BLT Home Resort availability - venting a bit...

[peabody58]

1st time posted here. So we joined DVC at BLT last month - 160 points. Our CG said as long as we book in the 11 - 7 month period, we should have no trouble getting into our home resort - BLT.

We'll I just tried to book in early Dec (8 months out) and was informed there are no rooms in the inn!! What the hey - 8 months out and nothing. I'm on a wait list, but it sure dampens the whole spirit of Disney trip when I can't even get into my home resort (especially after paying top dollar for the privilege). The big family GTG was in December, and we were pumped up to show off our crown jewel to the family. I can't even try another DVC resort until May (7 month out period). Sure hope we can still get into something nice.

So why is it I can go on-line at Disney's booking site and book a 2 BR at BLT, but at 8 months out, I can't get in as a DVC Home Resort owner??

At least the DW and me got a S-LV at BLT for a few days in Sept.

Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[Sandisw]

First, congratulations on your new purchase. Early Dec is a very busy DVC time and many members book exactly at 11 months to secure reservations. Most of the time, booking during the home resort period should not prove this difficult.

The inventory you are seeing on Disney's site is not the same as DVC inventory. Those are rooms still owned by the developer (as only about 60% of the resort has been declared into DVC) or rooms that became available because DVC members traded out to non-DVC.

Since you just bought, I might call your guide and see if they can help. Sometimes, during the buying process, some members have been able to get a reservation that others have not--a way to make sure the sale goes through, if you will. It seems that guides sometimes have ways to make the "magic" happen.

Good luck!

 

[dcfromva]

1st time posted here. So we joined DVC at BLT last month - 160 points. Our CG said as long as we book in the 11 - 7 month period, we should have no trouble getting into our home resort - BLT.

In general that may be true, but the first weeks of DEC are very popular with DVC owners because the point values are at their lowest, the weather is pretty good in MCO, there are awesome Christmas Decorations to see (we go year after year) and there are special Christmas activites at the parks (MVMCP, CP, Christmas Around the World, Osborne Family Light show for example).

So why is it I can go on-line at Disney's booking site and book a 2 BR at BLT, but at 8 months out, I can't get in as a DVC Home Resort owner??

They are separate inventories. For one thing, BLT is not sold out to DVC so those rooms are sold for cash. And, even after BLT is sold out there will be rooms sold for cash when members trade out of DVC (such as using points to take a cruise for example).
I'll send you some pixie dust for the Wait list to come through for you.

 

[toniosmom]

I just did a small add-on at BLT and was shut out of an early December reservation as well today. I put myself on the waitlist and will hope for the best. Most of my points are at AKV, so I already had a reservation booked there at 11 months, so if I get "stuck" at AKV, that's fine too.

 

[TMB1203]

I tried booking for 1st week of November and no rooms available. I am waitlisted for BLT and VWL (both home resorts) but have a room booked at AK for now. Hoping something comes available. I know its a busy time with F&W. Oh well, so much for a "last minute" trip 7 1/2 months out.

 

[Shleedogg]

1st time posted here. So we joined DVC at BLT last month - 160 points. Our CG said as long as we book in the 11 - 7 month period, we should have no trouble getting into our home resort - BLT.

We'll I just tried to book in early Dec (8 months out) and was informed there are no rooms in the inn!! What the hey - 8 months out and nothing. I'm on a wait list, but it sure dampens the whole spirit of Disney trip when I can't even get into my home resort (especially after paying top dollar for the privilege). The big family GTG was in December, and we were pumped up to show off our crown jewel to the family. I can't even try another DVC resort until May (7 month out period). Sure hope we can still get into something nice.

So why is it I can go on-line at Disney's booking site and book a 2 BR at BLT, but at 8 months out, I can't get in as a DVC Home Resort owner??

At least the DW and me got a S-LV at BLT for a few days in Sept.

Thanks for hearing me out.

I share your frustrations! We own at BLT too and tried to book last week for BLT, and no availability. We're waitlisted too. Here's hoping for some pixie dust for all of us!

 

[Sammie]

The operative word that your guide used, was "should".

Welcome to DVC and the quick realization that guides are sales people and they sometimes skirt around the actual situations.

Early Dec for DVC is a peak time.

I agree, since this is your first booking call your guide and use your one time get your way ticket. After that you will come to realize if you want to book during the peak times you are going to have to call at 11 months out.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay and book early.

Things will only get worse as additional members are added, the competition increases, and Disney changes the DVC rules.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

Congratulations on your purchase. Since new inventory is always becoming available, I think you'll get what you want. However, I think you should contact your guide.

Bobbi

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We just did an add-on at BLT so we could get home resort priority specifically for that week.

We called mid-March and are waitlisted as well (1BR, 12/5-12/10). While I am disappointed, I was kind of expecting it and know that we'll get it next year as soon as the 11 mo. window opens. Also, it's not the end of the world for us to stay someplace else that trip.

You never know what will shift at the 7 month mark & your waitlist may come through. Also, keep in mind that all units have not been declared into DVC inventory and as more units are added waitlists may be filled.

 

[CharityLynn]

We booked at 7 months out for October and were waitlisted for the first 2 days of our trip. We just found out we got the wait list so we ahve all 5 days at BLT. So I am sending some of our pixie dust your way!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

No one can EVER guarantee you room availability.

 

[DenLo]

Sorry to your Welcome Home wasn't as good as you would wish.

It looks like your guide forgot to mention, that are exceptions to his generalized statement. If you have had a chance to look at the point charts, you'll notice that the points in the first two weeks of December and January are the lowest all year. You may not of known it before but many, if not most DVC members are always trying to stretch their points to stay more days at WDW. That means booking during Adventure Season.

Here's some pixiedust to help you with the wait list. And possibly getting the alternate resort you desire at the 7 month mark.

 

[dbs1228]

I called yesterday on a whim to go for DH b.day and was orginally looking for Dec 8 for 5 nights 1 bdrm BLT and the 8th and 9th were gone when I asked about checking in Dec 11 for 5 nights it was not a problem. I have a feeling at 7 month window some of the WL will come through.

Another experience I had this week was I was trying to book DD for a week in Aug (2 days ago) and all I could get was SSR or OKW nothing else for 1 full week in a studio or 1 bdrm I called back yesterday and MS said they had 1 preferred garden view studio for all 7 nights at BWV for those dates I snapped that up in a heart beat!

 

[bumbershoot]

So why is it ... I can't get in as a DVC Home Resort owner??

Because you and I are behind alllllll of the OTHER Bay Lake owners who actually booked at 11 months out.

Early Dec is really popular. If I had known that suddenly DH was going to express his interest in staying there for the 2 bedroom portion of our trip, I would have been on the phone 11 months out and I'd be sitting pretty. But he only came up with that idea in March, so I was behind everyone who had booked from last January.

I'm not convinced I'll get either of my waitlists, especially since I don't like calling them all that much (which they urged me to do even though I have the WLs), so I'll likely be switching to another resort at 7 months, and then our few days reserved in a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake (just not the preferred days!) will open up to someone else.

 

[peabody58]

Thank you all for the excellent replies. We will survive, and become more efficient planners as time rolls on. We will get to experience BLT in September, so all is not lost. And who knows, when we book in May for the Dec trip at another resort, we will have special experiences we might not have had a chance to enjoy before.

 

[toniosmom]

Thank you all for the excellent replies. We will survive, and become more efficient planners as time rolls on. We will get to experience BLT in September, so all is not lost. And who knows, when we book in May for the Dec trip at another resort, we will have special experiences we might not have had a chance to enjoy before.

That's a great attitude to have. I have come to realize that it doesn't really matter which DVC resort I stay in -- I'm on vacation!!! I will get to stay at them all one day.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thank you all for the excellent replies. We will survive, and become more efficient planners as time rolls on. We will get to experience BLT in September, so all is not lost. And who knows, when we book in May for the Dec trip at another resort, we will have special experiences we might not have had a chance to enjoy before.

One word of caution. Be VERY flexible and willing to get on the wait list if you don't find anything available in May for December. Early December is VERY popular with DVC, so most resorts will book up before the 7 month window is reached.

 

[dbs1228]

Thank you all for the excellent replies. We will survive, and become more efficient planners as time rolls on. We will get to experience BLT in September, so all is not lost. And who knows, when we book in May for the Dec trip at another resort, we will have special experiences we might not have had a chance to enjoy before.

We just joined dvc in Feb and I am so excited to try all resorts. I did book 1 bedroom from Dec 11 for 5 nights BLT home resort but now I am thinking about calling at 7 month and seeing what I can get for Dec 8 for 3 nights then move to the 1 bedroom for 3 nights, and canceling the later park of the stay. I would love to try to get AKV but I wanted to be near all the hotels/parks during Holiday time so decided to book home resort (a bit late) this maybe a blessing because even if AKV is not available I will go down the list. Roll the dice see what comes up and adventure begins!

 

[helloconnie]

December is a very popular time to stay. I called 2 weeks after the 11 month window opened. I could not get the first weekend of December and ended up with the second weekend. Even then, I was told space was very limited.