I refuse to believe...

[River Country]

This is awsome!! I want a t-shirt with "DVC Member" and the logo on the front and this quote on the back!!

I will take a Kids Small
1 Adult Large
1 Adult XL

Are these going to be in multiple colors? If So ill take that order in evry color

LOL

 

[Kidanifan08]

I will take a Kids Small
1 Adult Large
1 Adult XL

Are these going to be in multiple colors? If So ill take that order in evry color

LOL

Originally Posted by crisi
. . . connoisseurs of "manageable crowds, good weather, and relative bargains."

Kidanifan08: This is awsome!! I want a t-shirt with "DVC Member" and the logo on the front and this quote on the back!!

Given the general lack of DVC merchandise available at WDW, I could try to put together something on zazzle!

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

some of the responses caught my attention....

dear carol~ why? would dvc give their inventory to rci ?
what benefit would that be for owners esp. where they
could use that to help members on the wait list?

this is something that is so puzzling ...& it concern me
because of dvc workers can use this to pick up
choice rooms using this method.

over & over, since we joined ,can't find any benefit to
regular owners...using rci...., & listen carefully when some
of the experts here...advising owners away from any
of the trades being offered.

now i haven't added all the factors but enough indicators
where if the dvc mangers were pro/dvc owners , they
would end this poor relationship ...and permit owners to
do their own deals with rvc owners based on what/
where they own & willing to offer.

...surely dvc "see" & read how typical / over & over,
rci owners are posting here..."love to trade in" for any
dvc rooms.....as far as i am concern ,,must be some kind
of benefit dvc is getting -$ with the current set up &
the "run off" is being used by rci owners working @ dvc
that is not being monitored like it should. i think if dvc
permitted owners to look @ their true statistics then
these issues will be addressed.

for example~ why wouldn't dvc inventory be kick back
into the primary system to help owners instead of
offering it to rci. this scream of taking advantage of
the owners.

oh, i don't think the structure of dvc is faulted...just
some of the individuals workers that needs better
monitoring via quality assurance depart.. the data
is right there..in statistics...so why not?

 

[dianeschlicht]

for example~ why wouldn't dvc inventory be kick back
into the primary system to help owners instead of
offering it to rci. this scream of taking advantage of
the owners.

oh, i don't think the structure of dvc is faulted...just
some of the individuals workers that needs better
monitoring via quality assurance depart.. the data
is right there..in statistics...so why not?

Grumpy, the RCI inventory is there so SOME of the DVC members who choose to vacation places other than Disney on occasion can do so without buying into another timeshare. It's part of the timeshare industry as a whole. So there IS a benefit to owners. It might not be a benefit you choose to take advantage of, but DVC needs a program like that in place to make them equal to other timeshares.

 

[Sandisw]

Grumpy, the RCI inventory is there so SOME of the DVC members who choose to vacation places other than Disney on occasion can do so without buying into another timeshare. It's part of the timeshare industry as a whole. So there IS a benefit to owners. It might not be a benefit you choose to take advantage of, but DVC needs a program like that in place to make them equal to other timeshares.

And to add, while some us recognize that using DVC for other options does not necessarily provide the best value, its still a viable option for some and I agree with you that it needs to be there to keep DVC as a flexible timeshare for those that want one.

 

[CarolMN]

some of the responses caught my attention....

dear carol~ why? would dvc give their inventory to rci ?
what benefit would that be for owners esp. where they
could use that to help members on the wait list? dvc
that is not being monitored like it should. i think if dvc
permitted owners to look @ their true statistics then
these issues will be addressed...........(snip)...............

I didn't mean DVC was giving owner inventory to RCI - they only do that if a DVC member accepts a trade to a RCI resort or deposits points for a future trade.

I meant that DVD (the Developer) often deposits inventory it owns to RCI. DVC members do NOT own this inventory and are not entitled to it. These deposits bring in potential customers for DVD and result in cash for DVD (Disney). This is really no different than when DVD gives undeclared rooms to DRC to rent out to the general public.

This is all above board and there is nothing unethical or illegal about it, so there is nothing to monitor.

 

[delilah]

I also believe there is much more demand for October, specifically, over the past few years. We used to take a short trip during fall break, which is usually the 3rd or 4th week of October. Our school had a short fall break, usually Thurs and Fri, and we had our parent teacher conferences on Tues and Weds. Our school never released the academic calendar until the last Sunday in July (it was a Catholic parish school, and we would pick up the packet on Sunday after Mass). I would never make a reservation until we knew when fall break would be, and would always be able to get a room. As a matter of fact, we own at SSR and AKV, so, I don't think it's us scoundrels who own at those resorts who are driving the demand. We have owned at SSR since 2004, and AKV since 2007, and we were able to make reservations that late up until my son was in 8th grade, which was 2 years ago.

 

[crisi]

I also believe there is much more demand for October, specifically, over the past few years. We used to take a short trip during fall break, which is usually the 3rd or 4th week of October. Our school had a short fall break, usually Thurs and Fri, and we had our parent teacher conferences on Tues and Weds. Our school never released the academic calendar until the last Sunday in July (it was a Catholic parish school, and we would pick up the packet on Sunday after Mass). I would never make a reservation until we knew when fall break would be, and would always be able to get a room. As a matter of fact, we own at SSR and AKV, so, I don't think it's us scoundrels who own at those resorts who are driving the demand. We have owned at SSR since 2004, and AKV since 2007, and we were able to make reservations that late up until my son was in 8th grade, which was 2 years ago.

One of the factors in 2009-2011 was the recession. A lot of people did one big trip to save on airfare and tickets during the recession and/or rented points (for which I suspect demand patterns are more traditional, instead of the October/December so popular with DVC). We are back to "bop down for F&W" which we had before 2009, but now we are having a lot more pent up demand, more members, and offsite members, and I suspect proportionally fewer rental points.

 

[delilah]

One of the factors in 2009-2011 was the recession. A lot of people did one big trip to save on airfare and tickets during the recession and/or rented points (for which I suspect demand patterns are more traditional, instead of the October/December so popular with DVC). We are back to "bop down for F&W" which we had before 2009, but now we are having a lot more pent up demand, more members, and offsite members, and I suspect proportionally fewer rental points.

I think this is right. I stay at AKV most of the time, in a 1BR villa, and I can book that at 11 mo. When my son was younger, we would go in October to go to the Halloween party, but, as he has gotten older, we are unable to take him out of school, which we did up until he was in middle school. His school is very strict about taking out of school for vacations at break time. He can't make up work, and it is unexcused. So, since fall break is so short, we don't go in October anymore. We go several short trips a year, because we have family in Florida, and because we usually can't take a long time off work. I'm a doctor, and I can just hear how my coworkers would grumble if I took two weeks off all at the same time, especially at a school break, which is the only time I would, since my son is still in school.

 

[Disbroads]

...that every single DVC room in all of WDW is completely booked for the weekend of Oct 19-20. Seriously, all I need is a stinkin' studio for a long weekend to burn off the rest of my points. What a frustrating afternoon...

if you have your heart set on a stinkin' room for that weekend, learn from my mistake and go straight to 192 in Kissimmee.
With DVC, you can only use cash, not points, and their stink selection is pretty weak.
Once you get East of Old Town, you have a wide variety of very pungent options and it is complimentary along that corridor.

 

[MickeyT]

Highest demand night of the year is NYE. Highest demand week of the year is first week of Dec, followed by Dec 23 to Jan 2, followed by second week of Dec. Highest demand quarter (meaning a time when much at the near park resorts disappears before 7 months out and what is left, if anything, can disappear very quickly once the 7 month window opens): last few days of Sep to Monday after Marathon weekend in Jan; the week that is before the week Thanksgiving is in, the third week of Dec, and time from Jan 4 to the Wednesday before marathon weekend are the only more moderate weeks during that period. Monday after marathon weekend in Jan to last few days of Sep ranges from average to moderate to almost light, and that includes all the holidays during that period. As to lightest times of the year when many things at near park resorts are usually still available well beyond the 7 month window: first two weeks of Feb (e.g., it is now less than 6 months out and much is still open at near park resorts), end of Feb after Princess half marathon, first two weeks of March, last week of April, Sep except last few days.

Hardest rooms at WDW to book which are usually gone at 7 months out even much of the time during that mid-Jan to end of Sep period, in order of most difficult to just difficult: AKV concierge (that can even often be unavailable when booking exactly 11 months out), OKW GVs at the Hospitality House, AKV value and BLT standard, BWV GVs, BWV standard, BWV boardwalk view (don't have enough of a pattern yet for VGF). During that mid-Jan to end of Sep time, BCV studios and BLT Theme Park studios can also sometimes disappear before 7 month out, such as Presidents Day weekend, Princess half marathon weekend, Memorial Day weekend, and the last Star Wars weekend in mid-June.

1BRs tend to last longer than other units (although BLT standard is often an exception where 1BRs may be gone before studios) and can sometimes be available at near park resorts at 7 months out even during the most difficult times of the year. Other than OKW GVs at Hospitality House and BWV GVs, the GVs are usually open at 7 months out except for some times during the the highest demand quarter -- BLT GVs can be gone many days during the quarter; AKV and OKW in mid-Oct, Thanksgiving time, first week of Dec and time around NYE; and SSR first week of Dec and time around NYE. SSR treehouses can disappear before 7 months out Thanksgiving time, first week of Dec, Christmas week, and time during marathon weekend in Jan. Of all the WDW resorts, SSR is usually the last to fill, OKW next to last, and AKV third to last.

On-line booking began mid-Jan 2012. Since then I have been tracking availability at WDW particularly for 7 months out doing runs at least once a week and often two to three times a week. Currently still checking to confirm second year follows the first and now watching VGF. What peaked my interest early was the shattering of prior beliefs. Prior to on-line booking many, including me, believed the following about DVC reservation demand, all of which have proven to be incorrect: Christmas was the highest DVC demand week of the year (first week of Dec is); GVs had to be grabbed at 11 months out and they were seldom available at 7 months (other than BWV GVs and OKW GVs at Hospitality House area, GVs are no harder to get at 7 months out than 2BRs); the two Easter weeks and July 4 time were very high demand times (they are average at best); other spring break weeks were almost as high (they are almost light; in fact the highest demand time mid-Feb through April is Princess half marathon weekend); all holidays are hard to get 7 months out (Christmas, NYE and to some extent Thanksgiving are the ones that are difficult, along with, surprisingly, Columbus Day weekend and to some extent Veterans Day weekend).

Thank You drusba!

Maybe it's because I'm still fairly new to DVC but this is some of the best booking info I have ever seen. I personally think it should be added to a sticky somewhere.

 

[crisi]

Yes, she's been doing a lot of really nice work.

The other thing that she discovered - but we are pretty sure changed - Treehouse Villas were perceived as hard to get - the point value went up fairly significantly on them though, so now they are pretty easy to get.

 

[ToddyLu]

Please PM me when the shirt is for sale on zazzle....We need it in XXL, too.

 

[snyderla]

Yes, she's been doing a lot of really nice work.

The other thing that she discovered - but we are pretty sure changed - Treehouse Villas were perceived as hard to get - the point value went up fairly significantly on them though, so now they are pretty easy to get.

I was able to book a THV for 5 nights at 6 months. At 4 months I started trying to add a day at the begining or end of our trip and have been unable to.

 

[jelliott04]

I was a little annoyed today. I called for a DVC ressie and was told there was zero availability for either studio's or 1 BR for my chosen dates. (less than 60 days out) Then when I called the regular # to see about a cash ressie, one of the things they offered me was the villas. While I vaguely understand the mechanics behind it it still annoyed me that I bought the points and there IS space available but I can't book with points, only with cash.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was a little annoyed today. I called for a DVC ressie and was told there was zero availability for either studio's or 1 BR for my chosen dates. (less than 60 days out) Then when I called the regular # to see about a cash ressie, one of the things they offered me was the villas. While I vaguely understand the mechanics behind it it still annoyed me that I bought the points and there IS space available but I can't book with points, only with cash.

You are new, aren't you. There are two different DVC inventories. One of points, composed of points purchased and owned by members. The second is inventory owned by DVC (not members), so it is not available for a points stay. Plus that inventory also includes the points members have traded to DVC for the DCL, ABD, and other Disney Collection stays. Those have to be paid for by DVC. DCL won't accept points as currency. Plus, at 60 days out DVC turns over any inventory left over to Disney Reservation Center to sell for cash. They can bring that inventory back, but for the time period you are looking at, I doubt they turned anything over to DRC.

So, once the points inventory owned by members and not traded out is booked up, there isn't any more to book for a points stay. All you can do is book a stay for cash if you waited too late.

And, by now, you have learned that from late September through early January (after the marathon) is hard to get at seven months out. You need to book your home resort at eleven months out. Studios usually are the first to book because they require half the points a one bedroom requires and sleep about the same as the one bedroom.

You could try waitlisting your stay, but there are probably many waiting before you. But you don't know if you don't try.

You might just want to wait for that October trip until next year. Maybe an early Spring trip instead? Flower and Garden starts in March.

 

[disneynutz]

You are new, aren't you. There are two different DVC inventories. One of points, composed of points purchased and owned by members. The second is inventory owned by DVC (not members), so it is not available for a points stay. Plus that inventory also includes the points members have traded to DVC for the DCL, ABD, and other Disney Collection stays. Those have to be paid for by DVC. DCL won't accept points as currency. Plus, at 60 days out DVC turns over any inventory left over to Disney Reservation Center to sell for cash. They can bring that inventory back, but for the time period you are looking at, I doubt they turned anything over to DRC.

So, once the points inventory owned by members and not traded out is booked up, there isn't any more to book for a points stay. All you can do is book a stay for cash if you waited too late.

And, by now, you have learned that from late September through early January (after the marathon) is hard to get at seven months out. You need to book your home resort at eleven months out. Studios usually are the first to book because they require half the points a one bedroom requires and sleep about the same as the one bedroom.

You could try waitlisting your stay, but there are probably many waiting before you. But you don't know if you don't try.

You might just want to wait for that October trip until next year. Maybe an early Spring trip instead? Flower and Garden starts in March.

IMO they don't always check to see if they can bring back 60 day inventory. I have spoken to many CM's at MS who act like they don't know what I'm talking about when I specifically ask about the turned over inventory.

Bill

 

[jelliott04]

You are new, aren't you.

I've seen you on the boards forever and so I don't think you meant that the way it sounded to me. But IF I was new I might have thought that sounded a little condescending.

are two different DVC inventories. One of points, composed of points purchased and owned by members. The second is inventory owned by DVC (not members), so it is not available for a points stay. Plus that inventory also includes the points members have traded to DVC for the DCL, ABD, and other Disney Collection stays.

I said in my post that I do vaguely understand the mechanics of how it works in the backend. But thanks.

You need to book your home resort at eleven months out. Studios usually are the first to book because they require half the points a one bedroom requires and sleep about the same as the one bedroom.

I am not new to DVC so I know to book in advance when possible. As we all know, that isn't always possible. School schedules weren't released until late and I this particular date at the end of Oct was just listed as a day off for my daughter. This was a last minute trip so I figured inventory might be sparse especially right around Halloween. I was just surprised that there was zero availability.

My original point was that I was on the phone with DVC with zero availability and then immediately called regular Disney to book and was given a cash price for the same resorts that I was told had zero inventory. I realize how it works but it was still annoying.

might just want to wait for that October trip until next year. Maybe an early Spring trip instead? Flower and Garden starts in March.

Already done. Booked at 11 months out exactly for our March 2014 trip. Week long relaxing trip that we are all very much looking forward to.

Have a good one!