Bay Lake Tower December Needed

[ad42197]

Hi Everyone,

We are so excited since we just found out our account was setup with DVC today. We closed last week on a resale at BLT and when I called today to make a reservation sometime in Nov/Dec we were told that everything is sold out. I have points that will expire in February if I don't use them and we would really love a stay at BLT for Xmas with our 2 year old and 4 month old. If anyone is going to cancel, please let me know so I can possibly call and change my wait list preference to match or even call on the same day!! I am disappointed but I had a feeling this would happen. If anything, I will reserve a room at Saratoga Springs or OKW but really wanted to be close to MK for the kids.

Anyone think a waitlist would have a shot? What is the best strategy for a waitlist since you could only have 2 open at a time?

Dominick

 

[rlovew]

Your best bet is waitlisting lakeview but it reality just plan to be at BLT next year and be happy you got anything in the Nov/Dec time- they fill up quickly at 11 months and there is normally not much of a selection at 7 months.

 

[Robin"D"]

Home
it is a great feeling....
Put yourself on the wait list, but also try other DVC resorts....
you never know...

Good Luck

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[ad42197]

Appreciate the advice and hope to call much earlier in the future, this just happened to be a last minute trip because we have points set to expire soon.

 

[cutakenta]

Your wait list will be filled if something becomes open but you will be last in the wait list priority. What date and size did you want?

I have never had a wait list come through, but thats my luck.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Appreciate the advice and hope to call much earlier in the future, this just happened to be a last minute trip because we have points set to expire soon.

Understood. Were you able to book anything yet? If not, what did you waitlist for? I assume BLT, but I wonder if you could waitlist for anyavailable? I'm not sure how that works, since we have never used a waitlist.

 

[ad42197]

As described to me today by DVC-The waitlist must be for a specific room type, category, and date range and you cal only have 2 open at a time. I did waitlist the MK View Studio for 2 different date ranges. I'm now considering changing to LV since those may have a better shot at opening up.

 

[Smile&Nod]

I guess it is too late to bank your points? If it is, I'd just call member services and see what DVCs had any openings for when you want to go - better to go and not lose your points!

 

[Daddio]

As described to me today by DVC-The waitlist must be for a specific room type, category, and date range and you cal only have 2 open at a time. I did waitlist the MK View Studio for 2 different date ranges. I'm now considering changing to LV since those may have a better shot at opening up.

My advise is to call and change to a LV as it is the most likely category to open up.

David

 

[tjkraz]

My advice is to book WHATEVER you can get your hands on immediately. That includes Studio OR One Bedroom and even splitting the reservation among multiple resorts or views if necessary.

I think you have a very, VERY small chance of getting anything at BLT. 7 month reservations for BLT opened up 5-6 months ago. There could be dozens of DVC members waitlisted for the same dates you have down--people who are booked at AKV, OKW, SSR and others who wish to switch to BLT. Even if there are cancellations, there is very little chance of the availability making its way down to you, IMO.

Get SOMETHING booked immediately and then waitlist for alternate accommodations on those dates. You have many years to put yourself in a better position to book BLT.

 

[Vickis3js]

I tried getting a 1bd at BLT for Dec 18-26th at 7 months and nothing. I am have been waitlisted for a 1bd LV Dec 18-21 since about 6 months and still nothing. I would definatly see what you can get anywhere now and not wait on a waitlist. I have been trying to do a split stay for awhile and can pretty much do a 1bd or a 2bd anywhere points wise but I can never get more then one night anywhere.

Good Luck!! Enjoy your DVC!!!

 

[dbs1228]

we made a reservation at 10 1/2 months for a 1 bdroom BLT and had to alter our dates in order to get 5 nights together, then 1 week later friends decided to join us and we had a hard time getting a 2 bedroom for those 5 nights and that was at 10 months and 1 week! Again we altered a few days.

Good luck and congrats to you! Like others have said take whatever you can get. When we joined in Feb I booked a last minute trip in May and got OKW, let me tell you it was great and I am now excited to try all resorts!

 

[Disney Doc]

I cancelled a BCV studio, 12/18-12/24 this afternoon. Not sure how fast they disappear...

 

[bxmetfan]

If you call member services and tell them you just closed, they may let you bank the points. I have done this in the past. Your guide may be able to help also. Then you can plan for your trip next December.

 

[AlwaysDreamofDisney]

With your kids being so young you could check the availability for January. Less points and the kids won't miss any school. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[lmshaggard]

We own at BLT and I have booked there the last 2 years for December. I have gotten some of the last available rooms for our dates at 11 months out at 9am in the morning. We do usually stay 9-12 days, but that was also booking a studio any view last year on opening booking day and a 2 bdrm any view this year. I would book whatever was available, look at banking, or definitely check out January. It is another favorite month of ours to visit Disney. Good luck!!

 

[*Meagan*]

Good Luck we have been on the WL since May for BLT. Just saying. Nov/Dec is a very busy time for DVC members bc of low points and holiday decorations.

Our home resort is SSR and we love it. I would definitely make a reservation somewhere if you can. I called last week and they told me there "was is nothing available anywhere"

Good Luck!

 

[ad42197]

Thanks Everyone! You are all so helpful and its nice to have this board to help me out with these types of inquiries! We booked SSR in the interim- only thing available!!, and have waitlisted BLT for 2 seperate weeks. Funny thing is that last year we booked last minute in October for BLT without being an owner, NO PROBLEMS!! Maybe they have some extra inventory for sale to the public? I couldnt bank the 09 points since they expired 1/31. They let me bank some other points however. Any suggestions on SSR or if anyone thinks AKV or OKW are better given that we have 2 young kids & that we would spend most of our time in MK. Is SSR really out of the way? How are the buses to MK?

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

SSR isn't really close to any parks, but it isn't far from anything either It's close (walking distance) to downtown disney. SSR is a more relaxed resort. Wide open design, with a golf course mixed in. It is big, spread out, and has two feature pools now. SSR is a great resort. I do like BLT better, but, hey... it sure beats being at home.

OKW and SSR are very similar in the style of resort: Big, spread out, condo style. Neither one has much of a location advantage to the other, since they are very close to each other. They are both close to DTD, and pretty much close to nothing else...but they aren't far from anything either...they are practically right in the middle of all the parks. You'll be bussing everywhere, and each resort has a good number of bus stops spread throughout. The difference between the two is the theme, number of points, and room sizes.

OKW is the cheapest DVC resort (point wise). It also has the largest rooms of any DVC resort. Massive rooms. It's also the 1st DVC resort. Very nice.

SSR is relatively new. Average sized rooms costing average points.

AKV is more hotel like. A large building with rooms lined up on either side of a long hallway. Everything is housed in the one building: Your room, restaurants, lobby, gift shop, etc. The two buildings that make up AKV (Jambo House and Kidani Village) each have their own unique touch on the same theme. Each building could be a freestanding resort on its own.

Jambo House villas were converted from hotel rooms and because of this, the rooms tend to be a little smaller than at Kidani. Kidani was built specifically as DVC, so the rooms are a titch bigger, and the 1 bedrooms and bigger have an extra bathroom.

Jambo has more action and life...stunning lobby, lots of activities, 3 restaurants (do NOT miss Boma...I go every trip, whether i'm staying at AKV or not), large gift shop, etc. Kidani is more relaxed, secluded feel...smaller lobby, one restaurant and a small gift shop.

AKV is the one DVC resort that is far from everything, except the Animal Kingdom park. It is the furthest DVC resort from the MK. Epcot and DHS are pretty far as well. However, this is offset by the fact that there are only two bus stops for the entire resort, and the resort does not share buses with another resort. Most DVC resorts either have many bus stops or they share their bus with multiple resorts...This makes the bus routes take more time. Because of this, the AKV buses don't take much longer than the other resort buses.

My advice: don't worry! You're going to be at Disney World! You'll have a blast for your first DVC trip, regardless of where you stay. Just start planning your next trip where you can book it early enough to guarantee BLT. I wouldn't hold my breath for the BLT waitlists for Dec at this point. But SSR sure is a great resort too...Especially if you like downtown disney!

And once you stay at BLT, you will fall in love! The rooms are the smallest, but to me it is the very essence of what a Disney stay should be...From the monorail, to Mickey being EVERYWHERE, the boat access, Cinderella's castle, Bay Lake, Fireworks, etc. The location can't be beat, especially if you're a food lover! You have all the restaurants of the MK within walking distance. All of the restaurants of the monorail resorts just a quick ride away. All of Epcot and the world showcase just a couple of monorail rides away. Grab the boat and head to Fort Wilderness or the Wilderness Lodge for their dining options. Finally, you can walk to the MK bus stop in about 5 minutes to hop on any other resort's bus for their dining options. Quite simply: you are practically right in the middle of all the magic.