BCV owners what do you do when...

[kmermaid]

you want a grandvilla? I sooo want to try out a GV. With kids in school and sport activities our only time that I can schedule a trip would be from late June up until mid August. What are my chances at a GV at any other resort?

 

[Jaaron2]

We also own points at Animal Kingdom and one of the draws was the Grand Villa. We stayed in one last year and loved it!!!! The Beach Club is our favorite resort, its only draw back (albeit small) is no grand villa.

Depending on how long you want to stay (and where) could determine how successful you are in getting ressies. I would book right at the 7 month mark when the phone lines open tho!

 

[GoofItUp]

You could get a points transfer from someone who owns at the resort you want to stay at early enough to take advantage of the 11-mo booking window. Then, you could either bank your points or rent them out to help offset the cost of the transfer.

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

We own at BCV and were able to get a 3bdrm GV at SS at the 7 month window (actually called about 6 months out) in August 2010. It was a "one-time" fun splurge!

Good luck!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

That was the deciding factor for us in choosing BWV over BCV. (Otherwise I like BCV better!)
In your situation, I would book some alternative at your home resort just in case you can't get a GV at any other resort at the 7 month point. Then of course I'd call first thing in the morning at that 7 month point to try to get one. Like the PP, I have encountered GVs available at less than 7 months before, so hopefully you will you too! It's good that your heart isn't set on a particulaer resort. That certainly makes it a better shot!

 

[mjc2003]

We became members at BCV in April, and this was an issue for us b/c we immediately wanted to plan a trip that included a GV for our big party. We have a 10 day trip in November.

We became members INSIDE of 7 months of our trip. It was way harder for me to get a 2 BR at BCV then a GV elsewhere. EVERY GRAND VILLA WAS AVAILABLE for the dates I was looking. Some were available for 8+ nights. We only needed 4, and booked at AKV. This is Nov 10-20th, and we are staying the 11-15th in a GV. First night we are in a 2 BR at AKV, and the last 5 nights we are in a 2 BR at BCV. The 2 BR at BCV was WAY harder to book.

I had my pick of GV's. My understanding is that this is not a crazy time to go, but the weekend we booked is the last for F&W, Veterans day and the end of Jersey week. Because of F&W, I was especially shocked when they told me the BWV GV was available for all my nights.

We also just returned from a last minute trip, Aug 24-29th. When I called, to book in mid-July (only 6 weeks out) there was a GV at SSR and OKW available. There was a GV available at BWV for 2 of the nights. I asked just to be curious, we didn't need to book one.

So for what it's worth, my first two trips---both booked inside of 7 months---showed GV availability.