I just have to ask...

[utahkennedys]

After a few months of participating in this board, I see so much "resort bashing" and concern about SSR people taking spots of owners at BWV and BCV, etc. I have to wonder, why aren't the people who are so concerned just booking at the 11 month window??? I bought at OKW because I knew that most of the time I would want to stay there because I am a point-cheapskate, but if I do an add-on at BWV or BCV I will just book 11 months out, or at a minimum 7 months plus one day out! I guess I just have to ask what all the concern is about? It seems to me that DVC is generally designed to reward people that plan ahead...

 

[JimMIA]

I bought at OKW because I knew that most of the time I would want to stay there because I am a point-cheapskate

You are NOT a point-cheapskate. OKW owners are sensible, logical, and thrifty. And laid back. And wear Hogs Breath Saloon teeshirts from the real Key West. And...

 

[JimMIA]

For the uninitiated, a Hogs Breath Saloon shirt carries a truly ugly picture of a really ugly hog, with the slogan, "Hogs Breath Is Better Than No Breath At All." When you see the pig, that becomes a questionable statement.

A Hogs Breath Saloon shirt, and a Conch Republic flag, are the two quintessential trinkets to buy in Key West.

 

[carol1231]

Gee.. I don't know how to follow up after Jim.

Anyways, I think the concern comes from the ease of the past. What I mean... In the past, DVC rooms at BWV and BCV were still available even after the 7 month mark. Now, we are seeing no availablility quickly after the 7 month mark. I think that is just because there are more and more members, which is great. It is something we just need to adjust to.

I do own at BWV and when I know that is where I want to stay, I make sure I book at exactly 11 months out. Same with VWL, not sure if that needs to be the case for when I travel, but I still do it.

 

[JimMIA]

Well - at the risk of being serious for just a moment - as some famous dead guy said, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Additional members can only come from one place -- additional capacity. I checked availability today for some renters and found just about whatever I wanted available...for July! Not everywhere, to be sure, but there was availablility at SSR.

The way I look at it, those who own at smaller resorts will still have the 11 month window when they can plan in advance...and they'll also have more availability for shorter time-frame trips. I don't see more members or additional resorts in the family as hurting anyone. I see them making some resorts more valuable for owners because the 11 month window means more, and making everybody's ownership more valuable because of the increased options and availability.

 

[mikesmom]

I'm not sure it's entirely the OWNERS of the smaller resorts that are fussing. We own at BWV and still reserve promptly at the 11 month window for Food & Wine Fest. I think it's more likely the folks that bought at a different resort that always say (for example) "I bought at Vero and I get on property whenever I want - the Buy where you want to stay theory is not valid". Those folks are finding that having that 11 month window is getting more important.

 

[Beca]

I'm not sure it's entirely the OWNERS of the smaller resorts that are fussing. We own at BWV and still reserve promptly at the 11 month window for Food & Wine Fest. I think it's more likely the folks that bought at a different resort that always say (for example) "I bought at Vero and I get on property whenever I want - the Buy where you want to stay theory is not valid". Those folks are finding that having that 11 month window is getting more important.

I agree. My mom is buying at BWV and selling her VWL because when she bought in, the assumption was that she would be able to get BWV or BCV at 7 months...and, she could...a year ago. But recently, whenever she has tried to book BWV or BCV EXACTLY 7 months out...sometimes even calling day-by-day, there was no availability for all days. She has had to waitlist every time. The days she woke up SUPER early (she is two hours ahead of WDW), and was lucky enough to get right thru to MS, she got her days. If she waited even a couple of hours...no luck!! She is really frustrated by this, as this insanity (her words) is a new phenomenon. Whether SSR has any bearing on this or not is only speculative...but, in her mind...it has everything to do with it.

So...she is selling, and buying where she is finding limited availability (she says she still finds it easy to get into VWL most of the time at the 7 month window...at least for now).

I think the problem may be the differential in the number of rooms available "further out" and the number of rooms available at the Epcot area resorts. Between OKW and SSR, you have 1300+ rooms, and at the Epcot area, you have less than 600. And, even though not all of those 1300+ rooms are finished and available....there is STILL much more competition at the 7 month mark.

However...I have a little different perspective from my mom. I own where I would ALWAYS hope to stay...BCV...for me, it is "head and shoulders" above the rest (although, admittedly...BWV is REALLY nice). I have to admit being a little saddened knowing that unless I book more than 7 months out, I will probably not get to stay at my "home". I do not like having to plan my trips so far in advance, and then being unable to change them if something "comes up". But, that is the sad reality of owning at such a lovely resort...it's tough....but, someone has GOT to do it!!!



Beca

 

[conciergekelly]

quote> "Between OKW and SSR, you have 1300+ rooms, and at the Epcot area, you have less than 600. "

That is assuming that all 1300 rooms are booked up and that all 1300 OKW and SSR people want Epcot rooms. And also that all Epcot people keep the Epcot rooms. You also have to consider Hilton Head owners and Vero owners who may be trading in and others trading into HH and VB. Then.. There are the ones who cruise, who use at other Disney resorts DVC and otherwise and Concierge collection, California, .... you get it.

I am doing F&W but booked OKW at the 7 month mark not because Epcot wasn't availble but because the studio configuration suited us and I haven't tried it.

It can't be SSR yet because it isn't even done. Not even 1/2 done. It is no bigger than those small resorts yet.

It could be because F&W is getting more popular. I went in 98 and that was the slowest time of the year to go to WDW. Now it is very popular.

 

[conciergekelly]

P.S. I just got BWV 2 months out for July, BCV a tad less than 6 months for July, last year BWV in May 4 months out, WVL 7 months for December 18-24, and SSR less than 2 months out in February. Those were all 1st choices. I have never had a problem (not to say later I won't, who knows.) Now that is not Easter or X-mas break but that is different.

I don't get what the fuss is about.

 

[CarolMN]

P.S. I just got BWV 2 months out for July, BCV a tad less than 6 months for July, last year BWV in May 4 months out, WVL 7 months for December 18-24, and SSR less than 2 months out in February. Those were all 1st choices. I have never had a problem (not to say later I won't, who knows.) Now that is not Easter or X-mas break but that is different.

I don't get what the fuss is about.

Summer time has always been among the easier times to book DVC. FWIW, the only dates that you list that are among the more difficult times are the December dates at VWL.

I agree with those who say it is not the home resort owners who are doing most of the worrying - it's those like Becca's Mom - they are used to getting what they want at 7 months without a problem and now that is changing.

There is more competiton for the smaller resorts at the 7 month window than there has been in the past and as SSR sells out, it will only increase. Those in the worst position are those who cannot plan more than 7 months out and those who bought VB or HHI and mostly want to stay at WDW. JMHO. YMMV.

Best wishes -