No room at the Inn!!

[Beca]

We have a vacation planned for Dec 8-14th. We just looked at one of my dh's "free tickets" from SWA and noticed that it expires on Dec 7th (of course...that's our luck). To remedy this, we decided we would just add-on another night at BCV . Well, guess what....there are already NO studios for Dec 7th!!!! Just over 1 month into booking, and there is "no room at the inn"??!!! We waitlisted, and I am pretty sure one night will become available between now and December....but, just color me "shocked"!!!

This is just one example of why I think people need to "buy where they want to stay"....I think it's just going to get harder in the future.



Beca

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, like you, I'm pretty sure that you'll get your night, but still. We DVCers really like that early December point chart!!

I called for a Standard studio for a Sunday and Monday for October less than 2 weeks into our 11 month booking time, and the Sunday wasn't available at first, it came through within 1 month.

I'm glad that you checked the date on the free ticket!

Bobbi

 

[poohbear7]

I booked the week of Dec. at the BWV 2 days past the 11 month window and nothing available. I had to waitlist for 3 nights. This hasn't happened before.
I think it's going to get harder and harder to book at 7 months at the smaller resorts.

 

[linzbear]

Now I'm curious.. what's the deal with the 7th?
We bought in to VWL a few weeks ago, and had to waitlist for the 2nd-8th nights. They've all come through so far, except for the 7th!

There's gotta be some conspiracy theorist out there that can shed some light on this

 

[LIFERBABE]

Beca, Im sure your 1 night will come thru.

This is classic for us and a great example of why buy where you want to stay is not a guarantee to staying home.

Having the 11 month window at 4 onsite DVC's, I run into your scenario at least once a trip. I book at exactly 11 months, and then something changes or I change I then have to waitlist or face moving (which Dh hates) by booking another unit or resort.

You own BCV, you are 10 months out, and you are only competing with other BCV owners and you still have to waitlist because your dates changed. My dates or unit choice tends to change over the course of a year too.

I think the ability to maximize the waitlist has helped me alot more than BWYWTS has to get exactly what I want.

Just another opinion on BWYWTS and why it is not an absolute and has its limitations.

The smaller resorts are also popular rentals (especially BCV) and that will increase competition in the 11 month window also.

I rented my points last year and both my renters wanted the same size units, in the same resort, in the same week. 2 totally different families at a time I would not normally use my points.

 

[Dis13]

I think this is my biggest fear of buying into DVC. What if I buy in and can't get into my home resort, even at 10 mos. out? It would drive me crazy knowing I could rent points from someone else for the week I want, but can't book it myself. Knowing some people are doing this to "make money," whether it be for another vacation, or to pay their dues, or because they've "gone into business," will irk me even more. Having to call day by day, perhaps not getting 1 day, or having to wait list one day... this would be much too stressful, for me at least, taking away from the "Comfort" of owning. Just my opinion though.

Why should I make this substantial investment, when I can get it cheaper, and most likely get the week I want, if I plan early enough, via rental. Or at least know I can definitely stay where I'd like via a cash ressie with an AAA or AP discount.

Maybe DVC isn't for me afterall... (but I'm still going to check out BWV and BCV in May, just in case! ) Maybe I'll look into OKW and SSR too. At least it seems there's always availability there. Donning flame suit now

 

[spiceycat]

Early Dec is very, very popular with DVC member and has always been - well at least since 95. In 93 and 94 I didn't notice a problem....

I am finally going back this year in Dec!!!!

So I hope you get what you want. However I would suggest be prepared to take any of the resorts... You can move and moving is easier than losing out of your deal....right????

 

[CarolMN]

I booked the week of Dec. at the BWV 2 days past the 11 month window and nothing available. I had to waitlist for 3 nights. This hasn't happened before.
I think it's going to get harder and harder to book at 7 months at the smaller resorts.

You had to be trying to get either a standard view room or a guaranteed Boardwalk view room.

I have a very hard time believing that all of the Preferred View rooms at the BWV were gone 2 days past the 11 month window.

Best wishes -

 

[CPer'sMom]

Does Disney "keep" some of the units to rent out via CRO? It seems funny that they would do this since the DVC is so popular and you who are owners can't always book when/where you want.

I was very surprised to be able to book a 2-bdrm for Christmas week through Disney. Hence, my question....

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think this is my biggest fear of buying into DVC. What if I buy in and can't get into my home resort, even at 10 mos. out? It would drive me crazy knowing I could rent points from someone else for the week I want, but can't book it myself. Knowing some people are doing this to "make money," whether it be for another vacation, or to pay their dues, or because they've "gone into business," will irk me even more. Having to call day by day, perhaps not getting 1 day, or having to wait list one day... this would be much too stressful, for me at least, taking away from the "Comfort" of owning. Just my opinion though.

Why should I make this substantial investment, when I can get it cheaper, and most likely get the week I want, if I plan early enough, via rental. Or at least know I can definitely stay where I'd like via a cash ressie with an AAA or AP discount.

Maybe DVC isn't for me afterall... (but I'm still going to check out BWV and BCV in May, just in case! ) Maybe I'll look into OKW and SSR too. At least it seems there's always availability there. Donning flame suit now

I guess this is why I cringe when the catchall advice to newcomers is BWYWTS. Even when the awesome deal was available for SSR last month. People are spending more money, getting less years than SSR and they could still end up on the waitlist at 10 months or at one of the larger Resorts. I would be peeved!

We love BCV, SSR, OKW and BWV, so we purchased all of them for the time of year we like to travel. That said, SSR has surpassed our expectations in what a large resort can offer and gives us great comfort and flexibility when plans change. We will never feel slighted to stay at SSR because availability was limited at one of our other homes. We actually chose to cancel our BCV Christmas/NYE ressie (booked at 11 months) after our waitlist for SSR became available for the same time frame.

My advice for potential members is look at all DVC has to offer. Use your 11 month home advantage, Understand and use the waitlist and have a healthy appreciation for OKW and SSR if you don't own there because these resorts will give you the most flexibility which is an advantage not a disadvantage.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Beca,

I'm sure that there's a nice, warm studio at SSR waiting for you. C'mon, one night won't hurt

 

[LisaS]

There is a big DIS meet planned for Dec 8th at Jellyrolls: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=980214 Last year that meet attracted about 50 DISers! Several people who have said they will be attending this year's meet are DVCers (myself included) and will be staying at BCV or BWV for ease of returning "home" after the meet. Most are arriving a day or two in advance so maybe that is contributing to the lack of availability at BCV on Dec 7th.

 

[Beca]

Beca,

I'm sure that there's a nice, warm studio at SSR waiting for you. C'mon, one night won't hurt

You are SOOO funny!!!! You know, it is DH who is "digging his heels in" on that one. But, now we are talking about maybe maybe "wasting" an airplane ticket....it's an interesting scenario to watch. Who am I kidding? That waitlist will come thru right at 7 months!!!



Beca

 

[slindamood]

I have gotten several last-minute reservations at BWV in December - meaning something opened up. Twice I called the day of the stay, and another was a week before (when we had been told that all was booked and no wait-list).

You will probably get in at the 7 month mark.

 

[Dean]

Does Disney "keep" some of the units to rent out via CRO? It seems funny that they would do this since the DVC is so popular and you who are owners can't always book when/where you want.

I was very surprised to be able to book a 2-bdrm for Christmas week through Disney. Hence, my question....

DVC reserves units to rent out with points they own and points given up by members for cash equivalent exchange options like DC, DCL & CC. I am under the impression that due to the high points, that Xmas week for DVC isn't as busy as some might think. But before xmas is very popular for DVC.

 

[CPer'sMom]

DVC reserves units to rent out with points they own and points given up by members for cash equivalent exchange options like DC, DCL & CC. .

Thank you for the answer to my question.

 

[Dis13]

I booked the week of Dec. at the BWV 2 days past the 11 month window and nothing available. I had to waitlist for 3 nights. This hasn't happened before.
I think it's going to get harder and harder to book at 7 months at the smaller resorts.

Poohbear, was this for a Standard or Boardwalk View, or was there no availability for a Preferred view either? Which week in December?

 

[Daitcher]

To Beca, Sorry you didn't get it without waitlisting. I certainly don't subsribe to the buy where you want to stay theory for the most part but it does apply if you must travel peak periods. December has become a peak DVC period. If you must travel peak times and must have a specific resort buy where you want to stay could apply to you. I've never been denied my 1st choice at less than 7 months. I also wouldn't accept a free trip to WDW in say a scholl break period. We'll see how it plays out down the road.

DAVE

 

[Shawn]

We have a vacation planned for Dec 8-14th. We just looked at one of my dh's "free tickets" from SWA and noticed that it expires on Dec 7th (of course...that's our luck).
Beca

You may want to call SWA and confirm that expiration date. Last fall they started extending the expiration dats on the free tickets from 1 year to 2 years. They added other restrictions on the use of the tickets, but the extra 12 months is a good thing.

I receive my free passes electronically and they are also noted in my SWA login page. On there they still say they expire at the old 12 month date, but when I phoned up SWA they confirmed that that is invalid information and that they are good for two years.

I don't know why it's taking them so long to get this updated correctly in their computer system, which is normally pretty good. It may be worth a call to SWA to see if your fee tickets expire Dec 7th of 2006 or Dec 7th of 2007. It should be 2007.

-Shawn

 

[DVCME]

I know this isn't an SWA forum but.

The Rapid Rewards tickets do expire in 12 months but the flight credits that you earn are good for 24 months so you can take up to 24 months to get enough credits for a free flight.

Its not well known but you can purchase a 12 month extension (reissue) to you RapidRewards ticket for $50. Check the FAQ on the RapidRewards page.
So you don't have to worry about wasting a RR ticket.