How hard to book at beach club

[michelleiada]

So my husband is finally on board to buy DVC... YAY! We absolutely love Beach Club and prefer to stay there, however there are not a lot of contracts on the market. There are tons od Saratoga contracts available and they are much cheaper so I could buy a contract with more points. So the question is, how difficult is it truly, to book at Beach Club at the seven month mark? I know, I know, everyone says to buy where you like to stay but the Saratoga points are very tempting.

Michelle

 

[bobbiwoz]

When do you want to go? What type of villa will you want most of the time.

Before we had DGC coming with us, we didn't own at BCV, we only wanted studios and I booked exactly at 7 months I did get what I wanted. This would be any time from May through September.

Once we had family coming and I knew I wanted the dedicated 2 bedroom with 2 queens in the second bedroom, and I still book from May through October, I bought BCV points so I am sure of getting our "main" villa for the trip. I still may need a studio for a few nights, and again, for just 2-4 nights, I'm still lucky to get the extra villas at 7 months. Since I own at BWV, and book those others there at 11 months. We would still be relatively close.

People say it's harder to get into BCV for F&W. I wouldn't buy at SSR if I really, really wanted to stay at BCV for F&W, I would probably buy the SSR if I had my sights on staying at BCV from May through September, AND if I like SSR enough. We own 100 SSR points as well, and we've mostly used them at other resorts.

Bobbi

PS. AKV happens to be where we've used our SSR points the most.

 

[chalee94]

here are the hard facts from the DVC resource thread stickied above:

BCV - 36 Dedicated Studios - 20 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 78 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 74 Lockoffs - 0 Grand Villas = 208 Units / 282 Max. Available Rooms

SSR - 0 Dedicated Studios - 0 Dedicated 1Bdrm - 360 Dedicated 2Bdrm - 432 Lockoffs - 60 THV - 36 Grand Villas = 888 Units / 1320 Max. Available Rooms

lots of SSR owners would rather stay in walking distance of epcot...but many of them will be disappointed if they counted on not having to stay at SSR.

if you'd only be happy staying at BCV, buy there and book at 10-11 months out. even though it costs more and expires sooner (BCV expires in 2042 while SSR expires in 2054) - that is the best course of action if you'd feel disappointed to be "stuck" at SSR.

if you're fine with staying at SSR but prefer BCV, then sure, buy in at SSR and book SSR at 10-11 months out to lock in a place to stay at wdw. then call first thing in the morning when the 7 month window opens to try for BCV...ride the waitlist if you need to. worst case scenario is staying at SSR onsite at wdw.

if you can't book more than 6-7 months out in general, home resort advantage is a non-issue for you.

 

[disneynutz]

Here is the bottom line, you get what you pay for.

If you want to guarantee a stay at a certain resort, you should buy there.

If you don't care where you stay buy the least expensive resort that has the cheapest dues.

Bill

 

[michelleiada]

just made an official offer for Beach Club points! OMG! WISH ME LUCK!

 

[DizBub]

For this very reason we have purchased a contract at BCV.

I have been on the waitlist for a 2 bedroom w/2 queen beds at BCV for 5 months. I called at exactly 8:58 am at my 7 month window. Of course, this is for the opening weekend of F&W but last year I actually got a 2 br (not 2 queens tho) right at 7 months at the same time.

If it's important for you to stay at BCV during F&W then you should buy there. Otherwise, I know you could get more points at SSR for the same $$ and you can take your chances at 7 months. SSR MFs are cheaper too.

 

[bobbiwoz]

just made an official offer for Beach Club points! OMG! WISH ME LUCK!

Good Luck!

Bobbi

 

[cz4ever]

just made an official offer for Beach Club points! OMG! WISH ME LUCK!

Precisely one hour between the "So my husband is finally on board to buy DVC..." and "(I) just made an official offer for Beach Club points! OMG!"! You should get an award for "Most ready to act when given the opportunity!"

Seriously, GOOD LUCK! Here's the requisite ROFR monkey distraction:

 

[DannysMom]

Good luck getting your BCV contract!

I'm just waiting for closing docs on mine. I would have been fine buying (a few more lol) SSR points, but ultimately DH wanted to be able to stay at BCV when he wanted. So BCV we bought.

 

[Irishmom23]

I love my home resort SSR but really love BCV for certain times of the year and for SAB. Still looking for that perfect resale that would meet my needs. Good luck with your offer

 

[Deb & Bill]

We tried to get BCV for mid-October this year at exactly 7 months out in a one bedroom. None were available for a full week. Good thing you are buying BCV.

 

[drusba]

BCV is open at 7 months out a number of times a year but there are several difficult times of year when it is far less likely to get something, particularly if you are seeking more than a night or two. That time includes October and most of Nov, Dec except the third week, first few days of January and time around the marathon race (Thursday to Monday). Easter time and some other spring break weeks, and time around July 4.

If your plan is to travel only from mid-Aug to about Sep 28, then I could say with a high degree of certainty that you could get what you want at BCV at 7 months out as that is the slowest DVC demand time of the year. Last half of Jan to mid-Feb, mid-July to mid-Aug, end of April to first half of May, and the end of Feb to early March also give you a good probability but not certainty.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I love SAB, and walking in the International gateway...which is why we bought BCV points...paid more than most people, but really wanted December use year and two small contracts... loved our visit in June, and can't wait for October...SAB! SAB! SAB oh yea, and next May!

 

[VrBchJ]

just made an official offer for Beach Club points! OMG! WISH ME LUCK!

Good for you. I think you're making the right decision. Maybe when you're ready for an add on (and you will be ready someday) you can add on at SSR. Let us know what the outcome of your offer is.