Chances of booking 7 months out for a 2 bedroom until

[Malcolm B]

I am a new DVC member and very excited to use my points for next year. We are looking to book the last week of September 2017. We are looking to book a 2 bedroom unit either at Saratoga springs or Old Key west. We want to book for at least 6 days what are the chances they will have any available for this time?

I would also like to mention that I have learned a lot from these boards and appreciate the info that everyone has given out.

 

[BillPA]

You should not have any problems, but I would book your home resort than switch at 7 mo. Just to make sure you have a place to stay if you can't get a switch.

 

[Malcolm B]

POly does not have 2 bedroom units though.

 

[CarolMN]

Do you have your online access yet? If so, you can also see how quickly SSR & OKW (or any of the DVC resorts) are filling up using the Resort Availability Tool on the members' website.

FWIW, I think you chances are good.

drusba is our resident expert on the "what are my chances" question - she's been tracking it for a few years now. Here's her latest summary post on the subject:

7 month booking summary by drusba

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You could book two studios and request connecting. No kitchen. It's a more value-conscious use of Poly points, though.

 

[gmboy95]

I would caution only due to the food and wine festival.....can become very difficult, and this year there is extended days

 

[drusba]

I am assuming by last week of Sep, you mean you want to arrive Sep 23 (Sat) or 24 (Sun). That would have been Sep 24 or 25 this year. For a number of years now, Food & Wine has started the Friday before that last full weekend in Sep (except once they moved its opening back to mid-Sep). At 7 months out from those dates this year, SSR and OKW were open for the week, except for the OKW 2BRs in the near Hospitality House booking category which were full for three of the days during the week.

 

[n2mm]

Yes with F&W starting the end of August 2017, this will change September now. Normally it tends to be a little easier to get a room, but that will end now with the new start of an earlier F&W

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I don't know. The earlier September dates this year didn't get snapped up that quickly once that extension was announced. I don't know that the heat of early September + Food & Wine is that appealing to most.

 

[Dean]

I am a new DVC member and very excited to use my points for next year. We are looking to book the last week of September 2017. We are looking to book a 2 bedroom unit either at Saratoga springs or Old Key west. We want to book for at least 6 days what are the chances they will have any available for this time?

I would also like to mention that I have learned a lot from these boards and appreciate the info that everyone has given out.

I would think you'd be successful at 7 months out but I'd book home resort as a backup just in case then use the waitlist if needed. You might even be able to get something else if you want but the chances would be less.

 

[toolmanjan]

If you wanted just a studio it might be an issue. I find that the studio's are the first to fill up. Because they have lower point values.

I reserved a 2br at OKW for 12/14 to 12/26 inside 5 months with no problem or wait list.

 

[Malcolm B]

thank you everyone for the info. I think i will wait it out and take a chance, I have heard that 2 bdrm units are easier to get 7 months out.

 

[Malcolm B]

You could book two studios and request connecting. No kitchen. It's a more value-conscious use of Poly points, though.

we also looked at this as well and found it is about the same points wise and we like the full kitchen and washer dryer in unit.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

My point is more that the buy-in for Poly points is pretty dear to be booking at OKW or Saratoga.

 

[Dean]

My point is more that the buy-in for Poly points is pretty dear to be booking at OKW or Saratoga.

Buying high end like Poly or VGF and booking something that could have been bought lower consistently like OKW/SSR essentially makes buying DVC more than paying cash or renting privately, potentially a lot more.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Buying high end like Poly or VGF and booking something that could have been bought lower consistently like OKW/SSR essentially makes buying DVC more than paying cash or renting privately, potentially a lot more.

Exactly my point.

Using Poly or VGF points to book Saratoga regularly is a lot like point trades for cruises, with slightly less exaggerated financials. While cruises typically get you $7-8 per point in value, I feel like the same principle applies if you want to book Saratoga with Poly points: You can rent Poly points for a fall 11-month booking for $15-16/point (people pay $16 via David's for home resort advantage at Poly, so these numbers should be within expectations). If you do it privately at $15 per point, then turn around and get your Saratoga points as a member transfer at $12-13/point, you're netting out $2-3 cash per point.

 

[Dean]

Exactly my point.

Using Poly or VGF points to book Saratoga regularly is a lot like point trades for cruises, with slightly less exaggerated financials. While cruises typically get you $7-8 per point in value, I feel like the same principle applies if you want to book Saratoga with Poly points: You can rent Poly points for a fall 11-month booking for $15-16/point (people pay $16 via David's for home resort advantage at Poly, so these numbers should be within expectations). If you do it privately at $15 per point, then turn around and get your Saratoga points as a member transfer at $12-13/point, you're netting out $2-3 cash per point.

Equating it to buying retail and using for a cruise is a great analogy.