No problem booking 7 months Ressies - June '07

[Hibernians]

I'm always reading about ppl asking about the chances of getting ressies at the 7 month window; this was my first experience attempting this and it worked out pretty well. Our home is SSR but this time we wanted to try one of the other resorts and we were hoping to get into BWV or BCV.

I called MS yesterday (Dec 1st) and was told that there are plenty of 2BRs at VWL,BWV (preferred view) and even some at BCV. BWV did have some standard views available but not for 7 consecutive nights. I did not inquire about OKW and SSR but you must figure there would be availability given their size.

We ended up doing 7 nights at BCV; we had to split the reservation because even though its a 2BR; the rooms are not the same; one room has a queen and sleeper sofa in the 2nd bedroom (we have this for 2 nights) and the other ressie is 5 nights with 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom. Neither room was available for 7 consecutive days. We asked to waitlist the 2 nights so hopefully we won't have to check in/check out during the vacation, even though its the same resort.

Now, if the weather will cooperate and stay under 100 degrees

 

[CarolA]

I don't know why, but it seems to me that you did have a problem. You don't have the same room for all 7 nights? To me that's not getting what I wanted! If you don't clear the waitlist it's not just "checkin/checkout" it's pack and unpack!

 

[DBBN]

I wouldn't worry about the waitlist this far out even if there aren't very many 2 bedrooms with the 2 queen beds at BCV. Is your waitlist set up as day-by-day automatic confirmation? Have you considered waitlisting for the 5 nights for the 2 bedroom with the sleep sofa in addition to the 2 nights you have already waitlisted? Waitlisting for both types 2 bedroom villa would certainly reduce the possibility of the waitlist failing to clear, requiring you to move mid vacation.

I would call MS occasionally to check on the progress. I believe the current procedure they employ to manage the waitlist is flawed unless you call from time to time.

Good luck.

 

[jjohnson]

I started calling day-by-day last Sat for a 2brm at BWV 6/24-6/29. Std and BW view gone, of course. MS told me there were very few pool view left. I ended up getting all 5 nights by the end of the week, but my stomach was in knots each morning. I'm back to my home resort next trip. Too much stress.

 

[Hibernians]

by no problem I meant that there is still availability at those resorts and as of yesterday, there were 7 consecutive nights at VWL and BWV (preferred) for a 2 BR.

I'm not upset about having the possibility of switching rooms during our stay; I welcome it as an opportunity to try out 2 rooms & 2 different views at BCV.
I'm just glad that I get the chance to stay at this resort; I really didn't expect to get in, so I'm looking at it from a "whew, what a relief" perspective.

We fly in on Sunday afternoon and we use the Magical Express so our luggage won't be sent to out rooms for several hours later and by that time we will already be out at one of the parks - so the reality is that we won't be seeing out luggage until we go to bed Sunday night. Knowing that we will be checking into a different room on Tuesday, we will be doing minimal packing and unpacking on Sunday/Monday.

Had this been a Wednesday or Thursday; then it would be very painful but a Tuesday will be pretty painless; especially when you can plan for it.

 

[Desnik]

Well good for you! I'm glad you were able to get what will work for you and your family. I have had luck booking many times at the 7 month window. And if you are alittle flexible you can get close to what you want. 2 days ago I was able to get exactly what I wanted. A 1 bedroom at the BW for the end of April! So, it is 4 months away and I was able to get it!! Can't wait!!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

I had luck in the past week for 2 different resorts we wanted at the 7 month window! I was able to get us in a 1 bedroom at Vero Beach for june 24-27 and then a studio at BC for June 27-30 which is exactly what I wanted! I didn't call day by day just called at 7 months from check out day. We are very happy and excited about staying at both of these, we stayed at VB 5 years ago in an inn room and are excited to be going back and we have always wanted to stay at BC, we finally get to swim at Stormalong Bay !!!!!

 

[Doctor P]

Never mind. I misread the OP.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm heartened to know that there was a 2 bedroom with the 2 Q's available at all at the 7 month level. If we ever go to BCV as an extended family, that would be the one we would be after. We can get them at VWL because we have points there, and our other home, BWV doesn't have any.

Bobbi

 

[Slakk]

Well good for you! I'm glad you were able to get what will work for you and your family. I have had luck booking many times at the 7 month window. And if you are alittle flexible you can get close to what you want. 2 days ago I was able to get exactly what I wanted. A 1 bedroom at the BW for the end of April! So, it is 4 months away and I was able to get it!! Can't wait!!

Me too! We just switched our BCV/SSR trip to a VB/BCV at 6 months with no problem....I wanted SSR but DS had been promised SAB and trying to do 3 resorts in 9 days seemed much.

I am becoming less and less of a believer in buy where you want to stay since I never travel during Christmas or care about F&W.

 

[starbox]

I am becoming less and less of a believer in buy where you want to stay since I never travel during Christmas or care about F&W.

I don't travel during Christmas or F&W either - but I'm not a believer in "buy where you want to stay" because I want to stay in four different resorts regularly!

We've had very good experiences with 7-month booking and the waitlist. IMHO, the 11-month window is only a factor when you are dealing with a family with a great preference for one resort combined with an actual dislike of other resorts, and very specific and unflexible, non-negotiable travel times/needs.

 

[Dean]

I'm always reading about ppl asking about the chances of getting ressies at the 7 month window; this was my first experience attempting this and it worked out pretty well. Our home is SSR but this time we wanted to try one of the other resorts and we were hoping to get into BWV or BCV.

I called MS yesterday (Dec 1st) and was told that there are plenty of 2BRs at VWL,BWV (preferred view) and even some at BCV. BWV did have some standard views available but not for 7 consecutive nights. I did not inquire about OKW and SSR but you must figure there would be availability given their size.

We ended up doing 7 nights at BCV; we had to split the reservation because even though its a 2BR; the rooms are not the same; one room has a queen and sleeper sofa in the 2nd bedroom (we have this for 2 nights) and the other ressie is 5 nights with 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom. Neither room was available for 7 consecutive days. We asked to waitlist the 2 nights so hopefully we won't have to check in/check out during the vacation, even though its the same resort.

Now, if the weather will cooperate and stay under 100 degrees

I think you supported the other side. No one room at BCV or SV or BW view at BWV for the time you needed. Was it the last week in June? If not, it's not really in the higher demand time. Regardless, most people who plan ahead and are flexible will still be successful.

Make sure you wait list day by day so that if only one day comes up, you'll get it. Else they will bypass you and give it to someone else. Since there are only 25 of those rooms and BCV is a smaller option anyway.

 

[EdDome]

I tried to book a 2-BR unit the last week of June at either BCV or BWV at the 7 month window and neither were available for consecutive nights. I booked at VWL and requested a waitlist. We're already changing resorts once, from OKW, and would prefer not to move a third time.

 

[StevBetNic]

We were able to book a STD 1 bedroom at BWV last week for the week before Memorial day. That's just 5.5 months out for a standard view! When I called they also had the week after Memorial day avaiable for the same room.

 

[purpliequeen]

Yay, Hibernians!

Glad to hear you had no problem getting a 2bdr. We were also anticipating having a hard time booking into a 2bdr at BCV. When we called- exactly on the 7 months out, our CM also told us that there was plenty of availability- we were shocked. I understand completely how you feel about the whole relief thing. We were able to get the exact room (in terms of bed type) that we wanted so I'm looking forward til June! Good luck with your waitlisting.

Raina

 

[pjshaff]

We reserved a 2Br/2Queens at BCV on 11/8 for our trip from 5/28 - 6/1/07, using our SSR points. I was very excited about this as the 2 queens is for the other side of the family and we really wanted to stay either at BCV (for SAB) or BWV (if we couldn't get what we needed at BCV). Now I just have to get ADR's set up, the 180 day point was 11/29, I believe.

 

[PantherFanStan]

Add us to the those who've had no problems getting (at least what I think are) prime resorts during prime times.....VWL for the last two Thanksgivings and BCV for the last two Spring Breaks (the last Spring Break even coinciding with Easter week). I'm sure it will only get tougher with time and more SSR, AKL, etc. sales.....but with smart use of our points, understanding the booking rules, and techniques learned here, we have been very successful -- or maybe just very lucky. In any case, we've been very happy!

Stan

 

[photobob]

I got BWV for June at the 7 month window for a 1 BDR. My friends who are VB owners have never had problems getting in BWV or VWL.

 

[jjohnson]

When is everyone going is June? We arrive the last week of June when many schools have just closed for the summer. I'm wondering if this is the difference with availability.

 

[mom2rb]

We are going June 2-12. I Called at 7 months and had my choice of any resort. We went with VWL for 4 days and BCV for 5 days. We will be in a studio because I am out of points. After this trip we will have stayed at every onsite DVC.