Need advice from DVC vets - 11 mo & 7 mo ressie option

[saintstickets]

Here's the deal.....We are going to WDW May 20 - 25, 2012...5 nights...arrive Sunday and leave Friday. We want a 2 BR at VWL for all 5 nights. We have enough points (banking & borrowing) at the 11 month window for just 3 nights using our small VWL contract but we will have to wait for the 7 month window for the other 2 nights using our OKW contract.

Now the question - when making the 1st reservation at the 11 month window, should I make it for Sun, Mon & Tue or Tue, Wed & Thurs? At the 7 month window I will add the remaining 2 nights for Wed/Thurs or Sun/Mon. Will it be easier to make the 2nd reservation for Sun/Mon or Wed/Thurs? Will it make any difference? Since the 11 month window is coming up in a few weeks, I would appreciate advice on which 2 nights will be easier to reserve at the 7 month window.

We do not want to do a split stay. Should I go ahead and make a cash reservation at the 11 month window for the remaining 2 nights and then cancel if we get those 2 nights at the 7 month window using DVC points?

TIA for any advice.

 

[DebbieB]

Here's the deal.....We are going to WDW May 20 - 25, 2012...5 nights...arrive Sunday and leave Friday. We want a 2 BR at VWL for all 5 nights. We have enough points (banking & borrowing) at the 11 month window for just 3 nights using our small VWL contract but we will have to wait for the 7 month window for the other 2 nights using our OKW contract.

Now the question - when making the 1st reservation at the 11 month window, should I make it for Sun, Mon & Tue or Tue, Wed & Thurs? At the 7 month window I will add the remaining 2 nights for Wed/Thurs or Sun/Mon. Will it be easier to make the 2nd reservation for Sun/Mon or Wed/Thurs? Will it make any difference? Since the 11 month window is coming up in a few weeks, I would appreciate advice on which 2 nights will be easier to reserve at the 7 month window.

We do not want to do a split stay. Should I go ahead and make a cash reservation at the 11 month window for the remaining 2 nights and then cancel if we get those 2 nights at the 7 month window using DVC points?

TIA for any advice.

I'm not sure about the availability issue but one thing I wanted to mention that you should be aware of. There are both dedicated and lockoff 2 bedrooms at VWL. So if you don't want to move, you need to be sure that both reservations are for the same type. This would be more of an issue with the cash reservation. If you call to extend your DVC reservation, they should be able to see if it's the same type. My guess is that since you are getting close to Memorial Day, I would book the end of the week first but I don't have any experience at VWL or during those dates.

 

[TisBit]

Honestly, I would suspect that sun/mon would be harder than wed/thurs....most people will book their vacations beginning/ending on the weekends, Sun-Thurs has always been a DVC favorite because of reduced points...although that is changing with the reallocation.

Also, by calling on Sunday for your reservation, if it is not available you can keep trying each day to secure at least three days.

 

[Finally DVC]

A third option...

You could book Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If there was no availability at 7 months, you could do a waitlist for Sunday and another waitlist for Thursday. I've heard one-day waitlists are more likely to come through.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My guess is that you'll be OK right at 7 months. A cash reservation can't be changed to one on points, and if you're willing to pay that would be one way to get the whole reservation.

My guess is that the Wednesday, Thursday reservation will be easier only if that's not leading up to Memorial weekend.

 

[ToddyLu]

Sounds like a great trip Bill.

 

[saintstickets]

Thanks for the advice fellow DISboarders. Anything anyone else can suggest will be greatly appreciated. This is our first stay at VWL and we are looking forward to it.

Sounds like a great trip Bill.

How was your trip this month Lu? I'm waiting for your TR!

 

[lilpooh108]

I think you need to book May 22 to May 25 first at 11 months.

The monday after the 25th is Memorial day (I think) in 2012, and May 25 is Friday. I think Thursday & Friday will be hard to get at 7 months. HTH.

BTW, I read your Adults only Trip Report to AKV and Victoria Alberts....that looked fun. I can't believe WDW was SO empty when you went! We arrived just 2 weeks later (on 12/15 or so) and it was jammed packed already with the Christmas crowd. Your TR was a fun read.