Nervous about Availability

[Halefamilyof6]

So, we are making our first trip to DW May 2016 (May19-June2). We own VGC so I'm stuck booking at the 7 month mark. BUT, we are stuck waiting for our new UY to roll around which is December. So, I'm already at an additional disadvantage (each week is 313 or 317)

We have 0 points right now
We have 294 points for 2015
We have 320 points for 2016


We have made an offer on more VGC and are waiting to see if our offer is accepted. If it is, it will be an additional 160 points come December 1. If we don't get this contract or another, we will have to buy one time points to make it work.

We plan to do a split stay. We will need a 2 bedroom as there will be 6-8 of us. Because we've never been, we're pretty open to where we stay although our preference is:
AKV
BLT or BWV or BCV

Having never been, I'm not sure how tough it is at these resorts during my travel time for a 2 bedroom. I know smaller rooms are hard to come by...but, I'm still nervous. Do you think we have much of a chance?

 

[nalajms]

AKV should not be a problem, especially Kidani. The hardest will be BCV, followed by BWV because your dates will overlap Memorial Day weekend and Star Wars dates.

Be open to where and when you stay at which resort. Basically don't to have exactly BLT for 6n followed by BCV for the remainder. I would try for the "B" resorts first, then AKV the second half of your trip.

Good luck!

 

[drusba]

Not sure what you mean by beng stuck waiting for Dec use year to roll around. For a May 19-June 2 2016 trip at a resort other than your home, you can rerserve starting Oct 19, 2015 for up to the first 7 nights at one resort and then add the other resort at its 7 month out date in Oct. When you make that call you can use Dec 2015 points and borrow Dec 2016 points.

As to availability, BWV standard and boardwalk view and BLT standard view will be a problem, as well as AKV value or club level. Your "317" point number sounds like you may be hoping for BLT standard view for one of the weeks. Don't count on it; standard view is hard to get at 7 months out any time of year. Also, BCV and BLT TP view could possibly be an issue right around Memorial Day. Otherwise, BLT lake view and BWV pool/garden, AKV savanna and standard view, and also BCV for times except possibly around Memorial Day, should be open (they have been for that time period the last three years).

 

[Halefamilyof6]

Not sure what you mean by beng stuck waiting for Dec use year to roll around. For a May 19-June 2 2016 trip at a resort other than your home, you can rerserve starting Oct 19, 2015 for up to the first 7 nights at one resort and then add the other resort at its 7 month out date in Oct. When you make that call you can use Dec 2015 points and borrow Dec 2016 points.

Oooh, okay. So, even though I don't have 2015 points yet (since my UY is December) I can still borrow 2016? I always understood it like this:

Until my UY comes up, I'm NOT in that year - so, right now, I'm still considered to be in 2014 UY points. Once December hits, I get 2015 points and THEN I have access to borrowing 2016 points. But right now, I can use 2014 points and borrow into 2015 points.

Have I been misunderstanding this the whole time?

 

[disneynutz]

Not sure what you mean by beng stuck waiting for Dec use year to roll around. For a May 19-June 2 2016 trip at a resort other than your home, you can rerserve starting Oct 19, 2015 for up to the first 7 nights at one resort and then add the other resort at its 7 month out date in Oct. When you make that call you can use Dec 2015 points and borrow Dec 2016 points.

Oooh, okay. So, even though I don't have 2015 points yet (since my UY is December) I can still borrow 2016? I always understood it like this:

Until my UY comes up, I'm NOT in that year - so, right now, I'm still considered to be in 2014 UY points. Once December hits, I get 2015 points and THEN I have access to borrowing 2016 points. But right now, I can use 2014 points and borrow into 2015 points.

Have I been misunderstanding this the whole time?

Points need to be available for your reservation dates, not your booking date.

Bill

 

[Missyrose]

You have been misunderstanding the whole time. You only have to have the points for when the reservation will take place to make the reservation. You can book at 7 months out, no matter what your UY.

 

[Halefamilyof6]

Thank you! I understand now. It makes my situation a little better, not much, but THANK YOU for taking the time to explain things to me.

 

[DebbieB]

Not sure what you mean by beng stuck waiting for Dec use year to roll around. For a May 19-June 2 2016 trip at a resort other than your home, you can rerserve starting Oct 19, 2015 for up to the first 7 nights at one resort and then add the other resort at its 7 month out date in Oct. When you make that call you can use Dec 2015 points and borrow Dec 2016 points.

Oooh, okay. So, even though I don't have 2015 points yet (since my UY is December) I can still borrow 2016? I always understood it like this:

Until my UY comes up, I'm NOT in that year - so, right now, I'm still considered to be in 2014 UY points. Once December hits, I get 2015 points and THEN I have access to borrowing 2016 points. But right now, I can use 2014 points and borrow into 2015 points.

Have I been misunderstanding this the whole time?

If you look at your account online, you shoud see December 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 points. There is never a wait for points to "deposit", any points you could possibly use are available based on the date of stay.

Back to your original question, May is not a busy month for DVC, you should be able to get something. I got VGF for May last year at 7 months.

 

[drusba]

Rule to remember: you can always call at 11 months out to reserve for home resort and 7 months out for other DVC resorts. When determining points you can use and whether you need to bank or can borrow, wipe from your mind the date you will call to reserve and look only at the date you will actually be at WDW to determine the issue. In your case the Dec 2015 points will be the "current" use year points for the My 2016 trip and you can borrow Dec 2016 points regardless of when you call to reserve.

 

[cvjw]

OP, we routinely vacation at the same time of year that you plan to travel. Even though we own at 4 different resorts, we very rarely book at the 11 month window at that time of year. We have had great luck getting into BLT, VGF, Poly, standard view BWV (1 bedroom only), and Kidani savannah view. We have had excellent luck booking larger villas at the 7 month mark during this time frame.

I got a week in a 2 bedroom at BLT for the last weekend of May this year at only 4 months out - our dates had to change due to soccer. We lost our 2 bedroom at VGF, but are happy that we can stay at BLT again.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

...

We plan to do a split stay. We will need a 2 bedroom as there will be 6-8 of us. Because we've never been, we're pretty open to where we stay although our preference is:
AKV
BLT or BWV or BCV

Having never been, I'm not sure how tough it is at these resorts during my travel time for a 2 bedroom. I know smaller rooms are hard to come by...but, I'm still nervous. Do you think we have much of a chance?

Seems like when you can book has been straightened out. I don't think you should have any trouble getting AKV at 7 months and also most likely won't have any trouble getting BLT LV at 7 months either and either BWV or BCV might possibly be available but are the 2 that might not be.

 

[suebeelin]

Since vgc is difficult to get into at the 7mo mark, you could conceivably trade with another member (transfer/swap points) to get the 11mo advantage at a resort.

For example, find someone who owns at BCV, BWV or BLT... and that person wants vgc points. Then you call member services and exchange points.

Just an idea/alternative.

You won't have a problem getting into AKL so long as you're not looking for concierge or value rooms. Kidani will definitely be open. It's a nice resort-- but I did not have a car and hated relying on the bus system.

Everyone loves BCV. Storm along bay pool is supposed to be awesome. I've never been .

I, personally, love saving points, so I prefer stretching out my points by getting a BLT std room and bwv std room. BWV std rooms. particularly, are a very good "deal", making efficient use of your points. If that's important to you-- you will need the 11mo advantage.

Good luck!

 

[Halefamilyof6]

Thank you everyone so much for your feedback on availability!! I really appreciate it!!