Booking WLV at 7 months (not home resort)

[mantry]

Howdy, we are torn between buying about 160-180 pts at AKV or WLV.

The question: If our home resort were AKV, What are other peoples EXPERIENCE (not opinion) on Booking WLV at the 7 month mark? Meaning WLV was not our home resort.

We would be in a Studio or 1 Bedroom(if we had extra points built up that we needed to use or loose).

We typically always travel for the Christmas Holidays on the Sat/Sun after Thanksgiving for a week. Or the next week.

Our past travel dates:
May 10th 2010 4 nts
May 8th 2010 2 nts
Oct 17 2009 5 nts
April 30th 2009 5 nts
Dec 10th 2008 3 nts
May 16th 2008 3 nts
Dec 7th 2007 8 nts
Dec 3rd 2004 9 nts

We thought we were already to go with a RESALE of AKV and figured based on the dates that we travel, typically value season that we would be fine either getting AKV at the 11th month or WLV at the 7th month. But, my wife talked with a Disney DVC guide today and he stated that WLV are the #3 resort in popularity, behind BCV and BWV and that it may be very difficult to get into WLV at the 7th month point. Disney DVC was offering WLV @ $102/pt and AKV @ $112/pt and suggested splitting points say 100 pts at one and 60 pts at the other or 80/80.

Thoughts?
Actual Experience?
Opinions?

Our theory is that we would not be disapointed with either resort, but may be a little disapointed if AKV were our home resort that we could NEVER get into WLV at somepoint. We were thinking we could always book AKV at the 11 month and then check availability at WLV if we wanted to stay there at the 7 month point and if it were available we would switch to there.

ALL APPRECIATED!!!! Thank you!

 

[Sammie]

If you are wanting VWL for anything in December home resort is very important.

 

[kimberh]

VWL is the smallest of all the DVC Resorts. I would think Very hard if not impossible to get in Dec and several other times of the year.

 

[BigTigger]

We've had luck over the years getting 1 BR's at WLV, but never 2 BR's inside the 7 month window. Our travel periods were usually late July/early August, or late October.

 

[bookwormde]

It sounds like VWL is what you need , and remember resale you can get it for about 75% of the cost of AKV

bookwormde

 

[kimberh]

VWL is the first DVC Resort that I bought and I bought it resale. Very happy with it. I also own at AKV's. Just a thought, maybe split the points and bank and borrow for your stays. See if that will be enough points for the time frame you are wanting to go.

 

[SEC]

We own at WLV and bought into because it is the smallest resort and we love the Christmas decorations. December could be hard to get at 7 months.

 

[mantry]

Thanks so far for the replies.

Keep in mind we are talking about the "Adventure" and the "Choice" season, the two lowest point/demand times. We are not talking the week OF Thanksgiving or Christmas.

But as I mentioned that is why I'm asking..

Other details:
For WLV:
Rooms: 136 (max 181)
Dedicated Studio: 20
Dedicated One Bedroom: 27
Dedicated Two Bedroom: 44
Lockoff Two Bedroom:
(Each can be booked separately as One Bedroom + Studio)
45
Three Bedroom Grand Villa: 0

Buildings: 1
Units per building: 136

For AKV:
Rooms: 458 (max 708)
Dedicated Studio: 46
Dedicated One Bedroom: 0
Dedicated Two Bedroom: 140
Lockoff Two Bedroom:
(Each can be booked separately as One Bedroom + Studio)
250
Three Bedroom Grand Villa: 22
Buildings: 2
Units per building: 134 Jambo House; 324 Kidani Village (scheduled opening May 1, 2009)

Because we want a Studio at WLV there are only 65(20+45) Studios and at AKV there are 296(46+250).

We initially were set on WLV but then because AKV was cheaper and had more years on the contract had thought we would get that and wouldn't have a problem booking WLV at 7 months, again BASED ON THE TIMES WE USUALLY GO.
I guess I could call them up right now and ask about "RENTING" Studios at WLV during those times. Actually looking at booking either online for 11/28/10 - 12/4/10 and WLV is NOT available but AKV is.

So is it worth it for the extra years at AKV and the cheaper upfront costs? (Less than $10/pt difference * 160~ points = $1600.00)

 

[wildernessDad]

The lowest point times for VWL at around Christmas time are extremely popular and book up fast. It would be very hard to consistently get a reservation at that time at the 7 month point.

You will be disappointed if you are trying to get a reservation at VWL during that time every year. If you have to stay there during that time, then I would buy points there.

 

[cbnsoul]

We just added on 50 points at VWL for the very reason you are asking. We stayed there on a cash reservation and fell in love with the resort. I knew I'd want to visit fequently in early December and thought that it would be tough to get a reservation if it wasn't our home resort. We bought direct through Disney because I couldn't find a small contract with our use year. There may be an additional $2 per point discount through the end of September according to a report I saw on a different DVC discount but the details were sketchy although it did say you had to ask for it to get it.

 

[mantry]

Did you add 50 pts to some that you already had a VWL? Or can you explain how those 50 pts help you out in this situation.

Thanks so much folks, we'll get this figured out eventually. We will be buying somewhere sometime just want to make sure its the best choice.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

All of Thanksgiving - NYE is exceeding popular at VWL. Unless you get extremely lucky, it's near impossible to book as a non owner

For DVC, low point season is not always the same as low popularity. In particular, early December is very popular. As VWL is viewed by many as the most Christmassy of resorts, it is even more popular than the rest.

 

[Hopefully]

It is important to remember that DVC "seasons" do not equate to high demand times for reservations. Lower point "seasons" are high demand. For example, December is a low cost season, but very high demand time for DVC reservations.
If VWL in December is your dream, you most likely need the 11 month advantage.
Good Luck

 

[crisi]

As people are stating, low points does not equal low demand - generally, its the opposite. That's probably one of the top things to know about DVC before buying - its a mistake a lot of people make - particularly with the October to December timeframe. DVCers like a bargain and October and Early December are often harder to get than the high point period over the 4th of July or Easter week.

 

[DenLo]

It is important to remember that DVC "seasons" do not equate to high demand times for reservations. Lower point "seasons" are high demand. For example, December is a low cost season, but very high demand time for DVC reservations.
If VWL in December is your dream, you most likely need the 11 month advantage.
Good Luck

Couldn't of said it better. Low point times often mean high DVC use times. DVC members are always looking for ways to stretch their points. October and December are perfect examples of when it's hard to get a DVC reservation at 7 months but per the charts are less busy months.