DVC Peak vs WDW peak

[Elias12501]

I haven't been able to find this information anywhere. What is the Peak periods for DVC(I've read that it's not necessarily the same as peak periods for WDW)? When is the low period for DVC? If there is a site with stats/information or you could let me know that would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[abeyst]

If you're looking for peak rack rates for cash rooms (not points), you can go to mousesavers.com, click on the Walt Disney World link on the left of the page, and then go to resorts. There's links for seasons and rack rates on that page for both 2007 and 2008.

If you're looking for a points chart showing peak times, you can click on the link at the top of this page, "DVC Point Charts"

 

[Elias12501]

I'm not so much looking for the rack rates or points charts. I was wondering when is the busiest time for DVC members to make their WDW trips and when is the least busy time for their trips. I guess I should have phrased my question a little better. I didn't know if there were some kind of statistics out there for when DVC members visit WDW and when.

 

[rayelias]

Try this site: http://www.*****************/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14 (edited: I guess it won't let me post the URL. PM me for the site.)

It USED to give a full year out. Now, I think it's only 2 months. Or, you can subscribe to get the full year.

When gave out the full year, I used it very often in my planning. It's a valuable resource (and fairly, but not perfectly accurate).

 

[CheapMom]

Since the DVC resorts are near full capacity all the time - everything is "peak" as far as occupancy. But there are times that fill up really quickly.
Here is my impression of times that book the fastest at DVC:

All of December
Easter/Spring Break
Thanksgiving
Food and Wine at Epcot resorts

If I wanted any of these I would go call right at 11 months.

 

[veenstra56]

I know what you are saying, and while I do not have all the info that you are looking for, I do know that October and early November can be quite busy for DVC, while not as much for WDW. The reason is largely because of the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot.

I think the same holds true for the first couple weeks of December; busy for DVC, not much so for WDW.

There may be other times like this, but I don't know when they are. I do know that most other times of year DVC and WDW are parallel in terms of how busy they are (Christmas, Easter, Spring Break, etc.).

 

[mikesmom]

Actually the summer months when the rest of WDW is busy are relatively quieter for DVC. Folks who have a choice usually don't want to deal with the heat and crowds. Note I said "quieter" not slow. I wouldn't wait 60 days out and then wonder why I couldn't get what I wanted.

Also reasonably slower is January, once you get past the Marathon. the Feb/March/April time will vary depending on Easter/spring break timing.

Late August/early September is pretty slow for DVC.

Any date from October 1st through the Christmas holidays is going to get more challenging for DVC reservations. 11 month day by day is not necessary (unless you want Christmas week in a GV) but I wouldn't dawdle about getting a ressie made in the 10th or 11th month out.

In addition, reservations will always be more difficult at "the littles" - BWV, VWL and BCV. They are just smaller so they fill up fast. Studios go quickly.

There are exceptions to everything and someone will jump on here and say they got BCV in December at 4 months out, but they are probably exceptions. If you are particular about dates, resort and room size you need to book earlier during the busy times. If you are a bit more flexible, you have more wiggle room.

 

[Orelover]

Ok here you go:
Adventure: Off season lowest point cost
Jan 1-31 Sept 1-30 Dec 1-14

Choice
Oct 1-31 Nov 1-30 with the exception of Thanksgiving which changes yearly
Dec 15-23

Dream
Feb 1-15 May 1-31 June 1-10 Aug 16-31

Magic:
Feb 16-28/29
March 1-31 April 1-30 Spring break falls in here and changes yearly
June 11-30 July 1-31 Aug 1-15
Thanksgiving day and the following Fri.

Premiere: BUSY this covers Spring break and Christmas

Also as stated Oct and Nov are very busy due to Food and wine fest, May can also get busy due to Flower and Garden Show.

The breakdown above is from the dvc points book

 

[Elias12501]

We would probably be doing trips mostly during the dream season late August. I know I need to book early 11 months out but I was just wondering what my shot would be at getting into a resort other than our home resort. We don't have a home resort yet but are looking(more like waiting for) very seriously at the BWV and VWL. I didn't know what the chances of getting our home resort in late August(after the 18th) or actually possible getting a place other than our home resort. "Mikesmom" had mentioned that late August is fairly calm which was nice to hear.

 

[Granny]

We would probably be doing trips mostly during the dream season late August. I know I need to book early 11 months out but I was just wondering what my shot would be at getting into a resort other than our home resort.

I think you have an excellent chance to get into almost any of the resorts at the 7 month mark for the latter half of August. I think that "fairly calm" is a good description of this. My guess would be that the easiest resorts to book then would be OKW and SSR just due to number of villas. Then AKV when it's built out (but you probably wouldn't have a choice for all the view categories). BWV Preferred - Pool/Garden should be very doable at 7 months for that time, with a decent shot at Boardwalk View or even the elusive Standard View.

VWL is very small but I think at that time your chances of getting it are very good at 7 months. And BCV may be the hardest but also a good chance.

So I think at that time of the year you will have a lot of options and not be locked into your home resort.

If you are looking at virtually any time in the 4th quarter, it becomes much more challenging.

Good luck with your decision!

We don't have a home resort yet but are looking(more like waiting for) very seriously at the BWV and VWL.

Excellent choices...we own at both.

 

[RLRDA]

We would probably be doing trips mostly during the dream season late August. I know I need to book early 11 months out but I was just wondering what my shot would be at getting into a resort other than our home resort. We don't have a home resort yet but are looking(more like waiting for) very seriously at the BWV and VWL. I didn't know what the chances of getting our home resort in late August(after the 18th) or actually possible getting a place other than our home resort. "Mikesmom" had mentioned that late August is fairly calm which was nice to hear.

We just got back from a late August trip (8/18 thru 8/27). When we originally called in March '07 we were interested in the very last week of August, we booked VWL (and BWV was also available- nothing @ BCV). We ended up having to move it up a week due to the start of school. When I called back in May to switch it, there was nothing available at VWL or BWV, but then again that was only 3 months before our trip. We were able to split our stay between SSR and AKV, which was great, almost like getting 2 vacations for the price of 1!

I think planning ahead is key. At the 7 month booking window, you've got a pretty good chance of getting what you want in late August. We usually have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice in mind before we call, just in case. I THINK, had we called in January (7mos) and not had to change our ressie, we would have gotten VWL, BWV or BCV for that week.

We thought the crowds were manageable. We didn't experience long wait times (posted 15minutes=actual 5+minutes) and many times we just walked on rides! Obviously the popular rides (EE, Soarin', MS) we fastpassed. I would go in late August again in a heartbeat.

 

[Elias12501]

Many thanks for all the advice. It sounds like that might be a good time to go down to WDW, which is good becasue that's the only time we could go really(both are teachers w/ one non-flier). Well keep your fingers crossed for us-for 150 @ BWV or VWL hitting the market soon. Thanks again for the advice, truly appreciated