It's a bummer when you want to book a not super last minute trip and no availability.

[Tiki Sean]

I was thinking of booking a weekend trip to the World the second weekend on Nov. (part of Jersey week) but no studio availability at all. So I guess my decision has been made

That is the new downside to owning DVC. I rarely had a problem a few years back booking in a 3 month window.

Hopefully i can book a trip sometime in 2017.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Jersey Week and Veteran's Day are rough.

 

[DizBub]

Yup, this seems to be the new reality. But you mentioned Jersey Week, hasn't it always been hard to book this late in the booking window? Anyway, don't give up just yet. Plans change and people cancel all the time. Stalk the RAT and use your waitlists. Just yesterday I snatched up a BLT lake view studio 10 days out over Labor Day weekend. Prior to that I was able to book a 1 bedroom at BWV for 6 nights in a row about 6 weeks out. It can be done.

 

[LisaS]

Jersey Week and Veteran's Day are rough.

It is also the last weekend of the Food & Wine festival (Sep 14 - Nov 14). F&W is always a busy time but I suspect the holiday weekends (Columbus Day and Veterans Day) book up very early.

 

[Tiki Sean]

I know i could go on a waiting list but I don't want to book airline tickets in hopes of getting a room. Nor do I want to pay to stay at a resort.

 

[CarolMN]

Feel for you & understand completely about booking airfare without having something locked in.

Hope your next plan is easier to implement.

 

[BillPA]

If you are flying from an airport that has Southwest, you can always cancel and rebook up to 1 year with not cost to you. But, it has to be the same named flyer.

 

[n2mm]

I even got shut out of BWV standard studio at the 11 month window at 8:00AM, but did manage it the next morning. It gets harder and harder each year to book in October. I"m glad I own are 3 different resorts now. I've been on the waitlist for ONE night at BCV for a studio on a Monday night since the 7 month window opened and with 8 weeks to go, it doesn't look like my one night is going to happen. Ugh.

 

[jimbostacks]

I am crazy, but if I wanted a last minute trip and no availability and cash was a bit tight...... rent the points and stay at a moderate, or close offsite. We have rented many times and used the cash for POR to get that Disney feel.

 

[DizBub]

I know i could go on a waiting list but I don't want to book airline tickets in hopes of getting a room. Nor do I want to pay to stay at a resort.

Totally understand this. Out of desperation we booked a cash reservation for the night of Sept 3 because there was nothing on points and our DD had to book her flight. We were all really bummed about having to stay at All Star Movies even for 1 night and paying cash when we have a bunch of points just sitting there. The very next day the studio at BLT popped up and we got to cancel the cash reservation immediately.

Another thing we have done several times in the past is we have rented existing reservations when there is no availability on our own points. It does cost money but at least we get to be there and stay at a DVC resort.

Unfortunately it looks like in the future you may have to book a reservation at 11 or 7 months even if you think you may want to go.....I know, not very spontaneous or magical. Hope something opens up for you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would not give up, I would wait list SSR, OKW.

I was able to get a 1 bedroom recently for Labor Day weekend. We had begun off site using Marriott points, would rather be at Disney!

 

[drusba]

You have more issues than just Jersey Week. The weekend you want is the last weekend of Food & Wine, it is a three day holiday weekend because Veterans Day is on Friday, and Mickey's Christmas Party in MK begins Nov 7, the Monday before. meaning decorations will mostly be up everywhere by that second weekend. When you get that combination, that weekend becomes one of the highest demand weekends of the year.

 

[mort1331]

your other option is try a one bedroom, more points, but usually available. Or try split stay, we have done this many of times.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think people need to stop taking the availability of SSR for granted!

 

[Tiki Sean]

I don't have enough points for the 1 bedroom. I wish I did. I am going to waitlist for a month and see what happens.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't have enough points for the 1 bedroom. I wish I did. I am going to waitlist for a month and see what happens.

Glad you're giving wait list a try.

 

[ziravan]

When we took a serious look at buying a fixed week for Poly Lake View, THIS is the week we chose.

All the other factors mentioned, F&W at an 'EPCOT monorail 2 mins away' resort, MNSSHP some years, MVMCP some, rarely, both. Weather. View.

Four months out? We book this room during this week at 12 months out.

The first and 2nd week of Dec is where having a fixed week would likely have more "pop" based on current demand, but this week is the week where everything happens. It's a sweet spot between Halloween and Christmas theming.

Oh. And I believe the 2nd weekend is also F&W half marathon, another stressor on the weekend for booking.

 

[Tiki Sean]

When we took a serious look at buying a fixed week for Poly Lake View, THIS is the week we chose.

All the other factors mentioned, F&W at an 'EPCOT monorail 2 mins away' resort, MNSSHP some years, MVMCP some, rarely, both. Weather. View.

Four months out? We book this room during this week at 12 months out.

The first and 2nd week of Dec is where having a fixed week would likely have more "pop" based on current demand, but this week is the week where everything happens. It's a sweet spot between Halloween and Christmas theming.

Oh. And I believe the 2nd weekend is also F&W half marathon, another stressor on the weekend for booking.

With my son starting school having a fixed week at that time would probably be a good idea. But alas I am not buying anymore points in the foreseeable future. The biggest downside with DVC for me has always been the difficult time of making last minute booking and I understand that. Sometimes planning in advance just isn't possible. But if that were the case all the time why would i buy into DVC.

 

[lovin'fl]

low point cost time+F&W+Jersey week+trying for a studio(lowest point cost room)+MNSSHP/MVMCP=no luck at 3 months out and I have been a member since 2006 and it has been pretty much this way since(yes, getting harder as more new resorts/points get sold).

 

[lovin'fl]

I would not give up, I would wait list SSR, OKW.

I was able to get a 1 bedroom recently for Labor Day weekend. We had begun off site using Marriott points, would rather be at Disney!

maybe waitlist SSR and AKV...OKW can be tough during F&W.