Limited DVC availability at Poly?

[becsnunn]

Hi there! First time poster here. I've mostly just been stalking and learning! LOL General question about DVC availability in December...

My family is trying out DVC for the first time this December by renting points. We are going to WDW December 4-11, and wanted to do a split stay between Poly and AKL. We booked AK with no problem via rented points, but Poly is difficult! We placed our requests at the 11 month mark, and the studios sold out within a few days. However, recently Poly studios became available again but we still haven't had luck getting points. In general, that week seems pretty sold out at most DVC Resorts. Is there something going on that I'm missing? Is that a popular time for the DVC holiday crowd? Hoping we have better luck when the 7 month window rolls around! Otherwise, I'll be having the classic OKW vs SSR debate. Appreciate any insights

 

[CarolMN]

You've picked the most popular week of the year for DVC Members to use their points at WDW. The near- park resorts (Poly, BLT, VGF, BWV, BC, Riv & BRV/CC) sell out very quickly, esp for studios. Most book that time as soon as the 11 month window opens.

 

[becsnunn]

You've picked the most popular week of the year for DVC Members to use their points at WDW. The near- park resorts (Poly, BLT, VGF, BWV, BC, Riv & BRV/CC) sell out very quickly, esp for studios. Most book that time as soon as the 11 month window opens.

I was afraid of that, but it must be a great week to travel if all the DVC peeps agree too! We have a hotel room booked at the Contemporary just in case. With 3 elementary aged kids, we really wanted to stay on the monorail loop. And when I've been to the Poly to visit (we've never stayed there) it just has such great atmosphere!

Are there any particular events going on that week that make it popular for DVC? Or just more bang for your points before the holiday crowds increase?

 

[CarolMN]

It's getting more expensive (for points) than it used to be, but not enough to make a significant difference in demand for that time - at least not yet.

It's all the Holiday Decorations, activities & special festivals/events. Wonderful time to visit. Used to be low crowds, too, but that is changing. Still much less crowded than the weeks that include Christmas and New Year's, though.

 

[Nabas]

You've picked the most popular week of the year for DVC Members to use their points at WDW. The near- park resorts (Poly, BLT, VGF, BWV, BC, Riv & BRV/CC) sell out very quickly, esp for studios. Most book that time as soon as the 11 month window opens.

Yeah, the second week in December is possibly the single most difficult week to book a DVC room.

 

[becsnunn]

It's getting more expensive (for points) than it used to be, but not enough to make a significant difference in demand for that time - at least not yet.

It's all the Holiday Decorations, activities & special festivals/events. Wonderful time to visit. Used to be low crowds, too, but that is changing. Still much less crowded than the weeks that include Christmas and New Year's, though.

Thank you for your insight. We haven't been during a holiday and are very much looking forward to experiencing all the special holiday decor and events at the parks as well as other resorts I'm really curious to see how they do their Christmas party this year, after-hours party vs previous years.

 

[LaurenT]

If you’re trying at the 11 month window for that week, you’ve already waited too long. DVC owners start walking their reservations in advance of the busiest days to make sure they can get them.

 

[Best Aunt]

However, recently more Poly studios became available....

confused by this.

 

[becsnunn]

If you’re trying at the 11 month window for that week, you’ve already waited too long. DVC owners start walking their reservations in advance of the busiest days to make sure they can get them.

We tried at the 11 month window when it opened in January. I figured the Poly would be hard to get, especially during the holidays Our 7 month window will be in May and I'm hoping for better luck then, as there is currently availability for our dates. Next time I might need to try a less busy time it seems!

 

[becsnunn]

confused by this.

Hi there! I was just mentioning that dates that previously showed as unavailable are now available, not that there were actually "more" studios. Hope that makes more sense!

 

[Marionnette]

Hi there! I was just mentioning that dates that previously showed as unavailable are now available, not that there were actually "more" studios. Hope that makes more sense!

I don't know where you're getting your information but unless it's from the Member's portal, it isn't accurate. Poly remains "mostly" booked up for the dates you mentioned in your OP. This means that only random single nights are available during that time span.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We tried at the 11 month window when it opened in January. I figured the Poly would be hard to get, especially during the holidays Our 7 month window will be in May and I'm hoping for better luck then, as there is currently availability for our dates. Next time I might need to try a less busy time it seems!

Honestly, those two weeks are not going to work for a renter at 7 months. People with bookings looking to swap have slim pickings, and people with Aulani, HHI and VB points lurk at 7:59AM trying to pick up the scraps. No one working with a rental agency to rent their points is going to go to that level of effort to try to book at 7 months for those two weeks when they can pick up a far easier request and sleep in, eat a Pop Tart and make a good pot of coffee and make the same amount of money on the deal.

I don't want to sound negative, but for renters, 7 months for that part of fall frenzy is not a time to have high hopes.

 

[becsnunn]

I don't know where you're getting your information but unless it's from the Member's portal, it isn't accurate. Poly remains "mostly" booked up for the dates you mentioned in your OP. This means that only random single nights are available during that time span.

We have a request in through the DVC Rental Store, and to my knowledge they maintain a pretty accurate calendar of availability (including room type and views) which is what I've been watching. But yes, the actual DVC Member portal would be the only source of truth If DVC Rental Store calendar is accurate, as of today we could book 2 consecutive nights in a standard view then switch to a lake view for 1 night. Definitely not ideal, but at least we could stay there during our vacation and try out their studios

 

[Sandisw]

We have a request in through the DVC Rental Store, and to my knowledge they maintain a pretty accurate calendar of availability (including room type and views) which is what I've been watching. But yes, the actual DVC Member portal would be the only source of truth If DVC Rental Store calendar is accurate, as of today we could book 2 consecutive nights in a standard view then switch to a lake view for 1 night. Definitely not ideal, but at least we could stay there during our vacation and try out their studios

They do update, but you need to be aware that things can change within minutes so that info was old as soon as it was posted and may or may have not lasted very long.

Just yesterday, I wanted the night of May 17th so I could go down for the DVC preview of GOTG. I went on and nothing, but refreshed every minute for 30 minutes for something to show up and luckily Poly did.

But, it was only one room and nothing else has shown up since. Just want you to be aware that while sometimes what you see will br accurate for a nice timeframe, early December nights probably come and go a lot.

Hopefully, when there are points available for booking, rooms will be there for you! Fingers crossed!

 

[becsnunn]

Thank you everyone for the helpful information. Hopefully we get incredibly lucky with a Poly room, and if not, then we'll still be at WDW which is still a win

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

We have a request in through the DVC Rental Store, and to my knowledge they maintain a pretty accurate calendar of availability (including room type and views) which is what I've been watching. But yes, the actual DVC Member portal would be the only source of truth If DVC Rental Store calendar is accurate, as of today we could book 2 consecutive nights in a standard view then switch to a lake view for 1 night. Definitely not ideal, but at least we could stay there during our vacation and try out their studios

THat is still the case at 10:17P central time. 12/4-12/5 in standard and 12/6 in lake view are still available. Good luck. I hope you get your rooms at Poly.
I did not know the DVC Rental Store had a calendar renters could look at that reflects the same availability owners see. I wonder how they do that?

 

[becsnunn]

THat is still the case at 10:17P central time. 12/4-12/5 in standard and 12/6 in lake view are still available. Good luck. I hope you get your rooms at Poly.
I did not know the DVC Rental Store had a calendar renters could look at that reflects the same availability owners see. I wonder how they do that?

I'm not sure! The DVC Rental Store sponsors the DVC Fan podcast (which is a great listen), and many of the podcasters have said that the DVC Rental Store calendar is more up to date and user friendly than the actual DVC Member portal. It's been very easy for me to follow availability on there. Highly recommend it.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

There's a program that tracks it. I think it runs like twice a day. We used to talk about it on here. They use that I think. They may have even bought it. I can't remember.

 

[kes601]

I'm not sure! The DVC Rental Store sponsors the DVC Fan podcast (which is a great listen), and many of the podcasters have said that the DVC Rental Store calendar is more up to date and user friendly than the actual DVC Member portal. It's been very easy for me to follow availability on there. Highly recommend it.

I’ll repeat what others have said. It may show availability, but it isn’t 100% up to date. If / when you become a DVC member you will see how quickly things change. I would never recommend a member go to a 3rd party site to find availability and then go book through the portal as more than likely the availability of the hard to book room is gone.

Also, keep in mind that even if the calendar shows available on their site that you then have to have a member who wants to rent their points during that time to you. And since you are still more than 7 months out the owner must be a Poly owner.

Just some things to keep in mind. Good luck!

 

[Nabas]

I’ll repeat what others have said. It may show availability, but it isn’t 100% up to date. If / when you become a DVC member you will see how quickly things change. I would never recommend a member go to a 3rd party site to find availability and then go book through the portal as more than likely the availability of the hard to book room is gone.

Also, keep in mind that even if the calendar shows available on their site that you then have to have a member who wants to rent their points during that time to you. And since you are still more than 7 months out the owner must be a Poly owner.

Just some things to keep in mind. Good luck!

Yeah, the DVC Rental Store shows AKV Value and Club Level rooms available when they are not:



Club Level in particular is booked for 11 solid months. Not a single night is available, even at 11 months.