December at Bay Lakes Tower

[SLK1]

I just tried to get December 9th and 10th at Bay Lakes Tower...wanted a two bedroom so we could do all the "Disney Christmas stuff" in one weekend. They said they didn't have the availability. And here I thought early December was a slow time. Grrrrr....

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Sorry you are disappointed. Early December is not a slow time anymore for anyone but especially for DVC members. Personally I think early December & Oct/Nov for F&W are probably some of the busiest for DVC.

Honestly, I would have been holding my breath at exactly the 7 month mark. At 4 months I never would have even considered it possible.

That week is actually the reason we bought points there - so we could get the 11 month window (and a standard view).

Did you at least waitlist? Try other resorts? Hope it works out for you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There aren't many slow times for DVC anymore. Maybe early September, early May, early February and a week here or there. From mid-November to early January, you almost have to book 11 months out and for some of the times in that time frame it's required if you want to stay then.

 

[JWG]

In July of 2010, I wanted to book a week in first half of December and my only options that existed where all days were available for a studio were:
- SSR
- AKV - Savannah

Even OKW didn't have a studio available by that time.

We took AKV.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The allocation of points have made even weekend stays harder to get close up. In '03 when we bought in, we were able to get a studio stay at VWL for a weekend (December 19 and 20 )only 2 1/2 months ahead of time. When I came on here to crowI was told it was because of the high weekend point costs. Well, that's not the case any more!

 

[wcpamotm]

I would say that earlier December is still a relatively slow time at the parks, although Disney continues to do everything they can to shore up attendence year-long.

As others have said, DVC is a different story! There is an obvious reason why different times of year command different point requirements, and that is to even out the demand.

But even where standard resorts are concerned, beware of trying to correlate demand for rooms with attendence at parks.

 

[sesame_123]

I just tried to get a studio for the 8th and 9th (th-F) in Dec, Member services searched everything and Nothing was available for both nights and only 2 places had even one night, they then looked for 1 bedrooms and the only resort with availablilty was SSR. We booked it and then waitlisted for one of the two with 1 of the 2 days available (OKW). I knew it was a busy time but for there to be nothing for studio or 1 bedroom (except the one I got) was surprising. I just haven't gotten used to this need to plan so far in advance, will have to work on that. (and get DH schedule to allow for it too)

 

[Sandisw]

Lowest points + Holiday decorations + slower park crowds = Very busy time for DVC.

 

[castleri]

Made out reservations for 12/4-12/8 at exactly 11 months and then tried to add one night at 7 months and ended up with a split stay so now we have my son's two favorite resorts BCV and then AKV kidani standard view so it worked out well in the end. You really do have to plan for the first week or two well in advance if you are set on a certain resort. Hope you can get something with a WL. Even if it isn't your first choice you will still be able to do the Christmas things you want to.

 

[Suellen]

I don't think there currently IS a slow time for BLT. Seems to always be booked. We were able to book our first week there for a year after we bought. That was the first available week.

 

[spiceycat]

I just tried to get December 9th and 10th at Bay Lakes Tower...wanted a two bedroom so we could do all the "Disney Christmas stuff" in one weekend. They said they didn't have the availability. And here I thought early December was a slow time. Grrrrr....

sorry - but Dec especially at the DVC resorts has always been peak season. Been a member since 1993 and the first year - yes you could do the last minute - in 1994 - but since 1995 unless you are a very lucky person it was gone by the 7 month.

now the parks are not in peak season - but DVC members have always loved Dec - the parks are decorates (as well as everything else), the christmas shows, the parties, low points and you can see MVMCP and CLP.

 

[wildernessDad]

Did they dig another lake? It's Bay Lake Tower.

 

[Suellen]

Did they dig another lake? It's Bay Lake Tower.

Really?

I was hoping the DVC board would be less snarky. Guess I was wrong.

I hope you were just trying to be funny.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Did they dig another lake? It's Bay Lake Tower.

I think they have the other lake by the other tower. I see Bay Lake Towers all the time.

 

[Granny]

I knew it was a busy time but for there to be nothing for studio or 1 bedroom (except the one I got) was surprising.

I don't think many of us DISers are surprised. As long as I've been a member (since 2001), December has always been an extremely high usage time for DVC members. I have always assumed that for a December stay I should try my home resort exactly at the 11 month mark, and early on that day.

As for planning far in advance, it depends on the time of year. If you want to book heavy usage times then yes you will need to plan far ahead. Even if you are not completely sure when you can make it, you should give it your best guess and book the dates early. Then if you have to cancel, no problem assuming you do it far enough in advance to avoid holding points or banking deadlines.

DVC does work best for longer range planners. Shorter range planners will have more luck during most weeks in January, February or April thru September.