Grand Villa Availavility

[CHunterK]

I am purchasing my first DVC contract (hopefully, if Disney doesn't exercise ROFR), and would like to book a Grand Villa for my wedding in 2014. My home resort is SSR but I would like to book a grand villa at AKL or BLT. Since I can't view the reservation system. How hard is it to get a Grand Villa at either resort at the 7 month window for Spring or Fall. I'm not particular on the dates (any time in April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov). Do they never come up, or is it possible snag a week every now and then?

 

[stmize]

I booked a grand villa for 2 separate ressies for thanksgiving week 2013 at my 11 mos out. I needed to change just last week to both ressies. I needed to add a day on the first one and drop a day on the second one. Now granted it was my home resort at okw but it was doable. I didn't even think to ck other resorts as this was where we wanted.

 

[disneypoor]

You made me curious. I own at BLT and Aulani, and I've never given much thought to a grand villa because we travel every year and don't have enough points for one, but I decided to check. Right now, I can book at 7 months as far out as Nov. 1st. So, when I looked to make a reservation for a grand villa at BLT beginning on Nov. 1, it wasn't completely available. Three of seven nights were available. However, the alternative offer was Animal Kingdom, and it was available for all seven nights. Don't know if this helps, but you made me curious, so I just wanted to check it out. Hopefully someone else who has more experience with getting grand villas can help out.

Susan

 

[drusba]

At 7 months out AKV GVs should be open any of the times you want except possibly middle of October and days around Thanksgiving time when it is questionable. BLT should be open April, May and possibly much of Sep but don't expect to be able to get one in Oct or Nov unless you are looking only for two or possibly at most three consecutive nights. You should also note that you may even have a chance for a BWV GV in April (except Easter weeks), and Mid-May or mid-September. Important is to reserve exactly 7 months out and do it early in the morning preferably at 8 a.m. on line.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am purchasing my first DVC contract (hopefully, if Disney doesn't exercise ROFR), and would like to book a Grand Villa for my wedding in 2014. My home resort is SSR but I would like to book a grand villa at AKL or BLT. Since I can't view the reservation system. How hard is it to get a Grand Villa at either resort at the 7 month window for Spring or Fall. I'm not particular on the dates (any time in April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov). Do they never come up, or is it possible snag a week every now and then?

May and September might work. But April (Easter and Spring Break, plus Flower & Garden Festival), Oct (TOT 10 miler, Columbus Day, Mickey's No So Scary Halloween Parties, Food & Wine Festival), Nov (Food & Wine Half marathon, Veterans Day, Jersey Week, Food & Wine Festival, Thanksgiving, Halloween Parties and Christmas Parties) will be very difficult at seven months out.

 

[jambo5564]

I booked a jambo house grand villa at 7 months out for the first week of october last year no problem

 

[CHunterK]

Thanks for all the great replies.

 

[DenLo]

Whatever resort you decide to book,at the 11 month mark, I would book a GV at my home resort and then at the 7 month mark try to switch to another resort. That way you definitely have a grand villa if the others are all booked at the 7 month mark.

Also will you want the GV for the entire week? I would think that the rest of the wedding party would leave a couple of days after the wedding. And the bride and groom would be moving to a smaller villa (a studio or 1 BR) on their wedding night. If would be a lot less points to downsize and give the two of you your privacy. I might even suggest that you book your honeymoon villa at a different WDW resort than the rest of the family.

 

[wdwnut]

We've been able to book a GV at BLT in May the 3 times we tried. Can't help you out about AKL. We've also booked a GV at our home resort, BWV, for October.