have you had trouble staying at resorts other than home resort?

[lovin'Mickey]

I am considering buying into SSR however for the points I will be getting it would allow me to spend less points to be at OKW. So my question is how hard is it to stay at a different resort than your home has anyone ever not been able to get it??

 

[dianeschlicht]

That really depends on WHEN you are traveling and what size accommodations you are looking for. January, FEbruary,September, August and early November shouldn't be an issue, but the other times could be difficult if you are looking at either a studio or 1 bedroom.

 

[spiceycat]

the summer is not generally difficult to get any DVC resort at WDW.

just remember at 60 day - any unused villa or studio goes to CRO to be rented by the general public. At that time and after - it can definitely get difficult.

 

[OneMoreTry]

The past doesn't necessarily predict the future. OKW tends to be the easiest to get on short notice. That will probably be the case for a while, although I don't know about SSR.

If it were me, and I were young I would buy SSR and hope for a resale. I would guess some are popping up by now. If I were close to 40 I'd buy resale somewhere else and get the lower price. (I'm 45.)

 

[wtpclc]

In general, OKW tends to be one of the easier resorts to get into, because it is bigger. However, of you were looking at a GV, that's likely a different story. If you really want OKW, you may want to look into resales.

 

[RAD]

As BWV owners we've never had a problem booking OKW, including at the 5 month mark for a 2BR the 1st week in December. We've recenly book a 2BR at BCV for first week in May at the 5 month mark, no problems. But as mentioned, it's the luck of the draw and you shouldn't count on it. The best plan is to book at home resort if before the 7 month window and they switch, but be careful if you borrowed points for the reservation.

 

[CharlesTD]

No no trouble at all this will be our first trip staying at a resort that we actually own points at.

 

[Terry S]

For us it is very hard to stay at a different resort than our home, the BCV. We just don't want to stay anywhere else. We are at the Boardwalk in 4 days and are all having 2nd thoughts!

 

[senecabeach]

I have had no problem...at the 4 month mark...getting a studio for mid-May @ the BC for a 7 day stay.
I have also @ the 5 month mark got my ressies @ the BWV's for a Sept stay.
Hope the trend holds!!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I have never had a problem staying at the other resorts, just my home resort! I own at BWV and OKW! I have visited all of them, and I can modestly say that I picked well(blind luck!). I never mind staying at any of the resorts, so I always call and find out what's available, then decide. I vacation 4 times a year, always during school vacations. This summer I am staying in a grand villa at OKW for the first time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Fortunately we haven't had any trouble, at OKW anyways. That's the only non-home resort we stay at at WDW. We also go to HH, but since we go in March, not a high time, it hasn't been difficult to get ressies there either.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

We've only stayed at one of our home resorts once (Beach Club). We've never stayed at BoardWalk or SSR, which are the resorts we have the most points at. Anyway, we always stay at OKW and HHI since we can stretch our points further there. We've always been able to book with no problem at the 7 month window or less, with our vacations normally scheduled for either the MNSSHP or MVMCP as our fall trip, and then again sometime between February and April.

 

[lovin'Mickey]

So when I am looking to figure out how many points I want to purchase should I get enough for my Home Resort for length and time of yer I want or should I get enough points for somewhere else? Ex: OKW

 

[sheryl0521]

So when I am looking to figure out how many points I want to purchase should I get enough for my Home Resort for length and time of yer I want or should I get enough points for somewhere else? Ex: OKW

As SSR sales increase and members top the 90,000 to even 100,000 families, you should buy points to cover your home resort at the time you plan on traveling.
I am a firm believer that the 11/7 month booking windows are going to become very important when making ressies for the higher volume times.

 

[DarthGoofy]

I just booked VWL last week for a trip in July. I got a one-bedroom without a problem. OKW, SSR, and I believe BW preferred view were all available.

 

[sueg]

We are long-time OKW owners and we have tried every other resort, without a problem. I just called yesterday for a week in Aug. DS(10) wanted to return to SSR, which we tried last Aug. There was plenty of availability for a 2 BD at SSR and our home, OKW.

 

[Daitcher]

In general, OKW tends to be one of the easier resorts to get into, because it is bigger. However, of you were looking at a GV, that's likely a different story. If you really want OKW, you may want to look into resales.

It is not the size that is the main reason. OKW remains the least popular on site DVC Resort. The fanatics on these boards make it seem like OKW is the only place to stay. The lack of any direct ties to theme parks or other attractions makes it a less appealing choice for many. I would guess SSR will quickly become the next least popular choice. It does have DTD as a draw. Many people like to be able to walk or boat to the popular attractions and theme parks. OKW has those great rooms but how often is the average family in thier room on a vacation to WDW?

DAVE

 

[ParrotAtOKW]

I would say that we've had no trouble at all. Had to wait list a couple of times for stays at BWV, but both eventually came through.

By all means, buy in to wherever you can and want to. Do it with the understanding that not every request you make to stay somewhere else will work out though. But good grief - the worst that can happen is that you'll end up having to stay in the Real Nice Place that is your "home" resort!

SSR is a fine property. It is now one of our 2 home resorts. The wife likes BWV a lot though, so it may someday become our third.

 

[lllovell]

Our first trip home was during Georgia spring break week (which tended to be a bit later than the rest of the country apparently - thank goodness - but a week I would still expect to be somewhat busy).

We got ressies at 5 months for OKW and then at 3 months added a 2nd studio room at OKW, both times without a problem. (home is SSR)

 

[icydog]

We've only stayed at one of our home resorts once (Beach Club). We've never stayed at BoardWalk or SSR, which are the resorts we have the most points at. Anyway, we always stay at OKW and HHI since we can stretch our points further there. We've always been able to book with no problem at the 7 month window or less, with our vacations normally scheduled for either the MNSSHP or MVMCP as our fall trip, and then again sometime between February and April.

I am glad you joined the club, and its ok to buy SSR since you'll have it a long time. However, may I ask why you didn't buy HH or OKW resale? You could have gotten them cheaper than SSR and not worried about getting in at the 7 month interval. HH, especially if you want the summer season, is difficult to get into unless you own there. OKW is our favorite resort and I wouldn't want to take a chance that it would be sold out. Right now it is the easiest to get into but, with all these new DVC members wanting to spend less points, and the new slide at the main pool, it might not be that easy going forward. Maybe you might want a resale contract when you next decide to buy points....?