Is it hard to get into other resorts at 7months?

[windi622]

I have learned so much reading all of these posts. I was looking for a little help. We are looking to buy into AKV this summer. I know most of the advice is "buy where you want to stay". But, we are young, and like the idea of buying through Disney, and having the longer contract. I want to stay at BWV. So, based on your experiences, do you think I would have trouble booking at BWV for 10 days in September (my dates would be flexible, really any weeks of Sept). I know there really is no way to predict, but I was just hoping for some opinions. Is it really difficult at the 7 months out?? TIA for all of your expertise!

 

[Chuck S]

Given you want September and your exact dates are flexible, I would think, depending upon accomodation size, your chances are good. You probably won't get "standard view", though.

The latter part of the month may get busier, as EPCOT Food & Wine Fest stars Sept 28.

Plan as early as possible, though...right at the seven month window.

 

[chalee94]

if you "only" want to stay at BWV (and can plan more than 7 months in advance), i'd suggest buying there.

if you don't mind staying elsewhere if BWV doesn't work out - for example, making reservations at AKV, and switching at 7 months, if possible - then it's worth it.

but AKV will bring in a lot of new owners (and SSR is still selling), so you need to realize that you may not be the only prospective new owner to have their eye on booking BWV rather than their home resort. it might work out fine, but you should understand the risks.

 

[windi622]

Thanks for your help. I guess we have to weigh our options, and see if it is a risk we are willing to take. hmmm

 

[Deb & Bill]

There are some room categories that get booked very quickly. For example:

1-BW view at the BWV
2-BWV standard view
3-Any Grand Villa
4-VB Beach Cottage
5-BCV dedicated two bedroom villa with two queen beds in the second bedroom.

 

[mikesmom]

Well, right now I expect you would have no problem getting into BWV in September - it's one of the few quiet DVC times. However, that could easily change. What if Disney decided to move or extend the Food & Wine Fest earlier into September. It would definitely get a lot harder. It's already happened once. Early October used to be easy also. But then Disney eaxtended the Food & Wine Fest that used to be 30 days (approximately 10/15 thru 11/15) to a 6 week Fest - first week of October through mid November. Those first 2 weeks of October got real busy real fast.

So, as many will agree with me - buy where you want to stay.

 

[nuts]

I have learned so much reading all of these posts. I was looking for a little help. We are looking to buy into AKV this summer. I know most of the advice is "buy where you want to stay". But, we are young, and like the idea of buying through Disney, and having the longer contract. I want to stay at BWV. So, based on your experiences, do you think I would have trouble booking at BWV for 10 days in September (my dates would be flexible, really any weeks of Sept). I know there really is no way to predict, but I was just hoping for some opinions. Is it really difficult at the 7 months out?? TIA for all of your expertise!

I've never had a problem.

 

[J and R's mom]

I was (am) facing the same delima. My home resort is SSR. In the past few years, I have not had a problem getting something at BWV (see my signature) or BCV. We like to go during the first two weeks of December (busiest DVC time but slowest park time).

This year, however, I have been unlucky with the waitlist. Nothing has come through yet for 12/9 through 12/14 at BWV, BCV, or VWL. And I'm starting to think that it most likely won't come through.

If you're traveling during slower times of the year, though, you probably stand a much better chance.

For example, I just called MS for you and checked availability at BWV 9/9 - 9/14 and 9/16 - 9/21 (these are Sundays through Thursdays) and they had a 1br preferred view available (even at this late date). They did not have any studios available or any other view types, though, and I did not ask about a 2br. I also checked for 9/23 - 9/28 but it wall completely booked...she said due to food and wine festival starting.

The bad part about not buying where you want to stay is not being able to guarantee you get the resort you want. The good part, in your and my case, is that you get the extra years on the contract.

 

[windi622]

Thanks everyone, for your opinions and help!

For example, I just called MS for you and checked availability at BWV 9/9 - 9/14 and 9/16 - 9/21 (these are Sundays through Thursdays) and they had a 1br preferred view available (even at this late date). They did not have any studios available or any other view types, though, and I did not ask about a 2br. I also checked for 9/23 - 9/28 but it wall completely booked...she said due to food and wine festival starting.
QUOTE]

THANK YOU!! Only at a place like this, could I find someone so sweet. It was so kind of you to take the time and call, to try to give me some insight. I think I will have to do some thinking...but thanks so much.

 

[crisi]

It isn't guarenteed - how is that for an answer. If you want to be guarenteed a stay at BWV, you should own there.

Many people have booked many stays at BWV seven months out or less. Sometimes even BW Views or Standard Views. But there are those cases where it doesn't happen.

September is a pretty open time for availability, but you are buying for the long term - will you ALWAYS travel in September? Will you have kids that make September travel difficult? What if you switch jobs and September becomes busy time?

DVC will also change over the long term. When we bought our contract resale, the resorts were OKW, BWV, HH, VB, VWL. BCV had been announced and was selling but wasn't opened. Now we have SSR and VAK, with rumors about the Contemporary refusing to die. Each new resort means there are more members who may want those rooms at seven months.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Thanks for all the info. I was wondering this as well. DF and I just bought into SSR (we are young and want to get the most out of DVC, but didn't want the higher dues (and potentially even higher once the animals are in per a CM) with AKL). We already booked our home resort for a May 2008 trip, but we're looking forward to trying all the different DVC resorts in the future. This thread was very helpful. I hope we can switch once our 7 months come!