booking non-home resorts

[sunking]

i am considering buying into vwl for 200 points...we would be able to book at vwl 11 months out and at other dvc resorts 7 months out...in your experience, are you generally able to get something at another resort when your 7 month window begins or is this like trying to get a seat at cindys royal table where you have to call the morning of...
just curious...
thanx in advance...
sunking

 

[dianeschlicht]

There is usually something available at another resort, it just might not be what you were hoping for. Things also open up later on, so you can make a ressie and go on a wait list for what you desire.

 

[Granny]

Also, like anything else, it will depend on the time of the year. My understanding is that DVC busy times do not necessarily correspond completely with WDW Resort busy times.

Also, dianeschlicht makes a great point about flexibility. If you can have some flexibility on which resort you stay at, or what kind of accommodation, you have a better chance.

If you know you are going at a particular time for sure, the safest way is to book your home resort at the 11 month window. Then try to switch at 7 months. You will have your home resort as a back up in case the wait list for the other home doesn't come through.

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV but have been able to get OKW (1 bedroom) in early/mid May with no problem. What I usually do is call on the first day and ask what the availability looks like for the week. They always say it's wide open, so I just wait until the 7 month point of the checkout day and book the entire reservation. That's not a busy time, so I don't bother making a backup reservation at 11 months. From what I've heard, OKW is the easiest of the 3 WDW DVC resorts to get a reservation. There's so many rooms there.

 

[BobH]

I am sure it depends on the time you want to travel but I own at OKW and I have booked Vero Beach for the first week of June only 2 months out in 2001. I also have Hilton Head booked for the week of May 19th in 2002. I reserved Hilton Head at the 7 month window. I understand from reading these boards that Hilton Head is tough to book in the summer if you don't own there. I have friends who own at OKW that have successfully booked Vero Beach in February over Presidents day, but they are usually put on a wait list and have to wait for a cancellation. Hope this helps give you a perspective.

 

[Synonymous]

I own at BWV. At 7 months this year, I made a reservation for 1 week in a VWL one-bedroom for this coming February. No problem. I also got a VWL studio at the end of this past September for 2 nights on one week's notice.

 

[Snowgod]

We have only owned DVC for a year, but have booked 12/16 - 21/01 at non-home resorts (3 days BWV and 2 days OKW) at the 7 month window, no problem. Just finishing up June/July 2002 ressies; booked at home resort (VB) at 11 months, and have been switching day by day to VWL. Again, no problems. Just did an add-on with VWL points, after falling in love with WL last year. Can't wait to go home!

Hope this helps.

 

[lsutigger]

Similar experience here. Own at VB, booked at VWL for first week of Oct in studio at 7 month window (on exactly the checkout date) with no problem. Called as soon as MS opened, got a really nice CM, was done with complete reservation in 10 minutes. Was way easy!! Hope it is this way all the time.