Is DVC for us?

[mariojmtz]

We are very spur of moment travelers. Our trip this past weekend was put together in about 30 days.
We are not supper picky about accommodations but do you think we could find anything a month or 2 out? Normally we would only need a studio but a one bedroom would be nice.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We are very spur of moment travelers.

Stop right here.

We are not supper picky about accommodations but do you think we could find anything a month or 2 out?

The way DVC is structured, it encourages advance planning most times of year, with 11 and 7 month windows. It also orients to a 95%+ occupancy rate. When a unit is available at the 60 day point, that unit is considered "breakage," and is made available for cash or points (normally, inventory released to cash is distinct).

Realistically, sometimes these rooms can still be booked for points, but often for only 1 or 2 days at a time, and fewer weekends than weekdays.

Timeshares are about planning. If you're more short-term, most timeshares won't be good fits. DVC is no different in that regard.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

No. DVC is not for you. You need to plan 7 to 11 months ahead to really get good usage out of a membership.
And if you are spur of the moment travelers, why lock yourself in to a particular place for 50 years?

Take a look at David's rental site and sign up for their last minute deals newsletter. You may be able to get great rental prices at the last minute for the larger resorts for studio and 1br.

 

[Hopefully]

We are very spur of moment travelers. Our trip this past weekend was put together in about 30 days.
We are not supper picky about accommodations but do you think we could find anything a month or 2 out? Normally we would only need a studio but a one bedroom would be nice.

No
DVC is a timeshare designed for 95% Or higher occupancy. It achieves this. In order to book more than a day or two here or there, you need to book at least 7 months in advance, often 11 months in advance.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

What others said. I am often a last minute traveler, and I can usually find something in the off season - they have a "last minute" section for unreserved rooms a few weeks out - but those are rarely for 5+ consecutive days. The most we get out of DVC is when we plan 6+ months out.

 

[com_op_2000]

I will partly disagree with the others in the post.
Does DVC work great for those who cannot plan ahead - no!
Can it work for last minute travel - yes if you are willing to accept the limitations that will be imposed.
Do not expect to get into VGF, VGC, BCV, AKL-Value, BWV-Standard, etc and during the mid-Sept through mid-Jan time frame.
You will most likely end up at SSR, OKW, or AKL for all your trips and only one - three days in a row at any one location.
Some of my last minute trips have included:
DW and I several times have been at DS (old DTD) for the day and decided we wanted to stay the night. Called the resorts directly (back before MS was open on Sundays) or MS and checked in within 15 minutes.
At MK for the day in Feb ’14 for our anniversary, called MS @09:00, and booked a room at BLT for that night. Checked-in @11:00 and the room was ready. We did not plan on this day going like this until @05:00 while still in bed.

 

[Kimly]

We only live two hours away, and often find DVC availability within a month if not sooner. But it takes a ton of time, with me stalking the page, and even sometimes we just end up paying cash. But our big trips are always made at the 11 or 7 month timeframe. Only short trips do we do on the fly.