I have never had this happen before?

[myjourney]

We are purchasing DVC points from a friend for the week of 10/17-10/22 and when he went to book them this morning was told none of the DVC studio rooms in any villa are available for those dates. That is hard to believe and I am wondering if Disney is holding rooms for those who are paying full price because of the Food and Wine Festival? He is putting me on a wait list, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

 

[dburg30]

At some point dont they release those to CRO for cash ressies?

 

[sorul82?]

I can't find any room type at any DVC resort for 10/9-10/12 due to F&W and Columbus Day. I don't know if any rooms are being held back.

 

[Pakey]

This is pretty common during F&W. We tried a late booking last year and our wait list never came through.

 

[MMrules]

my inlaws couldn't get any rooms for Dec. 1st through the 9th at any Disney Dvc resort. they keep trying to talk us into getting dvc, but it doesn't seem right to not be able to get rooms when you want them. By the way, I checked their dates at all of the resorts and can buy the rooms so in my opinion dvc isn't always a good deal.

 

[eelkmj01]

There are a pre-determined number of DVC member villas set aside and a pre-determined number of non DVC member villas set aside for each DVC resort. Even though there may be villas available through CRO or Disney's website, DVC members may not be able to reserve villas b/c DVC is booked. As PP said, this is VERY common during F&W, especially Epcot resorts. Disney isn't holding back, although I think it's a mistake not to take guaranteed bookings.

 

[addiln]

this has happened to us as well at the BLT. someone said that they hold a certain amount of rooms for people paying cash. they make more money off those people so they do want to be able to fit some of those people in the resorts

 

[Lynne M]

There are two kinds of inventory at DVC resorts. About 90-95% of the room inventory is owned by members. That's the pool of villas available to the OP's friend. The Food and Wine Festival is extremely popular with DVC members (some people buy at BWV and BCV just to be able to get a villa for the festival), and most members book their travel for those dates from 7-11 months out. So, this is extremely short notice for a DVC booking for those dates; I would have been shocked if the OP's friend had found any availability. I've tried calling in April to book an October reservation, and not found anything.

The remaining 5-10% of villas are owned by DVC. They keep a small pool of villas at all resorts in case villas need to be swapped out for refurbs, etc. If not needed, they go to CRO to be rented as cash reservations. This is the inventory you see if you try to book a cash reservation for a DVC resort, and this is why you'll occasionally see availability through CRO when there's nothing for DVC points.

But anyway, the problem the OP is having is a simple matter of short-notice booking during a peak season for DVC. This is a good reminder for those of you who rent points......like all timeshares, finding availability at DVC resorts requires more advance planning than simply booking a hotel room. If you're going to travel between the beginning of Food & Wine and the end of the year, you need to be ready to book between 7-11 months out. If you want BWV or BCV, you need to be booking at 11 months out.

 

[DebbieB]

From reading the DVC boards, October has been booked up for some time. The waitlists are long. Food & Wine has always been a popular time for DVC members. I have a BWV reservation for Oct 23 to 29 that I booked last November. Early December is also a popular time, members like to go to see the Christmas decorations and shows.

DVC doesn't work well for those who can't book far in advance. You can book 11 months ahead for the resort you own at and 7 months for others.

 

[n2mm]

From reading the DVC boards, October has been booked up for some time. The waitlists are long. Food & Wine has always been a popular time for DVC members. I have a BWV reservation for Oct 23 to 29 that I booked last November. Early December is also a popular time, members like to go to see the Christmas decorations and shows.

DVC doesn't work well for those who can't book far in advance. You can book 11 months ahead for the resort you own at and 7 months for others.

I agree with DebbieB's comment.

I too booked my Oct. 31 reservation on December 1, 2009. I know how popular October is for DVC members (and December is even more popular). You can still book a room at the 7 month window, but even then the choices are slim in October. Being a DVC member does involve advance planning. I've already booked several of my 2011 reservations and still have more to book when the time is right.

As mentioned, there are 2 separate inventories. When you can "buy" a DVC room, it is not part of DVC's inventory. Disney actually owns some of the rooms at each DVC resort to rent out for the big bucks.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We are purchasing DVC points from a friend for the week of 10/17-10/22 and when he went to book them this morning was told none of the DVC studio rooms in any villa are available for those dates.

1) This is too short of a notice to book during F&W weeks.
2) DVC rooms are usually taken well in advance.
3) Your options, of course, are
. . . ask to be put on a wait list, but that list is VERY long for F&W dates
. . . pay cash for a DVC room or other resort room

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are purchasing DVC points from a friend for the week of 10/17-10/22 and when he went to book them this morning was told none of the DVC studio rooms in any villa are available for those dates. That is hard to believe and I am wondering if Disney is holding rooms for those who are paying full price because of the Food and Wine Festival? He is putting me on a wait list, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

Most members booked those rooms last March or April. You waited too long to get F&W Festival. There are already waitlists for those rooms and, even if you waitlist, nothing may come available. You may have to wait until next year for F&W Festival or just pay cash to Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

this has happened to us as well at the BLT. someone said that they hold a certain amount of rooms for people paying cash. they make more money off those people so they do want to be able to fit some of those people in the resorts

Not true. At BLT, only about half the building has been sold, so only about half the building is available for points reservations. The rest still belong to the builder to sell at their whim (meaning DRC/CRO).

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I also tried to book a studio for Oct 7,8 and 9 at a DVC resort. This was a few weeks, maybe a month ago? No studios available, I was also surprised! I usually book my fall trip (we go every year in the fall) WAYYYY in advance but due to some economical as well as personal issues I had to wait.

I did get a great rate at the Dolphin...that is an excellent resort and also walking distance to Epcot and MGM...so look into it if you can!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

there are several times a year when you can't book a DVC room on short notice (50 days is way short notice)

food and wine festival (october through early november...and the place is loaded with local residents and out of towners)
and any other busy time.
there are also locations that are hard to come by...wilderness lodge with christmas decorations up....beach and boardwalk during the aforementioned Food and Wine....etc etc etc


Go on a waitlist for saratoga, animal kingdom, or old key west....i highly doubt anything will come through for the others

 

[burberryplaid]

Unfortunately I don't think OP will have much luck. We became DVC members in May of this year and didn't even think of booking anything until we returned home in early June. When we went to book, the only availability was at OKW and Saratoga Springs. We were just happy to have a room so we booked it. In the subsequent weeks, it seems as though everything is absolutely booked.

Another reason this is a popular time is because October is one of the months with the lowest amount of total points required to stay.

 

[sorul82?]

LOL! I just came across my notes where I was trying to decide on using 54 points for one of our children for our cruise or paying cash and using the points for a DVC stay during F&W. I see now that even back in April when I was thinking about the F&W, there weren't any rooms of any size available on Oct. 10.