New to DVC- Booking Availability

[The Lost Disney Princess]

I am new to DVC as we just passed ROFR this week. We are expected to close May 26th. We have to use some banked points by February. We want to go in September or early October. My question is, what's still available for that time? Can anyone send some screenshots of the availability? Also, when should we be able to actually book a trip with points? I was told it would be two weeks after we close. Please let me know. We may be able to push the trip to January, but I'd like to hit Food & Wine and MNSSHP.

One last question, since the points need to be used by Feb, that means we have to physically go to WDW before Feb 1st, correct?

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

Availability checks are against board rules. Info will change by the time you try to book anyway, all you can do is wait and see.

Your stay needs to be completed during the valid dates of your points.

Bill

 

[com_op_2000]

Welcome Home!
Just wanted to inform you that mid-Sept through mid-Jan is the highest demand time of the year for DVC bookings.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And without going into significant details, pickings may be slim. If the points cannot be banked before expiration, it's common to include that as a factor in a resale bid.

 

[drusba]

Do not need to check to be able to tell you that getting late Sep/early Oct less than 3 1/2 months out (closing late May means being able to reserve probably second week of June, although it could be a little later) is likely not going to be possible at most resorts at WDW, and even OKW and SSR, generally the easiest to get, will probably have issues. Late Sep to marathon weekend in Jan is DVC's high to extremely high demand season at WDW and even getting things at 7 months out, particularly at near park resorts, is usually difficult. You can hope for the best but be prepared to go with your alternative January dates, preferably after marathon weekend. The Monday after marathon weekend begins DVC's low to moderate demand season, when getting rooms at near park resorts can be fairly easy at 7 months out as long as you are not seeking bargain point cost or highly popular rooms that are limited in number (AKV club level and value, BLT standard view, VGF studios, and BWV standard and boardwalk view studios). That low to moderate demand season lasts until just before the late Sep time when Food & Wine usually begins.

 

[jerseyduke]

The pickings may be slim. You may have to hop from resort to resort.
How many points are you talking? The banked ones need to be used by Jan 31st (Your stay completed). You could extend that stay into February with points from your next UY.

You are probably going to have a lot more luck in mid to late January. But you never know.

 

[ColonialMouse]

Maybe you've found it by now, but check out http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...s-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If anything, I think that historical look may provide too much optimism for October-December of this year. Man, it's brutal this year.

 

[gharter]

Good luck. I'm also new to this. We got everything done just before the 7 month window came up. Even at that time, booking outside of SSR and OKW was very slim.
If you are flexible, and don't mind changing resorts, you should be able to find a few rooms. Unless you get very lucky, the entire stay at one resort is not likely. I would book rooms where you can for the stay, and then waitlist rooms to try and decrease your moving.
Next year, when we can book at 11 months will be much easier for us, and I suspect for you as well.

 

[Disneyaddict16]

I know you cannot tell availability because it is against board rules. Trying to get a feel if I should be booking a room with the new room only discount that came out this week.

We mailed our closing documents back yesterday and are hoping book two nights the 24/25 of September at SSR before our cruise.

According to the chart I found on the DIS at four months out it still says open for 9/16-9/30 but judging by posts I have read I am feeling like I should make alternative plans for those two nights.

Thoughts do I have a shot?

 

[supersnoop]

I know you cannot tell availability because it is against board rules. Trying to get a feel if I should be booking a room with the new room only discount that came out this week.

We mailed our closing documents back yesterday and are hoping book two nights the 24/25 of September at SSR before our cruise.

According to the chart I found on the DIS at four months out it still says open for 9/16-9/30 but judging by posts I have read I am feeling like I should make alternative plans for those two nights.

Thoughts do I have a shot?

You can cancel a room only reservation up to 5 days prior to arrival. There's no reason not to protect yourself by booking it.

 

[Sammie]

I would definitely have a back up plan.

 

[gluestickgirl]

We're in a similar position and booked a room w/ the room only discount as a backup.

 

[The Lost Disney Princess]

Sorry, new to boards and didn't know it was against board rules. I need to use 250 points by February. I'm assuming I'll have to go in January, but if I can snag something in September I'll be happy (I don't care which resort). I have read that boards post stating what will be available, however, I'm finding that this post can't be entirely trusted because of food and wine being stretched out until early September and I feel like dvc is booking up for fall more than ever as I've heard from dvc friends that October and September are becoming crazy. Either way, I'm happy because I'm going to Disney world!!

 

[gharter]

Any chance of banking the points, or they have to be used by February?
If you have to use them, you may be able to get something in earl September before EPCOT Food and Wine starts. I know when we were looking in March to book something in November, the choices were very minimal. I suspect there is very little left unless you are willing to move several times during your stay.
Outside of the Marathon weekend, January my not be too difficult to get a room.

Good luck with the rest of the process.

 

[bwvBound]

One last question, since the points need to be used by Feb, that means we have to physically go to WDW before Feb 1st, correct?

No! DVC includes resort locations at Hilton Head, Vero Beach, Oahu, and Anaheim in addition to WDW. If pressed, you could also use the points to non-DVC locations through RCI.

 

[The Lost Disney Princess]

Any chance of banking the points, or they have to be used by February?
If you have to use them, you may be able to get something in earl September before EPCOT Food and Wine starts. I know when we were looking in March to boo something in November, the choices were very minimal. I suspect there is very little left unlessyou are willingto move several times during your stay.
Outside of the Marathon weekend, January my ot be too difficult to get a room.

Good luck with the rest of the process.

The points have been banked from 2015 and have to be used by February.

 

[The Lost Disney Princess]

No! DVC includes resort locations at Hilton Head, Vero Beach, Oahu, and Anaheim in addition to WDW. If pressed, you could also use the points to non-DVC locations through RCI.

I know about the other resorts, my question was regarding the details on use year. With a February use year, and the points expire in February, does this mean my stay has to be completed by January 31st?

 

[supersnoop]

I know about the other resorts, my question was regarding the details on use year. With a February use year, and the points expire in February, does this mean my stay has to be completed by January 31st?

Yes, the points must be used for stays within the use year. You can check out on February 1st (using points for the night of 1/31).