Busiest DVC times

[maxtomsmom]

I was wondering if the busier times like the Magic Season is just as busy for DVC members or do most members go during off season. When is it high season for DVC members (other than premier season)? Does anyone know or know where I can find this information? Thanks

 

[alldiz]

The 1st 2 weeks of Dec are probably the busiest besides xmas and easter.

Whenever the kids are out of school it is busy.

Sept is probably one of the slowest times.
Kerri

 

[CarolMN]

Just to clarify: DVC resorts are almost always full for all seasons of the year. Some seasons book up farther in advance than others, though.

The times that book more quickly do not necessarily correspond to the times that the parks are busy. Summertime is a busy time in the parks, but DVC resorts do not book up as quickly for that time as they do for other times (like the first two weeks of December). However, the DVC resorts will be full by the time your summer vacation arrives.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Just to clarify: DVC resorts are almost always full for all seasons of the year. Some seasons book up farther in advance than others, though.

The times that book more quickly do not necessarily correspond to the times that the parks are busy. Summertime is a busy time in the parks, but DVC resorts do not book up as quickly for that time as they do for other times (like the first two weeks of December). However, the DVC resorts will be full by the time your summer vacation arrives.

Thanks for the clarification. This is what I meant. I was curious this and wanting to keep it in mind for future planning.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for the clarification. This is what I meant. I was curious this and wanting to keep it in mind for future planning.

With some exceptions, booking your home resort before the 7 month window opens is not an issue. "Hard to Book" is mostly a discussion for the 7 month window and the smaller WDW DVC resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV). Booking the VB & HHI resorts is a separate discussion. AKV is still too new (and not finished) to have much history.

There is almost always availability at 7 months for SSR & OKW. Those are the largest WDW DVC resorts. The only real exception to that are the Grand Villas, especially those at OKW which cost less points than those anywhere else. Getting a GV at 7 months is difficult most times of the year.

In general:

VWL are more difficult beginning the week of Thanksgiving through the week that contains New Year's Day.

BCV and BWV are more difficult beginning in October (Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT) through mid-January (after marathon weekend).

Standard view and guaranteed Boardwalk view units are especially difficult during the above times and difficult all times of the year.

Concierge units at AKV are virtually impossible. They are almost always booked with waitlists long before the 7 month window opens. (There are only 5 2-bedroom lock off units in this category. So depending on how they are rented, the number of concierge units ranges from 5 - 10).

At the BCV, the 2 bedroom units with two queen beds in the second bedroom (as opposed to 1 queen and a sleep sofa) are difficult all times of the year, and especially difficult during the months listed above.

In general, January through mid-February, May & September are the easier months to book if you are using the 7 month window. Grand Villas anywhere seem to book very fast. Studios and 2 bedroom units book faster than 1 bedroom units.

Difficult does not mean impossible. But it does mean that you'd better not waste any time. When the 7 month window opens, many members will call day by day right at 9 Eastern (when MS opens) to book units at the smaller DVC resorts. Many will have to waitlist for what they want.

Some specific unit types have little to no availability at 7 months and are virtually impossible to get at 7 months for some times of the year. Members who own at those resorts call day by day to get them and there are usually waitlists established for them long before the 7 month window opens. Examples of those include standard view and Boardwalk view units at the BWV during early December and concierge units (all sizes) at the AKL(all times of the year). There just aren't many of those types to begin with and you need to own at the resort to have any assurance of getting one.

FWIW, I expect the Savanna view units at the AKV to fall somewhere between OKW & BWV in "7 month difficulty" . I think the value and standard view units (which cost less in points) will be difficult to get at 7 months.

There are exceptions to everything, but the above is pretty much the way it has been the last few years. Again, this applies only to the WDW DVC resorts. VB & HHI have their own versions of the above.

P.S. I think booking the smaller resorts at 7 months is more difficult now than it has been in the past. IMHO, this is due both to the growth of DVC and to the developer points incentive. Prior to the incentive, I don't think Disney was able to rent all of the developer points via CRO and so DVC rooms sat empty. Now that those points are in the hands of actual members, they are getting "used to the max" and creating more competition for space at 7 months.

 

[Billybob7]

VB & HHI have their own versions of the above.

Can you tell me how hard it is to book HHI at 7 months? Specifically for a studio Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Can you tell me how hard it is to book HHI at 7 months? Specifically for a studio Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks!

Hoping someone else will answer this for you. I have no experience with HHI. I do know it is very hard to get a summer reservation if you use the 7 month window, but have no idea about Memorial Day weekend.

 

[PhantomBlot]

CarolMN -

Great info...thanks

 

[marvali]

Carol....WOW, that is a great rundown. I will use that info in the future when planning our trips....of course, subject to change without notice....LOL.

 

[disneykim17]

My DH and I are using our DVC for the first time the third week in September. I wanted to get opinons on the chances of getting BWV BP view at this time, or will I need to waitlist.

 

[spiceycat]

would expect Thanksgiving to be hard to get forever. Holiday week on most choice points - with 3 days - wed, thur, fri on magic points.

BWV standard view is generally difficult - not impossible - just diffcult

of course another thing on your side with more members, more cancelations.

 

[maxtomsmom]

With some exceptions, booking your home resort before the 7 month window opens is not an issue. "Hard to Book" is mostly a discussion for the 7 month window and the smaller WDW DVC resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV). Booking the VB & HHI resorts is a separate discussion. AKV is still too new (and not finished) to have much history.

There is almost always availability at 7 months for SSR & OKW. Those are the largest WDW DVC resorts. The only real exception to that are the Grand Villas, especially those at OKW which cost less points than those anywhere else. Getting a GV at 7 months is difficult most times of the year.

In general:

VWL are more difficult beginning the week of Thanksgiving through the week that contains New Year's Day.

BCV and BWV are more difficult beginning in October (Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT) through mid-January (after marathon weekend).

Standard view and guaranteed Boardwalk view units are especially difficult during the above times and difficult all times of the year.

Concierge units at AKV are virtually impossible. They are almost always booked with waitlists long before the 7 month window opens. (There are only 5 2-bedroom lock off units in this category. So depending on how they are rented, the number of concierge units ranges from 5 - 10).

At the BCV, the 2 bedroom units with two queen beds in the second bedroom (as opposed to 1 queen and a sleep sofa) are difficult all times of the year, and especially difficult during the months listed above.

In general, January through mid-February, May & September are the easier months to book if you are using the 7 month window. Grand Villas anywhere seem to book very fast. Studios and 2 bedroom units book faster than 1 bedroom units.

Difficult does not mean impossible. But it does mean that you'd better not waste any time. When the 7 month window opens, many members will call day by day right at 9 Eastern (when MS opens) to book units at the smaller DVC resorts. Many will have to waitlist for what they want.

Some specific unit types have little to no availability at 7 months and are virtually impossible to get at 7 months for some times of the year. Members who own at those resorts call day by day to get them and there are usually waitlists established for them long before the 7 month window opens. Examples of those include standard view and Boardwalk view units at the BWV during early December and concierge units (all sizes) at the AKL(all times of the year). There just aren't many of those types to begin with and you need to own at the resort to have any assurance of getting one.

FWIW, I expect the Savanna view units at the AKV to fall somewhere between OKW & BWV in "7 month difficulty" . I think the value and standard view units (which cost less in points) will be difficult to get at 7 months.

There are exceptions to everything, but the above is pretty much the way it has been the last few years. Again, this applies only to the WDW DVC resorts. VB & HHI have their own versions of the above.

P.S. I think booking the smaller resorts at 7 months is more difficult now than it has been in the past. IMHO, this is due both to the growth of DVC and to the developer points incentive. Prior to the incentive, I don't think Disney was able to rent all of the developer points via CRO and so DVC rooms sat empty. Now that those points are in the hands of actual members, they are getting "used to the max" and creating more competition for space at 7 months.

CarolMN - you are awesome. This is exactly the info I was looking for. I know things do and will change, but it gives me an idea of what to expect. Oddly, we were able to get a 1bedroom at VWL for this upcoming April. We're split staying with our home resort which is SSR. Beginner's luck . I wasn't expecting to be able book any resort other than our home which I knew had a lot availability. I was just wondering if many DVC members liked to book during the more off season so they can get more bang for their point.

Your info will help me decide when we plan to add onto our points (something we won't do for a few years - still have to pay the last two grand off this one. )Thanks again.

 

[katied]

Memorial day weekend- I have a trip booked over Memorial day. I booked day by day at the 11 month at my home resort (BWV) I then called at the 7 month to switch (BCV). I could get everything but the Sunday before Memorial day. So - I have a split stay - 1st 2 days at BWV, and rest of the trip at BCV.

I was told the Sunday before Memorial Day is one of the busiest days, and generally always sold out before 7 month window.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Memorial day weekend- I have a trip booked over Memorial day. I booked day by day at the 11 month at my home resort (BWV) I then called at the 7 month to switch (BCV). I could get everything but the Sunday before Memorial day. So - I have a split stay - 1st 2 days at BWV, and rest of the trip at BCV.

I was told the Sunday before Memorial Day is one of the busiest days, and generally always sold out before 7 month window.

This is interesting. We're going on a family DCL cruise next year, after BCV family stay, and the rest of the family will be going home, DH and I want one more day at WDW, and at the BCV. That's the Sunday before Memorial day, so I know I will be booking it 11 months out!

Bobbi