DVC and short-term planners

[BikeFan]

We're interested in DVC, but the 11- and 7-month windows really don't work for us; we (family of 6) usually plan ~3-5 months out, just due to hectic schedules, etc. If we're flexible about our travel dates and which DVC resort we'll take, what are the chances we'll still be able to get a 2-bedroom unit in the summer months and early fall? I'd be interested to hear about people's experiences with waitlisting. Thanks!

 

[patrickpiteo]

We never really had a problem with last minute reservations. Which we have done often..

Even on the wait list. Just yesterday we booked for 5 nights Aug 10 - Aug 15 fro a 2 bedroom at OKW..

 

[BikeFan]

We never really had a problem with last minute reservations. Which we have done often..

Even on the wait list. Just yesterday we booked for 5 nights Aug 10 - Aug 15 fro a 2 bedroom at OKW..

Good to hear; thanks!

On a related note, can you check availability online, or do you have to call?

 

[kellyf2626]

DH and I always book last minute...and we have never had a problem - even with getting studio's! For each trip we have taken, we have booked around 2 months out (and we go in the summer b/c I work in a school!). We have always been able to get exactly what we wanted!

We booked about a month and a half ago for a studio from 8/19-8/28 at OKW. We really wanted Boardwalk, as we have stayed at OKW several times before. We went on a waitlist, and we just got it this past Monday! So, we are extremely excited!

You have to call the DVC reservation line to check availability. (Hopefully they will put this on-line soon!)

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

Good to hear; thanks!

On a related note, can you check availability online, or do you have to call?

You have to call. DVC says they are working on some online features, but it will probably be some time before they are actually available.

I disagree with the previous posters. I think those who can only plan a few months ahead will be frustrated with DVC - even if they are flexible with resort choice and dates.

For those like you, I would recommend that you rent points for a few years and see how it works out. That way you won't have to make any commitment until you see how it goes. FWIW, after a trip or too, you may not be so flexible with your chocie of resort/dates.

Best wishes -

 

[BikeFan]

DH and I always book last minute...and we have never had a problem - even with getting studio's!

Are studios the hardest rooms to get? We'd mostly be looking at 1-2 bdrm units. Are those easier?

 

[kellyf2626]

Studio's seem to be the most popular - Whenever I book, they seem to have plenty of 1-bedrooms and 2-bedrooms, but not many studios. I think b/c they are the least amount of points, they seem to go quick.

I am not sure how studio availability effects 2-bedroom reservations. Many resorts use a 1-bedroom and a connected studio to make a 2-bedroom. They also have dedicated 2-bedrooms as well, just not sure the ratio of dedicated vs. studio/1-bedroom combos.

 

[pixiedust23]

Just (last week) booked a studio at BCV for 3 nights at the end of Aug. No problems. It was the resort, dates, and room type I wanted.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are flexibility you will probably find something. If you don't mind staying at OKW or SSR even better.

how would you feel about vb or hh? if they were your only choices.

the hardest time I have found is not the summer. but Dec 1-14, Thanksgiving and the food/wine festavial. I haven't tried for easter or christmas - don't know about staying when WDW is that crowded.

so if you consider fall to be Sept - or the week between the end of food/wine festavial and thanksgiving you will be fine.

if you want the food/wine festavial then you better be prepared to make your reservation at the 11 month time - you can always cancel. if you cancel before the 30 day arrival date there is no penalty.

 

[mikesmom]

If you are flexible I don't think the summer months or early fall (September) are going to be a problem. DVC busy times almost seem to work against the flow as far as busy times go. For instance, the parks are traditionally considered pretty quiet in early December. For DVC though, early December goes VERY fast because of nice weather, low point costs and the holiday decorations.

Another busy time for DVC is October/November (Food & Wine Fest). Spring break and Thanksgiving thru Christmas holidays require earlier planning, also, but of course that goes for every hotel on property for those times of year!

 

[Deb & Bill]

And I called in January for a one bedroom or studio at BCV in June. Nothing was available and we wanted BCV. We did get SSR which was fine, a lovely resort. But my family wanted to play at SAB.

You might get lucky some of the times. But if you ever want the busier times, summer, school breaks, Holidays, special Disney months, you might not be able to get anything. We were on a wait list for a two bedroom at SSR last year from early June until mid-Oct and nothing freed up. We stayed in our one bedroom at SSR which was fine, there were only 4 of us, but we really wanted the extra room.

 

[Bella2000]

i would typically say no problem now I need to add a huge caveat - December off season. We book last minute a lot however I always book at the 11 month window for the 1st week in December. I just called to see if there was availability for BCV that week (I don't need a 2 bedroom anymore) - No luck - waitlisted. Interestingly enough BWV is available. So as someone has previously posted if you are flexible on dates and even locations it may not be an issue. Since I promised SAB this trip it's BCV or bust. Normally I would have taken BWV.

 

[fishermouse]

I disagree with the previous posters. I think those who can only plan a few months ahead will be frustrated with DVC - even if they are flexible with resort choice and dates.


Best wishes -

The first and only time I had any problem getting a room when I wanted was last week, had to cancel Cancun trip on Fri. 7/15 thanks to Emily and was unable to get a room for Mon.7/18. Guess this was to much to ask. Otherwise I have had no problem booking a couple months out. Of course my home is SSR and they are not Sold Out yet. I have heard a lot of others say some resorts do book up during prime dates, but at least for the time being if you buy SSR you should have no problems. No one can garuntee five or ten years from now. This is also true of most regular WDW resorts they tend to book up several months out during the busy season. Was willing to stay anywhere Disney last week, there was not a Disney room to be had.