Best time of the year for Booking away from home resort

[dwight16]

So i own 160 points at SSR i bought them on the secondary market before disney made the change. I just booked my Second Trip using the points 2 nights in the AKL then 6 Nights at the BCV in October. i basically was online at 8am everyday for 2 weeks trying to get the BCV in October i understand its a busy time bc of food and wine and i got lucky. my question is what times of the year will i have an easy time getting a resort of my choice in the 7 month window. Feb, Sept, May? i never want to go during peak times so just wondering peoples thoughts. on easy of booking away from home resort with out stressing....

 

[bgraham34]

September tends to be an easier time IMHO.

 

[chalee94]

i've heard good things about the non-holiday periods in jan and feb.

 

[AKLFan3]

I'm surprised you had such a difficult time getting BCV in October. I stayed at the BCV during the last week of October/first week of November in 2011 and was able to get a 1 BR villa by booking only 4 months in advance. But I did hear that all of their studios were booked when I was making that reservation. It may depend on the type of room you are getting and which week you are going in October. The first two weeks of December is a great time to go since it is before the holiday rush and you can still see holiday decorations. The last three weeks of January and the first two weeks of February are also easy to book in my experience. Good luck!

 

[khmiller]

BCV get booked fast during F&W festival.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Congrats for getting BCV for October! What sized villa?

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm surprised you had such a difficult time getting BCV in October. I stayed at the BCV during the last week of October/first week of November in 2011 and was able to get a 1 BR villa by booking only 4 months in advance. But I did hear that all of their studios were booked when I was making that reservation. It may depend on the type of room you are getting and which week you are going in October. The first two weeks of December is a great time to go since it is before the holiday rush and you can still see holiday decorations. The last three weeks of January and the first two weeks of February are also easy to book in my experience. Good luck!

I've actually heard that the first two weeks in December can be hard to book because the parks are less crowded than later in December and fewer points are required. I'm not saying you are wrong - you must be lucky as you were able to book BCV 4 months out during F & W!! - but I didn't want OP thinking it would be EASY to book early December.

OP - I think non-holiday in January/February, early May, sometimes summer (not around holidays), September, and non-holiday/Jersey week November would be the least busy times. Obviously, there are no guarantees and what you want may just happen to be booked.

 

[DizDays]

We have had very good luck in January (but NOT marathon weekend), February, May, and September. We always got what we wanted. However, we were also on the phone exactly at the 7 month window.

I would be curious what room size you booked. We always go for 1 bedrooms which, I understand, are usually the last to go.

 

[dsneygirl]

We've had no issues booking a non-home resort in late Aug-end of Sept, May and late Feb/early March.

 

[dwight16]

i got a 2 bed room in BCV for the 6 nights. i agree with the 1 bed rooms seem to be more available then a studio. i am just trying to judge some target dates and dont want to get hopes up for times that might be in high demand.

 

[DebbieB]

I've booked OKW or AKV for May or June at 7 months with no problem. I'm arriving at BWV this Saturday and for the heck of it I checked availability today and a 1 bedroom garden view is still available. Other room sizes/views have some nights available so I'm hoping it will not be crowded.

The last 3 months of the year are probably the hardest (Oct-Dec).

 

[drusba]

As to easier times to reserve, last two weeks of August through Sep 27 appears to be about as easy as it gets as you could easily still get anything other than AKV value and concierge and BLT standard at 7 months out for this year . In fact, many things were still available even at 6 months out and there are still a number of things available even now. And that includes time around Labor Day so that particular holiday makes little difference.

Other slower reserve times should be January (except for first three to four days, five days Thur-Mon for Marathon weekend, and time around MLK Day), early Feb and Most of May. Other times that should still bear fruit for some things without signficant difficulty are mid-July to mid-Aug, mid-Nov (after New Jersey week and before Thanskgiving week, and last week of April and early June.


As to a mention above about easily getting a 1BR, BCV studios and 2BRs can be very difficult at 7 months in October. Getting a 1BR is usually easier because those are the last to go at any resort.

 

[dwight16]

that would make sense the one bed room is just a bigger room sleeps that same amount of people and just costs more points. unless i was rocking 400 points a year i dont see ever getting one. so i am going for 2 studios or a 2 bedroom. looks like my next trips goal will be early march before spring break starts.

 

[Pakey]

Are you waitlisting at 7 months? I personally haven't had a great deal of success with the couple of waitlists I've tried but most people report success. I own at BCV and book at 11 months so I'm at least guaranteed a villa but then I check availability at 7 months and if necessary, waitlist for my top choice.

 

[dwight16]

so i could book a week at say AK and then wait list BCV or BLT and see if i get it and swap out? how many can you wait list?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I tried to get seven night together in a BCV one bedroom for mid-October and was unsuccessful this year. We've gotten BCV in late May for seven or more nights, but wound up at BLT for Oct instead in a one bedroom villa.

 

[Sammie]

June, July and August, points are high and its hot as heck. Not a prime time for DVC members to go.

 

[chalee94]

so i could book a week at say AK and then wait list BCV or BLT and see if i get it and swap out?

yes. if something is available when you call, book it. otherwise, you still have the option to waitlist and see if something opens up later as people cancel...

how many can you wait list?

2.

so if you waitlist BLT 1BR - standard view and BLT 1BR - theme park view, that is all you can request. you could not request BLT - any 1BR and BCV - any 1BR...