How difficult to get rooms at non-home resorts?

[Metry Mickey]

How difficult is it to get reservations at DVC resorts that are not your home resort if you book 6-7 months in advance, and the dates are not traditionally busy season?

 

[SlyHubby]

depends on time of year, which non-home resort, and what type of room you're looking for.

we've booked many times at 6 months and less and have never had a problem getting "something" at non-home resorts.

 

[jctwizzer]

During non-busy times, we've gotten reservations at non-home resorts on as little as three weeks notice...maybe just lucky but its worked

 

[ripleysmom]

We were able to get a 2BR villa at WLV for President's Week at the 7 month window.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Never had a problem. But you may have to do the night-by-night wait list at popular times.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Metry Mickey
How difficult is it to get reservations at DVC resorts that are not your home resort if you book 6-7 months in advance, and the dates are not traditionally busy season?

Just remember that DVC's busy season doesn't always line up with WDW's busiest seasons.

For instance, early December has low crowds at WDW, but it's one of DVC's highest demand times of the year. I'd say booking that at 6 months is kind of difficult.

And October during the Wine & Food Fest at EPCOT is hard to book BWV and BCV on shorter notice.

Are you considering buying a DVC resort that you don't want to stay at most of the time? Just wondering if that is what prompted your question. If so, I urge you to heed the advice of most of us here that indicates that you should buy where you want to stay the most. Your home resort carries the 11 month booking advantage, and there may often be times that it is the easiest to get for a specific vacation period. You don't want to be "disappointed" in having to stay at your home resort!

 

[Doctor P]

We're three for three at the seven month window--got a studio at HH during high season (July) and later tried to switch it to a 1BR (which was also available at the time we booked but not when we tried to change) via the wait list about three months out but were unsuccessful, got a studio at VWL during Labor Day weekend coming up, and got a studio at BCV (using OKW points since our BCV points were used up for our 2003 cruise) for the following weekend.

 

[jarestel]

It's pretty easy today, but that doesn't guarantee that it will remain so. As DVC adds more members, the 7-month availability could become harder to get at the smaller resorts. As Granny said, you should buy where you are most interested in staying so you don't end up frustrated and disappointed later on.

 

[DebbieB]

We've stayed at OKW 1 bedroom for the past 4 years in early/mid May (5 coming up), no problem getting a res at 6 or 7 months. I got a BWV standard 1 bedroom for late April at 7 months.

 

[dhudson1]

We got a 1 bedroom for 8 days at BCV (our home is BWV) 6 months out with no problem

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by jarestel
It's pretty easy today, but that doesn't guarantee that it will remain so. As DVC adds more members, the 7-month availability could become harder to get at the smaller resorts.

I think this will depend on the popularity of SSR. If it becomes high demand I think availability will be good for all resorts. If SSR owners don't like their resort much, I think the 11 month will become more important.

As I've said before, I think popularity will change as DVC owners age and priorities change.

 

[tjkraz]

It is only human nature for people to want to sample various resorts over the years. So often we say "buy where you want to stay" on this board, but who really has the opportunity to try all of the DVC properties before making a decision?

Besides, many people find out about DVC while at the parks, and end up buying direct without even being aware of the resale market.

My point is that it's less a case of whether SSR owners "like" their resort, and more a case of what they end up liking once they have had a chance to sample the different properties.

SSR sales are going to add tens of thousands of new members to the DVC family. Some portion of those new owners will always want to try a non-home resort.

As long as the number of rooms at the smaller resorts like VWL and BCV stays fixed, and the overall DVC membership continues to grow, it inevitably will be more difficult to book those resorts in the future. The degree to which it will be more difficult is a complete unknown.

 

[raparker13]

We do it all the time. In fact we use non-home much more than home (HH). It all depends on how flexible you are on dates and where you stay. We are very flexible and most of our trips are last minute. Our kids are grown, so that helps!

 

[Metry Mickey]

Thanks to everyone for your responses, you've made my decision easier. I am buying at SSR, and I think we will love it there, but I know we will want to stay at BCV and BW a lot too. The response to questions on this site is tremendous, I'm glad I found it.

Thanks again.