Help with decision AKV add-on

[Kendallkat2]

We have been seeing a trend of not being able to book at other then our home resort which is Vero and OKW lately. This is probably due to so many new members. We really want to stay at AKV, we tried on the 6th to book and couldn't. So now we are considering to buy 50 points at AKV. We really don't need more points with the way we vacation, we have plenty.

So what do you think? Should we add-on and always be able to book at least 3 days in a studio or hope that we will be able to book the 7 months out.

Beth

 

[Coach Rick]

It is truly amazing how quickly things have changed. It was only two short years ago that I booked a studio at WLV Thanksgiving weekend, in JULY of that year. Now seems you can't book anything in the 7 month range. I had a heck of a time trying to book for this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Luckily we decided to purchase 150 points at AKV the third day they were on sale. I booked two rooms, a 1 bedroom for us, and borrowed 08 AKV points and got "most" of the requested stay in a studio for my parents. I too called Wednesday the 6th to book the remaining two days for them with their SSR points, and although successful they will have to change rooms the Sunday. I think it's just a sign of the popularity of DVC, and this begs the question, are they overselling? Everywhere you look at Disney World there are signs for the "Best Kept Secret". Umm, I don't think it's a secret anymore! Don't misunderstand my commentary here to say I don't want anymore members. But I just wonder if they are seriously selling at a rate that out performs construction. With this latest turn of events it would seem to me that is is more important now than ever before to buy where you want to stay. That said, I am putting my VB points up for sale shortly to buy more AKV points. After staying there on a cash ressie back in couple years ago, we absolutely fell in love with the place.

I know this was a bit more of a tirade, but I hope it helped answer your question some what.

 

[jcodespoti]

I wonder if it will calm down once the flood of bonus points (I think it will end) for AKL is over.

Joe in CT

 

[DVCLiz]

I don't think there's any possibility of DVC "overselling", given that there are a finite number of points that correspond to he number of units available in a given year. Once the points are gone, they are "sold out", so I'm not sure how they could "oversell."

I think what you really mean is, "Is DVC getting so big that the former easy option of last-minute trips to resorts other than our home resort is becoming a thing of the past?" In that case, I'd say the answer is probably yes - but I never counted on being able to have that option as a given. I've always understood that the basic rule of DVC is - Buy where you want to stay and make your plans 11 months out for maximum opportunites. Having other home resorts or booking later than 11 months always reduces the chances of getting what you want.

 

[CarolMN]

We have been seeing a trend of not being able to book at other then our home resort which is Vero and OKW lately. This is probably due to so many new members. We really want to stay at AKV, we tried on the 6th to book and couldn't. So now we are considering to buy 50 points at AKV. We really don't need more points with the way we vacation, we have plenty.

So what do you think? Should we add-on and always be able to book at least 3 days in a studio or hope that we will be able to book the 7 months out.

Beth

If you don't really need the points, my advice is to wait / tough it out for the next 2 -3 years. (Book OKW and waitlist for AKV - you may be successful more often than you think). Once the Kidani (DVC) building is finished, AKV will be much larger and some of the "I want to try out the new resort" people will have moved on. I expect that once the new building is fully available, AKV will be relatively easy to get at 7 months. That said, if you want a value or concierge room, you will need to own there, IMHO.

FWIW, I don't believe DVC is "overselling" - they can't. It's a matter of law.

I do think it is harder to book the smaller DVC resorts at 7 months now than it used to be.

However, I have not read that people are having trouble getting into SSR or OKW at 7 months (except for the GV at OKW and possibly at holiday or other peak times). That is just numbers - there are now so many more members than there used to be and the capacity at the smaller resorts is limited. Many members want to stay at the smaller resorts and now they have learned that you must call as soon as you can at 7 months to have a shot at getting a reservation.

 

[Starr W.]

We're new members, 2 trips down, 3 on the books. I have called at our 11 month window on all but 1(but it was still in the home priority period). Other than for Thanksgiving, MS has commented on how early I was booking, even for Easter week.

Now if I want to try a different resort, I have the back up of my home resort if I call at 7 months and have to waitlist(we're 1-1 on that).