Is January really hard to get into?

[Kurby]

We are planning January 2009 which means we have a few more months to decide which resorts we want to stay at.

right now we are thinking 5 nights in 1 bdrm at OKW then a 3 night cruise then 6 nights in a 1 bdrm at AKV

how hard is it going to be to get these 2 resorts?

do we really have to call day by day to book?

have you booked in Jan without calling every day and still got in?

 

[DVC Grammy]

If your Jan trip encompasses either Marathon or MLK weekend, then, yes, IMO, I'd call day-by-day. (Peace of mind is "priceless"! ). As far as AKV, remember that only a limited amount of villas will be available at Jambo, so there, too, I'd call May 16th (if you own AKV) or whenever the 7-month mark is in June, when it opens to all DVCers.
Your trip sounds fabulous, and I hope you get the reservations that you need.

 

[MinnieGi]

We've done January at the tail end of the marathon and also later in the month and have never had a problem booking a reservation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You might have to call day by day for AKV since it will not be completed by then, but OKW should be able to be done later without any problem. OKW is large, so January should be no problem.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Oops! Just noticed you wrote 2009, not '08! My bad.

I don't know when Kidani is supposed to be available; if some of it is done, it might be easier to reserve. If the amount of villas is limited, I'd still recommend day-by-day calling as soon as you're in your window.
I think that AKV will be quite popular, in the beginning and maybe always, just for the sheer novelty of a "park" within a resort. (Just MHO )

 

[drusba]

The estimated opening of the new Kidani building is "spring" 2009 although it may be finished earlier. However, all rooms in the Jambo (existing AKL) building will be done by then. In January 09 you probably will have some chance of getting a savannah view room but likely none for standard or value. At BWV we have found Jan for preferred pool and garden view to be available at 7 months except for very early in the month (in 2009, the first few days of Jan will be in the usual Christmas break times).

 

[Dina]

I booked Marathon weekend at 4 months out. I didn't get my choice of resorts, but I could get in to SSR. I would have booked earlier, but we had just bought DVC a few days before I booked, and I was afraid we were going to have to keep our reservations at Pop--- so we were delighted. We were booking a 2br, so I don't know if that made it easier.

 

[mamatojon]

My experience - booked SSR studio for 4 nts and VWL 2BR for 10 nights, encompassing both marathon and MLK day with no problem. I booked them at 4 months prior.

The year before I booked 1 BRs at BCV, VWL, and SSR at 3 months prior for a stay that included MLK day - no problem there either.

 

[LisaS]

I have booked OKW for the end of Jan at 7 months out twice now without any problem. Now for AKV, since you own there you would be booking there at 11 months out. Provided you are not trying for concierge level, you might be OK since all of Jambo House will be open by that time. Since you would be calling to book at AKV in Feb '08, you will have a lot of time to monitor these boards to see how difficult AKV owners are finding it to book there 11 months out. If people report they are not getting what they want unless they book day-by-day, then you will know what you have to do!