How often do DVC members get shut out

[jade1]

We always reserve 11 months out day by day, except the occasional summer trip, which is flexible enough to take whenever BWV is available. My DBIL has missed out in Feb/Mar, many times for BCV/VWL or BWV because he always waits too long.

So for us...never, but with the new rules-ask in about 6 months from today.

 

[Inkmahm]

I wanted to know how ofetn to DVC members get shut out. Meaning, how often do they get told that there is no availability for the dates they requested, when booking at less than the full 11 months out.

I've been told that AT 11 months. Trying to book AKV concierge and not getting the room becuase there was a phone system screw up at MS and I didn't get through until after others did later in the morning.

 

[El&Asmom]

We are new DVC members in the last year. We have made 5 reservations thus far and have always found a place to stay. Each time we even got our desired location. We have booked once each at SSR, OKW, BWV, HH and I just booked an OVIR for VB for Sept last week. I have never booked more than 5 months in advance. A couple of the times were within 2-3 months of the ressie. Granted they were not for extremely popular times but still. The way people on the boards talk, it's like you can't ever get a room unless you call at 9am on your 11 month booking window.
I think you have to be flexible on where and when you want to stay, but there likely will be room at the inn if you are not trying to book the most popular times at 60 days out.

 

[eva]

Well, I had to say rarely only because we were shut out for the 4th week of the month this past April. But I have to say that I was trying to book only 6 weeks out. So I changed my dates to the week prior and was able to get a 1-bedroom at SSR. I was amazed there was anything just 5 weeks out. I did have a bit of trouble getting BWV the first week of December years ago. I was trying about 4 or 5 weeks out. But I called a couple times every day after the 30 day mark and finally got a 1-bedroom for 5 nights in a row. That was a bit nerve racking. But I had back up reservations at a moderate. What's the scariest with that type of booking is having non-consecutive nights booked after the 31 day cancellation period. Other than those two times, I haven't had problems booking in 11 years. And both those times actually worked out OK.

 

[ead79]

We are new members, so I've only booked twice so far. We booked a stay in early March for a studio at AKV about 4 months out, with no problem at all. We booked our upcoming stay at AKV in a 1 BR concierge villa day by day at 11 months and got that as well. Since we usually go in early to mid-December, I plan to book at the 11 month mark as a general rule.

 

[ses1230]

I called at exactly 7 months for Nov. 8 - 15 for a 2BR.

No availabilty except OKW or SSR so I am waitlisted for AK and BCV (not that I have much hope for that).

But I am excited for our first trip to our home resort!!!!

 

[JimC]

I voted rarely. However I should note that the only time I have had that happen was when I wanted to change a reservation within 4 months. At the 11 month booking date it has never happened. At the 7 month booking date it has never happened. But I use the 7 month booking date only for late January and early May reservations when demand is low.

 

[kimberh]

So far never, I don't count AKV concierge where the odds were not very good to start with. I did get the last 3 days for my reservation next May. The MS rep took her sweet time taking my information. The next day, the rep was great, after that I talked real fast!

 

[Grandbuddy]

Only members for a few weeks, but two weeks ago, I was able to reserve a studio at SSR for my son's family, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (before their 6-day stay in a family suite at All-Star Music); and early this week (after a short wait), I got a Friday and Saturday night in a BCV studio the first weekend in November, followed by 3 nights in a 1 BR at OKW.

Looking forward to lots of family memories made at WDW.

 

[SLM]

We've booked at 7 months for VB and VWL-11 months for our home resort (BC). We were not able to get a 2BR at HH at the 7 month window for a summer stay, but did not really expect it would be available-hoped to take our daughter and son-in-law-they are teachers. No problem getting a 1BR in September, however!

 

[dsneygirl]

We've never been shut out. We even booked once on a Monday for Sat but could only get SSR for the last 3 nights and did All Stars on Sat.

 

[thebigman79]

We rarely have trouble getting something anytime we go. Now you don't always get the resort you want, but there always seems to be something open. We are going in Jan.2009 and we could get a 1 BR anywhere but AKV, which is understandable.

 

[PrettyKitties]

I've been shut out in Orlando when not planning far enough in advance. The biggest problem for me has been HHI since I do not own there & it is very hard to get into prime times if you don't. Offseason is not such a problem if I plan far enough in advance. There are too many savvy DVCers out there so if you are a semi-airhead, you can be out-of-luck!