Making and Cancelling reservations DVC

[dfb]

Not yet member but looking. Is there a real problem aquiring reservations for DVC members or is this problem a matter of late planning. Planning 11 months ahead is obviously a good idea but is not always possible in my line of work. I can see trying to plan a vacation within as little a 1 or 2 months but will mostly be in off peak times Jan/Feb/early Dec. I know there are many variables to this but what is everyone's experience on this matter. We are looking at buying at BLT. I assume this will be a popular place due to location( another variable) but I maybe wrong.

I forgot to ask also what happens with points if reservation is cancelled in a timely fashion. Also what is a timely fashion? How much notice reuired for cancelation?

Thanks for all suggestions.

 

[Chuck S]

Early December could be a problem, it is a very popular DVC travel time, even though it is generally a slow time for Disney as a whole. Parts of January also book up quickly because of the WDW Marathon and MLK Weekend. It really depends upon just when you want to travel, as to how succesful short. Usually, but not always, there will be something available for late bookings, if you remain flexible as to resort and room size.

As always, the earlier you can book, the better.

If you cancel as least 31 days prior to your check-in date, your points return to normal status within the use year of travel. Borrowed points remain in the current use year, as banking & borrowing are final transactions.

If you cancel 30 days to 1 day before arrival, the points go into holding status. These points can not be banked, so the must be used by the end of your use year...and they can only be used to book reservations 60 days or less from check-in date.

Cancellation on the day of check-in are considered lost points.

 

[Lynne M]

Early December is the single busiest time of year for DVC bookings, people often have trouble booking at 7-10 months out. I'd say your chances of getting anything at 1-2 months out are slim to none.

January can be a bit problematic as well, early Jan has leftover holiday crowds, and then there's the marathon. February isn't a particularly busy time, your chances are better there.

As with most timeshares, DVC works best when you book as early as possible. Certain resorts and certain times of year can be difficult to get at 7 months. Very short-notice booking is sometimes possible, but not guaranteed, and you'll most likely see availability at the largest resorts, like SSR. Your chances of getting the good views at BLT, or the smaller resorts like BCV and VWL, are not good at 1-2 months.

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, if you can't usually plan more than 1-2 months in advance, you will end up very frustrated with a DVC membership.

You may be able to get a reservation 1 - 2 months in advance, but it may not be the size room you prefer or all at the same resort.

60 days prior to arrival, DVC usually sends unreserved member inventory to CRO to be rented to the general public. Members still have access to it, but are competing with the general public on a first come, first served basis.

DVC works best for those who can plan more than 7 months in advance.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

And if you cannot book more than 7 months in advance, there is no home resort advantage to owning at BLT. You may want to compare the relative advantages of owning at the other resorts because once you pass that 7 month window, owners at all the resorts have the same opportunity to book the remaining rooms at BLT. Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[spiceycat]

well you could guess for Dec - then make a couple of reservations -but that stops you from going again.

so agree with everyone if you can't plan in advance DVC is not the best timeshare for you.

 

[Dean]

I don't think anyone should buy into DVC that can't plan at least 7 months out and those that want certain times, certain resorts and certain rooms types should only buy if they can plan 11 months out to thd day.

 

[disneynutz]

The above advice in regards to busy times of the year is based upon current experance. No one knows for sure when will be the busy times in a few years, or 20 years for that matter.

Disney is really good at making all year busy. Food and Wine, Flower Show, Running Marathons, Pop Warner, Free Dining, Room Discounts, etc.

If you can only book a couple months in advance, DVC may not be a good fit.

But then again, in a few years, you could be in a different line of work.

 

[fn2bfree]

I have only been a DVC member for three years but I have been surprised at how the busy times for DVC are slightly different. For example - No two bedrooms at any resort 6 months in advance for mid October while almost all resorts were available at 3 months for early August. I would strongly agree that I would not recommend DVC unless you can make your vacation plans seven months in advance.

 

[Alisha&Jay]

I agree that DVC works best for those that can plan ahead. That being said, if you are willing to be flexible as to location and possibly splitting your stay (say 3 days at one resort and 3 days at another resort), then your chances are better in getting a reservation. For instance, I had a trip planned for Jan. 2008 at BWV (made reservation 6 months out) but then had to change travel plans last minute. We decided we needed to go the second week of Dec 2007 instead, this decision was made 2 weeks prior to our check-in date. Of course nothing was available in a consecutive manner for rooms. But I kept calling and calling every day, multiple times, I finally pieced together 2 nights at SSR and then in a separate call got an additional 4 nights. Another example, I had a reservation for Feb. 2009 which I had to change in the beginning of Nov. 2008. I had wanted a Sun thru Sat stay, but the only thing available was at SSR for Tues thru Sat, so I booked that and kept my original reservation for the first two nights. I went on waitlist for those nights, and one month later (early December) I got my waitlist. So, short notice trips are possible if you are willing to put up with frustration and a lot of calling, and being flexible as to accomodations. Good luck!