No availability

[Laxmom]

Wilderness Lodge is the most popular one to get at Christmas from what I have read. We actually are thinking of adding on their just for this reason! I think a lot of people have had that same idea from what I am reading.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, but read it all the time. It is always so helpful and I also enjoy being connected with people that feel the way about Disney World as I do. Unfortunately I am writing to share my disappointment with a reservation request I made today. I called DVC Members today and tried to make a reservation for two studios for December 7 through December 12th and was told that all studios at all of the resorts were sold out for that week. I usually make my reseravations well in advance, but tried to hold off because I was going to try and get two studios at OKW or the Boardwalk standard view in order to save on points, as I am low. (I own at SS). The reason I waited was because in order to make these reservations I would have to borrow from 09, and once you borrow you have to use those points in the year that you borrowed them for and I do not plan on going until October 09 (which is my use year). I figured this was "slow season" and I wouldn't have a problem. I am so disappointed. I just can't believe that all of the studios are gone 7 months in advance.

You're joking, right? Those studios were likely gone 11 months in advance, not just 7 months. I book day by day for the first part of December and even then, I'm trying to add on a night for Dec 2. I've been on a waitlist since early 2008 for a two bedroom at AKV and I have little hope of getting it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Wilderness Lodge is the most popular one to get at Christmas from what I have read. We actually are thinking of adding on their just for this reason! I think a lot of people have had that same idea from what I am reading.

It is, and that's exactly why we own there. We booked Dec 3-8 day by day for this year.

 

[DebbieB]

This IS frustrating! My Mom called this morning, exactly 7 months from their check-out date and were told the only thing available for Dec 1-8 was a 1 BR at SSR. Their home resort is Wilderness Lodge and we love staying there, but this trip in December was not planned that far out and when she did call, at about 9 months out, there was nothing available there and she is on a waiting list.

My husband and I are currently awaiting ROFR on an Animal Kingdom DVC and we are hoping it goes through! We would stay there every vacation if we could so it will be nice to have the 11-month window. I'm sorry for your frustration - my Mom is frustrated too! This is their first trip with their grandson (He will be 16 months) and we are all so excited!

The first 2 weeks of December are one of the hardest times to get, probably #1 hardest. I've gone at that time and always booked day by day at 11 months.

 

[LilGMom]

Wilderness Lodge is the most popular one to get at Christmas from what I have read. We actually are thinking of adding on their just for this reason! I think a lot of people have had that same idea from what I am reading.

We are thinking of adding on at VWL too because we love that resort and I want that 11 month window!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Would you consider a 1 bedroom? I think even waitlisting for a 1 bedroom at either OKW or SSR will give you more chance than a studio anywhere. Studios are often more difficult to get anyway, and during this busy DVC time, a 1 bedroom might be your best bet, since they tend to be the easiest villa size to get late.

 

[DaveH]

It seems to me that 1 bedroom can be the easiest to get. The 2 bedrooms book up and a fair amount of the 2 bedroom lock-offs got to studio book and 1 bedrooms left. I just decided to do a long weekend the first weekend of June Thursday to Monday. I had several choices of resorts with 1 bedrooms. I wanted a studio to save points and just me. I was able to get a studio at OKW for Friday and Saturday nights only(higher points). To do the trip I had to take a 1 bedroom for the Thursday and Sunday nights. The first 2 weeks of Dec are great. Points are low, parks decorated and lower crowds. Also decent weather. This year we are going Thanksgiving week and the week after. We own at VWL and SSR. We have SSR for Thanksgiving week and VWL the week after. I am wait listed for Thanksgiving week for a 1 bedroom at VWL. I doubt I get it but I am trying.

 

[JudyS]

.... I usually make my reseravations well in advance, but tried to hold off because I was going to try and get two studios at OKW or the Boardwalk standard view in order to save on points, as I am low. (I own at SS). The reason I waited was because in order to make these reservations I would have to borrow from 09, and once you borrow you have to use those points in the year that you borrowed them for and I do not plan on going until October 09 (which is my use year).....

Welcome to the boards, Walt!

It takes a while to figure out how to get maximum usage of one's points. Here's what you could have done, just so you know if you run into this situation again: Book the two studios at SSR right at the 11 month window, even though you have to borrow some 2009 points. Then, at the 7 month window, try to switch to a resort with lower points. If it worked, you'd have some points leftover, but you could have banked the 2008 points into 2009.

At this point, I'd suggest waitlisting, as others have suggested. SSR is the most likely to have availability, followed by OKW. If your party can all fit into a one-bedroom, that would be your best bet. Unfortunately, the one-bedrooms at OKW technically only sleep 4 plus a small child, even though they're larger than the 3-bedroom house I used to own! I have heard rumors of Disney allowing a 5th person at OKW, but I doubt they'd go above that.

If you are generally planning to try to save on points, you would have been better off buying an OKW resale than buying SSR. You might want to consider eventually selling your SSR and buying at OKW; if you find a resale with banked points, you might even come out ahead financially.

AS other have said, that is a very, very popular time for DVCers. The points are low, the parks are in full Holiday mode, weather is usually nice in FL.

Early December books up months in advance, especially for the smaller DVC resorts. Phone hold times to Member Services can be ages, if you're lucky enough to not get a busy signal or get disconnected.

Right -- DVC follows a very different pattern than the hotel reservations.

Mid-December is not as busy as early December, if you can change your dates, Walt. I spoke to a DVC reservation agent about this, and she speculated that people are less interested in traveling right before Christmas than in early December, because before Christmas they are doing Christmas shopping and cooking, going to holiday parties at home, etc. I often travel the week before Christmas because I am a college instructor and generally have that week off. (Universities are processing grades that week, so if I get my grades in a little early, I can take off.) I generally find excellent availability, both at DVC and other places, right before Christmas.

You're joking, right? Those studios were likely gone 11 months in advance, not just 7 months. I book day by day for the first part of December and even then, I'm trying to add on a night for Dec 2. I've been on a waitlist since early 2008 for a two bedroom at AKV and I have little hope of getting it.

I don't think it's fair to expect the OP to know that the DVC would book up early for these dates. It takes a while to learn these things. Also, I doubt OKW booked up right at 11 months, although the standard views at BWV may have needed to be booked day-by-day.

 

[beccasmom]

If the waitlist is available, give it a try. We stayed at OKW last December 1-4 in a studio and one bedroom and were initially told it was sold out, but we were able to stay there after all; I guess someone cancelled. It is not hopeless! And yes, it is a very busy time - Pop Warner was there (although not staying at OKW) and there was some sort of Disney convention.

 

[Cruiser1969]

Mid-December is not as busy as early December, if you can change your dates, Walt. I spoke to a DVC reservation agent about this, and she speculated that people are less interested in traveling right before Christmas than in early December, because before Christmas they are doing Christmas shopping and cooking, going to holiday parties at home, etc. I often travel the week before Christmas because I am a college instructor and generally have that week off. (Universities are processing grades that week, so if I get my grades in a little early, I can take off.) I generally find excellent availability, both at DVC and other places, right before Christmas.

Hi!!

I'm a college instructor, too, and am hoping to go to Disney at the exact times you've mentioned for the exact same reasons!!!

It's quite an incentive to get all the marking done on time, isn't it?

It's good to hear those weeks are a little easier to get

 

[Inkmahm]

I don't think it's fair to expect the OP to know that the DVC would book up early for these dates. It takes a while to learn these things. Also, I doubt OKW booked up right at 11 months, although the standard views at BWV may have needed to be booked day-by-day.

He's new to the DIS board, not to DVC. According to his post he says he "usually" books well in advance.

 

[pilferk]

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum, but read it all the time. It is always so helpful and I also enjoy being connected with people that feel the way about Disney World as I do. Unfortunately I am writing to share my disappointment with a reservation request I made today. I called DVC Members today and tried to make a reservation for two studios for December 7 through December 12th and was told that all studios at all of the resorts were sold out for that week. I usually make my reseravations well in advance, but tried to hold off because I was going to try and get two studios at OKW or the Boardwalk standard view in order to save on points, as I am low. (I own at SS). The reason I waited was because in order to make these reservations I would have to borrow from 09, and once you borrow you have to use those points in the year that you borrowed them for and I do not plan on going until October 09 (which is my use year). I figured this was "slow season" and I wouldn't have a problem. I am so disappointed. I just can't believe that all of the studios are gone 7 months in advance.

Early December ranks right up with "Food and Wine" time for popularity with DVC members. Low point costs combined with the Xmas decorations and festvities make it a prime time for a family vacation. MANY owners call (like I did...for almost the exact time frame you were looking at) "day by day", 11 months prior, to make their reservations at their home resort for that time frame. They'll then try at exactly 7 months out from their checkout date, to "switch" to another resort if they're so inclined. What all that comes down to is exactly what you found out: Trying to book anything in early December means you have to book VERY early.

I'm sorry you're so disappointed. I know it stinks to not be able to get what you want, as a member. But there are a few times a year when you just can't seem to be able to book anything other than "very early". You could try waitlisting for that time period....lots of others have (you can check the waitlist thread to see how successful people have been...I'm not sure) and if you pick something like SSR or OKW (the larger resorts) maybe you'll have a chance of getting what you want.

Good luck!

 

[dclfun]

Isn't that also the week for Mousefest? Definitely try the waitlist and be prepared to stay at SSR. We waitlisted last year for that timeframe and that's the only resort that opened up. We weren't thrilled ( we own at OKW and AKLV) but ended up really having a wonderful relaxing visit at that resort. You can waitlist room types in order of resort preference and lots can happen between now and December. If you really want to be sure of having "something" then book a cash ressie at another WDW resort which can be cancelled up to 6 days prior w/o penalty.---Kathy

 

[Waltsworld]

Thank you all for your advice. I am currently on the waitlist for a studio. Hopefully it wil come through. I have been a DVC member for almost three years now and I seem to learn a new lesson with every new reservation.

 

[smsnorthup]

Here's wishing you lots of pixie dust!! I had a waitlist come through at VWL for the same time. I was waitlisted for a studio and happened to call one day to check on it and MS said they actually had a 1 bedroom, so I took it and stayed waitlisted for the studio and a couple weeks later they called and said the studio was available, but we decided that the 1 bedroom space was a good idea. The waitlist does work for alot of people and hopefully you will be one of them!

 

[crisi]

Thank you all for your advice. I am currently on the waitlist for a studio. Hopefully it wil come through. I have been a DVC member for almost three years now and I seem to learn a new lesson with every new reservation.

Now that you've found us, you can learn it before the reservation. You may have gotten the feeling that your problem may not be common knowledge outside the DIS, but here on the DIS, it is. So stick around and soak in the common knowledge! Next year, you can be the one thinking "I can't believe they didn't know that!"