Last minute DVC bookings?

[JerryWS98]

I'm not yet a DVC member, but we are considering it for the family. With my daughter's involvement in sports, we are not always able to make long range trip plans. 11 months out is simply not going to happen, and even 7 months out isn't likely. How likely are we to be able to use points to book a resort in the 2-4 week time period?

 

[Sandisw]

Definitely not going to be the product for you, DVC is for those that can book much farther in advance,

Even 3 to 4 months out can prove difficult.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Timeshares don't work for everyone. Your situation makes you one fof these people. And that's okay, promise.

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

We own at CCV and made a reservation for POLY in July last week. For certain times of year resorts will book up at 11 months, for others there will be availability at 3 months. YMMV. Summer is more available; Xmas is almost never available unless at your home resort.

That said, if you do not anticipate having any flexibility or if your other obligations will always be the most important thing, DVC may not be for you.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is the next 60 days, in DVC's low demand season. This will look very different inside 60-90 days come fall, which is to say in fall it's Aulani or a bungalow or nothing.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/vacation-planning/resort-availability-stays/
There are some studios, but aside from Easter week (high points) mostly 1-2 days at a time, non-continuous.
And this is low demand season.

 

[SPLzero]

I'm not yet a DVC member, but we are considering it for the family. With my daughter's involvement in sports, we are not always able to make long range trip plans. 11 months out is simply not going to happen, and even 7 months out isn't likely. How likely are we to be able to use points to book a resort in the 2-4 week time period?

How long do you plan to stay?

If you plan on only staying 2-3 nights its definitly doable. You just need to stalk the availability tool. you might not get your favorite resort but it is doable.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I'm not yet a DVC member, but we are considering it for the family. With my daughter's involvement in sports, we are not always able to make long range trip plans. 11 months out is simply not going to happen, and even 7 months out isn't likely. How likely are we to be able to use points to book a resort in the 2-4 week time period?

We are brand new to DVC...we just got our points loaded yesterday. We booked for the week after Easter this year...that's less that 6 weeks from now! We couldn't get the entire stay at one location, but we could have done a split stay between 2 locations. To get a good feel for the resorts that weren't on our radar, we actually booked at 4 different resorts. We figured we might as well check out some different resorts since this is our first DVC trip. And the member services rep told us that is one of the busier times of year. So based on this experience, I would venture to say that you would be able to go somewhat last minute...but you would need to be prepared to not get the exact resort at which you want to stay.

 

[Sandisw]

We are brand new to DVC...we just got our points loaded yesterday. We booked for the week after Easter this year...that's less that 6 weeks from now! We couldn't get the entire stay at one location, but we could have done a split stay between 2 locations. To get a good feel for the resorts that weren't on our radar, we actually booked at 4 different resorts. We figured we might as well check out some different resorts since this is our first DVC trip. And the member services rep told us that is one of the busier times of year. So based on this experience, I would venture to say that you would be able to go somewhat last minute...but you would need to be prepared to not get the exact resort at which you want to stay.

Actually, that time of years isn’t that bad in terms of business. You are correct that nothing is impossible and there are going to be times that short terms trips are possible,

But, that will be the exception and not the rule. Owning DVC knowing you probably won’t ever book more than 2 to 4 weeks out...timeframe of the OP...will prove more frustrating than not,

Welcome home and congrats on getting your first trip!

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Actually, that time of years isn’t that bad in terms of business. You are correct that nothing is impossible and there are going to be times that short terms trips are possible,

But, that will be the exception and not the rule. Owning DVC knowing you probably won’t ever book more than 2 to 4 weeks out...timeframe of the OP...will prove more frustrating than not,

Welcome home and congrats on getting your first trip!

Thanks for adding some context to my post. We obviously are not as familiar with the ebbs and flows of the busy times of year as the more seasoned DVCers, like yourself. The thing that is perplexing is the dates we are going are actually smack dab in the middle of premier season, the highest point tier. Our DVC customer service rep was even shocked there was so much available among the resorts. I can't help to think that coronavirus may be playing into this a little? Either way, our 200 points are expiring May 31st so we were damned sure going to spend every one of those points! (and those were "free" points because we didn't have to pay the fee on them)

Thank you for the welcome...we are excited to be part of the "family"

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks for adding some context to my post. We obviously are not as familiar with the ebbs and flows of the busy times of year as the more seasoned DVCers, like yourself. The thing that is perplexing is the dates we are going are actually smack dab in the middle of premier season, the highest point tier. Our DVC customer service rep was even shocked there was so much available among the resorts. I can't help to think that coronavirus may be playing into this a little? Either way, our 200 points are expiring May 31st so we were damned sure going to spend every one of those points! (and those were "free" points because we didn't have to pay the fee on them)

Thank you for the welcome...we are excited to be part of the "family"

The MS rep may not be dedicated to DVC or even well trained. Basically, highest points = generally lower demand for DVC. Low points = high demand.

 

[Geomom]

With your situation, I wouldn't buy DVC. Only being able to book 2-4 weeks out would be very frustrating--some nights will be completely booked, or it may be getting a night here, a night there, or only the higher point reservations would be left. If you do end up booking, you may be staying at a different resort every night as there were no resorts with more than 1 day open when you go to book.

 

[Chuck S]

If you're booking a month or less from travel, I would suggest DVC, as well as most other timeshares, would not work well for you. You might be able to pick up a night here and there, but planning several days at the same resort would be nearly impossible. DVC has what they call breakage inventory. Any rooms not reserved by members are turned over to cash reservations at 30 or 60 days out (60, I think) and the proceeds, if they are rented, help offset our dues.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are brand new to DVC...we just got our points loaded yesterday. We booked for the week after Easter this year...that's less that 6 weeks from now! We couldn't get the entire stay at one location, but we could have done a split stay between 2 locations. To get a good feel for the resorts that weren't on our radar, we actually booked at 4 different resorts. We figured we might as well check out some different resorts since this is our first DVC trip. And the member services rep told us that is one of the busier times of year. So based on this experience, I would venture to say that you would be able to go somewhat last minute...but you would need to be prepared to not get the exact resort at which you want to stay.

My guess is that some owners are cancelling trips that are more than 30 days out, but not as far out as summer because of coronavirus. They know it is a busy time of the year and they are worried about crowds. But that is not going to happen every time the OP wants to book a trip.

 

[MICKIMINI]

If you have a reservation made at 11 months at your home resort, are able to switch out at 7 months that is ideal. 2-4 weeks ahead would be a "miracle". I got 4 nights at the Poly for my son and DIL 6 weeks ago (they just got there this morning) and that was a stroke of luck. I honestly think you should consider other options rather than putting good money into a product you may not be able to use. BTW I was able to get 2 nights in a Value Studio at AKV and then 6 nights at BWV in a 1 BR for October when browsing this morning...I'm sure it is because people are a bit skittish about coronavirus. I'll watch the situation and can cancel without issue if things get crazy.

 

[bakerworld]

If you've the funds, it might b worth buying 100 points direct (small enough that with resales added closing costs it would b comparable) and try last minute bookings. I've gotten some great finds and at 31 days out people are cancelling their spec holds so it can b amazing what shows up. If I find it dosen't work for u unloading such a small contract would b easy - or renting/transferring. JMO

 

[karen4546]

We are brand new to DVC...we just got our points loaded yesterday. We booked for the week after Easter this year...that's less that 6 weeks from now! We couldn't get the entire stay at one location, but we could have done a split stay between 2 locations. To get a good feel for the resorts that weren't on our radar, we actually booked at 4 different resorts. We figured we might as well check out some different resorts since this is our first DVC trip. And the member services rep told us that is one of the busier times of year. So based on this experience, I would venture to say that you would be able to go somewhat last minute...but you would need to be prepared to not get the exact resort at which you want to stay.

if you bought direct, you could have gotten what you want when you wanted and not had to split. This would have been your "welcome home" booking and member services would need to book it for you.

 

[Heather07438]

For most people, DVC would be disappointing if they only ever had the very limited options available at 2-4 weeks.

But like everything there can be exceptions. It could work for somebody who wouldn't mind spending most trips at SSR and is flexible enough to continue looking for when both availability and a time they could go matched. If they didn't mind moving rooms during a trip that would open more possibly of finding a dangling day or two at a higher demand resort to mix with their SSR days.

I never not like to say never say never.

 

[MushuHill]

if you bought direct, you could have gotten what you want when you wanted and not had to split. This would have been your "welcome home" booking and member services would need to book it for you.

Is that what that means??
We called for our 1st working and told the agent on the phone we were told to call for the 1st on for a “welcome home” booking. We booked at OKW because that was the only resort showing availability online for those dates. The rep on the phone said “Oh, we don’t have to do that. I can just book you”
I have been wondering since what we missed out on. If I would have known that I would have booked somewhere else. OKW was not my cup of tea!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If I were buying to use for last minute trips I'm not so sure I'd bother with direct points. 100 point contracts at most resorts you will see significant savings going resale, with a couple exceptions.

And if you can't plan 7 months out, you won't be getting MM tickets.

Buying direct for a one-time booking seems like an extravagant use of money to me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is that what that means??
We called for our 1st working and told the agent on the phone we were told to call for the 1st on for a “welcome home” booking. We booked at OKW because that was the only resort showing availability online for those dates. The rep on the phone said “Oh, we don’t have to do that. I can just book you”
I have been wondering since what we missed out on. If I would have known that I would have booked somewhere else. OKW was not my cup of tea!

No, you wouldn't have gotten when and where you wanted for a Welcome Home visit. You probably could have gotten when you wanted to go, but maybe not where. Or where, but not when. DVC Sales can sometimes pull out of builder inventory or cash inventory IF it is available. Just because you want it, doesn't mean it is available.