No Availability vs. Crowd Level ?

[MamaCrush]

I called MS to make a reservation for Auguat 16-21. Long story short- not a single DVC resort has a 2-BR available for all 5 nights-- including SSR! The best we could do for a 2-BR was 4 nights, cash reserving one night (the 17th). Of course, we've waitlisted the 17th.

This scares me when contemplating crowd levels at the parks-- especially Blizzard Beach. Am I reading too much into this non-availability situation? What are everyone else's thoughts???

 

[drusba]

DVC availability generally has little to no coorelation to park crowd levels. At three months out, it can be difficult to get any DVC room most times of year for all nights wanted. For example, first two weeks of December have crowds that are generally manageable and not overwhelming. But as far as getting a DVC room that time of year, you better call 11 moinths out if you want anything because it is DVCs highest demand time of the year. That time you are going in August generally has heavy but not overwhelming park crowds. Note, however, for Blizzard Beach, you should expect very large crowds -- that is just a time of year (true for most of summer) when the waterparks get filled regardless of how heavy the crowds are at the regular parks.

 

[MamaCrush]

Thanks-- I feel better. I was worried that with free dining all bets were off!

 

[Metsoskil]

Am I reading too much into this non-availability situation? What are everyone else's thoughts???

Yes. You are reading too much into it.

That's the first week of low points season for DVC, and many schools are still out in the Northeast. DVC owners often try to vacation then to save points. DVC rooms make up only a small portion of Disney Resort guests, which make up only a small percentage of park visitors.

Certain factors have little correlation to park attendence. DVC availability (and the ability to get ADRs during late August - I've seen the question "I can't get an ADR at XXXXX, are the parks going to be mobbed?") fall into that catagory.

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will be crowded, as the PP said, because it will be rediculously hot.

 

[Chuck S]

And this year, DVC availability may be a little skewed because of many schools closing for the flu, and vacations having to be rescheduled because of makeup days.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

South Florida schools are going back August 17th and a few the week before that, that should help thin out the herd some! However, Aug 16th starts the free dining so that's not going to help!

 

[Anal Annie]

We've done this week before to save points (and are again this year too) and in the past it's been better crowd-wise than it is in say July. BUT....Disney threw a monkey wrench in it this year as they are starting the free dining period on Aug. 16!! It used to start the week after...so be sure to call ON MONDAY for any ADR's you want to make 'cuz now we have to compete with all the free diners!!!!!! I don't know how this will affect the over-all crowds but I expect ADR's to be a problem if I don't call ASAP on Monday. ESPECIALLY for the Fantasmic pkg. since they've cut back on the number of shows they're doing per week. I am anticipating CS meals to be the biggest annoyance with lines & such.

 

[beccasmom]

We will be arriving on 8/21 and I have my ADR day circled on the calendar. We generally do not go at this time of the year - way tooooo hot for me - but we have a milestone birthday to celebrate. We booked in February for a studio at BLT for two nights and had no issues other than not being able to snag a MK view. At our home resort we booked a one-bedroom pretty easily although I initially wanted to book a two-bedroom. (Some extended family members opted to stay off-site so they could do some non-Disney stuff.) I am glad I pushed the rest of the family to get in gear with planning this trip; some of them think I have Tink's wand and can get reservations instantly - don't I wish!

 

[MamaCrush]

I know what you mean about the too hot thing. We went over Labor Day one weekend and while the crowds were idea, the heat wasn't! But I really want one last getaway before school starts back, and we'll be staying for 7 days this time so we can take things more leisurely and maybe hit a waterpark and spend more time in the pools. Here's hoping they won't be too crowded!