BCV availability at 7 months or less ?

[sznk]

we're waiting for the ROFR decision (SSR) on our first DVC purchase. we like SSR and will want to stay there much of the time, tho not every time we're at WDW.

we also like BCV and hope to be able to stay there occasionally. we'll almost always want a studio (we're 2 empty-nesters ) and typically 2 to 4 days per stay in the Sun to Thurs time frame. we live in Central Florida so short notice is no problem. we prefer the quieter times (won't need summer, xmas, easter, marathon, etc.)

I've read a lot of incredibly helpful and informative threads on these boards, but couldn't find a recent thread for our situation. I understand why availability is getting tighter for booking at BCV without the Home Resort advantage - more DVCers and a finite number of units at BCV.
my questions are:
1. given our need for a studio but the flexibility of our dates and notice, and not needing to book the more popular times, what are our chances for booking BCV at 7 months or less?
2. has anyone had good experience with booking at the 30-day (or less) point, or do those cancellations go to the waitlist?

another comment - I wish DVC could be booked online...

thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Empty nesters here too, but we always booked BCV at 7 months before we owned there. I wouldn't think you would have much luck booking a studio at much less than 7 months. At 7 months you're with the crowd trying to get in, after that, I think it will be much harder.

However, even at BCV waitlists do come through. There are very many DVCers who own elsewhere and want to stay at BCV. We added on, so for our important trips, we have the 11 month booking.

Bobbi

 

[helenabear]

I think it will depend on the time of year as well. It is the hardest resort to get into due to size fro what I've noticed calling for reservations at 4 months or less. However right now I am doing a day by day reservation for a studio in April/May. The wonderful ladies (so far only ladies) have told me that it looks very good if I keep calling daily and there are still many openings for the days I have already booked. So far it isn't close to being sold out. So you never know until you call and find out.

 

[Pakey]

We had a reservation for a studio at BCV that we booked at 11 months and then wanted to add a second studio at 7 months using our points from our SSR membership and there was no availability. This was in January, supposedly one of the slower months. I called at 7:00 am on the first day I could and was told that there were no studios left. They asked if I wanted to be waitlisted but I'd been down that path twice before at BCV without success so I upgraded to a 2 bedroom (they had one of those left) and am now in the process of purchasing an add-on of more BCV points so that we can invite guests and get a second room before the 7 month window opens. I don't know if it is just my "karma" or if it's just that hard at 7 months to get into BCV. Of course, I always have to shop airfare from the west coast and can't afford the last minute flexibility that you have so it might work out for you on the waitlists.

 

[daisyduck123]

We checked into a studio at BCV on Sunday, July 29 this year.

We had no problem making the reservation at the 7 month mark....we hope to do it again for next summer. We even got lucky. We were supposed to check out on a Friday morning. Well, the day before, we decided we wanted to stay an extra night, so DH checked into the availability. Well, we got to stay until Saturday & didn't even have to switch rooms! Couldn't believe our luck!!

 

[abeyst]

I've always had good luck with waitlisting at 7 months for BCV. Seems like recently, though, it takes a little longer for those waitlists to come through. But I also waitlist right at the 7 month mark. Waitlists any closer than that may or may not come through. It depends on what time of year it is.

Never booked at the 30-day mark, so I can't help you there. (I'm a planner, and that's just way to close for comfort for me!!)

 

[MinnieFan]

We always travel during peak weeks (Christmas, President's Day) and have never been able to get BCV at 7 months, even with a wait list. My neighbors, however, travel during non-peak times and have never had a problem booking BCV at 7 months.