how hard to get a room on short notice

[picantel]

We just moved to Lake Mary which is about 30-34 minutes from disney. We are thinking of buying into DVC but we do not want to plan vacations months in advance. If we stay away from the super busy times and summer how hard is it to get a room using points with 1-2 weeks notice?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you don't care where you stay, nor require a specific type of lodging (you have 5 members in the family and need a two bedroom), you probably wouldn't have too much trouble for a few times during the year, like early Sept and early to mid January, maybe early May. From late Sept to Jan 2 it would be very hard. Summer could be very hard, spring break/easter could be very hard.

Most members plan their vacations from 7-11 months ahead of time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

People here reported going this past weekend, Saturday and Sunday nights on just a moment's notice. I learned that you can call the resort directly if a last minute DVC trip is needed when MS is closed on a weekend.

Friday and Saturday night points are much more than other times, so you can probably book those nights with little notice, again, probably not for October if you are calling in September.

Bobbi

 

[KatiebugsMom]

I just booked yesterday a 3 night weekend including Sunday for an impromptu trip beginning August 18th at SSR. According to MS BWV preferred garden or SSR were available in my needed studio size. Choose home resort to try it out and be near DTD this trip.....So I would say the rule of thumb is you never know unless you call and ask!

 

[DVC-Don]

We once booked a studio at OKW via cell phone while driving in from the Orlando International Airport. You have to call the resort direct for same day bookings. We were trying to get out of Orlando the day after hurricane Charlie but the airport closed just as we got there. The wife finished the booking on the cell phone just as I was parking at the HH to check in.

 

[MissD]

As a previous poster stated, if you're flexible and avoid those really busy times, availability shouldn't be an issue at all.

I would say that 80% of our visits 'home' have been spur of the moment 'gotta get-aways' with our ressies made less than 2 weeks out.

Living (relatively) nearby and having that flexibility has made our DVC membership even more 'fun' for us!

 

[spiceycat]

there are a bunch of DVC members - so cancelations happen all the time. If what you want is not availability try again the next week.

the best time for last minute reservations is on and after 30 days - when the points would be put in holding. but remember you are in competeing with CRO during this time.

CRO gets all unused villa at 60 days.

I have done it several times - so your chances are pretty good.