Grand Villa Availability at 7mo?

[kandlsutton]

Planning early for next extended family stay in 2 years and want to know whether the 11mo booking window is needed to snag a GV? Own at Riviera and Animal Kingdom but don’t have enough points with banking and 100% borrowing (if that is allowed at some point) at either resort. Points chart is definitely more favorable at AKL. Has anyone here been able to get a GV at 7 months (excluding 2020 when it was easier to book because of covid)?

 

[CarolMN]

This is an older post that is still valid if you can ignore the effects of COVID:

drusba's Grand Villa availability at 7 months from 12/16

In 2022, there will probably still be a lot of "extra" points in the system due to the 2020 resort closures, so consider a back up plan. Would a 2 bedroom and a studio work? Good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

Just want to add, there is only 1 GV in the near HH category at OKW, it is no surprise it is booked up right at 11 months. Of the remaining 26 GVs, 3 are HA. There are 27 GVs at OKW total.

 

[RoseGold]

Pre-Covid, I researched this a lot at WDW, because it is how I planned to use my SSR points. I only travel off-peak and am flexible with my dates and found that I could get BLT or AKL for what I wanted, especially the higher point categories.

Some rooms are always booked (OKW) and peak travel dates will be booked solid. We have no idea when or where you are booking.

 

[Donna M]

We normally travel at the end of Feb or Apr and have gotten GV at OKW a few times, and Jambo. A lot depends on when you go.

 

[kandlsutton]

Pre-Covid, I researched this a lot at WDW, because it is how I planned to use my SSR points. I only travel off-peak and am flexible with my dates and found that I could get BLT or AKL for what I wanted, especially the higher point categories.

Some rooms are always booked (OKW) and peak travel dates will be booked solid. We have no idea when or where you are booking.

I realize availability is highly dependent on when we want to go, with Fall through New Years being more in demand for DVC. Extended family trip would require a lot of coordination with my adult kids (no grandchildren yet), but I should have some flexibility on when we travel. We can combine our 2- Dec UY contracts at 7 months, but will still be a little short and would have to borrow as well. Or we can look at adding to AKL, but its a little over priced IMO at this time.

DH and I will typically travel alone and like having multiple home resorts, so larger point contracts aren‘t really necessay for just the two of us. As I stated originally, I am planning out a couple of years, realizing things change over time, and just trying to get a general idea Sellers market right now, but want to be prepared if a good opportunity comes along since....

 

[CarolynFH]

I realize availability is highly dependent on when we want to go, with Fall through New Years being more in demand for DVC. Extended family trip would require a lot of coordination with my adult kids (no grandchildren yet), but I should have some flexibility on when we travel. We can combine our 2- Dec UY contracts at 7 months, but will still be a little short and would have to borrow as well. Or we can look at adding to AKL, but its a little over priced IMO at this time.

DH and I will typically travel alone and like having multiple home resorts, so larger point contracts aren‘t really necessay for just the two of us. As I stated originally, I am planning out a couple of years, realizing things change over time, and just trying to get a general idea Sellers market right now, but want to be prepared if a good opportunity comes along since....

You could also consider getting a transfer from another AKL owner to reach the number of points you need, depending on how many you’re short. They do need to be valid for the dates of your trip, in terms of UY, but they don’t have to match your UY. And of course if you’re short 24 points or less, you could book what you can at 11 months, then call at 7 months to buy OTU points and book the remainder, assuming availability of course. So purchasing an add-on contract isn’t your only option.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

In 2017, I was able to book 8 nights in a Grand Villa 7 months out by splitting it - got 5 nights at AKL and 3 nights at WL/Copper Creek. It worked out really well.

 

[The Jackal]

Just want to add, there is only 1 GV in the near HH category at OKW, it is no surprise it is booked up right at 11 months. Of the remaining 26 GVs, 3 are HA. There are 27 GVs at OKW total.

Isn’t there 2 grand villas in the same building for the near HH category in building 25. I thought the odd one was the first floor GV. Other than that one, buildings that had GV at OKW had 2 or 3 of them side by side and are on the 2nd floor and 3rd floor (they are 2 stories). Yes HH GV’s are usually gone right at 11 months at OKW and most of the year the rest are gone before 7 months.

 

[Chuck S]

Isn’t there 2 grand villas in the same building for the near HH category in building 25. I thought the odd one was the first floor GV. Other than that one, buildings that had GV at OKW had 2 or 3 of them side by side and are on the 2nd floor and 3rd floor (they are 2 stories). Yes HH GV’s are usually gone right at 11 months at OKW and most of the year the rest are gone before 7 months.

Yes, my mistake, Bldg 25 is a type C bldg.. two GV in near HH. Still no surprise they book up at 11 months.