My 7 Month Window Failure...and a kicker...

[smitty2424]

So I decided to try a different resort for my Nov. 6th week long trip to Disney. My home resort is AKV and I have 3 studio rooms booked...I did so at 11 months. Today...the first day possible for my 7-month window...I called first thing in the morning only to be told that Boardwalk does not have 3 studios available. Keep in mind that this is for a trip during "Choice" season!

Here is the kicker...I cannot wait-list! DVC treats each room as a separate reservation. They limit the wait-list to two. So I cannot wait-list without risking the separation of my party! I tried, to no avail, to plead with them that my reservation is really just one...but they did not budge.

This is a MAJOR overlook by me that...had I known...I would NOT have purchased! What this means for me...is that I will ALMOST ALWAYS be stuck at my home resort! My wife and I bought the DVC with the idea of almost always taking my in-laws and parents with us. For various reasons...all prefer/need their own room.

The moral of the story...

1. DVC is a bad investment IF you plan on taking vacations involving more than 2-rooms and would like to "try" other resorts!

• I've a sneaky suspicion that the sales pitch they give you touting the ability to "switch" resorts...is a shady promise. "Choice Season" according to my guide...was supposed to be an easier time to get a room. If none are available 7-months out for Choice season...what is the chance for the busier times?

My fault for not understanding the "each room counts as one" system. Their fault for selling me on the false hope that I would be able to get my resort of choice during the "quiet" times!

 

[sissy_42]

I think that is the last week of F&W, so Boardwalk would be quite full as it is closer to EPCOT. Did you try any other resort? Even tho a season is slow overall, it will be more popular at certain resorts.

 

[WonderlandsMostWantd]

Did you see if they have 1 studio available? If one is available now, you could waitlist the other 2. Just a thought

 

[sweetdana]

Have you considered a 2 bedroom, and a studio? It will be similar points as 2 studios. Or a THV?

11-06 1 night
1 studio a standard = 17 points
1 studion at BWV = 20 points
3 studios AK = 51 points
3 studios at BW = 60 points

Boardwalk
2 bedroom = 47 points
additional studio total = 64 points. This is only 4 points more and ....

You also get a kitchen, a washer/dryer, a whirlpool tub, and a family room for gathering.

Or for only 48 points same scenario a Tree house villa! Which has 3 rooms!

Some times 3 for a differ. resort will come available.. but sometimes not.

I hope it works out for you.

 

[Sammie]

For some reason the guides do not seem to explain that seasons at DVC are very different from park attendance or seasons for Disney resorts.

Actually with DVC; bookings are easier during the summer months when parks are packed, temps are horrible and points are high.

Adventure and Choice seasons are some of the busiest for DVC bookings.

If you have enough points to get a two bedroom and a studio at BWV, I would do that. All 2 bedrooms at BWV are lock offs so you would still have two studio setups with private entrances for the guests and you would have the luxury of the master bedroom and living area and kitchen which is really nice to have over a studio.

 

[bwvBound]

Or for only 48 points same scenario a Tree house villa! Which has 3 rooms!

While it has three bedrooms, one offers only bunkbeds. Might be a bit uncomfortable for the parents or in-laws??

 

[Pakey]

I would hardly call the end of the F&W festival at BWV or BCV a quiet time. I often get 5 studios for one vacation for our family and I've been able to do it at non-home resorts, but not at the Epcot properties during F&W. You just have to be a bit more flexible. We also don't think it's such a huge deal if we are not all at the same resort.

If everyone could get multiple rooms at the resort of their choice at 7 months without waitlisting, there'd be no need for the 11 month booking advantage for home resort.

 

[ajjollie23]

For some reason the guides do not seem to explain that seasons at DVC are very different from park attendance or seasons for Disney resorts.

Actually with DVC; bookings are easier during the summer months when parks are packed, temps are horrible and points are high.

Adventure and Choice seasons are some of the busiest for DVC bookings.

I imagine that these are some of the busiest seasons for DVC because these are times when points are lowest so we can stay longer using our points.
Most DVC don't want to go during the summer months because points cost more and the parks are much more crowded, plus it is HOT in the summer
I would do what the others are suggesting and try other resorts, or if you really want to stay at BWV then maybe you can book as the PP said with a 1 or 2BR and studio.

 

[Inkmahm]

We own at BWV so that we can book during F&W at the 11 month mark. I'm not at all surprised that you can't book 3 studios at BWV during F&W at the 7 month mark.

We also own at AKV and would have no problem staying there.

 

[jdg345]

So I decided to try a different resort for my Nov. 6th week long trip to Disney. My home resort is AKV and I have 3 studio rooms booked...I did so at 11 months. Today...the first day possible for my 7-month window...I called first thing in the morning only to be told that Boardwalk does not have 3 studios available. Keep in mind that this is for a trip during "Choice" season!

Here is the kicker...I cannot wait-list! DVC treats each room as a separate reservation. They limit the wait-list to two. So I cannot wait-list without risking the separation of my party! I tried, to no avail, to plead with them that my reservation is really just one...but they did not budge.

This is a MAJOR overlook by me that...had I known...I would NOT have purchased! What this means for me...is that I will ALMOST ALWAYS be stuck at my home resort! My wife and I bought the DVC with the idea of almost always taking my in-laws and parents with us. For various reasons...all prefer/need their own room.

The moral of the story...

1. DVC is a bad investment IF you plan on taking vacations involving more than 2-rooms and would like to "try" other resorts!

• I've a sneaky suspicion that the sales pitch they give you touting the ability to "switch" resorts...is a shady promise. "Choice Season" according to my guide...was supposed to be an easier time to get a room. If none are available 7-months out for Choice season...what is the chance for the busier times?

My fault for not understanding the "each room counts as one" system. Their fault for selling me on the false hope that I would be able to get my resort of choice during the "quiet" times!

Why not get a 2BR and a Studio? That's only two rooms and really close to the same point cost, probably ~4-6 pts. It sleeps 12, and will be more comfortable by far as you have the washer/dryer and private master suite.

EDIT: I see someone else mentioned this already. Ooops.

 

[Dean]

If you have enough points wait list for a studio and 2 BR as others mentioned. Even if they let you WL for 3 units, they will not link them so it's all or nothing and you still have the chance of being split up.

 

[smitty2424]

Thanks for the replies. Is the F & W festival neat? My wife and in-laws are into wine. I don't want to borrow points...but maybe I will do so IF a two-bedroom suite is available...then try and waitlist a studio. I'm just scared we will end up at different resorts!

Also...the argument that this is really a busy time for DVC...or Boardwalk in particular, makes no sense...or at least illuminates a weakness in the system. They put it in the "Choice" season and charge less points than other assumingly less busy times. If this were truly a "busy time" then they should NOT be putting it in the "Choice" season. They should charge more points. I purposely chose the "Choice" season as I wrongly assumed this would give me a better chance to hop resorts. If the seasons and points are not reflective of demand...then what the heck good are they?

It seems much more likely that they've just sold so darn many points for BWV, that the place is almost always busy.

Either way...I love AKL! I'm just a bit perturbed as I do not feel I'm getting what I was sold...at least on my first ever crack at this. I called the first hour on the first day of the 7-month window during a season DVC represents as a less desirable "choice" time. If I can't get into BWV then...WAAAAA!

 

[La2kw]

I would much rather stay at Kidani than BWV. That's unfortunate, but it's not always easy to get one room at 7 months, let alone 3.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the replies. Is the F & W festival neat? My wife and in-laws are into wine. I don't want to borrow points...but maybe I will do so IF a two-bedroom suite is available...then try and waitlist a studio. I'm just scared we will end up at different resorts!

Also...the argument that this is really a busy time for DVC...or Boardwalk in particular, makes no sense...or at least illuminates a weakness in the system. They put it in the "Choice" season and charge less points than other assumingly less busy times. If this were truly a "busy time" then they should NOT be putting it in the "Choice" season. They should charge more points. I purposely chose the "Choice" season as I wrongly assumed this would give me a better chance to hop resorts. If the seasons and points are not reflective of demand...then what the heck good are they?

It seems much more likely that they've just sold so darn many points for BWV, that the place is almost always busy.

Either way...I love AKL! I'm just a bit perturbed as I do not feel I'm getting what I was sold...at least on my first ever crack at this. I called the first hour on the first day of the 7-month window during a season DVC represents as a less desirable "choice" time. If I can't get into BWV then...WAAAAA!

Food n Wine has made this a popular time for the EPCOT resorts. I'm sure DVC doesn't want to change the seasons on just those 2 resorts without changing all. Ultimately it doesn't matter as only the number of rooms that are available can be reserved. There are other times that are somewhat misleading including early December at WDW which is even more difficult overall. IMO, DVC has experienced a far more flexible than expected existence so far and the 7 month window has been increasingly difficult in general for much of the time at WDW. There will always be exceptions but it's likely to get a little worse rather than better in terms of the 7 month window. Changing multiple rooms has always been an issue at any time that was remotely in demand because even if all 3 are available when you call at opening 7 months out, it's unlikely they will be available by the time you finish booking the first one.

 

[CarolMN]

Unfortunately, you picked a very, very popular time to visit. November 6 is the end of "Jersey Week". Lots of NJ families travel to WDW that week every year because their children have a few days off school (Teachers' Convention).

My guess is that if you tried for 3 studios at another time, you would have better luck.

 

[dacky041208]

Have you considered a 2 bedroom, and a studio? It will be similar points as 2 studios. Or a THV?

11-06 1 night
1 studio a standard = 17 points
1 studion at BWV = 20 points
3 studios AK = 51 points
3 studios at BW = 60 points

Boardwalk
2 bedroom = 47 points
additional studio total = 64 points. This is only 4 points more and ....

You also get a kitchen, a washer/dryer, a whirlpool tub, and a family room for gathering.

Or for only 48 points same scenario a Tree house villa! Which has 3 rooms!

Some times 3 for a differ. resort will come available.. but sometimes not.

I hope it works out for you.

This is what I was going to suggest. We are looking at booking 2 studios next summer, but we keep thinking about upgrading to a 2 BR instead since it doesn't cost all that much more.

 

[Inkmahm]

It seems much more likely that they've just sold so darn many points for BWV, that the place is almost always busy.

Not likely at all. There can't be more points sold than rooms available on an annual basis.

 

[fkj2]

Like the others, I'd waitlist a two-bedroom lock-off and a studio, which fits into the two unit limitation while still accommodating your need for three "separate" accommodations.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the replies. Is the F & W festival neat? My wife and in-laws are into wine. I don't want to borrow points...but maybe I will do so IF a two-bedroom suite is available...then try and waitlist a studio. I'm just scared we will end up at different resorts!

Also...the argument that this is really a busy time for DVC...or Boardwalk in particular, makes no sense...or at least illuminates a weakness in the system. They put it in the "Choice" season and charge less points than other assumingly less busy times. If this were truly a "busy time" then they should NOT be putting it in the "Choice" season. They should charge more points. I purposely chose the "Choice" season as I wrongly assumed this would give me a better chance to hop resorts. If the seasons and points are not reflective of demand...then what the heck good are they?

It seems much more likely that they've just sold so darn many points for BWV, that the place is almost always busy.

Either way...I love AKL! I'm just a bit perturbed as I do not feel I'm getting what I was sold...at least on my first ever crack at this. I called the first hour on the first day of the 7-month window during a season DVC represents as a less desirable "choice" time. If I can't get into BWV then...WAAAAA!

I own at BWV and called at the 9 month window and waitlisted for a studio-standard for that exact same week as this level of studio was not available before the 7 month window. I was able to book a preferred studio (BW view was also sold out). I, like other BWV owners, purchased BWV for Food and Wine, October and early November. I know it's nearly impossible to get BCV and BWV during F&W without being an owner. I'm not surprised you could not get 3 studios. Did you try SSR or OKW, I'm guessing they had 3 studios. The week you want is the last week of F&W, a week with a Federal Holiday in it, and what some consider "Jersey" week--a very busy week. Another slow point time is early December, but it is a very busy time for DVC owners and another time that your home 11 month window is very important.

I guess you figured out why many of us own more than one resort -- I own 3 -- that home advantage can be very important during the year.

 

[CandyMandy]

Bottom line: if new DVC buyers really did follow the gospel of "purchase where you will want to stay most often," BWV and BVC re-sales would be through the roof.

Ot put another way, the DVC planning forum is basically turning into a "how can I get an Epcot area property at 7 months" Q and A discussion.