Family of 6 and trying to think outside the box! Adjoining villas?

[youknowscott]

There are NO 2BR villas for the dates we look to travel, ugh. Any suggestions on resorts for a "lock-off" or adjoining villas? I am sure finding a STUDIO or even a 1BR isn't as difficult, but.... here's the kicker... would DVC help arrange so that two villas would be connecting? Thanks!!

 

[momto3pirates]

A 2 bedroom is a studio connected to a 1 bedroom. The only other way 2 villas connect is studios at Poly. When are you trying to book?

 

[sndral]

Based on OPs posting history looks like 1/1-3 or 4, 2019, so 6 mo.s out & at a very in demand time.
OP, actually studios book fastest. You might be able to grab 2 1 br.s at SSR - but there’s no guarantee that they’d be near one another & of course they wouldn’t be connecting.

 

[youknowscott]

OP = original poster? As in me?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

OP = original poster? As in me?

Yep - that's you!

Studios book faster than 2BR's so if there are no 2BR's there almost certainly are no studios. As mentioned, PVB is the only resort with connecting studios. If you really are looking for the first few days of January you're likely just going to have to waitlist or keep checking for a cancellation.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We need a bit more info to be able to really offer any help without guessing.....

*When are you looking to go and for how many nights?
*Are you looking for specific resorts or anywhere there's availability?
*Also, just wondering, are you a member or trying to rent points?

 

[Marionnette]

There are NO 2BR villas for the dates we look to travel, ugh. Any suggestions on resorts for a "lock-off" or adjoining villas? I am sure finding a STUDIO or even a 1BR isn't as difficult, but.... here's the kicker... would DVC help arrange so that two villas would be connecting? Thanks!!

Just to be clear, in Disney-speak "adjoining" and "connecting" do not mean the same thing. Adjoining means that the rooms/villas are in close proximity to each other. Connecting means that there is an internal door that opens between the two rooms/villas.

Not all 2-BR villas are lock-offs (1-BR + Studio) but a large number of them are. However, booking a 1-BR plus a studio does not get you a 2-BR villa and in all likelihood, they will not even be close to one another. Member Services can place a note on your reservations that you would like to be near each other, but that's just a request and not guaranteed. You would need one adult over the age of 18 in each of the villas.

1-BR villas are actually the easiest to book but none of them connect to one another. It would also be a tremendous waste of points if what you really need is just one kitchen and sleep surfaces for 6 people.

You can make a wait list and/or stalk the RAT for cancellations of a 2-BR villa for your dates. That's the only option open to you that will guarantee that you get all 6 of you in one villa with connecting doors.

ETA - I see that you're not an owner and have been looking for a rental. Sorry, but if owners are telling you that there is no availability for your dates, you will not get a different answer by asking others. We all see the same availability. You will not be able to wait list nor will you be able to stalk the RAT. It would be a rare owner who would be willing to do either of those for you.

 

[Henwen88]

I'd also consider waitlisting a 2br at CCV. With the speed that they're selling those points, another declaration of points (aka bookable villas) is all but guaranteed to happen prior to next January.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd also consider waitlisting a 2br at CCV. With the speed that they're selling those points, another declaration of points (aka bookable villas) is all but guaranteed to happen prior to next January.

That would be better stalking RAT and news. It seems that new declarations don't go to waitlist.

 

[youknowscott]

Thanks everyone, sorry, I’m not stalking any rats. I’m just a dad trying to figure this DVC point rental thing out. I do appreciate your thoughts, expertise and time. Happy 4th!!!

 

[Bing Showei]

That would be better stalking RAT and news. It seems that new declarations don't go to waitlist.

I wondered about this. Were a bunch of people able to jump ahead of the queue on the last declaration via stalking?

 

[youknowscott]

I wondered about this. Were a bunch of people able to jump ahead of the queue on the last declaration via stalking?

I’m so confused... to many acronyms Who / what is rat?

 

[Bing Showei]

RAT = Resort Availabilty Tool

It’s the online booking tool to find available rooms on the DVC Member site.

That was its former name. Now its just Book Online: Disney Vacation Club Resorts, or as I will henceforth refer to it: DVC BO.

 

[youknowscott]

Ok, thanks! I’m beginning to think we should just buy DVC points, just the minimum to be official members.

 

[Marionnette]

Ok, thanks! I’m beginning to think we should just buy DVC points, just the minimum to be official members.

Well, that's a whole 'nuther discussion!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Ok, thanks! I’m beginning to think we should just buy DVC points, just the minimum to be official members.

I would not do that without a lot of research.as an owner, you would have the same problem you have now for availability.

 

[crisi]

I would not do that without a lot of research.as an owner, you would have the same problem you have now for availability.

Perhaps worse, as you would then be tied into a home resort, without flexibility during the first few months of the booking window.

Timeshares have a notorious reputation around availability and needing to work the system. DVC is better than many - but you can't decide to travel in six months and find exactly what you want.

 

[Chuck S]

OP, the key to DVC, whether you are an owner or a renter, is to book early. I had some points to use, and was thinking I'd try for a 1 bedroom in September. There was availability last week, but I waited to see if anyone else wanted to go...and availability is gone. now. I wound up booking in mid-January.

 

[kristenrice]

Availability for members and renters is the same...either there is a room or there is not. At seven months out, ALL of the resorts are available for ALL of the members to book, either for themselves or for a renter. That means by 6 months out, you are already one month behind everyone else. Studios and 2BR's can go very quickly and for some times of the year, you may not be able to get anything at 6 months out. It wouldn't matter if you were a member or not...the availability would be the same. Don't think that buying in to the "club" will get you any sort of advantage. You would be able to book your home resort at 11 months and any resort at 7 months, subject to availability.

It's a little "misleading" to hear and read the advertisements for the DVC rental brokers. Yes, it is a great way to save money on DVC accommodations and it is a great benefit for members, but it is not as simple as calling up and booking a room at a moment's notice. You must plan ahead...usually a YEAR in advance, especially if you want a studio or if you have your heart set on a particular resort. A lot of folks (myself included) who are looking to save money, are not interested in tying up thousands of non-refundable dollars for almost a year. That's the "catch"...you get a great deal, but you have a non-refundable, unchangeable reservation and your money is due 11 months before you travel. That's why I decided to buy my own points.