California DVC Owners

[rbcheek]

We live on the west coast, and although we have only had 4 years as members, we have found that it is not so easy to get the reservations we want. But we have found it is impossible to get on the member cruises on DCL.
We even tried to get into the random drawing they had this year, but were not picked.
Any one else from the west coast get the reservations they ask for as thier number 1 choice?

 

[ACDSNY]

I haven't tried reservations for the cruise, but I've gotten all our reservations for DLR and BWV, SSR, and VB on the first tries with no problems.

 

[Longhairbear]

We have never had a problem getting our first choice, at any of the WDW properties, except when we try booking at the last minute, and ended up with our alternate choice.
The Disneyland hotels have been running at 98% capacity for over a year now, and we did have some trouble booking at the 2 month window. Otherwise, we have booked at all three hotels at Disneyland with no problem.

 

[jemiaule]

Hrm,, sounds like maybe you have had some bad luck. I am not sure how far in advance you call for ressies and what you ask for - that determines a lot on what kind of room will be available...if any.

So far we have gotten the ressies we want and we got picked for the lottery for the members cruise. We haven't been members long so maybe we have just been fortunate.

We put ourselves on the waiting list in September for a 2 bedroom from 11/26 to 12/3 and got our waiting list after a couple of weeks. Hav eyou tried wait listing if the dates you want are not available?

 

[rbcheek]

I glad no one else has had the problems we have had, it gives us hope for our future plans. We usually try to make reservations for the first day it is available to us.
Anyway, maybe we will have better luck in the future.
By the way, has any other California owners wondered how many of us there are?

 

[ACDSNY]

Yes, it would be interesting to know how many DVC owners are from CA. I'm one of them that's hoping we'll see a DVC at DLR in the near future.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I've never tried for a DCL member cruise. But for all my other reservations, I have always gotten them. Even this past Christmas I reserved at VWL (not my home resort) at the 7 month. I did call day by day even though the rep said that it wasn't necessary. Have you tried waitlisting for your stays when they are booked?

 

[rbcheek]

I've not tried waitlisting, but perhaps I will, but how long do you have to wait to see if you can go? I don't like making quick plans, especially getting airline tickets at the last minute.

Also, I still want to see more California owners reply.
I had heard that after the Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge were done, the next resort was going to be built in Anaheim. Anyone else hear that?

 

[TravelingJen24]

We have gotten a two bedroom in the fall the last three years in a row, at OKW, BCV, and VWL. We always call as soon as we can. I'm sure it also depends on what time of the year that you pick.
I think that this year we will use our points somewhere else because I don't want to pay 500 a ticket to fly over there. Any suggestions?

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

We've owned DVC for just over a year now. We've made 3 reservations for WDW and DL and got our first choice of dates/locations/room types with no problems. I did put in for the DVC Cruise and was not chosen, but luckily we had a cruise planned piggybacked onto a 1 week SSR WDW vacation in January. I'm the type that plans way ahead, and we often travel during non-peak times so maybe that is why we've been so lucky. Keep trying!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I've not tried waitlisting, but perhaps I will, but how long do you have to wait to see if you can go? I don't like making quick plans, especially getting airline tickets at the last minute.

I've never waitlisted because I call at the 11 month window. I get up with the early birds too to make that call. When are you calling and what time of year did you not find what you are looking for? Have you tried calling day by day instead? If I want to stay at another resort other than my own, I make reservations at my home resort at the 11 month window. This way I can make my airline reservations. Then, at 7 months I get them switched. So far no problems.

Disney did try to build at where Marriott Newport Beach is located right now. I doubt Disney will build in California because California law requires all timeshares to be owned forever. I don't think you can be a leasehold. So unless they found a loop hole around that I doubt they will build in California.

 

[allison k]

CA owner here too! Although, not very long - just a year! We were successful in booking at the 6 month window for Spring Break at BWV, and it was our first choice. And, with our stay at DL this year, we pushed our trip out a week when the GC was booked up solid on Sunday the 3rd. But, that was booking in September, so we were cutting it pretty close. I'm wondering if you unknowingly pick the most popular resort/room type for the time of year you're traveling.

BTW - My DB works for WDI, and said that one of the future plans for DLR is a DVC. This was noted in a presentation for the employees. Not sure when, but it is a definite plan. Of course, he's more excited about the DCA improvements. More job security for him!

 

[Dizneyholic]

Another Cali owner here (Ontario Airport area). We have been DVC members for about 2 years now. Normally we haven't had any trouble getting our 1st choice. However, we called first thing at the 7 month mark for a 1 bedroom at BWV and were waitlisted. I did make a back up ressie at OKW just in case and thankfuly I did because we leave in a few days and our waitlist never came through. I understand the 1st week of Dec is a busy time for DVC but I figured we'd be safe calling 1st thing. Oh well, we stayed at OKW in May and really liked it so it's really not a big deal. Just was a little excited to try a new place.

Anyone going to be there 12/3-12/9?? Or is anyone going to the Mega Mouse Meet? Would love to meet some Diser's!!!

 

[rbcheek]

Well first off, it's great to see Caifornia owners respond to this thread.

My work schedule ( 6 days a week, early morning to early evening) prevents me from being able to call for my reservations, so we usually have to make them online. The one time we got exactly what we wanted, was at our home resort (VB), in May of '05.
Now don't get me wrong, we have always ended up with great accomadations, and we will continue to go to WDW as long as flight costs are reasonable.
It's great to see that DVC has increased their hours to accomodate us west coasters, and I'm sure they will continue to support us in more ways.

by the way, my trips have been;

PO 9/98 (1st trip to WDW)
AKL 9/02 (best resort we've ever been in)
OKW 12/03 (1st year as member)
DCL & VB 5/05
BCV - 4/06
OKW 12/06 (coming up - yayy!)

 

[barbarabee]

Another CA DVCer here (Sacramento)...

The on-line reservation is probably your biggest problem, I've never used it, but I get the impression that it is looked at only occasionally, that phone in requests get first priority. I have only once not been able to get the room I wanted, which is no surprise since my preferred room is a Boardwalk view studio at BWV, which is pretty hard to get. Always try the waitlist, it doesn't hurt! Usually, the waitlist comes through within a month or so after making the reservation, which still allows plenty of time to make airplane reservations.

No interest in the cruise, so I can't help you there. I always book right at the 11-month and 7-month marks, which definitely helps.

 

[Barreras Family]

Hi all,

Another Ontario Airport area family here as well. We haven't really had any problems getting the reservations we wanted. Although I am neurotic about making them at the crack of dawn at the 11 or 7 month windows. I have been waitlisted only once and that was for a change to a current reservation. Like I said I'm neurotic but it does help.

We haven't even tried to book the Member Cruise. We are going on our first DCL cruise next year and decided to make cash ressies. The whole hassle of a points reservation was driving me nuts. Ironically our cruise is leaving the day the Member Cruise returns, the luck.

Rudy

 

[Dizneyholic]

Hi Rudy

We are in Rancho Cucamonga as well. All these people on the Dis and it's still a small world after all!!!

 

[Orlanr]

We never have problems getting Florida rooms, we go at the first day of our window. We have never been able to get a room at DL, always booked solid. We are from the Monterey area.

 

[andriade]

San Dimas, CA here! This will be our second trip using points at WDW. We have owned a year and a half. I always get my home resort, OKW, at the 11 month window. Never had a problem and we went during DVC busy times. We leave in 11 days. We are staying at BCV this time and at BWV last time. We waitlisted both times. Both came through. This year came through WAY earlier than last year. There is hope! I always call at the crack of dawn though!

Good luck fellow Californian!

 

[mnasf]

We've only gone once and booked at the 11 month window. Got exactly what we wanted. Never tried for the cruise. We're San Francisco area.