Last minute booking

[jns]

What is the latest you have booked your resort for ,with your points

Just thinking if you got a cheap flight at last minute how would the DVC work

Still trying to decide if this is the way for us to go

thanks for any help

 

[dianeschlicht]

We once booked Labor Day just 24 hours ahead. It was when NWA was on strike, and they canceled our flight. The only flight we could get was a day early, so I booked it and called MS to see if I could extend our ressie by a day on the front end, and I could!

 

[CarolMN]

Don't buy DVC counting on getting last minute space - it's a 50/50 proposition at best - and that's if you are willing to stay at any of the WDW DVC resorts and don't mind changing resorts if necessary.

Availability changes frequently and the truth is that you never know what may or may not be available until you call. Availability is usually very limited 60 days or less from arrival. DVC often sends any unreserved point room inventory over to CRO to rent for cash at the 60 day mark. From that point, members are competing with the general public for any unreserved rooms.

That said, I'm sure some will post about how they were able to get last minute bookings and it is certainly possible. It's just not something that you should count on. If you frequently travel at the last minute, I think you will be frustrated with your membership more often than not. DVC works best for those who can plan ahead.

Best wishes-

 

[Doctor P]

You can never count on last minute reservations, but in strange circumstances we got a 1BR preferred at BWV (only type of villa available anywhere on site) for a single Thursday night in July 2003 at 11:00 am on the day we checked in. We got two nights in a BCV studio with one hour's notice on Labor Day 2004 during Hurricane Frances' aftermath (that was the first resort we tried, and it took a very helpful and understanding CM since MS was closed at the time). So, it can be done, but I would not plan that you will be able to do it on a predictable basis.

 

[AFMom]

Of the 4 reservations I've made - 2 were made long term (at least 7 mo's out) and 2 were made short term - both about 2-3 weeks before. Everytime I've gotten what I've wanted! The 2 short term were for Sept, however - and this is a slow time for DVC. I would say that if you're hoping to get last minute ressies in Oct, the first 2 weeks of Dec, New Years, Spring Break, etc - you'll be disappointed a lot of the time. But there are many times you'll be able to swing it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd never get a plane reservation without having a hotel reservation first.

We did stay at WDW in June when TS Arlene hit the Gulf Coast. We were supposed to leave WDW on Friday and Arlene was hitting Gulf Shores, our next destination on Saturday. We called OKW to see if anything was possibly available to check in on Friday for three nights. They said they didn't have studios, but they had one bedrooms. So the next AM, we headed over to OKW. But, we didn't have enough current year points to make the reservation. So we waited for MS to open, called them, switched current year points from our Jan 06 reservation to this new one, borrowed points to put back into the Jan 06 reservation. We stayed for three nights in a one bedroom at BCV.

Funny thing was, when we made the June reservation in January, BCV wasn't available, so we took SSR.

But we were prepared to stay just about anywhere using cash if we needed to.

 

[slindamood]

I once called in the morning for a studio at BWV that day. Got it.

Another time called a day ahead for a 1-BR at BWV for one night during Christmas week (we wanted to watch a football game at ESPN). and it was available!

It all depends - I would never count on it, and each time we were in Florida already and had alternatives.

 

[jns]

thanks for all your replys


still have;t decided what to do yet

 

[bongo59]

I'd never get a plane reservation without having a hotel reservation first.

We did stay at WDW in June when TS Arlene hit the Gulf Coast. We were supposed to leave WDW on Friday and Arlene was hitting Gulf Shores, our next destination on Saturday. We called OKW to see if anything was possibly available to check in on Friday for three nights. They said they didn't have studios, but they had one bedrooms. So the next AM, we headed over to OKW. But, we didn't have enough current year points to make the reservation. So we waited for MS to open, called them, switched current year points from our Jan 06 reservation to this new one, borrowed points to put back into the Jan 06 reservation. We stayed for three nights in a one bedroom at BCV.

Funny thing was, when we made the June reservation in January, BCV wasn't available, so we took SSR.

But we were prepared to stay just about anywhere using cash if we needed to.

we do this all the time...............Last min ressies are not a lock but they are usually easy to get.................

 

[CarolA]

I once booked from the airport. LOL! I got a Free ticket and headed south. I knew there were rooms in Orlando so if DVC hadn't come thru I would have just paid for offsite.

 

[byoung]

You will never know if you don't call and try.

 

[paults]

booked on Jan 27/05 for quick trip Feb 7/05 11 days out/got OKW 2 studios

 

[Davros]

We have been DVC UK members since 1993 - the way we do it is as follows: Contact airline first for availability, ask for a 24 hour hold on the seats before confirmation and then contact DVC for the accommodation. Confirm said accommodation with DVC. Contact airline and confirm seat bookings.

 

[kdonnel]

I booked today for a trip starting on the 5th and checking out on the 9th.

 

[robtres]

I booked for the same night from a pay phone in Florence, SC. That trip was over the Easter holiday! I also booked a OKW studio for 5 nights while driving south from HH DVC. It is possible and you tend to land a Handicap Accessible room many times.

 

[oshun]

We booked a two bedroom at OKW 2 weeks prior to our vacation in June 2003. I was amazed that it was available at that time. Just luck I guess.

 

[HookdonWDW]

What is the latest you have booked your resort for ,with your points

Just thinking if you got a cheap flight at last minute how would the DVC work

Still trying to decide if this is the way for us to go

thanks for any help

I would never buy DVC planning on the ability to get a last minute reservation.

With that said, the answer to your question is that we once booked a DVC room while watching the Main St. parade!

 

[jaysue]

I have managed to get bookings the day before the reservation starts and even scored an extension once on the same day whilst already at WDW

As others said though, don't count on it being that way though

Cheers
jaysue