DVC Availability On Short Notice

[RJMEDVED]

Considering DVC purchase. However even though we have a lot of
vacation time we often can't plan specific dates more than 2 to 3
months in advance. What kind of availability exists for DVC on such
short notice? We would normally require a studio and can be flexible
as to resort. We like to visit during Food & Wine, Flower Festival &
near Christmas to see decorations. Thanks for your input.

 

[livinforvacation]

I was wondering the same thing but we need a two bedroom villa.

 

[SEC]

We own at WL and for the past two years have called 2 months ahead for October and November and were able to get into either WL or Old Key West for two weeks with the wait list. I have also called a month ahead for Grand Californian and was able to get without any problem.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I may have already answered your question on the Yahoo DVC List. But, it becomes much more difficult to get a villa at a short notice. We just tried to get BCV (a studio or one bedroom) in early June last week and they were booked solid. We did get one at SSR. But if you want to stay in a definite location (like the Epcot resorts area) during the Food & Wine Festival, you need to book early. We were on a wait list starting in June for a two bedroom at SSR or any other DVC resort for a week in October (F&W Festival time) and were unable to get it. There were only four of us, so we were able to stay in the one bedroom we had reserved, but we found it a bit crowded for three adults and one 11 yr old.

DVC turns available inventory over to Central Reservations to book the rooms for cash at 60 days ahead of time, so you will be competing with cash paying customers.

 

[CarolMN]

Considering DVC purchase. However even though we have a lot of
vacation time we often can't plan specific dates more than 2 to 3
months in advance. What kind of availability exists for DVC on such
short notice? We would normally require a studio and can be flexible
as to resort. We like to visit during Food & Wine, Flower Festival &
near Christmas to see decorations. Thanks for your input.

The times you list are quite popular with DVC members. IMHO, you will be frustrated more often than not if you can only plan 2 -3 months ahead of time. You can read all sorts of reports here of members getting rooms on short notice, but I think those are the exception rather than the rule. There are many times that waitlists do not work.

Before you buy, my advice is to try renting points a few times. Your success in finding availability 2 - 3 months in advance will tell you whether or not you want to buy. There are always lots of points available for rent (so that won't be a problem), but the points are no good to you if there is no availability for the times you want to go.

DVC works best for those who can plan at least 7 months in advance.

Best wishes -

 

[FamilyGuy]

You can read all sorts of reports here of members getting rooms on short notice, but I think those are the exception rather than the rule. There are many times that waitlists do not work.

However, the op stated that resort selection was flexible. With that in mind, I don't see how getting a studio 2 to 3 months out could be a problem.

If the resort was not flexible, I might agree.

I don't have much experience so I could be wrong, but others may chime in with their thoughts to furthur clarify.

 

[CarolA]

I usually am able to get studios on fairly short notice, but NOT at BCV. That one requires planning. OKW is easier.

That said, early December is getting harder all the time.

 

[tjkraz]

Another possibility would be to simply guess at travel dates as far ahead as you can and book a room. As long as you cancel 31 days prior to the scheduled check-in, there is absolutely no penalty for cancelling / changing a reservation.

The only consideration would be banking your points, but you need to plan well in advance to do that anyway.

 

[kathleena]

I seem to recall the conversations on this board for October leaned towards being very hard to get anywhere 2-3 months out. I remember many people posting that there wasn't even availability at OKW. In 2003, I wait listed for one October night in a 1br at BCV for 2.5 months (6 month down to 3.5 months) before I got it.

The beginning of December is also hard. It really does depend on the luck of the draw.

And I think May is easier than the other two.

Resign yourself to some measure of frustration for all these times and at a minimum, book when you think you can go. At least you may end up with some days and then can try to mix them up a bit as you get closer. (i.e. Book Dec 1-8 and then when you find you can go 3-10, drop 2 and pick up the other two).

 

[GCM13]

We've never had a problem getting a room on short notice except for HH in the summer. We've been waitlisted a couple times, but it has always come through for us. We usually travel at slow to average times.

 

[Alexander]

I tried 2 months out for President's week for a studio anywhere. Absolutely nothing was available, or still is for our dates. Tried for BCV and BWV for a studio for April (not even Easter week) at 7 months, and couldn't get them. If you want to travel during holidays (Easter, President's Week, Christmas) or during those coveted first three weeks of December, you will indeed need to plan further in advance.

We did get a studio at VWL for April. OKW and SSR were also available for our travel dates. If you are flexible on resorts, and even if your days are flexible by a day or two, you may get what you want. Just watch out for those busy times! You can always waitlist if you have the patience to (clearly I don't, and we need to book our flights).

 

[MagikMom]

I think it sound like you won't really have much of a problem at all. The reason being is that you don't mind where you are able to stay. That's a BIG plus for you.



Oct. 2004 SSR
Aug. 2003 BWV
Oct. 2002 All Star Sports/BCV
March 2001 All Star Sports

 

[joepoe]

Considering DVC purchase. However even though we have a lot of
vacation time we often can't plan specific dates more than 2 to 3
months in advance. What kind of availability exists for DVC on such
short notice? We would normally require a studio and can be flexible
as to resort. We like to visit during Food & Wine, Flower Festival &
near Christmas to see decorations. Thanks for your input.

Frankly, DVC may not be for you. If all you want is a studio, you may as well just rent regular rooms on such short notice and save the money. You can also rent some DVC studios on short notice through Disney. The times of year you mention in your post, I would think would be very difficult. Rent regular hotel rooms.