How hard will it be to get into home resort once SSR is sold out?

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I've been thinking lately about how hard it might be to get into your BCV, WLV or BWV home resort once SSR is completely sold out and another big development (Eagle Pines?) begins to come on-line. Because there are so many new SSR owners, the time is coming to an end when BCV, WLV and BWV people will be able to spread out fairly easily into each other's resorts.

The total number of DVC members may make it very difficult for anyone to get into any resort except SSR (and Eagle Pines) at the 7 month mark. I think that will force more owners to stick to their home resorts, since they will be competing (probably unsuccessfully) with so many others for space at the smaller resorts at 7 months.

Does anyone know if there is plenty of capacity for owners most of the year if they book between 7-11 months, or will booking at your home resort begin to look like the Food and Wine Festival and the first 2 weeks of December most of the time?

 

[Deb & Bill]

As long as the home resort advantage isn't changed, owners with points at resorts other than SSR or EP can always get a reservation at their home resort.

 

[abner1776]

From 7 - 11 months nothing will change no matter how many DVC resorts they bring on line. Once you get to 7 months...well.. people have different responses to this...some say...yes more people but more resort room also...while some say it will be harder to book the smaller resorts. Time will tell...

 

[FlyingfreeWDW]

I've been thinking lately about how hard it might be to get into your BCV, WLV or BWV home resort once SSR is completely sold out and another big development (Eagle Pines?) begins to come on-line. Because there are so many new SSR owners, the time is coming to an end when BCV, WLV and BWV people will be able to spread out fairly easily into each other's resorts.

The total number of DVC members may make it very difficult for anyone to get into any resort except SSR (and Eagle Pines) at the 7 month mark. I think that will force more owners to stick to their home resorts, since they will be competing (probably unsuccessfully) with so many others for space at the smaller resorts at 7 months.

Does anyone know if there is plenty of capacity for owners most of the year if they book between 7-11 months, or will booking at your home resort begin to look like the Food and Wine Festival and the first 2 weeks of December most of the time?

Why are you talking about EP? That plan was scrapped in favor of SSR. We'll see VCR, VAKL, VGF, VPR before we see an EP resort. I think DVC has learned a lesson with SSR. Large stand alone resorts aren't as popular as resorts connected to a deluxe hotel, especially if that deluxe has direct theme park access. Your EP thought may never happen.

Now for your question, yes it will be tough to book the small DVC Resorts at 7 months. I also believe it will be tougher and tougher to get OKW at 7 months due to the low point requirements there. It is really just a numbers game, not a knock on SSR or its owners. A resort that large has maybe 30,000+ members. If even a small percentage of those members look to book the small DVC Resorts at 7 months those resorts will be harder to get. Day by day booking and speed dialing at 9:00 a.m. will be a necessity for most of the year. OKW is large but I've seen a loyalty there that keeps its owners coming back. I haven't heard that same sentiment coming out about SSR. Only time will tell.

Another reason for tougher 7 month bookings is this. Everyone here on the Dis suggests the "buy where you want to stay theory". I also suggest this. You are seeing more people buying their favorite resort rather than just buying whatever DVC is currently selling. Those people are booking that resort at 11 months. They bought there to ensure there stay with that 11 month priority. They have little interest in staying elsewhere.

Now your last question, owners booking at 11 months will be practically guaranteed a room at there resort. Wait until 8-9 months and yes, that could be tough at certain times of the year.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tinky]

Now your last question, owners booking at 11 months will be practically guaranteed a room at there resort. Wait until 8-9 months and yes, that could be tough at certain times of the year.

I dont fully understand this statement. Your only in competition with your other home resort owners until the 7th month mark.

 

[CarolMN]

As long as the home resort advantage isn't changed, owners with points at resorts other than SSR or EP can always get a reservation at their home resort.

Prior to the 7 month window, owners are only competing with other owners for reservations. SSR owners (and owners of any other DVC resort that may be builit in the future) will be able to get reservations at their resorts during that time, too.

I think Deb & Bill meant to say that as long as the home resort advantage isn't changed, owners can always get a reservation at their home resort if they reserve when the 11 month window opens.

However, I do think it will become harder and harder for owners to reserve their home resort for many times of the year if they do not reserve at the 11 month window.

I think this because there are so many members buying add ons at the smaller resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV). There is no reason to do this unless one plans to use the home resort booking advantage. I believe most of these "add on" buyers buy with the intent of reserving what they want as soon as the 11 month window opens (and they are willing and able to book day by day to get what they want).

That means owners of the smaller resorts who wait a few months - or sometimes even a few weeks, may have to use the waitlist or possibly won't get in at all (depending on the time of the year and the unit size desired).

JMHO. YMMV.

Best wishes -

 

[jekjones1558]

However, I do think it will become harder and harder for owners to reserve their home resort for many times of the year if they do not reserve at the 11 month window.
I think this because there are so many members buying add ons at the smaller resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV). There is no reason to do this unless one plans to use the home resort booking advantage. I believe most of these "add on" buyers buy with the intent of reserving what they want as soon as the 11 month window opens (and they are willing and able to book day by day to get what they want).

CarolMN's scenario is already beginning. I waited until 11 months minus 1 week to book 2-BW view 1 bedrooms for Dec. 3 - 10, 2006. Only some of the days were available. I was able to book standard view 1 bedrooms. The waitlist came through right away for one of the rooms. I am still 4 days short and remain on the waitlist for the other BW view 1 bedroom. In the not-too-far-distant-future we may find ourselves speed-dialing day-by-day for popular weeks at the small resorts.

 

[tomandrobin]

Two thoughts....

First, as DVC grows and events like Food and Wine Festival, etc gain in popularity, you will find it harder and hsrder to get into your home resort at the 11 month mark. That 11 month mark is only against other "home" resort members. So it doesn't matter how many resorts they build. Disney is doing a great job with the seasonal events.

Second, I think that most (not all) owners actually do and will over time, will stay at thier "home" resort. Most people will have a since of ownership and "home" resort pride will stay there. Its a sense of tradition that builds with you and your family.

As a last note, I think that DVC has really gained in popularity. Remember, the secrets out now. Its the best Disney value!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Two thoughts....

First, as DVC grows and events like Food and Wine Festival, etc gain in popularity, you will find it harder and hsrder to get into your home resort at the 11 month mark. That 11 month mark is only against other "home" resort members. So it doesn't matter how many resorts they build. Disney is doing a great job with the seasonal events.

Second, I think that most (not all) owners actually do and will over time, will stay at thier "home" resort. Most people will have a since of ownership and "home" resort pride will stay there. Its a sense of tradition that builds with you and your family.

As a last note, I think that DVC has really gained in popularity. Remember, the secrets out now. Its the best Disney value!

I would like to add that those who "have" to stay at BCV are buying up the BCV resales. (And the same probably holds true for the other small resorts, BWV and VWL.) So that now you have an ever increasing % of home resort owners using their 11 month advantage, day-by-day in some cases. Why else spend the extra $ on BCV unless you plan to use the 11 month advantage?

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]Second, I think that most (not all) owners actually do and will over time, will stay at thier "home" resort. Most people will have a since of ownership and "home" resort pride will stay there. Its a sense of tradition that builds with you and your family.[...]

I respectfully disagree. While I understand the concepts of ownership & pride, I don't believe that they will overcome the desire for variety. IMHO, after years and years [and decades] of staying at the same resort, what was desirable becauses it was known and comfortable will become boring and 'same old same old'. This will also increase as current DVCers experience aging and significant changes in family situation ( a BWV family w/two small children that loves to walk to EPCOT & MGM will transform into a family with two teens / young adults that wants to walk from SSR to DTD/PI will transform into a family with grandchildren who want to take the boat from VWL to MK). While I know that many (a majority?) of DIS DVCers have strong feelings about their home resort and the other resorts ("I can only stay at... / I could never be happy at..." comments), I believe that the rest of the owners (who outnumber us 100 to 1 or more) bought into DVC, not into one specific resort.

IMHO - YMMV - BE WELL!

ETA: One thing occurred to me after I posted this: what will be the effect of turnover. By that I mean what happens when those who own for 10-15 years then sell. Would this new group of owners be 'buying a resort' or 'buying into DVC'? Also, they would appear to be less aware of the ins and outs of DVC ownership - at least until they are shut out a few times.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We own at OKW, and even that is getting harder to book, probably because so many folks are renting studios there for the small point totals. I think the thing that will change most is the ability to wait until just before the 7 month window opens. We used to be able to book anytime from 11-71/2 months out without trouble, but now, we find it is difficult to get some specific unit sizes unless you call at or near 11 months.

 

[tomandrobin]

I respectfully disagree. While I understand the concepts of ownership & pride, I don't believe that they will overcome the desire for variety.

Maybe my post were to short. I do think Home resort pride is a factor, but I don't think that the diehards won't try something differnt once in a while. For example me, I like SSR and will go there often. I do want to stay in VWL at least once at Christmas time. I've stayed at a lot of the other areas and resorts, but not there. I didn't not buy there cause I don't see myself going there year after year. We stayed at the Boardwalk area, we like it alot. But again, just didn't see our selves going there year after year. And since I'm being honest. We never looked at OKW or ever visited the resort. We love the look of it from the pictures, but just never hit home with us. Don't know why, we love the Going to the Keys, ST. John, Bahamas, Mexico, etc. Maybe thats why we didn't buy there, its not them.

 

[bicker]

The real question is how many people will have how much "home resort pride." That's why the best bet is to make sure you're one of those people. If you don't have home resort pride -- if you find yourself hoping to book at other resorts often -- then you'll be at a distinct disadvantage. Your best hope, in that case, is that where you want to stay is a particularly unattractive resort. However, ask yourself: How likely is it that what you want is something that few others want?

 

[crisi]

There is home resort pride, and then there is laziness. I fall into the second category.

I know the BW, I make my reservations eleven months out. Switching resorts means two things:

1) I have to make another phone call at seven months and try and switch - too lazy! Especially to do the Disney Dial and go day by day. I might, on a whim, try it sometime, but would only give up my BWV reservation if I got lucky with what I wanted.

2) I have to get to know another resort. Too lazy! My kids can find the BWV pool with their eyes closed. We know the area. We are comfortable even with the long hallways. My husband, in particular, isn't into variety. He booked a short trip short notice (booked in October for a March weekend) and I said "where did you end up" figuring with the seven month window opened, he might have tried a different resort. He didn't even ask about a different resort, they had BW open, he booked BW.


Honestly, we enjoy BWV, but we'd be happy at BCV/VWL or OKW. It isn't home resort pride that keeps us at BWV. Its HABIT.

 

[Juliet25]

I think this because there are so many members buying add ons at the smaller resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV). There is no reason to do this unless one plans to use the home resort booking advantage. I believe most of these "add on" buyers buy with the intent of reserving what they want as soon as the 11 month window opens (and they are willing and able to book day by day to get what they want).

I'm a little confused. If I were to buy 25 points at, say, VWL as an add-on, I can really only book 25 points worth of a stay at the 11 month mark, correct? I can't combine those 25 points with the 150 I own at BWV to book at VWL at the 11 month window. (Just trying to understand all this!)

 

[cjb-nc]

I'm a little confused. If I were to buy 25 points at, say, VWL as an add-on, I can really only book 25 points worth of a stay at the 11 month mark, correct? I can't combine those 25 points with the 150 I own at BWV to book at VWL at the 11 month window. (Just trying to understand all this!)

Correct, but every third year you can book a 75point stay that the 11 month mark (25 banked, 25 current, 25 borrowed) and still have 3 years worth of BWV to use the rest of the time.

 

[crisi]

I'm a little confused. If I were to buy 25 points at, say, VWL as an add-on, I can really only book 25 points worth of a stay at the 11 month mark, correct? I can't combine those 25 points with the 150 I own at BWV to book at VWL at the 11 month window. (Just trying to understand all this!)

You got it. But a lot of members have a number of smaller contracts. Then they bank and borrow to get one 75 point trip out of those 25 points.

 

[bicker]

That is correct. However, you can combine your 25 VWL points with 25 VWL points you banked last year and 25 VWL point you borrow from next year.

 

[DrTomorrow]

There is home resort pride, and then there is laziness. I fall into the second category.[...]Honestly, we enjoy BWV, but we'd be happy at BCV/VWL or OKW. It isn't home resort pride that keeps us at BWV. Its HABIT.

I hadn't thought of this, but you are quite correct (although we can call it 'inertia', not 'laziness' ). There is a lot of benefit in knowing exactly where to park, to turn here (and not there), where to check in, which 'neighborhoods' and/or 'views' to request, that the restaurant(s) will have something you like, etc. I know SSR quite well by now (except the $*#@ numbering system continues to elude my mastery) and truly feel "home" when we pull in. However, when we spent our arrival night at OKW last trip, that place was was one of the twistiest and turniest places I've ever driven in. Good point, crisi.

[...] If you don't have home resort pride -- if you find yourself hoping to book at other resorts often -- then you'll be at a distinct disadvantage. Your best hope, in that case, is that where you want to stay is a particularly unattractive resort.

Watch it, bicker - you're not going to make any friends slamming BCV like that.

[...] However, ask yourself: How likely is it that what you want is something that few others want?

Actually, this will occur much more frequently than your words suggest, due to the wide variety of individual tastes. I am constantly amazed at the range of offerings avalilable to consumers, from the cereal aisle to the auto dealer's inventory. For example, at DVC, some people value room service ("[they] want something"), yet there have been discussions and polls indicating that very few DVCers place a high priority on room service ("something that few others want"). Personally, I love to walk to DTD (with MrsTomorrow on my arm ) in the evenings; from what I gather here, though, is that proximity DTD isn't particularly valued by many. Of course I grant you, bicker, that it could just be me and my tastes; different drummer? Heck, I've got a 12-piece jazz band, with a 50-piece orchestra for special occaisions!

IMHO - YMMV - Be well!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We use our VWL points for stays at VWL only. For the August trip, at 7 months, to the day, I had to use some VB points to get the studio for our younger son. Our VB and BWV points are the one we "trade" with, but I really want to keep VB points at VB because of the maintenance fees, but the lower initial cost does help me rationalize their use in other places, for now at least.

Bobbi