Is it getting harder to book?

[HFC1969]

Quick question from a previous DVC owner..

One of the things that used to bother us was that we had to book really far out or take the chance of getting a reservation. Sometimes we travel on a whim. With all of the new DVC properties at WDW is it getting easier to get a reservation at say 3 months out?

Thanks for your time..

 

[mickeychickie]

Honestly, I have been able to get reservations on the day of arrival, so long as it wasn't on a "special" weekend or when there is some sort of convention/event going on. My issue now is that it seems to be taking a lot more points to reserve, so my points are not stretching out as they used to.

 

[tjkraz]

There's no easy answer to that question. Timeshares always have near equilibrium in the number of owners and number of accommodations available. Even with the varying per-night point costs, some time periods will always be extremely popular. And owners will naturally gravitate to the more popular resorts.

The most general answer is that if you're open to staying at Saratoga Springs, Old Key West and Animal Kingdom Villas...in either a Studio OR One Bedroom...you will be successful more often than not.

If you expect to consistently get a room on short notice at BoardWalk, Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness or (soon) Poly, you will be consistently disappointed.

Yes there are more DVC resorts available now. But there are also proportionately more owners vying for all rooms.

 

[chalee94]

yeah, there's always an element of competition to it, since there are about as many pts sold as represent nights available to stay. those of us who plan ahead and book 7 - 11 months out have a better shot at getting what we want and those who wait till 3-4 months out can take whatever is left over.

that's just how the system works, it's not for everyone.

 

[mickeychickie]

yeah, there's always an element of competition to it, since there are about as many pts sold as represent nights available to stay. those of us who plan ahead and book 7 - 11 months out have a better shot at getting what we want and those who wait till 3-4 months out can take whatever is left over.

that's just how the system works, it's not for everyone.

I believe that's true for everything, has nothing to do with this system really... Speaking from my personal experience, and to answer the question, it has been getting harder to book, but there have also been many more events to draw more people to the parks

 

[lisaviolet]

Quick question from a previous DVC owner..

One of the things that used to bother us was that we had to book really far out or take the chance of getting a reservation. Sometimes we travel on a whim. With all of the new DVC properties at WDW is it getting easier to get a reservation at say 3 months out?

Thanks for your time..

I've had few issues. Not a lot has changed over the last 9-10 years in my opinion. But, in defense of contradictory answers, I really work the system HFC and online booking has been a godsend for me. If I want something I scan a lot. And I know that's not for everyone but I actually enjoy the "Las Vegas" nature of that process. And I've noticed some trends in cancellation.

I won't even list what I/we've have nabbed at very late notice, it will only aggravate some.

 

[fishermouse]

we usually plan ahead so booking has not been a problem, have done a few short notice trips and managed to get something.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't think that booking on short notice will ever be easier with more owners...however, as already mentioned, it really depends on when you want to go with that short notice.

For example, we are headed down for a 2 week trip at the end of July/beginning of August...I currently have our last 4 nights at SSR...I just stayed there for a few nights while I helped move my daughter down to Orlando and decided that maybe I'd like to change.

At this point, about 2 months out, the only studio I could find still open for those 4 nights was SSR, what I have...nothing at the other resorts was available. I even tried a few places in 1 bedrooms and no go.

So, even last weekend, you could get a studio at SSR on 2 months notice, but nothing else.

I'd say that things are going to be the same as when you last owned and if you were not all that thrilled with what you could get 3 to 4 months out, then you'll most likely find the situation now just as frustrating.

 

[EMILAYLAY93]

We have only booked on such short notice when we had some points in holding we had to use. It was difficult finding a reservation for a studio in January for 3 nights, but we were able to.

I have noticed that I am having a difficult time reserving a longer vacation (6 nights or more) if I want to stay in the same room at the same resort. We don't really like to change rooms because we have several days worth of food plus all of our clothes to pack. Sometimes the only resort open is SSR and that's even booked at more popular times of the year.

I have only been a DVC member for 3 years now, so I'm not sure how it was in the past.