How far in advance should I make a reservation?

[Daddio]

This is one of the most frequent questions asked and it is a really good one.

The short answer is "5 minutes before the next person takes the last room".

The long answer is, "We never know what rooms are available until we call Disney Vacation Club Member Services, so in every case, it is always advisable to check. We never say "never" until Member Services says so".

That said, here is a guideline as to our recommendations to assist both DVC Members and Guests in avoiding disappointment:


At 11 months in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms (they are the first to sell out):

Animal Kingdom Villas, Concierge Level Studio, Concierge Level 1 Bedroom, Concierge Level 2 Bedroom
Animal Kingdom Villas, Value Studio, Value 1 Bedroom, Value 2 Bedroom
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Standard View Studio, Standard View 2 Bedroom
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Theme Park View Studio, Theme Park View 2 Bedroom
Boardwalk Villas, Standard View Studio, Standard View 1 Bedroom, Standard View 2 Bedroom
Boardwalk Villas, Boardwalk View Studio, Boardwalk View 1 Bedroom, Boardwalk View 2 Bedroom
Boardwalk Villas, Grand Villa
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Treehouse Villa


At 10 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Theme Park View 1 Bedroom, Theme Park Grand Villa
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake View Studio, Lake View 2 Bedroom
Beach Club Villas, Studio, 2 Bedroom
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, Studio, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Studio


At 9 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Animal Kingdom Villas, Grand Villa
Animal Kingdom Villas, Savannah View Studio, Savannah View 2 Bedroom
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Lake View 1 Bedroom, Lake View Grand Villa
Beach Club Villas, 1 Bedroom
Boardwalk Villas, Pool/Garden View Studio, Pool/Garden View 2 Bedroom
Old Key West, Grand Villa
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Grand Villa
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, 2 Bedroom


At 8 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Animal Kingdom Villas, Standard View Studio, Standard View 2 Bedroom
Animal Kingdom Villas, Savannah View 1 Bedroom
Boardwalk Villas, Pool/Garden View 1 Bedroom
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, 1 Bedroom


At 7 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Animal Kingdom Villas, Standard View 1 Bedroom
Old Key West, Studio, 2 Bedroom
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 2 Bedroom


At 3 to 6 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Old Key West, 1 Bedroom
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Studio


At 1 to 2 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 1 Bedroom



For popular dates, breaks and holidays, it is best to be earlier than the recommended time lines.

Beach resorts, including Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island should be booked 9 to 11 months in advance for summer and peak season times.

We don't have enough data for Aulani in Hawaii so we recommend 9 to 11 months at this time.

These are only guidelines and do not guarantee actual availability.Your results may differ depending on many variables. I hope you find this information useful.


David

 

[Syd&Cammie]

thanks for the info....good to know

 

[RobDoc]

Great analysis. Thanks, David!

 

[RachaelA]

We're new DVC members so that chart is very helpful! Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

David, you need to add VGC to your chart. It looks pretty good, though.

Duh, it was there, but not as VGC, just CG.

 

[Daddio]

David, you need to add VGC to your chart. It looks pretty good, though.

Duh, it was there, but not as VGC, just CG.

You're right Deb. I changed it.

David

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Thank you!

 

[Garthilk]

When the online checkin thing goes live. I hope they release some metrics about the reservations of the resorts. IE, there is no reason DVC can't release this kind of trended information.

 

[Sammie]

When the online checkin thing goes live. I hope they release some metrics about the reservations of the resorts. IE, there is no reason DVC can't release this kind of trended information.

They know but they won't share and I don't imagine that will change.

 

[HookdonWDW]

What could be interesting when things go online is how many people book "fantasy trips" and then cancel them and change the dates. Obviously, it wouldn't make sense to borrow points to do it, but I can see more people making tentative vacation dates and then cancelling them at 31 days or right before their banking window if they decide not to go. I'm sure that some people do this now, but it seems like an online system, which is more anonymous, might make this more common...

 

[Sammie]

What could be interesting when things go online is how many people book "fantasy trips" and then cancel them and change the dates. Obviously, it wouldn't make sense to borrow points to do it, but I can see more people making tentative vacation dates and then cancelling them at 31 days or right before their banking window if they decide not to go. I'm sure that some people do this now, but it seems like an online system, which is more anonymous, might make this more common...

I don't think online booking will change the way people book. I think most DVC members are serious about planning their trips and only something major would make them cancel after booking.

Online is not anonymous, anyway. If for some reason online booking causes an abuse of the system, more people booking and cancelling multiple times, etc. you can believe that DVC will step in and punish all of us for the crimes of a few. Which all they would have to do is allow you a certain number of bookings and changes, cancellations for free and a fee for any others.

 

[Joey7295]

When is online booking supposed to become available?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Your list looks about right, Daddio.