December Waitlisted... so confused!!

[rcortese711]

I'm really new at this DVC stuff. We actually just bought last week so we're really inexperienced with this. We're trying to plan a trip for December 28-Jan 3 for 8 people. We're going down there to have our design consultation with our disney wedding consultant so it's kind of our only time to get down there.

Our home resort is BLT so I called there yesterday for a studio and I was put on a waitlist for those dates. For the other 6 people coming with us, we were hoping to get studios at AKV, which we obviously can't book until May.

Is it even worth waiting for the waitlist for those dates for BLT? How likely am I to get 2 studios (either value or standard view) at AKV for those dates?

Thanks a bunch everyone!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

No one knows for sure what BLT booking patterns will be like, but the dates you want are some of the hardest to get in the entire year. It would be a good idea to call EXACTLY 7 months out and be prepared to take any studios you can get. You can only have 2 waitlists at any given time so you will have to work out a strategy once you see what is available. Good luck!

 

[rcortese711]

Thanks jekjones! I was really surprised that everyone wants to go for New Years and not Christmas. I'd rather not go over New Years but it seems to be the only dates that we could get in for our consultation. We're planning on having three phones calling at the seven month mark.

 

[Chic]

I would suggest booking Studio type rooms at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. If you call on the first day of the 7 month window, you shouldn't have any problem with availability at either of these two resorts. Both of them have around 1000 rooms and have a lower point cost per night than Bay Lake Tower. December is a very busy time for DVC, it's actually the most popular time of all out of the entire year. I own at Saratoga Springs and usually change my reservations to another resort at the 7 month window. So far, December has been the only time of year I've had difficulty finding availability at another resort. Best wishes.

 

[jekjones1558]

We're planning on having three phones calling at the seven month mark.

Now you're talking like a DVC veteran!

 

[rcortese711]

Thanks Jekjones And yeah, Chic, that's a good idea. The fiance wanted to try out our home resort but I guess we could save that for the wedding. At this point, I just want to get down there!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Given that this is the busiest week of the year, I would book whatever you can, using points or cash, NOW to make sure you have something somewhere. You can always try to switch later.

 

[BlakeNJ]

Don't you all want to be at the same resort? I have traveled with a large group twice and it would have been a hassle if we were at different resorts--not to mention not as much fun!

What happens if you call at 7 months and AKV is booked? You could book SSR and waitlist AKV. What if only 1 studio becomes available? Then you could all be at 3 different resorts. No fun at all.

If it were me, I'd try and request 3 studios at SSR so that we could all be together. It will be less stress and no one ever wants to be on a wait list. My guess is, since you are planning a wedding, you are stressed out enough!!

Besides, it would make your honeymoon stay at BLT ever more special!!

 

[pickles]

why not a 2bedroom? that holds 8?