How hard is it to get VGC reservations?

[nolenbelledavis]

My sister lives in LA, so we're considering buying DVC and planning to visit her each year. I assume this means we need to buy VGC resale in order to have the best chance of using the points. But given the price difference of some other resorts, I feel like I have to ask, how hard is it to get reservations at the 7 month window at VGC, and what about at the 11 month window?

Our two most likely travel times are end of May/beginning of June and mid to later October.

 

[DizMagic]

I own at VWL and am currently trying to get in VGC for next Feb (about 6 months out). i have 3 days of the 5 so far, albeit not in the same room. I am checking every day and have WL for the 2 days needed. We will see - I have heard since it is so small that it can be difficult.

 

[AZMermaid]

I am 50/50 for studios but have always gotten 1BR right at 7 months. Later in the day, they are often gone. Waitlists seem iffy here. I would buy resale at VGC if this is where you generally plan to stay. It can be tricky.

 

[DenLo]

Last year we did a cruise out of San Pedro in early October and wanted to go to DLR either before or after the cruise. About 10 1/2 months out we got nervous and ended up renting points from an owner through David's Rentals. At the 7th month mark for the dates before or after the cruise we checked and found that we could not get all of the days we wanted either for either set of dates. We were always missing 1 or 2 dates. And they were always in the middle. We were so glad that rented the points.

I have to agree with the other posters it is difficult to get into VGC. I have heard if you are flexible on your dates it is easier to get a villa and that a 1BR is easier to get.

Since you are a member, I would check the Resort Availability Tool for VGC and the villa type you are interested in. With that tool you can check availability from one day to the 11 month mark, so it would be easy to check 7 month availability.

 

[drusba]

From what I have seen at the 7 month window for 2014 for VGC, and other than the GVs which were often booked, one was able to get VGC from second week of Jan through April except for time around MLK weekend and Presidents' week and time at end of march and beginning of April -- week before and of Easter were actually open. In May, it was usually open except missing a day in first week and two around Memorial Day weekend. Late May through July, there was often an issue but in most weeks it was just one or two days blocked out and some weeks such as in mid July it was actually open. For much of August through Labor Day weekend, the weeks were missing three or more days at 7 months out. Thereafter, from Sep to third week of Nov it was often open except for Oct through Columbus day weekend, Halloween time and weekend that included Veteran's day. Thanksgiving week through early Jan was missing three to six days a week.

In other words, for the two times you mention, there have been some problems at 7 months out but there are many weeks during the year when it was available.

Thus far, 2015, from second week of Jan through mid-March has been following the same pattern as 2014 at 7 months out.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm 3 for 3 @ 7 months

Early May 2011 - studio
Late September 2012 - studio
August 2013 (Sunday-Wednesday before D23) - 1 bedroom

Looking for a 1 bedroom again next year before D23.

 

[chrisaman]

My sister lives in LA, so we're considering buying DVC and planning to visit her each year. I assume this means we need to buy VGC resale in order to have the best chance of using the points. But given the price difference of some other resorts, I feel like I have to ask, how hard is it to get reservations at the 7 month window at VGC, and what about at the 11 month window? Our two most likely travel times are end of May/beginning of June and mid to later October.

. If by end of May u mean Memorial Day, u better have the 11 month window. October could be tough because u are competing against Halloween and gay days is early to mid October. If u want to stay vgc, get a vgc contract so u have no regrets. The worst would be to spend all that money then not be able to get a room when u want. The it is pretty much a waste. Spend the money and get what u really want.

 

[disneydenisel]

We own at VGC and it is really easy at the 11-month mark to book anything. I don't usually book at exactly 11 months, and am finding even at 8 months out, there is good availability. At 7 months out, I think the studios go quickly and then the one and two bedrooms go last due to the high point requirement.

I have to say, I feel I have to plan very far in advance even with my own points to stay there. If I don't have a plan before 7 months out, I am pretty much out of luck. For example, I booked next June but I don't even know when the grad nights are and I want to avoid most of them, but I had to book something just in case. I might be able to change dates later, but if nothing is open, then at least I have something! I just bought another contract (direct!) because I wanted to try staying in a two bedroom next year, and it requires a lot of points.

If you want to stay at VGC and can take advantage of the home resort preference period, then you probably should buy there.

 

[Dean]

My sister lives in LA, so we're considering buying DVC and planning to visit her each year. I assume this means we need to buy VGC resale in order to have the best chance of using the points. But given the price difference of some other resorts, I feel like I have to ask, how hard is it to get reservations at the 7 month window at VGC, and what about at the 11 month window?

Our two most likely travel times are end of May/beginning of June and mid to later October.

IF this is your main plan, I'd either buy at VGC or not at all. The question then becomes whether it's worth it at that price and having to plan at 11 months out consistently. Wyndham has 2 resorts in the area as well if you want to consider timeshares and cash always works. One can also rent from a member there if desired. If you're not risk averse and wanted to use them partly for VGC and partly for WDW, then buying at WDW and taking your chances might work out even if you had to make alternate plans part of the time.