BWV 2br preferred in late Aug - HOW ARE MY CHANCES?

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We just got back from VWL and are already planning a trip for Aug 25th- Sept 3rd and considering BWV for the first time. We would be booking at the 7-month window, and looking for a 2BR with a Boardwalk view (ideally).

For BWVers out there willing to share their experiences...
1) are we crazy thinking we could get this at a 7mo window?
2) how long a walk is it to Epcot? MGM?
3) how can we expect crowds to be around Labor Day weekend? I noticed TGM only showed it as 3 out of 5 crowd level and was surprised (pleasantly!)

THANKS ALL!!
Carolyn

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I just posted this in "Operations" and just realized it probably belonged here more... sorry!


We just got back from VWL and are already planning a trip for Aug 25th- Sept 3rd and considering BWV for the first time. We would be booking at the 7-month window, and looking for a 2BR with a Boardwalk view (ideally).

For BWVers out there willing to share their experiences...
1) are we crazy thinking we could get this at a 7mo window?
2) how long a walk is it to Epcot? MGM?
3) how can we expect crowds to be around Labor Day weekend? I noticed TGM only showed it as 3 out of 5 crowd level and was surprised (pleasantly!)

THANKS ALL!!
Carolyn
_________________

 

[jekjones1558]

1) I think you will have a good chance. Call day-by-day if you can
2) Walk to Epcot about 10-12 minutes. Walk to MGM about 20 minutes.
3) So many kids are just back to school that many parents are reluctant to have them miss, thus crowds are not that bad.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Boardwalk view is a difficult catagory to get at 7 month out, but since that is about the time schools start across most of the country, you might actually have a slight chance if you don't mind going on a waitlist and taking chances. I would book at your home resort now and try to switch at the 7 month mark.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I think booking BWV for a 2 bedroom with a Boardwalk View, Labor Day Week at 7 months is going to be very difficult.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought I just answered this, but I don't see my post, so here goes again. I think Boardwalk view will be difficult at the 7 month window, but if you don't mind going on a waitlist, you might have luck, sinc that is Labor Day weekend and the tradtitional start of school in many areas. I would advise getting a reservation at the 11 month window at your home resort and then switching if it's available.

 

[dznymom1]

I don't think you would have too much trouble booking a 2br preferred, but getting the coveted Boardwalk View in most any season is difficult at 7 months. As was suggested, you could try the waitlist but with a long stay it can be tough to string together all the nights. Remember, Boardwalk is a great resort whether you get BW, preferred or standard view!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thanks to all for your help!

To CarolAnnC: is it just the view part that you think would be very difficult, or getting a 2BR at BWV at all at 7mo at that time?

So to make sure I understand, I would book BWV with whatever view I could get (which most seem to think would be fairly reasonable to expect), and ask for waitlist for BW view should it become available? I'm so new to this, with only one DVC trip under my belt!

Also, does calling daily really seem to help my chances? I could just see being so stressed out each day making the call worrying that this day would not be available! LOL

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do not think that you will have a problem getting into the BWV during that time. The benefit to calling day by day at 7 months is that if there is a small number available for any given day, you will be "there" to book it on the first day it is available to non-owners.

You can ask on the first day you call, how availability looks and then decide. I would call day to day. You would be paying the same rate as preferred view, and be one of the lucky ones to get the view. I own at BWV, have not had a BW view but will with a GV in June. If the view is as good as it sounds, we may become converts. Until this time, I was a day to day caller for SV!

Bobbi

 

[CarolMN]

Just so no one thinks they're "seeing things", I merged the two threads.

 

[kimberh]

OP, Try to be first on the call line to MS. I have had a 2 bedroom at Boardwalk almost disappear. MS said," I need to grab this real quick!" It was the last one for the timeframe that I needed. I would have a back up reservation booked at 11 months at my home resort.

 

[crisi]

I think a room at the Boardwalk won't be difficult, I think getting a Boardwalk View will be a low probability.

Remember that Boardwalk has approximately 20% of the resort as standard, approximately 20% as Boardwalk View and the remaining 60% are preferred. Since "preferred" view is indeed an oxymoron, and almost everyone will book Boardwalk or Standard if they are available, the resort has to be less than half booked at seven months for those views to be available. And its probable that the majority of Boardwalk owners own at the Boardwalk to take advantage of the view categories.

Our choices as Boardwalk owners are:

Most trips: Standard, Boardwalk, Preferred
Bringing special guest: Boardwalk, Standard, Preferred

We almost always book eleven months out, and I almost aways am prepared to take my second or third choice.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Thanks to all for your help!

To CarolAnnC: is it just the view part that you think would be very difficult, or getting a 2BR at BWV at all at 7mo at that time?

I think the fact that your stay includes Labor Day will make it more of a challenge for you. I would have backup choices, maybe two studios, or perhaps BCV? I don't think the Boardwalk view will be available for any room size though at 7 months out especially with the holiday.

Holidays are always busier times for DVC Resorts. Good luck to you!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Hmmm... ok... I think I'll research BCV, too. We also loved VWL and wouldn't mind staying there again at all. Hopefully between these we won't have a problem with a 2BR!

Thanks to all for the help!!

 

[puggymom]

Not Labor Day, but I was able to book a BWview one bedroom just past the 7 month mark for February 10th -15th. (I just bought and was waiting to close, that's why I booked so late even though I own at BW).