December 2013 - 7 Month Move

[Deb & Bill]

Good luck and fingers crossed for you. We are trying to book for the exact same dates and our window opened up last night. Yesterday, there was a lot of availability, today there is nothing.

This is our first time going to WDW, our home resorts are the Grand Californian and SSR. We were warned months ago that the only thing left would be SSR and OKW.

Wait listing might be the only option.

Book OKW or SSR if it is available. Waitlisting doesn't always come through, especially if you want multiple nights. A night here or there, yes. But an entire week is tough.

 

[MrsH42608]

Hi all! I've read these boards a lot in making my first few DVC reservations and found so many helpful tips! Hoping for a little insight into some resorts we haven't stayed at yet!

Next week we'll be at our 7 month window to either switch resorts or waitlist for our December trip (current res is 2 bed at AKV Jambo House, December 8th - 15th).

I have my heart set to switch to BWV but I know its a long shot given the popularity. The other option that looks like it could work for an outright swap (and waitlist at BWV) to OKW. I know very little about OKW, just wondering if folks can share what they like about OKW, how the transportation is to parks from OKW (we love AKV but hate how long it takes to get anywhere but AKP), are there any downsides? Is it worth swapping to OKW, would we be happy there if we don't get our waitlists? Happier at AKV?

Also, we can have two waitlists at BWV right?

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

How did it go?? I had a tough time this morning with the website and wound up calling at 9am. We got what we wanted but we wanted OKW so it's not that big of a deal, but we're excited

 

[Orsino]

I totally agree with the above post! The BWV/BCV bus routes are the worst I've seen. We stayed at AKV last time and never noticed the wait. But last month we were always waiting for a bus and then had to wait again while they stopped at each and every resort. Plus, there were so many people from all those resorts, we found ourselves standing with our two girls almost every trip. If we stay there again, I will rent a car

All evidence is anecdotal so I'll add my (apparently bizarre) counter example.
We stayed at both BWV and AKV in January. While at BWV we had crazy good bus luck. We went for rope drop and got a bus to MK right away, ended up being 40 minutes too early (oops). On the way back from MK after Wishes, we caught a bus right away and were back at BWV so fast, we decided to walk to the International Gateway and go into Epcot for Illuminations (8PM Wishes 9PM Illuminations). We even had time to buy pastries in France first.

Then at AKV Karma decided our luck had been too good. We had Crystal Palace Reservations at 8:05AM and waited 45 minutes for a bus. That made me very sad.

 

[CindyPaigeDesi]

Logged in yesterday at 8am... had some trouble at first, set up 2 waitlists at BWV thinking we would be completly happy if we had to stay at AK...

Just got the email from DVC... we got our waitlist for the WHOLE WEEK! Most magical news of the day! Celebrating by looking through pictures and rethinking our meal reservations! Got another month to plan those!

Thanks all for your thoughts! I appreciated all of them!

 

[CindyPaigeDesi]

How did it go?? I had a tough time this morning with the website and wound up calling at 9am. We got what we wanted but we wanted OKW so it's not that big of a deal, but we're excited

Congrats on your switch! Just posted above... we got our number one choice too!

 

[com_op_2000]

I just cancelled my two nights (Dec 11 - 13) at OKW - HH area and booked AKL for those nights.

 

[Bronte]

I own at BCV and have Dec 28 through Jan. 6 booked in a studio right now but if I can get BLT one bedroom magic kingdom view for just one night (dec. 30) I will be dropping BCV from the 28 through Jan. 1 (we have a great rate at the swan for New Year's Eve anyways.) Hopeful for LOTS of pixie dust when my 7 month window opens on the 30th !!!!

 

[MrsH42608]

Congrats on your switch! Just posted above... we got our number one choice too!

HOORAY!!!

 

[LILJAN59]

How many are in your party? I love AKL and KIDANI, and do not mind the bus. If you only have a total of 3 or 4 in your party, and do not care for the bus, think about renting a small car on site!