Christmas Season 08...possibility or pipe dream?

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Hello Everyone,

I have been lurking on these boards for about 2 years now and now, finally, I am making my first post. My husband and I are in the process of purchasing points for WL and have questions about planning our first trip to WDW as members of the DVC. I know we are probably putting the cart in front of the horse as we are in just the 1st week of waiting to see if Disney exercises it's ROFR on our offer, but as my penchant for planning needs to be fulfilled, I was looking for some expert help. If all goes as planned, we are looking at a 150 point contract with a usage renewal of September and will initally have 225 points at our disposal at closing. We are quickly learning that early December '08 is, most likely, an impossibility at WL, but looking to see how the booking is for others, such as BC, BW and AKL. Ultimately, we look forward to December at WL and that is why we chose to buy into that property. However, is it a lost cause to see decorations there, or at any resort this season, should we decide to travel in mid to late November? I should also let you know that our earliest closing date for this property is Aug 8th, but no later than 17th, so at this time, is it a possibility that WL, BC, BW or AKL will have any availability for the upcoming Christmas season. We were looking for 9-10 nights and are not objected to splitting time between 2 resorts. We know that any suggestions you have to offer will, most likely, be best guesstimates as we really don't know the actual availability of the resorts until our points become available to us. In addition, if our desires to go this Christmas season are not to be, we are looking at possibly booking BC during the early part of the year, preferrably during a time where it is warm enough to use the pool and not during school vacations. It is not our home resort, so we are trying to find out how difficult it is to book BC at the 7 month window. This is our 2nd choice if the Christmas plans fall through and will allow us to book Xmas next year as soon as it becomes available to do so. Sorry this is so long winded, but, as you can imagine, as first time DVC members, we are anxious to book our first trip, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Wish us luck!

 

[Muushka]

I wish you good luck! I am not that experienced with wait lists, but many on these boards are. I know we picked up 2 nights in a 1 BR at VWL for Dec 25 and Dec 26 about 3 weeks before Christmas! Poor planning on our part, and grateful that we got in. I imagine that some of the larger resorts (OKW, SSR) would be much easier, but at that time of year, it will still be difficult, even for them.

So, future VWL owner, huh? Please come visit the VWL Groupie thread. I guarantee, you will receive a very warm Welcome Home!!

PS being a former RI'der, I was in your home town many many times.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We closed on your VWL resale in the beginning of May. It wasn't until June 11th that I made ressies for Dec 13-19th. I checked the Dec 6-12 and Nov 29-Dec 5 for availability also. Only spotty availabilty the 6-12 (and that included a couple of days at VWL but we could have gotten SSR for Nov-Dec. I was asking about 2BR's and 1BR's.

We ended up booking OKW/BCV for the 13-19. We could have had SSR or OKW for the full length of stay, and could have gotten BCV for a couple more days if we had wished to stay longer. So I wouldn't say it's impossible, but you'll have the best chance if you are open to all resorts and have some flexibility in your days. I had picked out 7 timeframes that we would be willing to go before I called!

I figure that in the coming years we'll have the 11 month booking window at VWL so we can stay at our home - this year is just a bonus where we'll begin checking out other places!

 

[CarolAnnC]

If you are trying to book early December at a DVC resort sometime around or after mid August, I can safely say you will probably be out of luck. That is from my own personal experience.

You may have better luck with January as long as you avoid holidays, ie. New Year and Martin Luther King weekend. Good luck!

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Thank you so much Muushka, Kat4Disney, and CarolAnnC. All of the info was so helpful. I am coming to terms with the fact that we'll enjoy the holiday festivites at WDW in Dec'09 (as long as our contract gets ok'd and we get in right at the 11th month window). I am going to check out all of the resorts for availability-just in case . If it is a nogo for this year we're going to change gears and try to get the Beach Club during a time that is not ultra busy vacation week but warm enough for SB (we think the kids would love it). End of April, month of May, 2nd week in Nov? No matter what we'll be psyched. We've got our fingers crossed that we are members soon and I will definately check out the VWL groupies thread!!! Thankyou all.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think that if you open your waitlist for SSR or OKW your chances will increase. Also, I think you would possibly get it all if you make your waitlist day by day at either resort. I mean pick one resort and then you are taking the days one at a time as they become available. BWV because of it's size MAY be possible. Just guessing, you know, but that's what I think. You also increase your chances by waitlisting for a 1 bedroom if you are able to, and not a studio. If you need a 2 bedroom, well, that's that...give it a try!

Bobbi

PS. Best wishes as you wait for good news on your VWL purchase! Another very happy VWL owner here!

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Just as a followup, I just read my email and Disney waived their right of first refusal. The VWL is ours !!! Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

 

[Muushka]

Just as a followup, I just read my email and Disney waived their right of first refusal. The VWL is ours !!! Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

Well this Groupie would like to be the first to say

Welcome Home!!!

The moose wanted to welcome you also!

PS Don't forget to visit the Groupie thread!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just as a followup, I just read my email and Disney waived their right of first refusal. The VWL is ours !!! Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

Woo hoo!!!! Congratulations and Welcome Home!!!!!

 

[figment795]

Just as a followup, I just read my email and Disney waived their right of first refusal. The VWL is ours !!! Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

Awsome welcome home. I would go on a wait list for SSR. That is my home resort and you have a good chance to get those dates. If disney does not rent rooms in regular inventory it goes back to DVC. That is what happed to us last year and was able to add 2 more days on a 4 day wait list at 2 weeks out.

 

[dvc guy]

I just tried to book 7 months out at OKW for 12/30-1/3 and was waited list for the 1st time in 8 years.

I have never had a problem before this year, not one date was open and MS told me that every resort was sold out for points. Hope that will change as I have cash reservations now, but at 575 & 359 per night too steep for my budget.

 

[We3LoveDisney]

We just booked BWV last week for 12/24 to 12/28. I guess we should feel lucky

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

WOW! We3lovedisney. I'd say that's great luck. I am glad for you. . I hope your waitlist comes through and soon for you dvcguy. Thankyou for the "welcome home" and the advice about SSR figment795 .
This is really tough for me because I can not do anything until we close in August (unless we want to pay out of pocket which is not really feasable with purchasing DVC). We have never been to WDW during the Holiday season and look forward to VWL all decorated. We are now trying to figure out if we should just wait and do Dec at WL in 2009. In that case I would really like to go to BC sometime before then. I do have an annual pass/DDE good through Feb. We did enjoyed the poly/swan this past Feb. However, although it was warm, we did not use the pools or the water parks and it would be nice to get that opportunity. We also have never had the luxury to go more than 8 nights and the last trip was only 5. So a longer stay- even if divided between resorts would be so nice. My son is going into 1st grade but we are not limiting ourselves yet to school vacations . So as I wait and wait and wait ( I am not fufilled until I have my ADR's ) I am trying to narrow down a season. Everyone says you have to try WDW in Dec. Is it worth trying to stay anywhere this Dec and going again next Dec. as well with greater chance of getting WL? I have read great things about SSR and OKW but wonder if they would a good option for the kids (how are buses/theming?). Or am I better off trying to get BC this spring? I am assuming that by Aug there will no chance of getting BC in NOV this year? Well, I know I just need to have patience. I appreciate everyone's helpful input and welcoming attitudes. It took me so long to make my first post and I am afraid now you won't be able to shut me up!!! Thank you!!!

 

[We3LoveDisney]

We bought through Disney and not resale, but we did our tour the end of April, left a small deposit, came home, received our paperwork and before we sent the paperwork and the remainder of the deposit back we received a call from MS asking us what we would like to do with our points (bank them or use them). I was surprised to learn that I could make a reservation before everything was complete.

Have you tried calling MS to see if you are in the system. Again, I am not sure how it works with resale.

Good Luck!

 

[MEK]

I called member services yesterday to see if I could get a studio for 3 nights either arriving 11/30 or 12/7. There were no studios for any of the nights in December and I would have had to waitlist for 12/1 if I wanted to arrive 11/30. I inquired about early Jan (I think arriving 1/3) and everything was wide open. So that is what I plan to do. I know that many of the Christmas decorations are still up. The only problem is my AP expires 1/5! What a good excuse to renew for next year.

 

[Muushka]

WOW! We3lovedisney. I'd say that's great luck. I am glad for you. . I hope your waitlist comes through and soon for you dvcguy. Thankyou for the "welcome home" and the advice about SSR figment795 .
This is really tough for me because I can not do anything until we close in August (unless we want to pay out of pocket which is not really feasable with purchasing DVC). We have never been to WDW during the Holiday season and look forward to VWL all decorated. We are now trying to figure out if we should just wait and do Dec at WL in 2009. In that case I would really like to go to BC sometime before then. I do have an annual pass/DDE good through Feb. We did enjoyed the poly/swan this past Feb. However, although it was warm, we did not use the pools or the water parks and it would be nice to get that opportunity. We also have never had the luxury to go more than 8 nights and the last trip was only 5. So a longer stay- even if divided between resorts would be so nice. My son is going into 1st grade but we are not limiting ourselves yet to school vacations . So as I wait and wait and wait ( I am not fufilled until I have my ADR's ) I am trying to narrow down a season. Everyone says you have to try WDW in Dec. Is it worth trying to stay anywhere this Dec and going again next Dec. as well with greater chance of getting WL? I have read great things about SSR and OKW but wonder if they would a good option for the kids (how are buses/theming?). Or am I better off trying to get BC this spring? I am assuming that by Aug there will no chance of getting BC in NOV this year? Well, I know I just need to have patience. I appreciate everyone's helpful input and welcoming attitudes. It took me so long to make my first post and I am afraid now you won't be able to shut me up!!! Thank you!!!

Don't shut up!! You have a bunch of valid questions!

If it was me, I would probably look forward to Christmas at VWL in 2009. . You are going to be a DVC member for a very long time. Look at it as an opportunity to look forward to something wonderful.

I don't know what availability of smaller resorts will be booking in August. You may have to stay at one of the larger resorts for a Feb reservation. But I am a firm believer in trying all the DVC resorts at least one time. What we read on the internet and what we experience are 2 different things.

Happy planning!