually at a Deluxe though sometimes at The Destino, but I VERY rarely book more than 45 days out, often times at about 30 days out. Is this a non-starter for DVC, at least for Deluxe resorts. Say it ain't so. :/

 

[Sandisw]

In the vein of the 11/7/etc month booking question, but on a much shorter time horizon: my wife and I are very seriously considering buying into DVC this coming month (starting with just 150 points, likely at Riviera). Our concern, as is the case with all others on this thread, is our ability to actually land rooms and use said points. I'm fortunate to be able to travel from Dallas to WDW frequently to vacation with my wife. However, the nature of my job is such that I have to do it pretty ad-hoc and usually just for a weekend, flying out Thursday or Friday evening and then flying back on Sunday evening. All to ask: will I be SOL? I always stay on property, usually at a Deluxe though sometimes at The Destino, but I VERY rarely book more than 45 days out, often times at about 30 days out. Is this a non-starter for DVC, at least for Deluxe resorts. Say it ain't so. :/

If you would be booking less than 2 months out, DVC is not the right product. The rooms that are still left at 60 days are offered by DVC for cash stays and can also be pulled for other reasons.

While people do cancel, and things can show up here or there, I do not think you could regularly count on getting last minute DVC rooms, especially if you were looking for studios.

 

[intamin]

In the vein of the 11/7/etc month booking question, but on a much shorter time horizon: my wife and I are very seriously considering buying into DVC this coming month (starting with just 150 points, likely at Riviera). Our concern, as is the case with all others on this thread, is our ability to actually land rooms and use said points. I'm fortunate to be able to travel from Dallas to WDW frequently to vacation with my wife. However, the nature of my job is such that I have to do it pretty ad-hoc and usually just for a weekend, flying out Thursday or Friday evening and then flying back on Sunday evening. All to ask: will I be SOL? I always stay on property, usually at a Deluxe though sometimes at The Destino, but I VERY rarely book more than 45 days out, often times at about 30 days out. Is this a non-starter for DVC, at least for Deluxe resorts. Say it ain't so. :/

You’re definitely one of the people who shouldn’t be buying DVC. Studio availability is poor even within the 4-5 month mark, 30-45 days? That’s like limiting yourself to having your points in holding. You’re setting yourself up for a lot of frustration and will be unable to book what you want. Not only that, but you won’t be able to take advantage of home resort priority so even if you were to buy (which you shouldn’t) you may as well own SSR since by the time you book it won’t matter what resort you own at. Sorry, but DVC really isn’t for you. You’re just going to take a financial hit if you do pick up a contract, especially Riviera because of it’s resale restrictions compared to pretty much any other resort aside from VDH. Please do not buy DVC until it makes sense for you and your family. You can still rent rooms or book confirmed reservations through websites like dvcrentalstore.com or David’s DVC rental and enjoy these resorts but it definitely is not a good decision at this time.

 

[jrieder]

Yep, its your stated desire for BCV and BWV that are going to be a problem with studios. When you can book them, do. But don't tell your kids "this year, BCV" until its booked.

Even in August?

 

[intamin]

Even in August?

Don’t count on staying at BWV/BCV unless its in a 1BR and even then it’s questionable. BWV may have some island/garden view studios available if you’re lucky but standard and boardwalk view will likely not be available. The only way to reliably stay in those resorts is to own there.

 

[crisi]

Even in August?

Even in August. Every single month of the year studios will be difficult to get at seven months at those resorts. You will likely be able to stay at both these resorts over the term of your contract in studios, but not dependably. Both are heavily owned by owners who want to stay there and book home - especially BCV which has always had a high resale premium on it (why pay more for a resort unless you are going to stay there MOST of your trips). BCV is also really small (and BWV is larger, but not huge - and has also carried a resale premium, just not as high as BCV) - which means fewer rooms available at 7 months than a place like VAKL. And then those two resorts in particular (and especially BCV) seem to be the ones that people didn't buy, but REALLY want to get into at seven months (also VGC - almost impossible to book at 7 months - also small, also has always had a resale premium) year round - so there is a lot of competition for the rooms available. They are in a great location, have great theming - BCV has the pool - and because they are early DVC resorts, they are point bargains.

Fifteen years ago we had no problem getting into BCV at seven months in August. But we booked a two bedroom, booked exactly at seven months, and there were a lot less total rooms within DVC - fewer owners competing for those rooms.

When you do decide to go for those resorts, book right at seven months - the rooms that are available go fast. Decide if you want to waitlist or stalk and if you are open to moving during your trip. All those make getting the room more likely. Walking is possible, but can be a problem at seven months - if one night is gone, your entire walk isn't worthwhile.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Even in August. Every single month of the year studios will be difficult to get at seven months at those resorts. You will likely be able to stay at both these resorts over the term of your contract in studios, but not dependably. Both are heavily owned by owners who want to stay there and book home - especially BCV which has always had a high resale premium on it (why pay more for a resort unless you are going to stay there MOST of your trips). BCV is also really small (and BWV is larger, but not huge - and has also carried a resale premium, just not as high as BCV) - which means fewer rooms available at 7 months than a place like VAKL. And then those two resorts in particular (and especially BCV) seem to be the ones that people didn't buy, but REALLY want to get into at seven months (also VGC - almost impossible to book at 7 months - also small, also has always had a resale premium) year round - so there is a lot of competition for the rooms available. They are in a great location, have great theming - BCV has the pool - and because they are early DVC resorts, they are point bargains.

Fifteen years ago we had no problem getting into BCV at seven months in August. But we booked a two bedroom, booked exactly at seven months, and there were a lot less total rooms within DVC - fewer owners competing for those rooms.

When you do decide to go for those resorts, book right at seven months - the rooms that are available go fast. Decide if you want to waitlist or stalk and if you are open to moving during your trip. All those make getting the room more likely. Walking is possible, but can be a problem at seven months - if one night is gone, your entire walk isn't worthwhile.

This is why you just have to accept your fate, embrace the suck, and buy enough points to always stay in 2BR villas...LOL. We just stayed at BCV in July, on a reservation I made in January (6 months out) using exclusively SSR points, with no walking or waitlisting needed. I wouldn't expect that to be the case come December, especially at such a small resort, but there is some value to grabbing a good chunk of SAP's at a resort with reasonable MF's if it means you can get a villa during busier periods simply by opting for a larger villa.