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[Waltsworld]

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.

 

[lilyv]

Might find more helps/tips from DVC people on their boards. Good luck, that must be frustrating. Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Sorry your first post had to be bad news. Keep trying, maybe someone will cancel. Or try to get a one bedroom (I don't know how many people you wanted to take). Good luck and buck up camper!

 

[ruzer28]

The first week in December is one of the busiest (if not THE busiest) week for DVC. Not sure why that week is so popular for DVC, but people are often waitlisted for months trying to get a reservation for that time.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Whoa, we own at SS and booked a studio 11 months out for Dec. 7-14th. We were going to try and switch resorts, but it looks like that's probably not going to happen now.

 

[LilGMom]

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.

We made 11/30 - 12/6 one bedroom ressie at the 11 month window at our home (SSR) but am hoping to get a one bedroom at VWL which we are now waitlisted for. I am learning that mid-Nov. thru mid-Jan. seem to be very popular with DVC members so that is why we booked at SSR even though we'd prefer VWL for that trip.

Good luck!

And Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[Luv4Disney]

We made 11/30 - 12/6 one bedroom ressie at the 11 month window at our home (SSR) but am hoping to get a one bedroom at VWL which we are now waitlisted for. I am learning that mid-Nov. thru mid-Jan. seem to be very popular with DVC members so that is why we booked at SSR even though we'd prefer VWL for that trip.

Good luck!

That's what we did since our advisor told us to always book your home resort as soon as you know just to make sure you get a room. At least we'll have a room, even though we wanted to try AKL.

 

[Disbound]

Although December is a very busy time, I wouldn't totally lose hope! I would keep on trying, lots of times people cancel for one reason or another and things open up. The last two times we have called for bookings, our first choice resorts were not available but became available a short time thereafter. Keep on trying!

 

[Lynne M]

You'll get a lot more comments back on the DVC boards, and you'll also find lots of useful information there that will really help you get the most out of your membership, and avoid disappointments like the one you just suffered.

The booking situation you ran into is often discussed on the DVC boards. 'Slow season' for WDW resorts is most definitely NOT the same as 'slow season' for the DVC resorts. If you want to stay at a DVC resort in December, you must book during the 11-month window, or book day by day as soon as the 7-month window if you're not booking your home resort. December is by far the most popular time of year for DVC members to visit. The smaller resorts (like BWV, VWL, and BCV) nearly always book up at 11 months.

Also, a standard view at BWV is really, really difficult to get anytime of the year, unless you own at BWV and can book in the 11 month window. Because the point cost is low, everybody wants them, and there are only a handful of standard view villas.

 

[safetymom]

Welcome to the DIS. I have moved your post to the DVC boards.

 

[Chuck S]

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.

 

[Waltsworld]

 

[Luv4Disney]

Also, a standard view at BWV is really, really difficult to get anytime of the year, unless you own at BWV and can book in the 11 month window. Because the point cost is low, everybody wants them, and there are only a handful of standard view villas.

Wow. We own at SS so I guess we're really lucky! We're staying at BWV in 2 days! I just called exactly at my 7 month window and we were able to get a studio standard view room. Phew. I didn't realize it was that hard to get.

 

[rellabee]

If you really want to go then, you should get on a waitlist. I wouldn't lose hope. There is still so much time between now and then.

Last November, we decided that we wanted to take a last minute trip for 3 nights during the 2nd week of December. I didn't think anything would be available at DVC, but called anyways. According to the CM, there was 1 studio available for my stay at SSR. Just because I like to torture myself and because I really wanted a resort closer to the parks for this quick trip, I waitlisted for BCV, BWV, and VWL. Then, about 2 weeks out from the trip, our waitlist for BCV came through!!!!

My point is......I probably shouldn't have found a room at all for that week, and the probability of a waitlist coming thru for one of the small resorts at the date I got on it was virtually nil.

Just have patience! I think that maybe since so many people say it's hard to get that time of year, that some people "hold" rooms for themselves to make sure they can go if they want to. Then when they know they can't, they drop the rooms.

 

[DebbieB]

Wow. We own at SS so I guess we're really lucky! We're staying at BWV in 2 days! I just called exactly at my 7 month window and we were able to get a studio standard view room. Phew. I didn't realize it was that hard to get.

Depends on the time of the year. Mid-May isn't one of the busy times for DVC. October through December are very busy.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Welcome to the DIS, Waltsworld. There are four DVC boards that you might want to frequent to find out more information. Sorry you didn't get your reservation, but you might try waitlisting for SSR or OKW for those times. Good luck getting something.

 

[crisi]

Depends on the time of the year. Mid-May isn't one of the busy times for DVC. October through December are very busy.

Though I wouldn't count on a BW Standard View being available any time. There are times when its more likely at seven months, and times when you have gotten VERY lucky if its available.

We book eleven months out at the Boardwalk and I always do my point planning both ways - hope for the best, plan for the worst.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would waitlist, probably at SSR, it's the largest and I think most likely to become available for you.

Bobbi

 

[Laxmom]

I think you might have been thinking it would be no problem because it is a slow time at the parks but as someone mentioned, it is the busiest time for DVC. Most people book at their home resort at the 11 month window and a lot do the day by day method just to be safe. I would definately do the waitlist. I have heard a lot of people having success.

 

[disneylaurie]

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!