Newbie Asks: Booking outside of home resort

[carlbarry]

The more I read, the more questions I think of!
I want to join, but I don't think I need 160 points, so I'll probably go re-sale. I would like AKV, but that doesn't seem available now, so I'll probably try for OKW, which also appeals to me. Here's my question: if I own at OKW, but would like a studio during Adventure period (e.g., January) at AKV Savannah view (animals!) or BCV (Stormalong Bay!), etc., for Sunday through Thursday, what would be my chances? I've read where people have had problems booking outside of their home resort. Thanks.

 

[CarolAnnC]

BWV will not get you entrance into Stormalong Bay. You need BCV for that.

Best advice you will see on these boards is "Buy where you want to stay". That truly is the best way to go.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Our home resort is SSR and we usually stay in a 1-BR. DH and I didn't have any trouble booking at the 5 month window at BWV this past summer (late July). However, we did have to use more points and get a preferred view. The standard views were already reserved. Long story, but I did not try to wait list the standard view. I may have gotten it had I put my request on the wait list.

On the other hand, we are going in March over spring break. We called at the end of October to book March 21 - 28th. We were actually planning on staying at OKW (my SIL/BIL own there), but could not because there were NO 2-BRs available at ANY DVC resort except SSR. Break my heart...we're staying at SSR instead!

Many have said buy where you want to stay so that you have the 11-month booking window. For us, we bought where we didn't "mind" staying. We chose SSR because we found 2 extremely loaded contracts via resale with motivated sellers and liked the extra 12 years on the contract (2054 instead of 2042). Funny thing is, I can honestly say that I have a special place in my heart for every resort we've stayed at and look forward to staying in all of the DVC resorts. I really don't have a favorite.

Good luck with your purchasing decision and welcome to the boards!!!

 

[fatcat04]

The more flexible you are, the better off you are. Remember to call 7 months out from the day you will check out.. not check in. Our most recent CM at DVC MS said you simply can not underestimate the value of the 11 month Home Resort advantage. When supply is limitded and demand is great, I can only imagine.

Our thinking was buy where we want to stay and that was AKV hands down. I am sure the others are lovely and we will enjoy them but where else can you watch the zebras munch their grass while sipping your morning coffee? I like to call it our "zebra view" room. You might hang on and see if you can get a resale for less than 160. Give it a month or two and see if anything opens up.

 

[Dean]

The more I read, the more questions I think of!
I want to join, but I don't think I need 160 points, so I'll probably go re-sale. I would like AKV, but that doesn't seem available now, so I'll probably try for OKW, which also appeals to me. Here's my question: if I own at OKW, but would like a studio during Adventure period (e.g., January) at AKV Savannah view (animals!) or BCV (Stormalong Bay!), etc., for Sunday through Thursday, what would be my chances? I've read where people have had problems booking outside of their home resort. Thanks.

If you try day by day exactly at 7 months out it's unlikely you'll have much problems with those options for those times. I'd recommend you reserve home resort at 11 months out then change over at 7 months out if possible. There are some options you'll essentially always need a home resort priority to get. These including AKV concierge, BWV 3 BR, anything HH for mid summer, VB Beach House, BCV 2 queen 2 BR for example. Even then if you play the game aggressively and use the wait list well, you still have a chance with some of them, esp HH. Season demand plays a very big roll as well and Jan is low season for everything in the system except VB and Jan is still pretty easy to get there. Anyone who will be unhappy unless they get a specific resort consistently should buy there, the rest it doesn't matter much other than the home resort has some implications on the long term $$ value of the contract if one decided to sell.

 

[carlbarry]

Thanks, you guys here are great! But now I have a question about the "wait list." Does this mean that when I call for a reservation, say, "Jan. 7-12, AKV, Studio, Savannah view," I can be told, for example, "A 1 bedroom is available, but we can put you on a wait list for Studio"?
I'm a single guy, hope to get married, AND have children, but at my age the kids thing might be a stretch So I figure 75 points would be quite enough for me. And I will wait awhile, as suggested, because AKV should open up for resale. Thanks again. This Board has sold me; I'm really looking forward to "joining the club"!

 

[farmergirl]

The more flexible you are, the better off you are. Remember to call 7 months out from the day you will check out.. not check in. Our most recent CM at DVC MS said you simply can not underestimate the value of the 11 month Home Resort advantage. When supply is limitded and demand is great, I can only imagine.

Our thinking was buy where we want to stay and that was AKV hands down. I am sure the others are lovely and we will enjoy them but where else can you watch the zebras munch their grass while sipping your morning coffee? I like to call it our "zebra view" room. You might hang on and see if you can get a resale for less than 160. Give it a month or two and see if anything opens up.

I am sorry for the thread drift but could you please tell me where you get these AKLV signatures? I looked on the member site and can't find them...thank you

 

[BoosGram]

I am sorry for the thread drift but could you please tell me where you get these AKLV signatures? I looked on the member site and can't find them...thank you

Here's one way of getting a signature: Go to http://members.cox.net/disneyvacationclub/ , then click on the DVC Resort link in the left column.


Right-click on the image you want, click on Properties and highlight and copy the url address. Go to the Edit Signature in your User CP, click on the image icon (looks like a small mountain), paste the url and then click OK. Make sure the image's url has

after it. Good luck!