How hard is it to get a BWV grand villa?

[mjc2003]

We are in ROFR at BCV, will be making our first trip in the fall. We will have 400 pts to use immediately and plan to borrow from 2012 b/c we won't be traveling to Disney next year due to several reasons. So, we will have nearly 600 pts to play with (we will carry over the 2012 remaining points into 2013).

Inside of 7 months, are the Grand Villa's impossible to get? Especially during or around W&F? We are resigned to the idea that the BCV will not be available inside of 7 months at that time, so are hoping we can find something at BWV. We are also able to travel the week of 11/12-11/19, after F&W and before Thanksgiving....

 

[mjc2003]

anybody? I realize this is sort of a tough question to answer....but does anybody know how many grand villas there even are for DVC members? In general, do current BWV members find booking inside of 7 months difficult come fall?


I did some research but all I could find is the total number of villas at BWV, but no breakdown.

 

[Starr W.]

anybody? I realize this is sort of a tough question to answer....but does anybody know how many grand villas there even are for DVC members? In general, do current BWV members find booking inside of 7 months difficult come fall?


I did some research but all I could find is the total number of villas at BWV, but no breakdown.

I think there are 5 GV at BWV. F&W is rather busy for BWV and BCV.

I've only booked GV's right at my 11 month window for Thanksgiving at SSR and managed to get a Beach Cottage at Vero Beach(only 6) but I called at 11 months.

You might be able to get something that week before Thanksgiving, do you have to stay at BWV? If you need a GV, you might be able to get one at OKW,SSR or AKV.

 

[SINK]

You might be able to get something that week before Thanksgiving, do you have to stay at BWV? If you need a GV, you might be able to get one at OKW,SSR or AKV.

Forgot about getting a GV even at the 11 months mark if coming during Nov/Dec.

 

[Starr W.]

Forgot about getting a GV even at the 11 months mark if coming during Nov/Dec.

She might have a shot at OKW or SSR that week before Thanksgiving. I usually check into a GV at SSR that Friday for our Thanksgiving week trip and when chatting with bell services they usually say the resort is running at 80-85% full. Can't believe all 36 SSR GV are booked that week.

All the OP can do is call and see what's available. Geez I was surprised to get a BCV studio for mid October 3 months out.

We don't know if the OP needs a GV or is doing because they've got to blow some current UY points. The one pain of buying resale, had that with my one Wyndham pts purchase.

 

[SINK]

I should qualify that forget about getting GV at OKW/BWV. From my experience, even calling in at exactly 11 months window for Nov/Dec ressie, some of the requested nights would be unavailable because of the extra 7 nights allowed.

 

[Starr W.]

I should qualify that forget about OKW/BWV GVs. From my experience, even calling in at exactly 11 months window for Nov/Dec ressie, some of the requested nights would be unavailable because of the extra 7 nights allowed.

I've never had a problem, but I usually check in on Friday or no later than Saturday. Manage to get a VB Beach Cottage(only 6 of those) right at the 11 month mark, no problem for spring break this year.

I don't do the Sun-Thurs. trips, so I've not run into that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There are only seven GV at BWV. It would be pretty difficult to get a GV at 7 months out. Except for maybe SSR - they require more points than OKW, and there are quite a few of them.

But if you compare the THV with the GV, THV would be difficult to get at 7 months out and there are 30 of them available for points at SSR. But they only require as many points as a two bedroom villa.

 

[RobDoc]

BWV has a total of 7 GVs.

Here is the complete breakdown for BWV:

BWV - 97 Dedicated Studios - 130 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 0 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 149 Lockoffs - 7 Grand Villas = 383 Units / 532 Max. Available Rooms

The complete breakdown for all DVC resorts may be found in the DVC Resource Center (post #3) noted at the top of each of the DVC Forums.

 

[mjc2003]

Thank you all kindly, much appreciated.

My problem is, I basically have to use at least 400 pts before 3/31/2012. I don't want to bank b/c next year my wife has to travel outside the USA for several months, and we are moving...so we won't be traveling to Disney. We will go back in 2013, so I could bank some of my 2012 pts, but I don't want to bank them all. Just enough for a 1-2 br at BCV, we'll reserve that well in advance.

So, I will have 400-600 pts at my disposal to use before 3/31/12 (200 from 2010 that HAVE to be used, 200 from 2011 that I would like to use, the rest I could bank into 2013).

Any suggestions?

 

[AJKMOM]

If your travel party is big enough to need a GV, you could probably book 2 two bedroom units instead. If your problem is that you have points you want to use and can't, maybe you could rent them out. The DIS has a whole forum on how to do this.

 

[mjc2003]

Thank you for the suggestion. I will throw caution to the wind; when I can book, I will call and see what I can get.

I don't want to rent out the points. I'm not concerned with getting money back. I'll give them out to family if need be. I just want to get the most out of this trip b/c we won't be back for two years afterwards.

If I can get two 2 bedrooms, I'll be thrilled.

 

[gretchen265]

Last year was our first year with DVC. We closed in October, and were able to book a 2 bedroom villa at OKW for the week after F& W....So, if you are flexible with where you are willing to stay, and might need to break away from the GV's, I think you can definitely plan a wonderful vacation!! (And if you can't use your points, consider going to the rent/transfer board so that you can cover some expenses - but I am still optimistic you will find something!

 

[mjc2003]

Last year was our first year with DVC. We closed in October, and were able to book a 2 bedroom villa at OKW for the week after F& W....So, if you are flexible with where you are willing to stay, and might need to break away from the GV's, I think you can definitely plan a wonderful vacation!! (And if you can't use your points, consider going to the rent/transfer board so that you can cover some expenses - but I am still optimistic you will find something!

That gives me some hope. We really want to be over at BCV or BWV, this time we have family that will be there as well. Luckily several are staying in conjunction with whatever we can reserve (they're paying cash), and we hope to bring some with us (hence the desire for the grand villa). So, if we can find a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom or studio at either BCV or BWV the week after W&F, or even early December, we'll be thrilled. If not, we shall see....maybe we'll look into AKV and bring the whole gang over there.

 

[AJKMOM]

That gives me some hope. We really want to be over at BCV or BWV, this time we have family that will be there as well. Luckily several are staying in conjunction with whatever we can reserve (they're paying cash), and we hope to bring some with us (hence the desire for the grand villa). So, if we can find a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom or studio at either BCV or BWV the week after W&F, or even early December, we'll be thrilled. If not, we shall see....maybe we'll look into AKV and bring the whole gang over there.

Traveling with family? You might want to check out a whole lot of threads here about traveling with family. Many will say "the more doors between you, the better".

 

[chepic]

just my 2 cents....if you have the points, go for the 2 2-bedrooms. We have done the GV many times with family at OKW, and have always booked at my 11 month window without any issues. I have never tried at the 7. With that said, we actually enjoyed the 2 2-bedrooms better the last time. Had 1 extra tub for the kids, had the extra fridge to store all the sippy drinks, and we were able to have more adult time with the kids in one of the spots with an older child babysitting and we were in the other.

hope that helps, good luck, and have fun.

cheryl

 

[Deb & Bill]

...So, if we can find a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom or studio at either BCV or BWV the week after W&F, or even early December, we'll be thrilled. If not, we shall see....maybe we'll look into AKV and bring the whole gang over there.

Early December is going to be very difficult. That is one of the most popular times for DVC members. SSR and OKW are more likely to be available, but they might not even be available in early Dec.

 

[mjc2003]

Traveling with family? You might want to check out a whole lot of threads here about traveling with family. Many will say "the more doors between you, the better".

I agree, so true!...and if I can find 2-2 bedrooms, or even 1-2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom, I'd be thrilled.

Like I said, we have to be flexible so I just will keep my fingers crossed. Since we will have many children with us, I just hope we can find some rooms close to each other b/c that way adults can hang out after kids go to bed.

 

[mjc2003]

Early December is going to be very difficult. That is one of the most popular times for DVC members. SSR and OKW are more likely to be available, but they might not even be available in early Dec.

our preference will be the week of 11/12. We don't want to go in early December....

It sounds like we are going to have slim pickings regardless, and this really bothers me since I have points that I have to use. I know, it is what it is. My only thought is, if we close in mid-april we are still outside the 7 month window for early December, so maybe something at BCV will be available?

 

[Deb & Bill]

...My only thought is, if we close in mid-april we are still outside the 7 month window for early December, so maybe something at BCV will be available?

Early Dec is very tough. Members book at 11 months out.