Interesting Statistic

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

I called member services to see if there are any studios or 1BR in any on property DVC resort checking in June 14 and checking out June 18. There is nothing available which isn't a huge shock since I did wait until a month out before making any reservations.

What did surprise me is that the rep told me that member bookings are up 200% since the economy took a turn for the worst and they are nearly fully booked to year end. He suggested it's because people have already prepaid for their vacation and don't want to waste their money. That seems like a very plausible explanation that I found interesting. While I think timeshare sales may be decreasing, usage for those who have already invested are up.

I've never had a problem getting a room no matter how close to the date I called. Now I have to become a better planner.

 

[tjkraz]

What did surprise me is that the rep told me that member bookings are up 200% since the economy took a turn for the worst and they are nearly fully booked to year end.

Thanks for sharing but I think that is pretty suspect information. Timeshares are designed to be near full occupancy all the time. If bookings are really up by that much, it suggests that members were letting millions of points expire unused in the past. And I don't believe that is the case.

Early summer has always been popular and October to December is pretty much booked solid annually. Mid-to-late summer can be slow (or at least slow-to-fill) due to the crowds and heat, but even if those dates are now fully booked I don't see how bookings could really have increased to such a degree.

DVC has added a lot of new resorts and members so some growth is undeniable. But an increase of 200% suggests that there are three times the number of reservations (?) as there were a year ago. I'd buy 20-25% growth, but not 200%.

 

[robandkelly13]

I wonder if the jump is due to members renting out their points. By renting points those who have been affected by the poor economy could make some extra money. Just a thought.

 

[barlitz]

I agree with above post, probably a lot of renting going on as well.

 

[lulu2]

I called yesterday and booked a 1 bedroom at Kidani Oct. 26-30. I had her check what was available she stated: AKL, Boardwalk, OKW, SSR and WLV. BLT and BC were not. So, at 5 months out and during F&W I think the availability was exceptional.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Believing word for word a CM is like believing Chicken Little that the sky is falling.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I called just last week in search of a studio for 4 nights at any resort on any dates for my son. I didn't expect to find anything available at all, but I ended up with a list of 7 or 8 options to offer him and then called back that evening I was able to book his first choice. Sooo, I am not sure that totally booked up thru the end of the year is entirely true.

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

I hear what you are all saying but I think we on the disboards seem to think the general population of members shares our enthusiasm and would never let a point go unused. However, I know two other families who own and they dont' go every year and they don't rent out the points. That's two out of three of us. Maybe 200% is high but I'd bet one point that there is a huge increase. I also don't doubt that after BLT opens, there will be more rooms available until they get sold out. The rooms are there but the membership is not.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I hear what you are all saying but I think we on the disboards seem to think the general population of members shares our enthusiasm and would never let a point go unused. However, I know two other families who own and they dont' go every year and they don't rent out the points. That's two out of three of us. Maybe 200% is high but I'd bet one point that there is a huge increase. I also don't doubt that after BLT opens, there will be more rooms available until they get sold out. The rooms are there but the membership is not.

Just be sure to remember that all those rooms are CRO only until they are sold to DVC members (new or existing). They're not available for points reservations until someone has paid for them.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Delete

 

[fers31]

I have SSR booked for December (had to drop my THV as my family bailed out.) I was looking to switch resorts......only SSR has studios for my days. I guess it all depends.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In early December I tried booking a studio for Sunday June 14th at the BCV, and none was available then. I was able to start our vacation on the 15th. You're looking at a very busy time, apparently.

Bobbi