I refuse to believe...

[rigsby25]

If you are only trying to burn points, why not try Vero Beach? It's about an hour and a half from Orlando. I'm going to be there the 19th to the 26th. I really like it there. You can still do a day trip to the parks. But you might like Vero.

 

[crisi]

I thought they were the busiest times. What's busier than NYE?

Its the busiest in the parks - for DVC I think that there are times that book up faster - including early December.

 

[LisaS]

I thought they were the busiest times. What's busier than NYE?

I've read here that NYE is the most difficult single night to book but that the 2nd week of December is the most difficult week to book. (Where "difficult" refers to how quickly those nights sell out.)

 

[drusba]

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.

 

[jekjones1558]

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.

Wow. This is a lot of info. How did you compile this?

 

[lodge]

Wow. This is a lot of info. How did you compile this?

"Dis veteran"!

 

[drusba]

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).

 

[jekjones1558]

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)..

Hats off to you for your commitment to getting these stats!

 

[DvF Diva]

Cash inventory and inventory turned over to RCI are two completely different inventories than the inventory bookable on points. So its possible to find rooms available on cash that a member can't book on points.

Disney gets RCI points to sell from RCI trades out. They get cash points from a few sources, but a big one is trades into Disney Collection options - its helpful for some members to think about it this way - a member is already using that room, he's just using it on a cruise ship.

Ooh, good to know! Thanks so much for clarifying that for me. So are you saying that inventory turned over to RCI comes from members and not from Disney? I'm just curious why the RCI bookings were cash only and not trade-ins.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hats off to you for your commitment to getting these stats!

 

[CarolMN]

Ooh, good to know! Thanks so much for clarifying that for me. So are you saying that inventory turned over to RCI comes from members and not from Disney? I'm just curious why the RCI bookings were cash only and not trade-ins.

Disney also deposits inventory it owns to RCI - I believe that is what was/is available for cash via RCI.

Deposits from member inventory should be mostly (if not all) weeks available to RCI members looking for an exchange.

 

[AmyB2006]

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

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

I'd buy it!!!!

 

[jlowejd5]

We generally book 6-7 months ahead. But this time we ended up with 90 points that were going to expire soon, and the wife just put together the call schedule for her group and we found a free weekend (but only two months out).

We did some switching and actually found a 1BR at SSR over Halloween weekend (30th - 3rd) and booked it last night. Even got MNSSHP tix for 11/1 and (shockingly) a Fantasmic dinner reservation on Thursday night. SSR isn't our favorite, but at least we're in the ballpark somewhere.

We're planning a big, week-long trip next October. I'll definitely be booking that one early, since we're gonna need a 2BR.

 

[bakerworld]

We've had some good luck with WL

 

[RyMickey]

If it's any consolation to the original poster who's getting a bit criticized for trying to book a room this close to October, we're in the same boat. We kind of decided, last minute, to try and book something today for the first week in October and were told nothing was available for DVC and only Caribbean Beach was available in terms of points for a hotel. (And, perhaps unjustly, we'd stay anywhere other than Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs.)

If memory serves, this Food and Wine rush by DVCers is a recent phenomenon as I feel like as little as two years ago we did a somewhat last minute trip in late October and had no problems booking a room. (I could be wrong, but I know for certain we didn't book at the eleven month window and not likely at the seven month window either.)

We'll certainly learn from this point onward, but I'm with you OP that we couldn't believe it when we were told EVERYTHING was booked.

To us, it's really no sweat as this was just a spur of the moment kinda thing (and our initial plan was to go to Hilton Head which we were also shocked to see was booked in October), but I do think things have definitely picked up in the DVC market around this time of year. (And rightfully so as I found Food and Wine to be quite enjoyable.)

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know that it's a recent thing. I tried to book a Sunday night in mid October 6 or 7 years ago about a month before and there was nothing, any room size, any resort. I used my points for POFQ (before the fee). I had a business trip to Orlando and wanted to go a day early to enjoy F & W and see David Cassidy.

 

[crisi]

Food and Wine rush has been going on for as long as I've owned - twelve years now. If you got a room easily at a popular resort four months out two years ago, you were lucky - and it happens, sometimes people cancel rooms and they are scooped up before they hit the waitlist.

Its seldom been TIGHT at seven months - except at the Epcot area resorts - but its always been tight by four all over during my period of ownership - and every year there are threads like this one for both October and Early December "I can't believe, this is supposed to be a slow time."

Its a learning process. Hopefully people know a little before they buy, but it usually takes a few seasons of ownership to adjust.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

About a month ago I had to change my Oct visit dates. I was easily able to book a one bedroom at SSR, but so far no luck on my Epcot wait lists.

I am fine at SSR as I like it there but I will miss the easy walk home from the festival

 

[Deb & Bill]

Add all the new members from Aulani, BLT, AKV, GFV who want to stay at an Epcot resort for F&W. It just comes down to more people trying to book at seven months out at a non-resort home for a very popular time.

 

[Tiggeye]

That is also the weekend for the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Causeway. So if your staying the BWV or BC you can walk to it.