Grand Villas at 7 months

[dkddis]

I own at Saratoga, but we like OKW and we want to plan a multi family trip for April Vacation of 2007. (Easter is early in 2007, but vacation in Massachusetts will still be late April so the points are in the "magic" season!) If I borrow 100% from our next use year we can cover a GV at OKW, but not at SSR. Will I have any chance at 7 months out for a week that is April vacation for much of the Northeast? I may go with just a smaller group and go for a two bedroom.

 

[Daitcher]

I highly doubt you would get a Grand Villa in April. The entire month of April is very busy. It doesn't hurt to try so keep your fingers crossed. I got a Beach Cottage at VB at 7 months but that was in October ( off season). OKW and SSR are the least booked DVC Resorts based on occupancy rates so with a lot of luck it could happen. Make your ressie at SSR 8-11 months out and then try to switch to OKW at 7 months. Good luck.


DAVE

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree, you would have to be pretty lucky to get a GV at 7 months for April. Maybe you can find an OKW owner who will trade reservations with you at the 11 month window.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Another option might be to buy a few more points so that, at a minimum, you could cover a GV at SSR before the 7 month mark. Then waitlist at OKW and hope for the best.

Good luck!

 

[dtndfamily]

I have been debating this same question for a July 07 trip. I called MS yesterday to get an idea of the availability of a GV at OKW for next July and they had all my "would-be" dates except for 1 at the 7 month window, but the CM said that availability was scarce. To ensure I get most of the days, I am planning on adding on 85 points at OKW to get the 5 weekdays (85 points * 3 years) and then pray that I can get the weekend days at 7 months with my current points. If I can't get the weekend days in a GV I will just book two 2BD for the weekend. I was going to need to rent points to make up a shortfall anyway, so I figured I might as well add on.

 

[mirel]

I just got a Grand Villa in OKW for this April, I have contracts in BC and SSR.

Mirel

 

[dtndfamily]

That is great to hear. I still think I will be adding on points to assure myself the availability in the future. Who knows when I will want to take my extended family in the future to visit the mouse. With more and more people buying points at SSR and then future resorts, it will only get more difficult to get what you want at the 7 month window at the current resorts (GV @ OKW, BCV and BWV for Food & Wine, BWV Std view, VWL at Christmas, etc) if they are not your home.

 

[MrShiny]

oops

 

[MrShiny]

Besides buying points for the GV at SSR and hoping for OKW, you could book 3 studios at SSR for one night (which would be either 39 or 87 points, depending on the day of the week as opposed to 97 or 117 for a GV at SSR or 51 or 139 at OKW) and then the GV. Same capacity, but a savings over a GV alone. You'd have to move after the first night, but that wouldn't be that big of a hassle. In fact that first day is when you use the room the least really, so it makes sense to "skimp" then.

You can still try to switch to OKW, but this way you are covered in any case.

 

[jorodopo]

How about getting Grand Villas at OKW in January at the 7 month mark? Is January slow enough?

 

[byoung]

Can't hurt to call and find out.

 

[dkddis]

Thanks for your advice. In 2007 we will just bring a small group so we can do the two bedroom. I will book SSR at 11 months and then go for OKW at 7. I like the idea of getting a few extra points to cover the SSR GV for a week. Perhaps in 2008!