Get a DVC room at a moments notice.

[beachblanket]

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

For many (perhaps most) of us, the investment in DVC is to insure we get exactly what we want, not just "something." Ergo, if you want preferred villas in the more popular resorts (a list that doesn't include SSR, there's always plenty of available space at that stepchild property), you will not have success "calling from the airport."

 

[fishermouse]

We generally plan our "main" vacations at 11 months but often find last minute airfare deals. We booked SSR studio the last week of June this year, at three weeks notice and just booked BWV PV for January. I consider that last minute, only problem is Splash mountain is closed the week we'll be there. We've always been planners but now with a "empty nest" last minute trips seem to be popping up more often. Think DS and DD are a little jealous..

 

[DisDaydreamer]

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.

Sounds like a good idea.... would free up a lot of MS time demands too.

 

[beachblanket]

We generally plan our "main" vacations at 11 months but often find last minute airfare deals. We booked SSR studio the last week of June this year, at three weeks notice and just booked BWV PV for January.

Again, SSR at any time is easy to get.

January is the textbook example of low season, so getting BWV then 2.5 to 3 months out is possible, and is certainly not last minute. However, if you'd waited until the day in January when you arrived in Orlando to try and "book" that villa by calling from the airport (ergo, real moments notice), you would have likely been out of luck.

 

[CarolA]

For many (perhaps most) of us, the investment in DVC is to insure we get exactly what we want, not just "something." Ergo, if you want preferred villas in the more popular resorts (a list that doesn't include SSR, there's always plenty of available space at that stepchild property), you will not have success "calling from the airport."

Was this post necessary? It was RUDE to me and BASHED SSR.

If you only want "EXACTLY" what you want then DVC is NOT for you. Remember the word REQUEST means just that!

Posts like this make me think that perhaps folks are jealous of my flexiblity. (Not to mention that some of the BEST trips I have had are spur of the moment. Not the pressure to have the "perfect" vacation!)

 

[beachblanket]

If you only want "EXACTLY" what you want then DVC is NOT for you. Remember the word REQUEST means just that!

Seasoned DVC vets laugh at the word "request." How?

- We buy where we know we will want to stay (which -- with all due respect, let's not engage in denial -- isn't SSR).

- We always book exactly 11 months out, day by day, always dialing MS starting 5 minutes before they open so we are the first ones in. That guarantees me a BWV Grand Villa over Christmas if I want it.

- Since we know our preferred home resort like the back of our hand, we know the insider codes to use when making so-called "requests" to insure we get exactly what we want (example: when to ask for a lock off and when not to, why one should ALWAYS request a villa with a bathtub, etc).

Which is why in eight years as a member I've never had to accept a villa that didn't meet ALL of my original, specific criteria.

And is why the neophytes end up with the leftovers.

 

[mikesmom]

We also are pretty compulsive about booking 11 months out. However, that being said, I do agree with Carol as I have had her same experience. We have needed "just a little more vacation" when we were ALREADY THERE. In other words, the night before. We have successfully found accomodations. One reason for the phenomenon may be that statistically the odds are high that someone had a missed plane or unexpected crisis and cancelled at the very last minute. That room is available and hardly anyone is competing for that space and trying to book at the last minute.

Now if we keep sharing this information there will be more people trying to get those last minute rooms and the success rate will drop like a rock.

 

[beachblanket]

We also are pretty compulsive about booking 11 months out. However, that being said, I do agree with Carol as I have had her same experience. We have needed "just a little more vacation" when we were ALREADY THERE. In other words, the night before. We have successfully found accomodations. One reason for the phenomenon may be that statistically the odds are high that someone had a missed plane or unexpected crisis and cancelled at the very last minute. That room is available and hardly anyone is competing for that space and trying to book at the last minute.

All good points - as long as someone is willing to accept whatever might happen to open up at the last minute (ergo, don't complain if you get a dumpster view or a room that a chain smoker just abused!)

Also, be realistic about the likelihood of that last minute accomodation being available during higher demand periods. Back in early August when we were at HH, I saw plenty of people at the front desk in the lobby trying to negotiate "an extra night or two" and hearing the CMs repeatedly tell them "sorry, NO VACANCY." And that's wasn't even during a super high demand period!

Or put another way, this "last minute" thing has limitations - which is why I recommended earlier that people not view their DVC membership as being primarily a last minute travel resource. Disney doesn't promote it as that --for good reasons!

 

[CarolA]

All good points - as long as someone is willing to accept whatever might happen to open up at the last minute (ergo, don't complain if you get a dumpster view or a room that a chain smoker just abused!)

Also, be realistic about the likelihood of that last minute accomodation being available during higher demand periods. Back in early August when we were at HH, I saw plenty of people at the front desk in the lobby trying to negotiate "an extra night or two" and hearing the CMs repeatedly tell them "sorry, NO VACANCY." And that's wasn't even during a super high demand period!

Or put another way, this "last minute" thing has limitations - which is why I recommended earlier that people not view their DVC membership as being primarily a last minute travel resource. Disney doesn't promote it as that --for good reasons!

OK we get it. You don't want those of us who travel last minute competeing with YOUR desired preferences.

I don't know and MAYBE I am reading the tone of your posts wrong, but just to give you a FEW clues,

1. I never make a request outside of non-smoking. (I personally don't think I am so much better then the rest of you that ONLY I should get the prefect room)
2. I have never had the "dumpster view" so booking late does not gurantee me the dumpster view. I have ALWAYS gotten non smoking. Therefore last minute does not equal smoking and/or dumpster views...
.
3. NOTE: That BOTH of my recent last minute stays were during the Food and Wine Festival which is suppose to be the HARDEST time to get at either BWV or BCV. (Of course since my list of requests is not 2 miles long that probably helps me!)
4. You used HH as your example of "sold out" Well of course, at HH there is only ONE resort to pick from (one that IMHO is substandard to all the other DVC resorts) At Disney itself there are several and those of us who don't believe that only "your" choice is perfect know that all of them have pros and cons. (IMHO buying DVC for HH is not a good investment and if you look at the resale values I would say that is supported. There are MUCH MUCH nicer resorts on HH. Try the Marriotts, direct beach access, beautiful rooms etc) And unlike HH Disney is pretty nice in January... I used to have family in HH, it's not near that nice in January LOL!


I don't think that it's the best way to use DVC and I do plan several vactions in advance, but there is nothing WRONG with using the points for last minute travel if you have them.......

 

[spiceycat]

but there is nothing WRONG with using the points for last minute travel if you have them.......

Hey I agree...and also do it!~~

 

[3DisneyKids]

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

Just an FYI...most experts and planning sites agree that Tuesdays as the best day of the week for MK. Have fun and post a report when you come bacl! (We always want to go that week, but I never plan it b/c of MLK and Marathon, so I'd love to hear your experiences.)

 

[noodleknitter]

I don't think that it's the best way to use DVC and I do plan several vactions in advance, but there is nothing WRONG with using the points for last minute travel if you have them.......

And to think you said it all without rudeness or sarcasm. Nice job!

 

[3DisneyKids]

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.

Hmmmm... I am waitlisted at BWV for that time (studio or 1 BR) and have not been contacted...time for a phone call to MS...here's hoping! (I know that you only wanted the one day and the are looking at all of my dates, so I am not mad at MS, just to clarify...I'll just go day by day, I think.)

 

[3DisneyKids]

Seasoned DVC vets laugh at the word "request." How?

- We buy where we know we will want to stay (which -- with all due respect, let's not engage in denial -- isn't SSR).

- We always book exactly 11 months out, day by day, always dialing MS starting 5 minutes before they open so we are the first ones in. That guarantees me a BWV Grand Villa over Christmas if I want it.

- Since we know our preferred home resort like the back of our hand, we know the insider codes to use when making so-called "requests" to insure we get exactly what we want (example: when to ask for a lock off and when not to, why one should ALWAYS request a villa with a bathtub, etc).

Which is why in eight years as a member I've never had to accept a villa that didn't meet ALL of my original, specific criteria.

And is why the neophytes end up with the leftovers.

I am glad that you always get what you want from DVC. And I agree with you that if you really plan (the first part of the planning process is to buy where you want to stay, so that is part of it as well), and then call at the 11 month window, etc. etc. that you will, indeed, be successful.

However, as has been said many times here on this board the percentage of DVC'ers who really do this is probably only 1%. Just look at the DIS...we have less than 1000 out of 100,000 who report using the DIS. So, it is reasonable to assume that not that many DVC owners are nearly as "in the know" as those on these boards.

Also, flexibility goes a long way. You have stated that you have specific wants, thus last-miunte planning does not work for you. However, I (and others here) am happy to stay at ANY DVC resort. Yup, I love them all! This makes it easy to (1) plan a last minute trip and (2) know that I will love my vacation because I am not hung up on getting the perfect room at the perfect resort.

So, the long and short of it is...yes, you CAN do last minute DVC trips as long as (1) you are not particular about which resort; and (2) you are not going during the ultra-peak times.

Last comment--in response to your statement:

We buy where we know we will want to stay (which -- with all due respect, let's not engage in denial -- isn't SSR).

For many, YES, SSR is our first choice. I am currently waitlisted at BWV only because DH and I really want to try it (have visited and know we like it, but have never stayed)...but we dearly love SSR. Please, respect those on this board and the requests of the Mods to NOT engage in resort bashing.

Best wishes and good vibes--

 

[fishermouse]

Seasoned DVC vets laugh at the word "request." How?

- We buy where we know we will want to stay (which -- with all due respect, let's not engage in denial -- isn't SSR).


And is why the neophytes end up with the leftovers.

Funny how so many neophytes report wonderful experiences at SSR during their first trip home. It's been said that ignorance is bliss! With Luck someday we can all reach your level of expertise and start to really enjoy our vacations. Thanks for the tips

 

[Santa]

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

And to think this is all I really wanted.
The question has nothing to do with last minute rooms but was a catchy title.

 

[fishermouse]

And to think this is all I really wanted.
The question has nothing to do with last minute rooms but was a catchy title.

By the second page most people are responing to the title or someone elses post without even reading the original post.

 

[Santa]

By the second page most people are responing to the title or someone elses post without even reading the original post.

Yea, I noticed that too so I just let'em run with it for the
I'm a real .... Well lets not go there cause thats what the DW calls me. Question was answered anyway.
Thanks everyone.

 

[cnids00]

When we stayed at OKW on our last trip, we were on day 1 told that the resort was only occupied at first 45%, then a couple of days later at 30%, so I would guess September is the month that is the least busy.
We did arrive on a Saturday and left on a Saturday.

Do I ever love this resort, OKW so is my 2nd home now

 

[spiceycat]

And to think this is all I really wanted.
The question has nothing to do with last minute rooms but was a catchy title.

hey I though you wanted both?

Sept and May - most of Jan.

but more people are now going in the offseason - the free dinning (not for DVC member) let some people who ever before went in Sept see what offseason was like.

in the next few years I can see offseason being a thing of the past and the parks always being at least 40,000 in the MK.

then I might sell my DVC.

I can remember when 10,000 people in early Dec at the MK was alot. those days are gone.....