Availability?!?

[california37]

Hi all!

We've booked flights in February for 9 nights but we are finding it hard to find any dvc availability for our dates?!? Why is it so busy?

We are looking for a 2 bed villa stay-our home resort is okw and would prefer to stay there! We are visiting between 17-26 feb.

Any ideas?!

TIA!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

February 23-26 is the Princess Half Marathon weekend, which books up DVC and resorts.

Look at availability for up to the 22nd, book any dates available separately for the 23-26, and waitlist like a fiend. Have a backup plan and be prepared for a split stay as well.

 

[nursejackie]

It's also school holidays in UK, and lots of people head abroad for some sunshine, which may account for some of the expected crowds.

 

[Anal Annie]

Also, Presidents Day is the 20th - I'm sure there's a lot of people who take the long weekend and extend it by another night or two to avoid paying holiday airfare rates. Since it's winter there's probably a lot of snowbound northerners looking for a sunny get-away by February.

Maybe this is a dumb question but why didn't you check availability before you booked your flights, especially when booking at such late notice? That's always the first thing I check before I ever consider airfare....

 

[Nvrgrowup]

As someone from the northeast,some schools have a week's vacation starting with Presidents Day and it is a very popular time to head south and away from the cold and snow.

 

[disneynutz]

It's the new Disney.

Bill

 

[BillPA]

You really need to book early,4 months is NOT early. More and more people are buying where they don't want to stay, to save a few bucks. As a result they all try to switch at 7 months. Add in DVCs poor planning and doing referbs on so many resorts at the same time, rooms are very limited on short notice. Keep trying, you may get lucky.

 

[california37]

Thanks for your replies- wasn't aware it was the princess marathon which would explain it-knew it was Presidents' Day hols the week before. We are coming from the UK and have had the flights booked for a while- father in law hadn't booked Disney (to do with our use year points..) but he didn't think it would be a problem we've done last minute before!
We have a plan b - a villa just south of Disney but would have been good to stay on property for convenience! And for fast passes... May have to go on a wait list and see if we get lucky! As we are only staying 9 nights we don't want a split stay- especially as we are a family of 7 with my youngest being 4 months at the time of travel!!

Thanks again

 

[CarolMN]

.........(snip)..... father in law hadn't booked Disney (to do with our use year points..) but he didn't think it would be a problem we've done last minute before!........

Use year has nothing to do with when you can book. Based on what you said, I'm wondering if your FiL might misunderstand use year & booking. If you have points that will be valid for the dates of your stay, you can book your home resort 11 months prior to check-in date. You don't have to wait for a use year to begin to book. Obviously, this would be something to consider for future trips. Hope you get lucky with your waitlist.

Understanding Use Year

 

[Vader-was-framed]

Sorry but if ssr is not available it's like being attached to another object by a incline plane wrapped helically around an axis.(screwed). But dreams and waitlist do come true.

 

[toolmanjan]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but why would you book the airfare before you have a room. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm not trying to be a wise guy but why would you book the airfare before you have a room. Maybe I'm missing something.

Sounds like a misunderstanding of UY, honestly.

 

[WDWNY]

Public schools in NYC have presidents week off- not sure about other areas but that also can contribute

 

[keishashadow]

Hi all!

We've booked flights in February for 9 nights but we are finding it hard to find any dvc availability for our dates?!? Why is it so busy?

We are looking for a 2 bed villa stay-our home resort is okw and would prefer to stay there! We are visiting between 17-26 feb.

Any ideas?!

TIA!

It is a relatively popular week. Now that you've been schooled lol, book something cancellable to have room at the inn. Then, consider the following strategies, if you are willing to be flexible. Good luck

*Waitlist, SSR probably is your best shot

*Break the trip up into a split stay (2 or even 3 changes) between resorts may work in your favor

*Consider booking 2 studios or a 1 BR/studio

 

[california37]

Thanks for all the responses

No misunderstanding-we've been DVC owners since 1993-we were just surprised about lack of availability as we haven't had a problem in the past-even at short notice! The villa south of Disney we own so it really isn't a problem I would just have preferred to be on site for feb. FIL didn't want to book out the villa just in case we had a cash booking (which we don't) and we used all DVC point for our current use year (March and May- 2 contacts) which is why we didn't book before now as he wanted to bank the points for 2017/18 use year-bringing them back would mean we could have potentially lost them if we cancelled to stay at the villa (the family we split between where to stay which also caused the delay-my preference on site!)

Anyhow-you answered my question about busy-ness - only hope we get a lucky break now for fp+!!! It's my eldest birthday trip and she has some wishes!!

Thanks again

 

[CaliAdventurer]

We're in Seattle and my kids have that whole week off. Its become more of a thing on the west coast in the last 10 years. Our school does not have any half days off anymore, they consolidate them into 2 extra weeks off in the regular school year Sept-Mid June. 3rd week of October and Feb. (In case you ever do DLR, its tight and expensive also)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Feb 28 is Mardi Gras. So you might have a lot of Louisiana owners who booked starting the weekend before.