DVC newbie needs advice

[mattnday]

My wife and I are Disney diehards, we have gone to DW 3 times in the last 2 years from California. We are looking at making our first purchase in the next couple of months. Can anyone advise on how difficult it is to get reservations at non peak times using a seven month ahead reservation instead of a 11 month ahead resi at BWV. We are looking at buying at OKW, we like this resort but were wondering if it would be impossible to ever stay at BWV .


Matt and Daidrian

 

[BigTigger]

We own at OKW and generally visit for 10 days every October or November. We have never been able to get a 2 bedroom at BWV at the seven month window. We have waitlisted for the days not available without luck.

We have been able to get a VWL 2 bedroom if we had wanted to switch.

I'm sure that you may have better luck with a studio or one bedroom swap at the seven month windows, as some friends who also own OKW always have luck with the smaller units.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

As you will hear often on these boards, buy where you want to stay. For the few extra dollars per point, you could buy a re-sale at the BWV and not worry about being shut out because you could then make your reservation at 11 months. You would probably be even able to get the elusive standard view at non peak times. How much extra would it cost? Then divide that by 40 years and see if that amount per year is really worth it to stay for sure where you really want to stay.

HBC

 

[drusba]

BWV has proven to be one of the hardest to get at 7 months although it can be done but you should buy where you plan to stay most. Note also, when you say "non peak" I am assuming you are referring to Disney World's usual non-peak times. Those do not necessarily correlate with DVC low demand times as DVC members follow different patterns than usual guests. For example, first two weeks of December are a Disney in general non-peak time. It is one of the highest demand times for DVC.

 

[Caskbill]

Just to follow up on what drusba said, remember that the point structure for DVC villas follows WDW's peak to non-peak times.

Thus non-peak times at WDW are when DVC units have the lowest point costs to reserve, thus making them high times for DVC demand.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[Dean]

It sounds like you want to stay at OKW and try BWV sometimes. If this is the case, I'd recommend staying with OKW due to more availability and lower costs (both purchase and yearly). Then at the 11 month window, make your OKW reservations. At 7 months you can try to change over to other resorts if available. In the situation you describe, you would be able to try and if you only got it part of the time, you'd still be ok. Even if you mainly wanted to stay at BW, this strategy will work with OKW where it wouldn't with VB or HH. OTHO, if one is interested in the standard view points at BW, buy there. Even if you end up buying both places and less points per resort, you may be better off in the long run than having to sweat getting what you want. Good luck.

 

[Dean]

It sounds like you want to stay at OKW and try BWV sometimes. If this is the case, I'd recommend staying with OKW due to more availability and lower costs (both purchase and yearly). Then at the 11 month window, make your OKW reservations. At 7 months you can try to change over to other resorts if available. In the situation you describe, you would be able to try and if you only got it part of the time, you'd still be ok. Even if you mainly wanted to stay at BW, this strategy will work with OKW where it wouldn't with VB or HH. OTHO, if one is interested in the standard view points at BW, buy there. Even if you end up buying both places and less points per resort, you may be better off in the long run than having to sweat getting what you want. Good luck.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I own at VWL and my first two stays were made well within the 7 month window. We stayed at OKW both times 5 nights in Oct. 2001 and 5 nights in Feb 2002. My only concern has been that I want to go the week of New Years Eve next year at my home resort. Will be booking at the 11 month window this time.

Hakuna Matata everone.

 

[Dean]

It sounds like you want to stay at OKW and try BWV sometimes. If this is the case, I'd recommend staying with OKW due to more availability and lower costs (both purchase and yearly). Then at the 11 month window, make your OKW reservations. At 7 months you can try to change over to other resorts if available. In the situation you describe, you would be able to try and if you only got it part of the time, you'd still be ok. Even if you mainly wanted to stay at BW, this strategy will work with OKW where it wouldn't with VB or HH. OTHO, if one is interested in the standard view points at BW, buy there. Even if you end up buying both places and less points per resort, you may be better off in the long run than having to sweat getting what you want. Good luck.