Newb question about last minute (and other) reservations

[Hoops McCann]

Good morning!

We just passed ROFR for 150 points at CCV, with a June use year!

I know it will take a few weeks to a month until we can actually use the points to make reservations. But we have some travel dates planned, and I'm hoping to draw on the wealth of knowledge in this community to help with my planning and excitement.

There are 150 points banked from 2024. See #1 and 1a below.
We will immediately bank the 2025 points into 2026 to use for trips #2 and 3.
We will bank 2026 into 2027, getting 300 points to use in summer of '27 for a trip to Aulani.

1. We (two adults and two teen girls) currently have a cash reservation for February school vacation, specifically 2/17 - 2/23, at BRV deluxe studio. I know it's going to be quite a long shot, but I'm wondering the best way to try and use our new DVC points for such a last minute trip. Any tips on which properties to look at and how to go about doing this? We prefer to have 3 beds if possible (the girls don't want to share a bed anymore) but it's not an absolute necessity. Again, I know it's a long shot as that's a busy week and it's a very short lead time.**

1a. The points in question were banked by the current owners from 2024 and will be distressed (is that the correct term?), expiring on May 31, 2026. If we can't use them in February, we will probably try to rent them. Where/how is the best place/method to rent distressed points?

2. We are hoping to visit Wilderness Lodge for 3 nights in December 2026, ideally a Friday and Saturday night, plus a Thursday or Sunday. One of the reasons we chose CCV as our home is because we love WL and to have the 11 month advantage for a December visit. What's the best strategy for planning this and exactly how hard will it be?

3. My wife and I are hoping to go alone in September 2026 for our 20th anniversary. September looks like the cheapest/easiest month to book, so any general advice is welcomed. My wife has mentioned VGF as her top choice for this trip.

4. Family trip to Aulani in mid-August 2027 to celebrate our older daughter's high school graduation. Hopefully 2 connected hotel rooms or a 1-bedroom.

Thanks!!

**There's an outside chance we'd be willing to use both the 2024 and '25 points to get a better room for February, but that foils some of our later plans.

 

[Wedgeout]

Got your plans well prepared in advance & that’s how you do it. Once have the membership, easiest way is searching the website with the plan vacation tab.

Yes those banked points in this 2025 June UY need to be used or lost before June 1st. Plenty of choices & rental sites if needed.

Your CCV bookings in December might still be competitive, studios most likely, but you will see the booking trends as you approach your 11 months out date.

Best to book your home resort as early as possible then at 7 months look into a switch to VGF.

Aulani will be like any other booking at 7 months. Search tool & book what you can.

Congrats on your contract passing though check point ROFR. All fun and full of anticipation from here on out!

 

[Genie+]

1. We (two adults and two teen girls) currently have a cash reservation for February school vacation, specifically 2/17 - 2/23, at BRV deluxe studio. I know it's going to be quite a long shot, but I'm wondering the best way to try and use our new DVC points for such a last minute trip. Any tips on which properties to look at and how to go about doing this? We prefer to have 3 beds if possible (the girls don't want to share a bed anymore) but it's not an absolute necessity. Again, I know it's a long shot as that's a busy week and it's a very short lead time.**

It will be very hard to impossible to book one studio for all 6 nights. If you don’t mind considering a split stay and possibly even booking 1BR for part of it, your chances of finding availability greatly increases. If you prefer not to move mid-trip, a 1BR has the best shot.

1a. The points in question were banked by the current owners from 2024 and will be distressed (is that the correct term?), expiring on May 31, 2026. If we can't use them in February, we will probably try to rent them. Where/how is the best place/method to rent distressed points?

Letting people know they expire May 31st is enough. You don’t need to specify distressed. The points will work like any others as long as the trip booked is not cancelled or rescheduled. And when it comes to renting, most people expect/understand the terms are not flexible like cash. Buying a rental saves money but it requires more commitment.

Considering your whole situation my advice would be to keep looking at DVC availability and find some string of nights in a studio, book them and then post it for rent on a confirmed reservation broker sight. Even if you can find 2 or 3 nights here and there, they should sell at the right price. You may need to do a few reservations to use up the 150pts.

 

[drusba]

Per Number:

1. At 2-3 months out, it can be difficult to get anything. Best chances, if any, for that Feb time would be SSR or OKW, but neither of those have the third bed in the studio. 1BRs usually are the last to fill for any given time, while studios are often the first room sizes to fill. Once you are officially a member, you will be able to check the reservation system at any time to see what is open.

1a. There are a number sites one can go to to try to rent, including the Disney Rental Store that is a sponsor on this site, and there are also rentals done on this site, various Facebook locations, etc.

2. Be aware that Dec is DVC's highest room demand month at WDW of the year, with the first week of Dec being the highest demand week of the year, Christmas week second, and second week of Dec third highest. There are actually rooms that are often open at 7-months out in the summer that book full at 11-months out during those Dec times. Thus if you intend to get a room, particularly a studio in Dec, be prepared to book it at 11-months out.

3. Sep has the lowest point nightly cost at WDW during the year. It also has somewhat lower demand than many other times of the year. Nevertheless, there can still be a number of room categories that disappear before 7-months out. Strategy to follow if you want other than your home resort is to book your home resort at 11-months out and then try to change at 7-months out. That assures you will at least have a room if you cannot change. You mention VGF. It can be difficult to get at 7-months out even in Sep, but if there are openings, they will more likely be for the Resort Studios in the newer VGF building rather than the Deluxe Studios in the original building. Other resorts likely to have studios open at 7-months out are SSR, OKW, AKV (at least Kidani), Poly, and BLT preferred view.

4. Aulani DVC "hotel" rooms are usually gone before 7-months out. Standard view rooms likewise. And often the only rooms available at 7-months out are the high point cost ocean view rooms.