Ease of getting reservation on short notice

[Bciris]

I'm currently making offers on DVC contracts. Some have 2013 points available or will have 2014 use year points beginning soon. Assuming I won't be able to close and get a membership number before mid-to-late March will I have any chance to book a trip still for this July?

I can really only travel during the summer because of the kids being in school now. My wife is also a teacher so our summer is pretty much over at the end of July.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm currently making offers on DVC contracts. Some have 2013 points available or will have 2014 use year points beginning soon. Assuming I won't be able to close and get a membership number before mid-to-late March will I have any chance to book a trip still for this July?

I can really only travel during the summer because of the kids being in school now. My wife is also a teacher so our summer is pretty much over at the end of July.

You might get a few nights here and there, but probably not one reservation for the entire time.

 

[Msmithmd]

There are a couple "availability historians" around here. Dmunsil and DVC dude, just to name a couple. Hopefully one will reply, pointing you to a detailed historical availability thread. Some folks have put serious effort into compiling this kind of data.

As a general statement, the summer is a relatively easy time to book DVC. So I would anticipate a very good chance of you being able to use it at the Orlando resorts this July, even if you close in March. No guarantees of course- but I do anticipate you can piece a trip together, especially if you can be flexible to a split stay, and are comfortable booking the larger capacity resorts.

I would suggest you book a cash "backup" reservation,if your heart is set on going this summer. The advantage there is the ease of cancellation if the DVC does come through. And you still have your trip if it doesn't.

 

[rkold]

I would also think it depends on what size room you want. 1BRs tend to be the last to book.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I'm currently making offers on DVC contracts. Some have 2013 points available or will have 2014 use year points beginning soon. Assuming I won't be able to close and get a membership number before mid-to-late March will I have any chance to book a trip still for this July?

I can really only travel during the summer because of the kids being in school now. My wife is also a teacher so our summer is pretty much over at the end of July.

I would think you could find something available in mid-March for July. The week around 7/4/14 may be tough, but mid to late July should have some availability. You may need to be flexible and consider a split stay, which may include SSR for part of the trip (which has the greatest availability). If you absolutely want to go this summer, you could always book a room on cash to have as a back-up plan until you know if you are able to use your points.

Good luck hunting for the perfect contract!

 

[Bciris]

Thanks for the quick replies. This site is great. Everyone is so helpful!

 

[DebbieB]

July is a slower time for DVC. I think you will be able to pull something together. I was able to get 5 nights at BWV pool/garden studio for the second week of November by booking nights as they came open starting about 60 days out, the last night by waitlist about 28 days out. SSR was available for all nights at 60 days and the fall is a popular time for DVC.

 

[jekjones1558]

I agree with Debbie. I think you will be able to get something. Hopefully drusba will see this thread and post. He has made a science of historical availability stats.
Good luck! I am a retired teacher so I empathize with your booking limitations.

 

[drusba]

If you are looking for time the last half of July, one of the lower DVC demand times of the year, and are able to book in March, you will almost certainly find SSR open and likely OKW and AKV savanna and standard view (at least at Kidani). If seeking a 1BR (which usually fill last) you may find openings at BWV pool/garden, BLT lake view, and VWL. If looking for only a few nights in a row you may also even find studios or 2BRs in those same resorts/views.

 

[mossauer]

I'm currently making offers on DVC contracts. Some have 2013 points available or will have 2014 use year points beginning soon. Assuming I won't be able to close and get a membership number before mid-to-late March will I have any chance to book a trip still for this July? I can really only travel during the summer because of the kids being in school now. My wife is also a teacher so our summer is pretty much over at the end of July.

I'm in the same boat. Waiting for my contract to close so I can book for July, but it probably won't be until late March. I'll just have to call and see what they have I guess. We wanted AKV 2BD for 10 nights.

 

[moreisgood]

We were in the same boat in July 2013, booking for the first week of Nov for Food & Wine. We booked 10 nights at 5 resorts. Later, we could have reduced our moves, but we decided we wanted to try out all the resorts! With a little packing planning, it was great! Book what you can, set up wait lists, and check the website often. You'll often see something before the reservation system does. And remember that Disney will move you between resorts if you do end up with a move or two.