Does availability change at 30 days out?

[disprincess2213]

Just wondering if anyone has ever noticed availability open up just at 30 days before arrival when points go into holding if you cancel after that.

 

[Msmithmd]

Sure. But don't expect to plan a trip counting on it.

If I lived close enough to drive, I might well use the opportunity to snag a couple days when it worked out.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I dropped a day I had been hoping to match at 30 days, so maybe that will help... but who knows. I am also looking for a day or two to complete our trip and I'll let you know if it comes through in the next day or so.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

On two occasions, in July 2012 and July 2013, a full 8-day, 7-night stay, in a studio, became available at VWL 30-days out. Although I like to check, to see what comes available, we did not switch our resorts on either occasion.

Villas do become available because of cancellations and, sometimes, unfilled cash rooms are put back into the inventory.

 

[cbnsoul]

I think a lot pops up at the 30 day mark. I have had pretty good success getting a day here or there at that time. This October, a whole week opened at BCV 31 days out. I was stunned!

 

[RobDoc]

In most cases, availability is more likely to open up at 31 days (or more) since the points are still returned to the account as is. At 30 days or less, the points become Holding Points, so members lose some flexibility.

I expect that inside 31 days, availability is truly based on something coming up to interfere with the guest's ability to use the villa. There may even be more availability open up within 5 days when guests truly know they can't use the reservation. There is no difference between canceling 30 days out or the day before as the points all become Holding Points with the same restrictions.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just wondering if anyone has ever noticed availability open up just at 30 days before arrival when points go into holding if you cancel after that.

I had a CM point that out to me one time. She said that often the wait list comes thru right outside 30 days, as people cancel rather than have points go to holding. I'd been on the wait list for a 1 BR, was surprising DH because we typically had studios for the F&W, and I knew he'd enjoy the extra room. A couple days before the 30 days, I let him know that "Well, I tried to do a nice thing", thinking we'd lost our chance. But the next morning….MS had to call because it was a little confusing. What a great surprise!

 

[Dean]

Just wondering if anyone has ever noticed availability open up just at 30 days before arrival when points go into holding if you cancel after that.

Availability should open up at 11 & 7 months out of course. After that 31 days is the other break point as noted. In addition you'll see inventory come open all along with 7 days out another potential time. Using the wait list AND looking online is the best method for success if what one wants isn't available online. Remember that other people's waitlists filling and ongoing cancelations will be the bulk of availability for most resorts. For the higher demand resorts this will be less tied to the reservation windows than it is for lessor demand resorts.

 

[LvsTnk]

Just took a 5 night trip inside 30 days in July. I was on the fence if we wanted to go for a few days could get SSR but low and behold the whole 5 nights AK Kidani 1 bed SV popped up and I grabbed it figured it was a sign haha I added on one night for our trip next week that became available inside 30 days as well. I usually leave the wait list up until 7 days prior then if I still want/need it I will go to the front desk and check everyday to see if it's available.

It's an 18 hr drive for me but I rarely book inside even 7 mo. Airfare is an after thought for us.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

There has been a bunch of motion in the reservation ocean recently at our 30 day marks.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Two times I have gotten rooms inside 30 days. First was 2 years ago. We were going on a sat-sat cruise out of Miami for easter and decided to head to WDW for 2 days before it. Looking for availabilty I was shocked how often a room here would pop open, and then be gone minutes later. At first we booked any rooms available....and had 2 nights in different resorts. I wait listed the other night for each resort and whichever one came through we would just stay there. Got 2 nights in an OKW studio and it was our first resort only trip.

This past September we decided on a whim to go down for a 3 day weekend...10 days in advance. Found 2 nights at SSR available and the next day the 3rd night opened up. Was a fantastic trip.

I currently have another 2 night adult only weekend coming. After talking about our spur of the moment September trip, friends of ours wanted to go in January with their points with us. We are currently outside 31 days for that trip...but it's closing fast. I was able to within a span of 36 hours find us 2 rooms for 1 night at BCV and 2 rooms at BWV for the other night. Going to keep searching for the 2nd night at BCV.....but I'm fine with the way it is now. Day 31, I may be worthless at work just clicking the dvcmember site all day.