last-minute trips

[psu4glory]

just putting some feelers out there to solicit stories from any of you spontaneous WDW fans...who has taken a last-minute DVC trip before (last minute = booked within 2 or 3 weeks of trip)? how did it work out? what time of year did you go? what was room availability like that close to the date? any issues with securing flights?

DW and i just re-booked our flights for an upcoming JUN trip and ended up banking over $200 in 'travel funds' for a future flight within the next year. we figured we might just keep an eye out for dirt cheap flights and maybe shoot down from PA for a last-minute 3-or 4-day trip sometime later in the summer or fall...

 

[DVC Grammy]

As long as you're willing to stay wherever there's availability, there's a pretty good chance of getting something. We just came back from 5 days at SSR in the Grandstand, and it was lovely. We did move for one night, but since we packed lightly, it was no big deal (it turned out to be just to the next room ).
Since we generally have $s credited with SW, we look for Dings (aren't they a great excuse to go back to WDW?). Our philosophy is "...as long as we're in WDW, it's great.........".
We tend to avoid the peak times (no good Dings anyway), the hottest part of summer, and the highest "point-cost" times. Other than that, we're "loose-y/goose-y".

 

[Meliechick]

I had some extra pts this year and last week one of my co-workers mentioned that she wished she could squeeze in one last Disney trip before she relocates (for her husband) in July and loses her flight benefits (we work for the greatest airline ever!) I was able to book her a studio @ SSR for this Sunday (Mother's Day- 9 days out) and at the same time I was able to book myself a BW view studio for the beginning of June (4 wks out, I had my choice of studios at all resorts w/all views except @ VWL). We fly stand-by so we check the flights regularly. It sounds like you are pretty flexible so you shouldn't have a hard time getting a flight.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

We joined in January 2007.

I booked one night at SSR with about 5 days notice. It was a surprise for my wife on Valentine's day (We bought sight unseen, so it was fun for us the check out the resort without the kids).

We loved it so much that we couldn't wait to bring our kids back. So later that week we booked two nights at SSR in March. Kids LOVED it!

Now we miss it...so we are going back to SSR for three nights on Mother's day. When we booked, MS actually had availability for two nights at BWV with a boardwalk view! We passed on it because we wanted three nights and didn't want to move.

So in my very limited experience, you can book at the last minute.

 

[jdvm]

2-3 weeks...I thought you said last minute. I've called the Old Key West front desk on my way in from the airport on more than one occasion. We've done last minute (i.e. 2-3 DAYS) a lot. Sometimes we've wound up staying at different resorts but that's part of the fun!
John

 

[mikesmom]

I agree with John. This February we called on Monday to check in on Tuesday (we were already in Orlando for a meeting at another hotel), I've also called while already at BWV because we all needed another couple of days and got reservations the next day at OKW. So it is certainly possible, particularly when you start the conversation with "I'll take anything available!"

Now that being said, one of those occassions was February and one was in June. I wouldn't count on being able to pull it off during F&W, the holidays or Spring Break.

 

[eva]

2 or 3 years ago we were staying in a regular hotel room at WL for a conference that DH was attending. I had such a longing for a stay at OKW that I called MS and was able to get three nights in a 1-bedroom added to our trip less then 24 hours ahead. It was the second week in May.

 

[marbella_chris]

depends on the time of year.

we are going june 9th - june 23rd and struggled like mad...!!!

we are moving 5 times to cover the 2 week period. it is maxxxxxed out for this period.

doing SSR, OKW, 2day yacht club, back to SSR, finishing at VWL

but we dont have kids and are young so its cool with us, no trouble moving...

chris