How far in advance do you need to book?

[kidsrule]

We are considering DVC. However, we would only be able to book our reservations 2-3 months in advance. We would almost always try to travel during non-peak times. Is it feasible to think we would be able to get a reservation for a 2 bedroom with such short notice? We are looking at ownership in AKV-Kidani. Any input on booking would be appreciated. This is one of the major things holding us back at this point.

 

[Lynne M]

Non-peak time for DVC is not the same as non-peak time for WDW resorts. What times of year would you typically travel?

 

[kidsrule]

Probably Jan, Feb, or First part of May?

 

[Deb & Bill]

First part of May is still not so difficult to get a few months out.

It's just that with all the new DVC construction being sold, there are more and more members competing for the same amount of slots at the holiday times, from Oct through mid-January, etc.

If you aren't fussy about what you get - meaning what location, what size villa, the number of days, exactly when, you might be okay. But if you need 7days in a studio for Dec 1 -6, you will be very disappointed.

If you will take two nights in a studio at one resort, one night in a one bedroom at another, then two more nights in a one bedroom at another, you might be okay waiting until 2-3 months out.

Bill just asked me what we were going to do for next summer - meaning summer 09. He said we need to make those reservations at the end of June.

 

[Starr W.]

First part of May is still not so difficult to get a few months out.

It's just that with all the new DVC construction being sold, there are more and more members competing for the same amount of slots at the holiday times, from Oct through mid-January, etc.

If you aren't fussy about what you get - meaning what location, what size villa, the number of days, exactly when, you might be okay. But if you need 7days in a studio for Dec 1 -6, you will be very disappointed.

If you will take two nights in a studio at one resort, one night in a one bedroom at another, then two more nights in a one bedroom at another, you might be okay waiting until 2-3 months out.

Bill just asked me what we were going to do for next summer - meaning summer 09. He said we need to make those reservations at the end of June.

I'm hoping I have summer of 09 covered(have a request with our other timeshare, hopefully requesting in 4/08 will get me something summer of 09).

As for DVC, I pretty much book at 11 months for our trips(Thanksgiving, MLK and Easter) it's done and out of the way. Now I will call and try to do the 7 month tango for MLK(got BCV last year). Not going to wait until 7 months or in and try to book when we go.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm hoping I have summer of 09 covered(have a request with our other timeshare, hopefully requesting in 4/08 will get me something summer of 09).

As for DVC, I pretty much book at 11 months for our trips(Thanksgiving, MLK and Easter) it's done and out of the way. Now I will call and try to do the 7 month tango for MLK(got BCV last year). Not going to wait until 7 months or in and try to book when we go.

I don't have the will power to waitlist. I am too much of a type "A" person, that I will take what I can get at 7 mos. as long as its all at the same resort, and all the same room type. Otherwise, I will ressie at 11 mos. for my home resort. I will, howevr, start calling day-by-day at 7 mos. for my best chances.

 

[Starr W.]

I don't have the will power to waitlist. I am too much of a type "A" person, that I will take what I can get at 7 mos. as long as its all at the same resort, and all the same room type. Otherwise, I will ressie at 11 mos. for my home resort. I will, howevr, start calling day-by-day at 7 mos. for my best chances.

7 month I'll be on the phone day by day(I just saw how fast Thanksgiving booked up, from 4/21-4/28, people are calling day by day, gotta use those developer points plus it's a holiday).

7 months doesn't give me enough time to regroup for ADR calling

 

[kidsrule]

Probably Jan, Feb, or First part of May?

 

[kidsrule]

Wow. Maybe it would be better for us to just stay offsite. We would always need at least a 2 bedroom. If it is as hard to get reservations as you say, then the cost just wouldn't be worth it. Thanks for your input.

 

[crisi]

Wow. Maybe it would be better for us to just stay offsite. We would always need at least a 2 bedroom. If it is as hard to get reservations as you say, then the cost just wouldn't be worth it. Thanks for your input.

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. Grand Villas (three bedrooms ) almost always book far more than two or three months out. Two bedrooms might be available, but may not be - or may be available but you may end up moving mid trip. For some people, that's going to work, but its going to take a certain sort of flexible person to get it to work.

 

[dcamdad]

I can remember as little as 3 - 4 years ago you could call just a couple of months out and get a 2 br, but that now seems impossible. I know there has been discussion on DVC over selling but I'm not convinced that is the pure root of the problem, there are a ton of free developer points being handed out for the last couple of years that must be used or lost. I think once the dev points settle out the demand will lessen somewhat but will never go back to being able to get ressies a couple of months out.

 

[FLYNZ4]

Wow. Maybe it would be better for us to just stay offsite. We would always need at least a 2 bedroom. If it is as hard to get reservations as you say, then the cost just wouldn't be worth it. Thanks for your input.

Offsite condos in the Orlando area are nearly free... but the experience is just not the same. It is like going to the coast... but staying 1/2 mile from the ocean. It's an inferior location.

Personally... I love the location of DVC resorts. Nothing comes close for WDW vacations.

/Jim

 

[rinkwide]

...going to the coast... but staying 1/2 mile from the ocean. It's an inferior location.

Personally... I love the location of DVC resorts...

Well, all except for Hilton Head.

 

[msabol01]

I was able to get SSR two months out for the last week of April/1st week of May. I had also waitlisted for a partial stay at VWL and got it as well. So unless you're dead set on a specific property you should have a good chance of getting a ressie for the times you want to travel.

 

[felway17]

Here are two examples for you....

In Jan 2007... was able to book 4 rooms at Beach Club Villa's for 4th of July week. One of the peak times overall

April 20, 2008, was able to book for the Memorial day.. a 2br.

So far I have not had any trouble booking. But I could be the execption

 

[dianeschlicht]

January, February and May will be easier than some other times. If you can make that decision at least 3 months out, you will be better off, since at 2 months out DVC can move inventory from DVC to CRO.

There is more to the formula than just WHEN. You need to consider WHERE also. Since you are looking for a 2 bedroom, I'd say you will probably find something most of the time if you are patient and willing to waitlist. Early May is likely to be the easiest of those times. If you are always going to be stuck booking on that short a notice, I would not buy a high maintenance fee resort. I'd probably buy the lowest cost, lowest maintenance fee resort and go from there, since the 11 month booking window will mean nothing to you.

 

[Starr W.]

Our guide said for DVC to really work for you, minimum you need to be able to plan your vacations 7 months out. Yes, you can luck out and get something but do you really want to spend this much money and be holding your breath when you call MS 3 months out?

Then as you get to know the system, you find out times that you wouldn't think DVC is busy, it actually is very busy(1st 2 weeks of December is probably the best example).