Buying but wondering...

[disneyhutson]

I happened to read that if you want to stay in a Studio at another resort other than your "home" resort it is almost impossible at the 7 month mark. Is this true we are buying a min. amount of points that will work for studios but not one bedrooms. Now concerned if we should even purchase.

Thank you

 

[luckyman_apd]

No...Not always true. There are always busy times where it will be next to impossible to book certain resorts....but in general, no...you can book other studios at 7 months out. BUT....it's never guaranteed. We just booked 3 nights in 3 studios at AKV for June and we own at BLT.. Had to waitlist one of the nights for one of the rooms, but it came through. There are certain resorts/booking categories that are almost always booked up at 7 months by home resort owners. BLT theme park view and standard view....AKV concierge level.....BCV and BWV during food and wine festival will be next to impossible.

Sometimes you may want to stay for a week, and only 5 nights are open. That can happen, but there is always the waitlist.....and waitlists are never guaranteed...but they do come through for many.

 

[disneyhutson]

No...Not always true. There are always busy times where it will be next to impossible to book certain resorts....but in general, no...you can book other studios at 7 months out. BUT....it's never guaranteed. We just booked 3 nights in 3 studios at AKV for June and we own at BLT.. Had to waitlist one of the nights for one of the rooms, but it came through. There are certain resorts/booking categories that are almost always booked up at 7 months by home resort owners. BLT theme park view and standard view....AKV concierge level.....BCV and BWV during food and wine festival will be next to impossible.

Sometimes you may want to stay for a week, and only 5 nights are open. That can happen, but there is always the waitlist.....and waitlists are never guaranteed...but they do come through for many.

Thank you so much ..we we're ready to purchase BUT once I read someone say STUDIO's were next to impossible to book I worried ...we are easy and will take any of the great DVC options just need some where to end the day.

 

[BillPA]

You should buy where you won't mind staying. So, don't buy at Vero or HHI if you only want to stay at WDW.
We have 3 home resorts, but often stay at the other resorts. It is usually not a problem if you 'switch' right at 7 months.

 

[nkosiek]

I'd do a lot of research about this topic. Most people who are trying at 7 months have already booked their home resort beforehand so that they have someplace to stay if they can't switch. As the previous poster mentioned, time of year will be the biggest factor in going to a non-home resort. Trying to swtich to VGF anytime appears to be very hard. BWV/BCV during F&W and Star Wars Weekends, darn near impossible. Anywhere the first week of December, very hard. Christmastime switching, again very hard. Middle of July, easy. Busy times for DVC does not always match up with busy time for Disney World.

You'll be happier if you book your home resort and then switch out at 7 months rather than just waiting until 7 months and not getting in anywhere.

 

[bwvBound]

You've received good advice in this thread. FWIW, we own SSR and enjoyed 4 nights at AKV (Studio, Kidani Savannah view) in early Dec 2014 and 9 nights at BWV (studio, garden view) in late Jan 2015. Both reservations were booked right at/near the 7-month window. I needed to use the waitlist for one night of the AKV reservation.

So:
* Don't plan on booking Grand Floridian or Poly studios for years to come if these aren't your home resort.
* Don't plan on booking non-home resort studios at the 7-month window over holidays or 'host resorts' for key events (RunDisney, F&W, etc.).
* Do be ready to book your non-home resort studio reservations right at the 7-month window.
* Do use the waitlist!
* Do have "backup" strategies : book your home resort; book a hotel; etc.
* Do be fully aware of cancellation policies and repercussions.
* Do be fully versed on banking/borrowing policies and repercussions.

 

[DebbieB]

I own at BWV and have stayed at every WDW DVC except SSR, plus VGC. Always got what I wanted at 7 months. Mostly in the spring, not busy times. My fall trips are always BWV at 11 months, that's why I bought there.

 

[zavandor]

I think that as the system expands, availability at the 7 months mark will increase over time at all resorts. But also, most availability will be gone shortly after: competition at the 7 months mark will be more and more ferocius.
Until now I've used my SSR points at VGC, AKV (value) and OKW during marathon week end. All difficult booking categories. But it required walking reservations, travel during slow DVC time, waitlist and a lot of flexibility. And a solid Plan B (I would be happy to stay at SSR anyway).

 

[disneyhutson]

Perfect, thank each of you. This has been very helpful..we shall see if I can book Dec. 15th-22nd of this year!