Booking strategy

[Minniesgal]

I want to book 4 nights in April 2016 at VGF. I have enough VGF points for a lake view studio or enough points for 2 nights in a 1 bedroom lakeview hoping to add on 2 nights at 7 months with AKV points

If I book the first two nights at 11 months using home resort points can I add on the other two nights as soon as the 7 month window opens up for my first night of my stay a I already have the first two nights or will I have to wait for the 7 month window of the first night I want to stay?

 

[cmrdgrs]

I want to book 4 nights in April 2016 at VGF. I have enough VGF points for a lake view studio or enough points for 2 nights in a 1 bedroom lakeview hoping to add on 2 nights at 7 months with AKV points

If I book the first two nights at 11 months using home resort points can I add on the other two nights as soon as the 7 month window opens up for my first night of my stay a I already have the first two nights or will I have to wait for the 7 month window of the first night I want to stay?

So are you more interested in the 1 bdrm over the studio? Or is booking the 1 bdrm your backup plan if you can't get the studio?

IMO, and I could be wrong, but I think that if you book the first two nights in the 1 bdrm in the 11th month owner window, you can't add to that reservation in the 7 month window until that window opens -- no, I don't think you would get a 2 day advantage because you have a standing reservation in the 11 month window. I'd call MS and pose this question. It certainly is a situation that I have never run across or ever seen asked before.

Also, your dates are after Easter, but you are still in Magic Season, so it will potentially be a competitive time to be booking your room. However, the fact that you want a 1 bdrm will bode in your favor (I believe).

Happy planning!

 

[Minniesgal]

I have never stayed in a studio as we normally travelled as a family of 5 but we are three this time and I was thinking 1 bedroom but will be happy with the studio at 11 months if I can book it. I am just a bit worried about availability at the busy time

What you said about adding on the two nights was what I suspected

 

[cmrdgrs]

I own at VGF too and I have just gone through the early December booking window, I must admit, it was crazy. But, April booking may not be as bad. How about considering a VGF transfer? To be clear I'm not soliciting, just making a suggestion to look on the R/T/T board if you think that might work for you. I don't know how many points you would be short, but that could be an idea too. I personally hate not having my vacation room secured, but others take it more in stride.

I'd also check with DVC MS on your booking question, but I suspect we are both right. How about booking a full week with your AKV points at the 7th window at the VGF to overlap the dates you need and then dropping those nights you don't need an merging the reservations? Do you have enough points to do that?

Just trying to brainstorm with you

 

[Minniesgal]

We are staying at AKV earlier it is in premier season and once we get to VGF we are Into to magic season with a cruise in between. Do you think availability would be easier for VGF in premier season? I'm not worried if I have to book the 1 bedroom I'll boom the last two Botha at Kidani just trying to figure my strategy

Thanks for your advise

 

[cmrdgrs]

We are staying at AKV earlier it is in premier season and once we get to VGF we are Into to magic season with a cruise in between. Do you think availability would be easier for VGF in premier season? I'm not worried if I have to book the 1 bedroom I'll boom the last two Botha at Kidani just trying to figure my strategy

Thanks for your advise

No, I think trying for a studio in March will be more difficult than April. As you probably know, March is when a lot of schools are on Spring Break/Easter Break. And depending on when you go on your cruise, Easter is on Sunday, March 27th.

I was able to book at 8:00am the day my booking window opened for early December. But, I belong to "the other board" too and there were VGF owners over there talking about not being able to get their early Dec dates. However, it is also my understanding that most of the fixed weeks DVD sold were in Dec, so it is hard to say how that impacted early December booking and how many studios were taken out of inventory at this time due to fixed weeks.

If you have to call DVC MS to cancel your AKV reservation and switch to a 1 bdrm at VGF hopefully the timing will line up for you.

Have a great time on your cruise and a terrific stay at VGF! I hope it all works out for you exactly as you want

 

[Minniesgal]

Hmm I'm thinking a 55 point add on is the solution