Considering DVC but have availability concerns

[EDS]

Hi,
I am currently considering membership in DVC. I really enjoy going to Disney a few times a year and have been impressed with the positive feedback I've gotten about the program.

The only negative comments I've read are about getting non-weekend nights. As a Floridian I rarely plan my Orlando trips more than 2-3 months in advance. To make the most use of my points I would really like to make Sunday-Tuesday or Saturday-Monday stays but from what I've read it might not be possible with the kind of notice I would have.

I would likely only visit during the Adventure, Choice and Dream periods and would probably only need a studio room. During these times what chance would I have in getting the days I want?

If for some reason I can't get what I want what percentage of my points can I bank at the 7-10 month point?

Thanks for your feedback!

Ed

 

[The4OfUs]

Just a quick "real life" experience I had this week - we made reservations for my family of 4 way back in Feb. for a 1 bedroom in OKW, Aug 17-24 (Friday through Friday). They told us no problem, plenty of openings.

This past weekend my brother sprung a request on us to join us with his family, for 5 days, 19 - 24 of Aug (Sunday through Friday). We called Monday June 4th, and got what they told me was the last one bedroom for that time frame, but they did say there were more than enough studios available for that time if the 1 bedroom had not been available.

This is 10 weeks from our trip.

Don' t know if that info helps, but I was happy to see that I could still get another room 4 months after my original reservation....

As for banking of points - our "use year" starts in Feb. We have to bank by the end of July to bank 100% of our points, by the end of October for 50% of the points, and by the end of November for 25% of the points....

 

[Ed T]

Welcome to the boards.

I'm sure you will get a lot of good feedback on your questions.
We have been members since 1994 and have booked at the 11month window, the 3 month window, the 2 day window and have never had a problem with getting into a resort. Our home resort is OKW and we stay there mostly because of the serene atmosphere. It is a very difficult questions to answer. While you may have seen a few people post that they were having a problem getting in this I don't think is the majority since there are over 50,000 members.

I sent you a private message as well so click on the pm and let me know if I can help answer these questions.

Good luck

Ed
DVC 1994

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I am in the process of becoming a DVC member. I booked my first trip for Labor Day weekend with only one small hiccup...I couldn't stay at Boardwalk so I have to go home to VWL.

One of the reasons I went ahead with this is becomes I'm an adventuresome kind of person myself. I figure that the reason certain months are adventure season is because occupancy is lower then.

But if it helps friends of my booked BWV on 3 weeks notice in May.

 

[MalificentMe]

I would guess that the weekends might not be as booked up as you think because of the point differences. The weekday points might be lets say 11 points a night while the weekend is 22 points a night. That would detract me from a weekend stay. I only go Sunday thru Friday. Thats just me so I think that a spur of the moment trip would be doable. Remember you have 3 resorts that may have availablility. This makes your chances of getting a room even better. Take Care, Tammy

 

[mickey7861]

As long as you're flexible as to what resort you use you should be fine. As an example we own at VB and made ressies at OKW (2bdr) and BWV (studio-p) one week each at the 7 month window, no problem. Then due to changes in our group we called last week, 2 months from vacation time, and switched to 1bdr units at both OKW and WLV for a week each. I could have had a 2bdr at BWV but not the 1bdr. No big deal we took WLV instead. Also OKW was available.

 

[Dean]

It doesn't sound like DVC will fit your needs well as you've stated them. I don't think you can count on booking consistently at 2-3 months out AND I don't think DVC is a good value for weekend or long weekend trips. While it might work well for Sun-Tues, if Sat would be included most of the trips, it will not likely be a good value. For your needs, the moderates are likely a much better deal for you. You may also want to consider an off site purchase at maybe Marriott's Grande Vista, Marriott's Horizons or similar. The Marriott's with the "Florida" Club where you can do a 3 and a seperate 4 day package may be just perfect for you.

Having said that, there are strategies you could employ that might change the balance in favor of you owning DVC. Lets say you're willing to book at 7-11 months out, book several different intervals and then maybe cancel some and reschedule others. Or it might be good for you if you will rarely go on Sat but mostly on Sunday AND are very flexible for trying 4 or 5 different time frames each time you call. You might try to buy an OKW add on ending up with 70-110 points and trying it out. At the current market, it is unlikely DVC will buy back even if a new owners is less than 150 points. Remember that it will take you some where around 3-5 trips a year to use up 150 points in a studio for Sun-Tue. Of course if your like most of us, you'll stay in a 1 or 2 BR some time and find yourself hooked and never go back to a studio.

To sumarize, I do not feel DVC will be a good deal for you if you mostly want to go Sat or you decide to try at the last minute (2-3 mo) and then that is the only time you can go for months. Why not try renting points for a trip or 2, might be your best long term option anyway. Good luck.