Early December 2017 trip (split stay) which resorts?

[stratus]

So we are looking to go between Nov 29 and Dec 10. We should have 450 pts.

The first few days we want a 2br, for the back half we want a 1br. Which resorts would you attempt to get into if it was you?

We have 150 SSR points and 300 BLT (pending ROFR...).

I was planning on booking the 2BR at BLT and waitlisting Wilderness lodge.

For the back half, I am hoping to get in at either BWV or BCV (although we are fine to stay at SSR).

Just a little background, Christmas is the only time of year I haven't really been. In addition, it will be my son's first trip (he will be 5). It will be my family of 3 and my parents for the 2BR portion and then just us afterwards.

Given all this, which resorts would you try and book? I found this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/ and its awesome... but it left me wondering how difficult its going to be for me to get in via waitlists since I am not trying to get a studio

I appreciate any replies!

 

[ccigliano]

Definitely book your 2 bedroom at BLT and then you can wait list the WL as it is a wonderful resort at Christmastime. 1 bedrooms are more likely to be available but BWV and BCV are smaller resorts and so will be harder to get but you never know. In the end you know you can always stay at SSR. Why not try for a 1 bedroom at AKV as that is also a great resort at Christmastime and go for the savanna view. The 1bedrooms at Kidani have two bathrooms and I love their layout. AKV may also be easier to get at the 7 month window. Good luck.

 

[suebeelin]

Are you looking for this year or next year?

For this year, Nov29- dec 10 will be tough. I think only SSR, Okw and akv might have availabilities. All studios are gone for Nov 30-dec 4 when I checked this morning. 1bds were available at SSR, spotty elsewhere.

If it's for this year (2016), I would try to get a non lockoff 2bd at BLT (if you are waitlist inf).

For the 1bd, I would Waitlist the bwv pool/garden view.

You never know- I just canceled my std 1bd btwn Dec 10-13. It was snapped right up and no longer available when I checked a minute later.

 

[stratus]

Are you looking for this year or next year?

For this year, Nov29- dec 10 will be tough. I think only SSR, Okw and akv might have availabilities. All studios are gone for Nov 30-dec 4 when I checked this morning. 1bds were available at SSR, spotty elsewhere.

If it's for this year (2016), I would try to get a non lockoff 2bd at BLT (if you are waitlist inf).

For the 1bd, I would Waitlist the bwv pool/garden view.

You never know- I just canceled my std 1bd btwn Dec 10-13. It was snapped right up and no longer available when I checked a minute later.

Thanks for the reply, as per the title of the post its for 2017. Is there a different in availability between lockoff and non lockoff? TBH, I dont think I can one way or the other, and may actually prefer a lockoff

 

[suebeelin]

Thanks for the reply, as per the title of the post its for 2017. Is there a different in availability between lockoff and non lockoff? TBH, I dont think I can one way or the other, and may actually prefer a lockoff

Oh! Much better, and you should jump on the 11mo mark .

Yes there is a choice btwn non lock-off and lock off 2bd at BLT. The lock off is a 1bd attached to a studio, and therefore two seperate entrances. The non lock off is a "true" 2bd with only one entrance in the living room, with the 2nd bed with two full beds (vs pull out couch plus bed).

As an owner, you should be able to get the std view (but you might still have to Waitlist as there are very few) or the MK view. The lake view is easier to get. You can also Waitlist wilderness lodge- not sure if their construction will be done by dec 2017. If there's still full on construction, I might think twice about staying there.

If you are looking at a 1bd bwv or bcv, you *should* be able to get something at the 7mo mark, if at least the pool/garden view. When I booked for the first two weeks of December this year, there were 1bds pool/garden, standard and even bcv 1bd available at the 7mo mark. It's much easier to get a 1bd.

If you're a view person, the bwv BW view is nice. If you're a pool and Epcot person, the bcv would be a best bet. If you like saving points, bwv std is the best deal on the property. Have fun!!!

 

[drusba]

The time you want is the highest DVC demand time of the year. Be aware that if your intent is to book a BLT 2BR standard view, then you have a real risk of not being able to get it even at 11 months out as those can fill within moments after the 11 month window opens at 8 a.m. eastern online at that time of year. Moreover, even for SSR, you should consider booking 11 months out if you want standard room point cost rather than preferred.

At 7 months out from Wednesday, Nov 30, 2016 (that Wednesday will be Nov 29 in 2017), VWL 2BRs (both lock-off and dedicated) were already gone for 8 of the 11 nights nights from Nov 30 to Dec 11, BCV 2BRs (all versions) 8 to 10 of the nights, and BWV 9 in pool garden view and all of the nights for standard and boardwalk view. BLT and VGF 2BRs had similar nights gone. AKV Jambo 2BRs were missing 6 to 7 of the nights but Kidani dedicated 2BRs were open but not lock-offs, same at OKW. Also note that by 7 months out from Dec 4, even Kidani dedicated 2BRs (both standard and savanna view) were missing 4 nights from Dec 4 to 11.

1BRs, usually the last to go, were somewhat better for a little while. At 7 months out from Nov 30, 2017, the BWV 1BR standard and boardwalk views were each full 6 of the nights but pool/garden view was open for all but one of the nights from Nov 30 to Dec 10, but by 7 months out from Sunday, Dec 4, Dec 1,2,3,5,6, and 7 were gone for the pool/garden view 1BR and Dec 8 and 9 disappeared a couple days later. At 7 months out from Nov 30, BCV 1BRs were already gone for Dec 1,2,4,5,and 7 and by seven months out from Dec 4, they were gone Dec 1 through Dec 9.

In other words, if you want to switch at 7 months out to a VWL 2BR at the begining of the trip, and BCV or BWV 1BR during the later part of the trip, be prepared to wait list and hope it comes through.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Also, keep in mind that because so many 2BR units are lock-offs, the studio availability is a good predictor of 2BR availability, especially at 7 months. If studios aren't available, 2BR lock-offs won't be either.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oh! Much better, and you should jump on the 11mo mark .

Yes there is a choice btwn non lock-off and lock off 2bd at BLT. The lock off is a 1bd attached to a studio, and therefore two seperate entrances. The non lock off is a "true" 2bd with only one entrance in the living room, with the 2nd bed with two full beds (vs pull out couch plus bed)....

Two queen beds in the second bedroom, not double beds.

 

[Disneypapa]

I like your proposed choices. I have been only once that time of year, many years ago. We stayed in a studio at Boardwalk and enjoyed the walking access to EPCOT for all of the Christmas events. We visited many other resorts to see there decorations and went to Mickey's Merry Christmas one evening. Good luck.