Grand Villas at 7 months?

[MamaCrystal]

I just saw that David's rentals only recommends booking VGF grand villas at 3-6 months out. Is it true that they're typically still available at that point??

I now find myself wondering why we wouldn't just buy a large contract at a cheaper resort and still potentially book a VGF grand villa at the 7 month window... evil or genius?? Obviously not guaranteed so we would need to purchase at a resort we enjoy, but I thought I'd get expert opinions on the viability of this.

Edit to add: We'd typically vacation mid to late October or mid December

 

[mustinjourney]

As of right now, there is nothing more than a day here or there for all of october thru the first week of January. So if you want to go during that time, I'd certainly not plan for only 3-6 months in advance.

 

[MamaCrystal]

As of right now, there is nothing more than a day here or there for all of october thru the first week of January.

Aha. Thanks for that insight. I wonder if there was any Oct availability 4 months ago, or perhaps it's a mistake through David's... I was surprised to see that as the recommendation! Oh well, worth a try I think I'm just impatient for the right VGF contract to come along.

 

[mustinjourney]

some rooms at VGF were completely booked at 11 months out (but then quickly became available again) -- likely due to walking?

There was availability first week of december until early May. So pretty much 7 months out, the first week of December was getting booked.

Bottom line -- if you want a grand villa at VGF for first week of December and you don't own there -- you better be ready to book right away at 7 months.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The GV's at VGF take a lot of points and yes, are often still available past the 7 month window. For the times you're looking though it's safer to own there.

 

[MamaCrystal]

Ok, thanks for the feedback!

 

[OKW Lover]

Not quite an apples to apples comparison, but we've stayed in at GV at Aulani four years in a row booking at the 7 month window.

 

[Marionnette]

I just saw that David's rentals only recommends booking VGF grand villas at 3-6 months out. Is it true that they're typically still available at that point??

I now find myself wondering why we wouldn't just buy a large contract at a cheaper resort and still potentially book a VGF grand villa at the 7 month window... evil or genius?? Obviously not guaranteed so we would need to purchase at a resort we enjoy, but I thought I'd get expert opinions on the viability of this.

Edit to add: We'd typically vacation mid to late October or mid December

Just to add to what everyone said, if you typically vacation mid-to-late October or mid-December, you need to own where you don't mind staying. Those are prime DVC seasons at WDW and availability at the near-park resorts can be gone by the time the 7-month non-home booking window opens. It's only getting more difficult to change to non-home resorts as Disney adds more DVC resorts.

 

[ScubaCat]

some rooms at VGF were completely booked at 11 months out (but then quickly became available again) -- likely due to walking?

Either that or someone has a fixed week and cancelled it to use the points for a different room category(ies).