Navigating Two Use Years

[Kathymford]

I think I've got this figured out, but could someone tell me if this is the best way for me to make my next reservation.

I am trying to book during WDW marathon weekend. I gambled during W&D and almost lost. I didn't book anything at 11 months and waited until 7 months. The only thing available to book was a OKW 1 bd, and while I LOVED the space, it's only 2 of us and I was trying to conserve points and book a studio.

And, yes, I'm trying to plan 2016 right now.

Contract 1: VGC 96 points available
Contract 2: VWL 71 points (21 banked) available

My dates are 1/5-1/12, with race days being 1/6-1/9. I'm thinking I should use my 11 month window/advantage for the race days, is that a correct assumption? And then at 7 months try to cobble together the rest of the reservation.

Transferring my VGC points into VWL won't help me, right? It won't give me more 11 month window points?

Thanks all!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd book whatever you can and include the race dates during the home resort priority period. Points keep their home resort so transferring won't help you out in this situation. You also could consider borrowing from your VWL contract to complete the reservation. Then you could bank VGC points and just use those for your next trip.

 

[Kathymford]

I'd book whatever you can and include the race dates during the home resort priority period. Points keep their home resort so transferring won't help you out in this situation. You also could consider borrowing from your VWL contract to complete the reservation. Then you could bank VGC points and just use those for your next trip.

Good point. I considered that, but didn't want to borrow just in case we change our minds about this trip. it's still up in the air at the moment. It's hard getting non planners to think about 2016!! Lol

 

[skier_pete]

I would book from Thursday - Sunday (3 nights) of race weekend minimum. I am putting together a spreadsheet of studio availability from 11-months down, and while i don't yet have data for January before the 7-month window,(I started in May, which was 7-months out for January) I can tell you at the 7-month mark for January 2015, all the studios were booked for the time around that weekend, even SSR and OKW.

Other than those few days, January for the most part remained open at 7-months across many resorts, but early January was pretty well booked up by 5-6 months, though you could still get SSR at about 4 months.

 

[Kathymford]

I would book from Thursday - Sunday (3 nights) of race weekend minimum. I am putting together a spreadsheet of studio availability from 11-months down, and while i don't yet have data for January before the 7-month window,(I started in May, which was 7-months out for January) I can tell you at the 7-month mark for January 2015, all the studios were booked for the time around that weekend, even SSR and OKW.

Other than those few days, January for the most part remained open at 7-months across many resorts, but early January was pretty well booked up by 5-6 months, though you could still get SSR at about 4 months.

Yes, that's exactly what I ran into at 7 months for the W&D marathon. I was counting on OKW and SSR and there was nothing in a studio. Your thoughts on at least booking Thurs - Sun is exactly the minimum I had planned.

I can book more without borrowing...any suggestions which side I should do it on? The Wednesday? Or the Sunday. I"m leaning to the Sunday, but if I do Wednesday, I can book one day earlier...

For the record, I have never done planning this far in advance. LOL

 

[skier_pete]

Yes, that's exactly what I ran into at 7 months for the W&D marathon. I was counting on OKW and SSR and there was nothing in a studio. Your thoughts on at least booking Thurs - Sun is exactly the minimum I had planned.

I can book more without borrowing...any suggestions which side I should do it on? The Wednesday? Or the Sunday. I"m leaning to the Sunday, but if I do Wednesday, I can book one day earlier...

For the record, I have never done planning this far in advance. LOL

I doubt you will have a need to book the day earlier at 11-months. However, since you are listing the "race days" as being Wednesday through Saturday, I would pick those nights to book. I don't think Sunday after the races will be an issue at all at 7-months, again based on my observations of the January and February marathons. The Thursdays and Fridays seem to go first, then the Saturdays (don't ask me why). The Wednesdays and Sundays don't seem to be much of an issue.

 

[Kathymford]

I doubt you will have a need to book the day earlier at 11-months. However, since you are listing the "race days" as being Wednesday through Saturday, I would pick those nights to book. I don't think Sunday after the races will be an issue at all at 7-months, again based on my observations of the January and February marathons. The Thursdays and Fridays seem to go first, then the Saturdays (don't ask me why). The Wednesdays and Sundays don't seem to be much of an issue.

Great! I will focus on the race days. Thank you so much!