Do Standard views (requiring fewer points) book faster at DVC resorts?

[dizfan]

Is it normal for standard views (fewer points) to book up faster at DVC resorts? For example, does BWV standard view book up before the preferred view?

Just called to change our BLT October trip to earlier in the month (and extend the trip). We wanted to save some points and book part of the stay in a Standard view and the rest of the stay in a Magic Kingdom view.

Member Services informed me that Standard view is already booked for one of the four nights. We booked LV instead.
Also found out the Magic Kingdom view was very limited availability.

Had to be put on hold while they modified our existing reservation to free up points so that they could book the held MK view.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

There is always some variation, but I have found that rooms that require standard/value points tend to fill faster than more standard rooms. Some resorts have more standard/value rooms than others.

I recently made reservations for July 4th - July 10th, inside the 7 month window. This is what I found.

BWV - standard and boardwalk view - very limited availability. Only 1 of the BW view days was available, and no standard view days were available.

AKV - value studios only had 2 days out of 5, midweek available. There aren't very many of these rooms to choose from.

With that said, we pretty much had our pick of other accommodations, and chose 5 days at Beach Club Villas.

We did not look at Bay Lake Tower for various reasons.

Weekends tend to be wide open for prolonged periods of time in most accommodations.

 

[DebbieB]

At BWV, standard view and boardwalk view are about 20% each, preferred pool/garden is about 60% of the rooms. Standard view probably books first, followed closely by boardwalk view, then pool/garden.

I'm not sure about BLT but I think standard view is even less than 20%, the majority are lake view.

 

[erionm]

At BWV, standard view and boardwalk view are about 20% each, preferred pool/garden is about 60% of the rooms. Standard view probably books first, followed closely by boardwalk view, then pool/garden.

I'm not sure about BLT but I think standard view is even less than 20%, the majority are lake view.

At BLT, the Standard View is about 10%, Magic Kingdom View is about 20%, the remaining 70% being Bay Lake View.

 

[Disney Princess]

I think previous posters have given you a great reason for the standard/value rooms going first which is that there are fewer of them to begin with. I also would speculate that the standard views go quickly because they are a "bargain". In our case, we bought BWV as our home resort because we love the location, but we can conserve points with standard view. We wanted the 11-month advantage so we could always get standard view.

With the exception of the values at AKL, the standard views at the other villas (I'll use BWV as I have my experiences there) are the same size as the preferred and higher views. Therefore, we get to stay at BWV, with the same amenities, location to the parks, etc. but for a few points less each night. This allows us to save a few points and go more often. I think the same is true for BLT - many people are taking their chances with a standard view but get the great location. I think a lot of members who own at these resorts book standard view at 11 months out to conserve points.

I think it also works this way with the "premium" views like boardwalk view or MK view. The members with home resort priority book these, not as a savings, but because that is the view they wanted.

It is just my evaluation of the trend. It sounds like you are still in the 11-7 month window before other members can book and it is already full. Guess it can fill up fast!

 

[dizfan]

Thanks for the explanations everyone.

I completely forgot there are only 10% standard view rooms at BLT.

Also it's good to know the booking patterns at BWV regarding standard and preferred view. It makes perfect sense that these will likely be the same patterns at BLT. Fewer percentage of rooms make it more in demand during the 11-7 booking window.

Have to admit, after looking at some of the pictures from work2play's thread on BLT views and room locations, we were going to roll the dice and see if we could get lucky enough to get one of the standard view rooms with a MK/Lake view.

 

[AirGoofy]

I thought about saving points too, but really, when you go to BLT, do you really want to stay in the standard view? I know it's more points, but when we finally get over there, it is MKV the whole way. Just like at AKL, we are heading there in June and the standard view is cheaper, but I want the opportunity to see the animals from the balcony. Some things are just worth the extras.

 

[DebbieB]

In some cases it comes down to do you want to get standard view and stay a night or two longer because it's less points per night or do you want to get MKV and have a shorter stay.

 

[Sandisw]

In some cases it comes down to do you want to get standard view and stay a night or two longer because it's less points per night or do you want to get MKV and have a shorter stay.

That is why we will be doing SV rooms during our trips. MK view is 11 points more per night (Sun - Thurs) during the summer when we go so that gives us an extra night in the 1 bedroom, or two extra nights if we want to start out in a studio (which we do since we don't arrive until 8:00 pm at night).

At some point down the road, when we are able to add more points and we have grandchildren, then maybe. But, right now, the savings is great!