Is it too late for a Sept. trip?

[tlkscott]

We were not planning on going until Jan/Feb. 2014. However, we have come into some money and are are thinking of trying to go in Sept. or Oct. Do you think that we would be able to rent points and get a savannah view deluxe studio at AKV? Also we are major foodies and would want ADR's for at least two meals a day. My husband has said that we are now going in Sept./Oct. now no matter what so that we can take our son to MNSSHP. Can I pull this off if our dates are somewhat flexible. We are wanting to stay 8 nights, checking in on a Friday and leaving on the following Sat. Would we better off just waiting until 2014?

 

[DisneyGuy]

I'm not sure about renting points since I've never done it, but it's not too late to plan a September trip for the most part.

There are people who plan a year and half in advance for various reasons, but it's not a necessity. You can go on Disney's website and book dining reservations and see what's available. September is a slower time, so you should be alright. I do recommend getting your party tickets ASAP so that you don't risk it being sold out - especially if it's only happening one time while you're there.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I voted for go this year. If you can afford to go soon, I think you should jump at the opportunity while you can. Who knows what your situation will be like next year. Something could happen that will cause you to cancel, or alternatively, you might be able to afford to do a vacation next year AS WELL. As they say in my neck of the woods - 'Make hay while the sun shines'.

I'm not sure about the availability of AKV points. But as someone who's traveling Sep/Oct, I've been checking ADRs a lot lately. Mine are all booked, but I seem to be making minor changes every week or so. You will struggle to get bookings at the really popular places (BOG, Ohana, CP before park opening etc), but otherwise there is still quite a lot of availability out there.

 

[dis_guy]

I voted for go this year. If you can afford to go soon, I think you should jump at the opportunity while you can. Who knows what your situation will be like next year. Something could happen that will cause you to cancel, or alternatively, you might be able to afford to do a vacation next year AS WELL. As they say in my neck of the woods - 'Make hay while the sun shines'.

I'm not sure about the availability of AKV points. But as someone who's traveling Sep/Oct, I've been checking ADRs a lot lately. Mine are all booked, but I seem to be making minor changes every week or so. You will struggle to get bookings at the really popular places (BOG, Ohana, CP before park opening etc), but otherwise there is still quite a lot of availability out there.

As far as points go I've heard good things about "David's DVC Rentals" who rent out points for owners that can't use them. Never used them myself, though.

Planning? Well, I'm the guy who got fed up with winter snowstorms on a Friday afternoon, convinced my wife over a couple of hours of texting, and was on a plane for Florida Saturday evening. So, no, planning is not a strength.

 

[franluvsbubba]

Sept is also when they have the free dining so that's a plus! We always go then and only have 117 days to go!

 

[saskdw]

We never book more than about 4-5 months out. The only thing that requires more time is possibly doing ADR's at 6 months out. I've never really understood all the people on here panicking to plan a trip 11/2 years before they are going.

 

[maryj11]

I voted this year, it doesnt take long to plan everything. Just use the internet and decide what you want to do such as which resort and if you would like the dining plan, which restaurants, how many days on park tickets ect....3 months is plenty to plan it. Here is a site that makes so much easier to plan www.easywdw.com

 

[amccu18007]

I wouldn't rent points just go through Disney and get the free dining! You can then upgrade to deluxe dining

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were not planning on going until Jan/Feb. 2014. However, we have come into some money and are are thinking of trying to go in Sept. or Oct. Do you think that we would be able to rent points and get a savannah view deluxe studio at AKV? Also we are major foodies and would want ADR's for at least two meals a day. My husband has said that we are now going in Sept./Oct. now no matter what so that we can take our son to MNSSHP. Can I pull this off if our dates are somewhat flexible. We are wanting to stay 8 nights, checking in on a Friday and leaving on the following Sat. Would we better off just waiting until 2014?

I doubt you'd get any savanna studio this late.

 

[ajfd]

We didn't plan our late-April trip until early March.

Luckily, someone recommended a travel agent to us that took care of everything we were looking to do with regards to ADRs. We got several things that the Disney website said were booked. If we hadn't gone to her, we would not have gone on what ended up being an AMAZING family trip (we based our go/no-go on what ADRs we could get).

If you are interested (and it is not against site rules), I would be more than happy to PM you her contact information.

 

[Sue M]

Can't help you with DVC availability. But you can go on the dining and see if the places you are wanting still have availability.

 

[benji2012]

We booked 2 studio savannah views at Kidani about a week ago; wait listed Jambo. Jambo was available the week beforE; but we weren't able to book then...so I say it's possible!

Just booked our ADRs on Friday, got everything we wanted!

 

[WDWGeek1971]

I wouldn't rent points just go through Disney and get the free dining! You can then upgrade to deluxe dining

I'd recommend doing the math first. You could probably pay for points, buy an AP, and a Tables in Wonderland membership, eat what you want, where you want and come out way ahead.

Also since you are foodies, you should plan to be there during Food and Wine Festival. Rather than spending all your dining budget on restaurants, you could sign up for signature dining events, for which your Disney Dining Plan is not usable. And by the way, you can't even sign up for those events until August, so you have plenty of time to plan.

Enjoy! Maybe we'll see you there. We won't even book our trip until the Signature Event dates are published. We're hoping for a repeat of the Italian White Truffle Lunch, and the 3D Dessert Party!

 

[mirage0306]

Totally not too late. We just booked a trip for July this weekend!

As for the DVC point rentals--if you have some flexibility in your dates, you might be in luck. A coworker of mine owns DVC and I was going to rent points from her (we too were looking at savannah view in AKV, Jambo House) but we only have one week we can go, and there was nothing available. However, there was availability for the next week. You just might luck out. Good luck!

 

[tlkscott]

I guess that I should say that I have had plans worked out for months already. I even know where all we want to eat at. Now the problem will be getting ADRs. Oh yeah, I cannot transfer money until tomorrow.

 

[emilyindisney]

If you are flexible with your dates and choice hotel you might be able to get a pretty good deal from someone trying to get rid of your points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are flexible with your dates and choice hotel you might be able to get a pretty good deal from someone trying to get rid of your points.

That only works if there is vacancy with DVC villas. It is going to be very hard to find vacancy during the time the OP wants to book, especially for a savanna view studio.

 

[tlkscott]

We got it all worked out for September 20-28. Renting points for a savanna view studio. Got almost all the ADRs we wanted.

 

[Ofinn]

We got it all worked out for September 20-28. Renting points for a savanna view studio. Got almost all the ADRs we wanted.

Congrats on your trip. I really don't see the need to plan a Disney trip months in advance. We have planned anywhere from 6 months out to 2 weeks out and we always get the ADR's we want. The amount of planning has no impact on our trip at all. Have a great time.

 

[emilyindisney]

We got it all worked out for September 20-28. Renting points for a savanna view studio. Got almost all the ADRs we wanted.

Congrats! Glad almost everything worked out!