Get a DVC room at a moments notice.

[Santa]

When do you think the least busiest time of year is at WDW DVC Resorts?

 

[CarolAnnC]

My guess would be middle of September. The kids are all back to school, it is still hurricane season of course, and typically a slower time for the WDW parks as well.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Early September. We were even able to get Labor Day 24 hours before a couple years ago.

 

[dianeschlicht]

LOL, looks like you worded it differently to see if there were any different answers. Unfortunately, the answers are likely to be the same for both questions.

 

[Santa]

LOL, looks like you worded it differently to see if there were any different answers. Unfortunately, the answers are likely to be the same for both questions.

Actually the other one was a canceled poll I messed up.

 

[disneykidatheart]

We were in Disney from Sept. 20-30. This was not our first September trip but it certainly seemed to be the least busy of all our trips. We were continually amazed at our timing for buses, boats, attractions, and wait times anywhere else. We only used a couple fast passes because we were able to get on almost any attraction with a wait less than ten minutes and for several we simply got in a line that kept moving until we boarded the car. We felt we were being rewarded for the crummy trip we had in February when my husband was sick and spent much of the time on the bed. We didn't even go into a park on that visit. We were taking a boat from Old Key West to Downtown Disney and asked the boat driver if he knew what the occupancy was. We were never sure if he meant for the whole resort or for just Old Key West but he said 70-80%. The units around us were empty at times and full at others. We walked on the Boardwalk the first evening and it almost seemed eerie there were so few people. We were however, blessed with about 15 kabillion love bugs which were especially bad on the boardwalk.

 

[keishashadow]

January, excluding 1st week after New Years/Marathon & MLK weekend.

 

[beachblanket]

Bottom line: overall, if one is focused on last minute vacationing, DVC is a lousy investment. The program is designed for -- and works best for -- advance planner types.

 

[spiceycat]

Sept & May - of course you might have a problem with the love bugs....

today I got a reservation for Oct 24 (wanted it for the MNSSHP) - couldn't get Oct 22 or 23 - but no problem getting 24th...

so if you are flexibility you might get a room at any time.

the only time I couldn't get one was first week of Dec - but with the more members that DVC is constantly getting - that means the more the odds are that someone will cancel.

Now you can't be particular when you ask for last minute - and you need to be patience - it takes MS a longer time to find a studio anywhere than one at a specific place.

 

[D&R love Disney]

We were at VWL Labor Day week and added on an extra day at the 1 bedroom the day before we were to check out (at 4:55 pm called member services) and we had no problem getting a room and actually stayed in our existing room.

 

[lisaviolet]

Bottom line: overall, if one is focused on last minute vacationing, DVC is a lousy investment. The program is designed for -- and works best for -- advance planner types.

True.

I hesitated to buy DVC because I'm not a planner but thought, "I will have to become one at times" and have.

Nonetheless, last year I have booked three last minute trips. One in November during the busy F and W festival. Second, December before Christmas (DVC's busiest time) and three a group of 13 (this year) in May just at the tail end of Memorial Day weekend. Mind you all were either at OKW or SSR.

So true in the general sense. But it can be done. For how long who knows....

 

[zalansky]

We were at VWL Labor Day week and added on an extra day at the 1 bedroom the day before we were to check out (at 4:55 pm called member services) and we had no problem getting a room and actually stayed in our existing room.

We did the same thing at BWV this past Labor Day in our one bedroom and were able to stay in the same room. Also, I called in June and asked for a room the following day and was offered 3 choices and ended up staying at SSR in a 2 bedroom. We drove over and spent the night. That is the beauty of living so close.

 

[fr8trainhays]

January, excluding 1st week after New Years/Marathon & MLK weekend.

We are checking in 1/13, and MLK is 1/15 pleeease tell me it will not be that bad! We made our reservation before we realized it was MLK weekend!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are checking in 1/13, and MLK is 1/15 pleeease tell me it will not be that bad! We made our reservation before we realized it was MLK weekend!!

Just stay away from the MK on the weekend, and you should be fine.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

This is the one addition I wish they would make to the members website. Let me key in a date and an accomodation type then give me an approximate list of how many are available at each resort. Or if that's too hard then at least put up some sort of graphic showing color coded occupancy for each resort for a given month. Blue would be wide open, green pretty open, yellow getting tight and red means hie thee to the waiting list. That way I could look at the calendar for the months I'm willing to take and THEN call member services. People who like the resort empty will make a beeline for bluest time that works for them and it might take a bit of heat away from the DVC hot times like F&W or early December.

 

[lisaviolet]

This is the one addition I wish they would make to the members website. Let me key in a date and an accomodation type then give me an approximate list of how many are available at each resort. Or if that's too hard then at least put up some sort of graphic showing color coded occupancy for each resort for a given month. Blue would be wide open, green pretty open, yellow getting tight and red means hie thee to the waiting list. That way I could look at the calendar for the months I'm willing to take and THEN call member services. People who like the resort empty will make a beeline for bluest time that works for them and it might take a bit of heat away from the DVC hot times like F&W or early December.

Like it! I imagined it with a big smile.

 

[keishashadow]

We are checking in 1/13, and MLK is 1/15 pleeease tell me it will not be that bad! We made our reservation before we realized it was MLK weekend!!

Overall should be fine, certainly better than the summer. We went to Epcot on Pres.Day, switched to MK in afternoon & it was near gridlock. If you're willing to do am emh or be @ gates when parks open, you'll have smooth sailing.

Check out this crowd projection site: TouringPlans (dot) com (can't list the correct link here lol (always has been right on the mark for us)
good luck.

 

[fr8trainhays]

Overall should be fine, certainly better than the summer. We went to Epcot on Pres.Day, switched to MK in afternoon & it was near gridlock. If you're willing to do am emh or be @ gates when parks open, you'll have smooth sailing.

Check out this crowd projection site: TouringPlans (dot) com (can't list the correct link here lol (always has been right on the mark for us)
good luck.

Thanks! We will do MK later in the week!!

 

[CarolA]

Bottom line: overall, if one is focused on last minute vacationing, DVC is a lousy investment. The program is designed for -- and works best for -- advance planner types.

Well, here's some food for thought.

Yesterday, I got a studio at BWV for this coming Saturday night.

Two weeks ago I got a studio at SSR for this past Thursday night, last Monday I was able to move that to BWV.....

I have actually called from the airport and 90% of the time I get something.

 

[eporter66]

We have never tried to book last minute. But, we did have to cancel a reservation (for end of October), and reschedule it for 2 weeks ahead (mid November before Thanksgiving). This was done in early September and we had no problem moving the reservation. Same days (Sun - Thurs), so it worked good for us.

I would think that as long as you are flexible (resort and room size) that outside of the crazy times (X-mas, Thanks, Spring Break) you could probably book something last minute.

I would not want to count on it though.

Eric