Away DVC resort availability

[buzlite]

i am still debating the DVC purchase for me and my family. I have two questions how hard are Aulani, Animal Kingdom lodge and Saragota springs resorts to stay at if I book in the 8 month period rather then the home resort period. Also would it ever be possible to stay in Grand floridian villas unless you buy their or will the predetermined weeks make it impossible unless you buy their.

We really like the combination of a relaxing vacation (Aulani) and the fun vacation at WDW and having the opportunity to maybe stay in the disneyland resort in california as well.

We would always travel in sept,oct nov and or febuary.
Mostly in September however.

 

[DebbieB]

i am still debating the DVC purchase for me and my family. I have two questions how hard are Aulani, Animal Kingdom lodge and Saragota springs resorts to stay at if I book in the 8 month period rather then the home resort period. Also would it ever be possible to stay in Grand floridian villas unless you buy their or will the predetermined weeks make it impossible unless you buy their.

We really like the combination of a relaxing vacation (Aulani) and the fun vacation at WDW and having the opportunity to maybe stay in the disneyland resort in california as well.

We would always travel in sept,oct nov and or febuary.
Mostly in September however.

It's 7 months, not 8. SSR and AKV (except value & club level) are usually easy. Don't know about Aulani. VGF will be hard because of the small size. September is usually quiet. October thru December are busy for DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO there is no easy answer. All of our info is based on past history which may not come into play in the future.

As more people buy contracts, the popular resorts will only become harder to book at 7 months. SSR buyers may want to stay at BCV/BWV/VGF, or other resorts. Aulani buyers may find that it's less expensive to vacation at WDW and though they love Aulani, spending vacation time a WDW gives them more to do and a bigger bang for their buck.

Disney also causes the demand to shift and increase during certain times of the year. DVC is a 30 year plus ownership and a lot can happen in 30 years.

Think what has happened because of an idea Disney had called food and wine, flower and garden, stars wars weekend, MNSSHP, MVMCP, and all of the marathons, pop warner, and other events or special days.

I can't tell you what level of success you will have booking in the future but I can tell you that owning home resorts and booking at 11 months improves your chances of staying where you want, when you want to about 99%.

 

[rlovew]

The size of the room you want to stay is can also make a difference. Do to allowing 5 people in the studios at VGF(not that I would ever do that unless we were taking 3 children under 5 and even then I am not sure about it would have to be a really short trip) I believe that they will rarely ever be available at 7 months (also there is only 47 of them). Also at VGF the lock-off 2 bedrooms sleep 10 as opposed to 9 and those can take a studio out of inventory as well.

At the same time the high point cost may make people less likely to use the 1 bedrooms but it is all about the demand. You will likely find availability at SSR and some level at AKV at 7 months almost all of the year. The 1st 2 weeks of Dec can be hard even at these resorts.

 

[JustTinking]

I'm reading in these posts that VGF is possible to book right now at 7 months, mostly because the resort inventory is 75% declared, and ownership rates lag that considerably. That of course will change in the next 18 months or 2 years, but if you want to stay at VGF, put it on your itinerary soon.

Never had issues with booking either SSR or AKV at 7 months, even for a grand villa, but as others point out, that also may change as AKV sells out.

Wouldn't bet on ever staying at the Grand Californian at 7 months, unless DVC builds a second resort there soon.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm reading in these posts that VGF is possible to book right now at 7 months, mostly because the resort inventory is 75% declared, and ownership rates lag that considerably. That of course will change in the next 18 months or 2 years, but if you want to stay at VGF, put it on your itinerary soon.

Never had issues with booking either SSR or AKV at 7 months, even for a grand villa, but as others point out, that also may change as AKV sells out.

Wouldn't bet on ever staying at the Grand Californian at 7 months, unless DVC builds a second resort there soon.

I'm 3 for 3 at exactly 7 months for VGC.

May 2011, studio
Sept 2012, studio
Aug 2013, 1 bedroom

 

[CruznLexi]

We own at AKV and this year we waited till May to decide what we wanted to do. We wanted a few nights at KV well there were none to be had. This is the first year in many years we are not going in Oct. instead we scored 5 nights at KV for next week.SSR was completely booked as well there was no availability anywhere. Same for Dec. 2 year ago I was able to goer GCV last minute at 3 months out. This year I am making plans for next Oct and just leave it and change later.

 

[DenLo]

VGC is hard to get into for some dates. We have a cruise booked in October out of LA and decided to rent points from a VGC owner at the 10.5 month mark. When the 7 month rolled around for the dates before or after the cruise, there were no studios available and not all of the days were available for a 1BR. I'm very glad we rented the points.

As for Aulani, most dates are available at the 7 month mark but not all views. I just looked for a 2BR in June 2014 and found that all of the Standard views were booked. The other views were available still. I know in 2012 and 2013, and it appears 2014 will be the same, people found that June during choice season booked quickly.

Who knows with VGF. The point cost is so high that some members will only try it once and return to OKW. I expect if you want a studio at VGF it might be hard to get in year or two, as families that normally stay in a 1BR will compete with members that always book studios.

 

[Apps]

I'm 3 for 3 at exactly 7 months for VGC.

May 2011, studio
Sept 2012, studio
Aug 2013, 1 bedroom

I second this. Reserve at exactly 7 months and chances are pretty decent. I got Aulani easily at 7 months on holiday weekend during high season. I got a cheap SSR contract and am willing to be flexible but am really happy that I haven't had issues booking whatever I wanted at 7 months.

 

[buzlite]

Thanks for the info guys! I was really just humouring myself about grand floridian villas to amuse myself. But in all seriousness if I am able to get into akv and aulani maybe buying at Vero Beach would be fine? Or would it be better just to buy at AKV to avoid the risk.

 

[butsy113]

Thanks for the info guys! I was really just humouring myself about grand floridian villas to amuse myself. But in all seriousness if I am able to get into akv and aulani maybe buying at Vero Beach would be fine? Or would it be better just to buy at AKV to avoid the risk.

If you are going to want CL or value rooms at AKV then I would buy there. We love having the ability to book the value rooms.

 

[Geomom]

Thanks for the info guys! I was really just humouring myself about grand floridian villas to amuse myself. But in all seriousness if I am able to get into akv and aulani maybe buying at Vero Beach would be fine? Or would it be better just to buy at AKV to avoid the risk.

Where are you most likely to travel to often? Disney world or other locations? If you're going to need the 11 month out advantage (if you're staying in a busy time of year or need a Grand Villa), you'll want to buy at the location you want to stay at--like at a Disney World resort.

When factoring in your costs, don't forget to look at the annual dues--you'll be paying for those long after you pay the upfront cost of the timeshare. Vero Beach has the highest annual dues ($7.41/pt) vs. Animal Kingdom at $5.67/pt. For the 2013 DVC dues, the lowest was BLT at $4.50/pt.

We bought resale at OKW in 2008--at the time, it was the cheapest Disneyworld located DVC and it had reasonable dues. We have only stayed at OKW once, we've been able to get into other DVC's at 7 mths during the times we travel (mainly Feb/April vacations and Columbus Day weekend.) Waitlists have worked well for us--we got BWV through the waitlist for Columbus Day weekend this year. Because VGF is so new, we were able to get a standard studio at VGF for February vacation right at 7 mths. OKW, SSR and AKV are the resorts with the most rooms--most times of year you should be able to get a room at one of those at 7 mths.

 

[wildernessDad]

Thanks for the info guys! I was really just humouring myself about grand floridian villas to amuse myself. But in all seriousness if I am able to get into akv and aulani maybe buying at Vero Beach would be fine? Or would it be better just to buy at AKV to avoid the risk.

Have you seen the current dues for Vero Beach? It's $7.4076 per point, the highest of any DVC resort. Over time, dues is the biggest cost driver. Buying Vero Beach to stay at WDW is a bad choice.

 

[drusba]

If you travel mostly in Sep, you will find at 7 months out many things available at WDW (including at AKV, OKW and SSR), Vero Beach and Hilton Head, but could face significant problems at VGC and some at Aulani. If Feb, the same for WDW, HH and VB and then even Aulani and VGC should be readily available except possibly standard view at Aulani. If Oct or Nov, your WDW pickings may be significantly limited and you could be blocked at of any near park resort (BLT, BCV, BWV and likely VGF) but SSR, OKW and usually AKV standard or savanna view should be open. Vero and Hilton head should be open then except around Thanksgiving. Don't know about VGC or Aulani during that time.

Note for WDW that regardless of when you want to go (including months you mention), at 7 months out the following can be very difficult to get: AKV club level and value rooms, BWV standard and boardwalk view, BLT standard view and Aulani standard view. If you actually want one of those regularly, you are advised to purchase at the resort that has it because you will need the 11 month reservation window most of the time.

VGF is still an unknown but likely 2BRs and 1BRs will be open in Sep and Feb with Oct and Nov having issues; also studios could have an issue any time of year because there are only 47 maximum available.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy VB to book the Beach Cottages at VB or to get a summer during prime time at VB. Don't buy VB if you want to stay at WDW all the time. There are times when you will be blocked from getting anything for seven nights in a row at seven months out.