Before we purchase DVC...

[JESSketeer]

Hi everyone,

DH and I are looking into buying DVC but before we decide which DVC resort to buy into, we were wondering, how difficult is it to book other DVC resorts when the 7 month window opens up? Whats availability typically look like? Is it important to make your home resort the resort you see yourself staying at the most? We travel to WDW every year in September, but with DVC we do see ourselves traveling multiples times a year to enjoy other events like Flower & Garden and around Christmas time to enjoy the decor.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[cedricandsophie]

The answer is..it depends on the time of year. You should definitely buy where you want to be the most. We have 1400 points at seven resorts...Most bought on the secondary market. With the exception of animal Kingdom club level, we rarely make reservations 11 months in advance and dont have much trouble. But we typically go a couple times a year and don't usually go during the busiest times. most of the year, you can get Saratoga springs or old key west seven months out.

 

[disneynutz]

Booking doesn't get easier as more people buy memberships, it will only get more difficult. You can take you chances or buy at your favorite resort and book at 11 months. If you don't know which is your favorite as a DVC owner, study the room locations, sizes, views, availability, and spend some time at the different resorts before you buy your first contract.

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

Hi everyone,

DH and I are looking into buying DVC but before we decide which DVC resort to buy into, we were wondering, how difficult is it to book other DVC resorts when the 7 month window opens up? Whats availability typically look like? Is it important to make your home resort the resort you see yourself staying at the most? We travel to WDW every year in September, but with DVC we do see ourselves traveling multiples times a year to enjoy other events like Flower & Garden and around Christmas time to enjoy the decor.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

http://disboards.com/threads/predic...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

 

[lovin'fl]

We've used our OKW points to stay at every east coast DVC except VGF and Poly (the 2 newest and we haven't tried to stay there yet). So we have been able to get all those places at 7 months out...BUT...it's not always easy. Specific times of year (ie: Christmas) are tough, specific room types (ie:studios) and views/categories (ie:club at AKV) are tough, specific times of year at specific resorts (ie: F&W time at BWV and BCV) are tough. We have had to move dates, drop weekends, pick choice #2 or #3 resort, stalk availability to grab someone's cancellation, do a split stay, take a different category than we prefer, waitlist...etc to get stuff. We have since added on points at other resorts: BWV for F&W trips since that is tough at 7 months out. HHI for summer beach trips because that is also tough at 7 months out (bonus was HHI points were cheap). And AKV...but we resold that this year since we can almost always book AKV- savannah view with our OKW points at 7 months out. When we bought OKW, in 2006, we chose there to get the most points for our money. But I have since come over to the side that says buy where you want to stay (if booking the typical vacation, resort/time of year/room type, you want will be tough).

 

[boxer]

http://disboards.com/threads/predic...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

That is one of the best posts I've seen on here....that spreadsheet is spot on.

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I have stayed at all the East Coast resorts except VGF. Our HR is OKW. We book at 11 months out and change out to the other resorts more than 95% of the time. We will gladly stay at HR anytime but depending on what we are wanting to do that particular stay choose to be somewhere else.
FYI:
mid-Sept through mid-Jan is the highest demand DVC booking period with mostly low point per night requirements, F&W, MNSSHP, holiday decorations, marathons, etc going during this time period must be booked early.
mid-Jan through mid-Sept is high demand DVC booking period but around holidays it goes back to being highest.

 

[Dean]

Hi everyone,

DH and I are looking into buying DVC but before we decide which DVC resort to buy into, we were wondering, how difficult is it to book other DVC resorts when the 7 month window opens up? Whats availability typically look like? Is it important to make your home resort the resort you see yourself staying at the most? We travel to WDW every year in September, but with DVC we do see ourselves traveling multiples times a year to enjoy other events like Flower & Garden and around Christmas time to enjoy the decor.

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

It depends on when, what you're trying to book and the resort and time you're looking for. You need to understand this risk and the options before buying in. In reality it may make buying a poor choice. If you do buy in, you need realistic expectations. Sept shouldn't be too difficult but there are certain options you're not going to get after the 11 month window passes like standard view at VGF, BLT & BWV as well as AVK concierge. You should understand the real options and risks before proceeding. This usually takes around 6 months of active investigation. As a rule I'd recommend underbuying rather than overbuying as long as one is going with at least 150 points.

 

[ktmo]

I just got my points right before Christmas and I was able to get a 1 bedroom at BWV for 4 days in May. I couldn't get a 1 bedroom at our home resort BCV.

Like others have said, I think it depends on when you go and how flexible you are.

 

[michelleiada]

My advice is always buy where you prefer to stay.

 

[crisi]

Flexibility and expectations are huge. If you expect to stay where you want when you want at seven months you'll be disappointed - you will not reliably get what you want - especially that last quarter of the year, if you want something popular. If you buy SSR, are happy to stay at SSR, and say "over the next 30 years we will try all the resorts" - book SSR at eleven months and see what's available at seven and switch if it looks better to you, you'll be happy.

In addition to that last quarter, there can be some weird times - people are often shocked how quickly DVC books up for a Run-Disney event.

Also, if renting DVC increases, and renters become more informed about booking eleven months out from a home resort owner, availability will likely further tighten for members at seven months.

 

[maloned]

http://disboards.com/threads/predic...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

That is one of the best posts I've seen on here....that spreadsheet is spot on.

..yes it is! I love these charts!!!!!!

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

As others have said, there is no real answer to the question. We have never had an issue switching to a non-home resort at 7 months, but sometimes we have to piece reservations together and it requires alot of work and attention. Then again, maybe be are just lucky.

 

[sndral]

Demand at 7 months at present is different from what it was in the past, for example when SSR was built a whole lot of new points were added to the competition for harder to get resorts at 7 months. I expect demand will more than likely change in the future as well.
As new DVC resorts are built (Aulani, Poly, VGF) or enlarged (VWL) more competition at 7 months is created. As Disney expands events (food and wine) or reallocates points (adjusting weekend/weekday point requirements) demand changes too.
We can't predict what Disney or DVC will do in the future. There's rumors of a multistory DVC over by CBR to be built. They could up points per night during the crazy popular fall/winter and reduce them in the spring to compensate. The renting of DVC points market seems to be growing perhaps upping demand.
Thus I'm in the camp of buying were you like to stay.
I also think staying in a DVC villa were you want to buy to 'test drive' the resort and villa before you buy is a good idea as well. This December we tried out 3 nights each at BWV and VGF (using my AKV points) as I knew I wanted to buy another contract and was struggling with whether it was really worth it to me to pay so much more for VGF when I love the Epcot resorts too (especially YC.) After staying at both my decision was easy.

 

[AulaniNutz]

Demand at 7 months at present is different from what it was in the past, for example when SSR was built a whole lot of new points were added to the competition for harder to get resorts at 7 months. I expect demand will more than likely change in the future as well.
As new DVC resorts are built (Aulani, Poly, VGF) or enlarged (VWL) more competition at 7 months is created. As Disney expands events (food and wine) or reallocates points (adjusting weekend/weekday point requirements) demand changes too.
We can't predict what Disney or DVC will do in the future. There's rumors of a multistory DVC over by CBR to be built. They could up points per night during the crazy popular fall/winter and reduce them in the spring to compensate. The renting of DVC points market seems to be growing perhaps upping demand.
Thus I'm in the camp of buying were you like to stay.
I also think staying in a DVC villa were you want to buy to 'test drive' the resort and villa before you buy is a good idea as well. This December we tried out 3 nights each at BWV and VGF (using my AKV points) as I knew I wanted to buy another contract and was struggling with whether it was really worth it to me to pay so much more for VGF when I love the Epcot resorts too (especially YC.) After staying at both my decision was easy.

And your decision was?????

 

[sndral]

VGF, absolutely love that place - I'm searching/waiting for the perfect resale contract to be listed in my use year.

 

[JESSketeer]

Thanks everyone for all your input! DH and I have a lot to take into consideration.