New to DVC - question about October 2016

[abja09]

i am new to DVC - we just bought in last week with Poly as our home resort. I am planning an October 7-12, 2016 stay which is Columbus Day weekend. I would be booking a studio and don't care about the view. From what I have been reading on the DIS this is a difficult time of year as far as availability. Is it best to book at my home resort of Poly at 11 months then switch if I can? Also can I book the whole stay once my booking window opens or do I have to book a day at a time? TIA for your help!

 

[lovin'fl]

That is a big time for DVC so you should book at 11 months out and then try to switch at the 7 month window (like first thing the morning of the 7 month window). You can book the entire thing once the window opens. I think it lets you book 7 or 10 or 14 days (can't remember which but definitely 7 days).

Oh, and WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[com_op_2000]

Once an 11 or 7 month booking windows opens (8am online or 9am by calling MS) you can book up to 7 nights. If you need more nights you will have to call MS to add on each night.
OP, just for your information:
mid-Sept to mid-Jan are the highest booking times for DVC and need you need to book your HR at 11 months.
mid-Jan through mid-Sept are high booking times for DVC.
Also:
Home and Much

 

[lovin'fl]

I would say end of Sept through mid Jan are the toughest times to book DVC.
Then, Easter week and summer break are tough.
All other times aren't as bad (beginning of Sept, end of Jan, May, March and April minus Easter and busy spring break weeks).
But the more they add new points (new resorts), the tougher it's going to be to book. Adding all those points at Poly (the bungalows add an enormous amount of points) is making it more competitive to get a resie in the 7 month window.

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

If you buy DVC direct usually your guide can arrange whatever you need as far as rooms as they have availability/inventory separate from DVC

 

[abja09]

That is a big time for DVC so you should book at 11 months out and then try to switch at the 7 month window (like first thing the morning of the 7 month window). You can book the entire thing once the window opens. I think it lets you book 7 or 10 or 14 days (can't remember which but definitely 7 days).

Oh, and WELCOME HOME!!!

That's what I thought! Thanks and we are so excited to a part of the DVC family!!

 

[abja09]

Once an 11 or 7 month booking windows opens (8am online or 9am by calling MS) you can book up to 7 nights. If you need more nights you will have to call MS to add on each night.
OP, just for your information:
mid-Sept to mid-Jan are the highest booking times for DVC and need you need to book your HR at 11 months.
mid-Jan through mid-Sept are high booking times for DVC.
Also:
Home and Much

Thank you! I'm so excited for my new home! I will definitely book Poly at 11 months to be safe then see if we can change at 7 months. If we can't it's no big deal.

 

[abja09]

I would say end of Sept through mid Jan are the toughest times to book DVC.
Then, Easter week and summer break are tough.
All other times aren't as bad (beginning of Sept, end of Jan, May, March and April minus Easter and busy spring break weeks).
But the more they add new points (new resorts), the tougher it's going to be to book. Adding all those points at Poly (the bungalows add an enormous amount of points) is making it more competitive to get a resie in the 7 month window.

Thanks! We just bought at the Polynesian last Tuesday while staying at the BWI. When I came home last week I was actually able to book the BWV for Easter week. We have a DCL cruise that leaves Easter Sunday and are doing a pre-cruise stay. I was surprised to be able to book anything.

 

[abja09]

If you buy DVC direct usually your guide can arrange whatever you need as far as rooms as they have availability/inventory separate from DVC

We did buy direct. I will look into it. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did buy direct. I will look into it. Thanks for the advice!

That is usually your first trip only. None after that. And usually your incentive to buy. Or blackmail, whatever you want to call it.

 

[supersnoop]

Do you intend to stay at the Poly on most of your trips? It sounds like you really prefer the Epcot area resorts. If you won't be staying at the Poly the majority of the time, you should take a hard look at rescinding your purchase and picking up a different resort on the resale market.

 

[MsTessP]

I agree with the above. Unless I'm mistaken with your intentions, you are using top dollar points to stay at a resort whose points would have cost up perhaps 50% less if with resale.

 

[abja09]

I agree with the above. Unless I'm mistaken with your intentions, you are using top dollar points to stay at a resort whose points would have cost up perhaps 50% less if with resale.

That's not what I was asking but appreciate your input. We are happy to stay at any resort and have no issue with the Polynesian. We just like a change from time to time.

 

[sndral]

i am new to DVC - we just bought in last week with Poly as our home resort. I am planning an October 7-12, 2016 stay which is Columbus Day weekend. I would be booking a studio and don't care about the view. From what I have been reading on the DIS this is a difficult time of year as far as availability. Is it best to book at my home resort of Poly at 11 months then switch if I can? Also can I book the whole stay once my booking window opens or do I have to book a day at a time? TIA for your help!

That's not what I was asking but appreciate your input. We are happy to stay at any resort and have no issue with the Polynesian. We just like a change from time to time.

As long as you are not hoping to change to 5 nights during food and wine at an Epcot area DVC for that Oct. 2016 trip at 7 months you should be able to switch. BWV is fairly big but food and Wine time equals very hard to get for BWV and almost impossible for the smaller BCV. Poly isn't a bad Food and Wine option, tho', as you can walk to the TTC from the Poly and monorail over to the front of Epcot.
The only downside I've run into w/ booking my home resort at 11 months and then switching at 7 months is that I don't have spare points, so the points I'm using to make the switch @ 7 months are already being used for the 11 months back up reservation, so I have to call. Last year I watched the 1 br. BWV villa that I wanted to switch to that was open to book @ 7 months per the computer disappear while I was on hold trying to call.

 

[abja09]

As long as you are not hoping to change to 5 nights during food and wine at an Epcot area DVC for that Oct. 2016 trip at 7 months you should be able to switch. BWV is fairly big but food and Wine time equals very hard to get for BWV and almost impossible for the smaller BCV. Poly isn't a bad Food and Wine option, tho', as you can walk to the TTC from the Poly and monorail over to the front of Epcot.
The only downside I've run into w/ booking my home resort at 11 months and then switching at 7 months is that I don't have spare points, so the points I'm using to make the switch @ 7 months are already being used for the 11 months back up reservation, so I have to call. Last year I watched the 1 br. BWV villa that I wanted to switch to that was open to book @ 7 months per the computer disappear while I was on hold trying to call.

Yes I was thinking that would be an issue with points. We are going in October due to a school break and after being there 2 weeks ago we like it better than when we usually go in August. My son and I love to eat so the Food and Wine is a bonus. As I said I am happy with th Polynesian but may try to change a 7 months. Thanks for the heads up about points.

 

[crisi]

Yes I was thinking that would be an issue with points. We are going in October due to a school break and after being there 2 weeks ago we like it better than when we usually go in August. My son and I love to eat so the Food and Wine is a bonus. As I said I am happy with th Polynesian but may try to change a 7 months. Thanks for the heads up about points.

October state wide school break weeks are tough - we are Minnesotans who used to go during our October break, and the resorts were full of Minnesotans doing the same thing. So if you are talking F&W, a state wide break, and trying to get an Epcot resort at seven months, you'll need extra spoonfuls of pixie dust.