Last Minute Reservations

[JT's World]

I was wondering if anyone would share their experience for making last minute DVC reservations.

What is the shortest time ahead of your trip that you tried to make reservations and were you successful?


I know that certain times of the year and certain room sizes will influence the results. I am thinking about a trip in late September/early October, and was curious how close I can cut it for making reservations.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[TnRobin]

My shortest reservation was calling on Monday for a stay on Thurs, Friday and Sat night. This was over Veterens Day in November 1999. (Our first stay as owners)

Actually that is wrong. This March, my hubby decided to spend our first night on the road to Vero. He didn't want me to book a reservation as he wanted to see how far we could get. Well to make a long story short, there were no vacancies between Gainesville and Orlando. There were also no vacancies in Orlando to be found under $300. So I went to OKW and begged for them to find me anything on site. They managed to get me a studio at OKW. So they let me book it with points. I think they were techincally full, but since they knew I had ressies at Vero the next day, they were sure we would check-out.

Most of the time I call far in advance.

 

[CarolMN]

Last year's experiences aren't going to be a good predictor for this year due to the popularity of the free dining promotion.

Keep in mind that 60 days prior to arrival, DVC sends any unreserved points inventory to CRO to rent to the general public for cash. At that point, DVC members are competing with the general public for any remaining rooms. Given the poularity of the free dining promotion (which includes September and early October), I'd try to reserve at least 60 days ahead if I wantd to go during that time this year.


Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

We once called the day before to add-on Labor Day in a studio at OKW.

 

[JimMIA]

My daughters both made pretty late reservations recently -- one in late April for early June, the other in mid-May for mid-June (just returned yesterday). The latter could only get a studio at SSR, however.

And as Carol said, when you get into those "All You Can Eat Free" time periods (August-early October, I think), things may get a LOT tougher inside 60 days.

 

[mikesmom]

We once called the night before (already staying at BWV) and got 2 more nights, though we had to move to OKW.

That being said, I agree with the above posters about this years situation. Also, if you start into early October, this year the Food & Wine Fest starts then and that also fills the DVC resorts up.

 

[Niagara2]

I have called while there in the past and got rooms, and just this week called to add on two nights next week and only availability for the Monday and Tuesday in any DVC resort was a GV at OKW. We booked it. So - imagine getting the least available type accomodation at last minute plus it being the only thing available!! I suggest you try. People change plans all the time.

 

[carol1231]

I think you'll also have a better chance if your not stuck on staying at a certain resort. Be flexible and you'll have a better chance.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last Friday morning, about 45 minutes before we checked in.

We had planned to head towards home and stay at the beach in AL for a few nights, but the tropical storm gave us cause to rethink our plan. We called OKW to see if they had anything available on points about 9PM on Thursday night. They said they had plenty and to show up the next morning. We went over to OKW, but we only had 91 points available and they only had one bedrooms available (no studios), so we had to call MS when they opened at 9AM.

We called them just after 9AM and by 9:10 we had a reservation at the BCV in a one bedroom with points shifted from our upcoming Jan vacation to get us enough points to stay. 150 points. By 9:30 we were driving into BCV and by 9:45 we had checked in. Our room wasn't ready until 5:30PM, though.

We didn't think there would be anything available at the BCV because we had tried to make a reservation on points in Jan for the week either in a studio or one bedroom and nothing was available. Something must have come open or they were able to convert CRO inventory to DVC inventory for us.

 

[caribn7]

Two weeks ago we were at the Poly (and were disapointed) on Thursday so I called Member services about 11:00 am to see what was available They had a studio available @ OKW. We ate lunch on the way there, checked in and our room was ready @ 1pm.
total turnaround time 2 hours

 

[conciergekelly]

We called @ 9:00 am and extended our stay in February @ SSR for that night. Once I called on a Wednesday and got OKW the next Friday in May. (didn't end up taking it). Got BWV in may during Member's Homecoming about 2 months out. Just got BWV for July 3 months out. Not so hard as long as you are flexible.