Nov/Dec Room availability

[DemoBri1]

I am seriously considering a purchase at BCV, and would like to make a decision by the end of the month. I was all set to go ahead with the purchase until I saw some threads where it was implied that it was somewhat difficult to find accomodations at some of the more popular resorts, especially in the Nov/Dec timeframe. My family and I would be more willing to go at this time of year, and if there is such a hassle in obtaining accomodations I am not so certain that I want to take the plunge.

Anyone have any thoughts or experiences as to how easy or difficult it is to get a room at this time of year? Also, how far out did you have to book?

Thanks,

Demo

 

[LisaR]

Please do not let that thread discourage you from purchasing DVC. That thread really annoyed me, I'm sorry to say. Although the poster did seem to work things out he really didn't use DVC the way it was designed to be used.

There is plenty of availability if you can take the time and plan. If you are the type of person that wants to wait until a month before hand to book a vacation, then DVC is not for you. However, if you can plan your vacation 11 months or 7 months in advance, there should not be any problem. While DVC is wonderful because we don't have to waste our time searching for codes to get us the best discount, it still requires a bit of thinking on our part. If you know you want to go in Nov/Dec timeframe, then book your trip at the appropriate time and things will be fine. That doesn't mean DVC doesn't ever work for those that want to plan last minute trips. Availability can turn up at any time. However, it works at its best if you can do a little planning. You won't have any disappointment that way.

Lisa

 

[Richyams]

Seven months does not work.

You need to be able to plan so that you can make reservations at the eleven month mark during DVC's most desired times. Oct, Nov and Dec are those times.

That poster had just bought and did not have a chance to use the eleven month window. If you buy now, you will have a difficult time for this year.

You can't buy planning to use the seven month window. This is why we only have one thing that we all agree on.....BUY WHERE YOU PLAN TO STAY MOST.

 

[fkj2]

Later Nov and early Dec do book because of reasons already mentioned: cooler temps, lower point requirements and great decorations for the holidays.

I had no problems getting ressies at OKW although I was told the other day that all the WDW resorts have booked solidly for the first two weeks of Dec. Having said that, BCV continues to bring inventory online as it sells so although it may not be available now, space may yet be added; you should add your name to the waitlist. Also, some people may make a ressie not being certain they can actually get there but not wanting to be closed out either and find they have to cancel so the waitlist does work.

Just plan to take advantage of that 11 month booking window.

 

[kem330]

Because BCV is selling well, there is the possibility that more inventory will be available around Nov/Dec. I think you should talk to a guide and explain the situation- they could check availability for you and let you know. It is an extremely popular time of year for DVC, and you are past the 7 month window. But remember this will only happen this year and next year you will be able to plan ahead of time. It's a good idea to make reservations at the 11 month window, you can always cancel them up to 31 days before arrival and if you have time left in your use year- bank them or reschedule. If you can't get in this Nov/Dec, you could bank points into next year or use them for an exchange to concierge or disney collection.

 

[Carl]

I am the one who was having such a difficulty getting anything for the first week of December. I finally went ahead and exchanged my points for a booking at Contemporary Resort. I wouldn't want to do this every year, because I might want to make TWO trips in one year, and it takes so many points to get a hotel which is not one of the DVC resorts that there would not be enough left for another trip. I ended up borrowing 14 points from 2003-2004 use year to make my final reservations. I had 4 days reserved at CR at 28 points per day. Then I DID get the wait list I had in for Boardwalk Villa for 2 more days. Even then, I had to accept a preferred view studio and it was on the weekend, so it cost me 22 points per day even for a DVC resort.
Now, you can't totally base your decision on my experience because I was a chicken "cluck cluck" and did not wait to see if the wait list would come through for me for the entire period which I was wanting. I only gave it 3 weeks before taking the Contemporary Resort. It was only a few days after that when my two remaining days on the wait list did came through. Needless to say, next year I will make my reservations at the 11 month window. So, ask me next January what I think of DVC and I can give you a much fairer evaluation.
I would say that if you are purchasing NOW and want something for November or December 2002, you might be taking a chance. You COULD do what I was not willing to do and book regular reservations for cash and cancel them if the wait list comes through. Then, if the wait list does NOT come through, bank your points from this year.

 

[fkj2]

Can't you waitlist at DVC and cancel your ressies at the Contemporary if it comes through?

 

[kem330]

Not if you booked Disney Collection on points. Once transferred to this type of reservation, the points can not be put back into DVC accomodations. You could if you made a cash reservation with CRO

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by DemoBri1
it was implied that it was somewhat difficult to find accomodations at some of the more popular resorts, especially in the Nov/Dec timeframe. My family and I would be more willing to go at this time of year, and if there is such a hassle in obtaining accomodations I am not so certain that I want to take the plunge.

I don't want your concern to get lost or wrapped up in the other posters problem/concern that he experienced. If you know that you want to go in NOv/Dec and you use the 11 month window at your home resort, you should NOT have any problems getting what you want. If you wish to try out another resort other then your home and you call at the 7 month mark, you will PROBABLY get that also. However, it may take using the waitlist in order to accomplish this or changing the type of room you want, etc. I don't have any facts or figures to support this info only ACTUAL experience! And yes, you may get lucky and get something for that time of the year on a short notice. However, If that is the way that you tend to plan your vacations, then I would not purchase DVC. It works best when the 11/7 month windows are used. I also 100% agree to purchase where you want to stay the most. It doesn't mean you won't be able to try out the other places but you can make your ressie at your home resort at 11 months out and then try to switch at the 7 month window. If you get it, great. If you can't, it shouldn't matter because you hopefully love your home resort enough that you will still have a great trip.

If you plan on purchasing now and expect to get a week at a DVC resort for this Nov/Dec time frame, your chances are next to none. Keep that in mind if you go ahead with a purchase now. DVC is busy during that time of the year but it should not be a hassle to book if you plan a little.

Lisa

 

[dianeschlicht]

Keep in mind that this would only be a problem for THIS year since you will be only about 5 months out from the ressie. Most members make ressies between the 11 and 7 month windows when there is no problem at all.

 

[Carl]

Also keep in mind that WHENEVER you finally decide to purchase, there might be a problem getting something for Nov/Dec that FIRST year. But, everyone tells me that you/we will not have that problem in the subsequent years. And for that first year, while you are waiting to get the purchase completed, you could still book for cash for that first Nov/Dec. vacation, or even do what I did and wait list and/or trade out points for another resort. Lisa seems to think that I am trying to talk you out of purchasing. I am not. In fact, what I have demonstrated is that even in the worse case scenario I still got a good vacation booked for myself, and had I been more patient, might have gotten an even better deal.

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by Carl
Lisa seems to think that I am trying to talk you out of purchasing. I am not. In fact, what I have demonstrated is that even in the worse case scenario I still got a good vacation booked for myself, and had I been more patient, might have gotten an even better deal.

Carl,
I don't think you are trying to talk anyone out of purchasing into DVC. However, I believe it was your post that has made this person think that Nov/Dec was going to be a pain to book. You were so disenchanted with DVC because you couldn't get the exact ressies you wanted. I am glad things worked out for you but I don't want this poster to confuse your situation with the way things will be if he/she books at the 11 month window. Sorry if I sounded as if I was picking on you and your original post. Again, to both you and the original poster, book your Nov/Dec trips at your 11 month window and you will be happy DVC'ers!

Lisa

 

[erikthewise]

We joined very recently (have not yet closed), and the only opening at the 6-month point for 2nd week of December was OKW 1-bedroom. But we are also waitlisted at BCV and who knows, we may get it. In any case OKW is alright and we will undoubtedly be seeing a lot of BCV in the future anyway.

I understand your concern and think it *is* a serious one. It nearly made me change my mind about joining, and I wouldn't blame you if it did change yours. However I am very grateful for the people on this board giving the straight info so I could make an informed decision. The fact that the Nov-Dec Value season is very busy at DVC is counterintuitive, especially if you thought that the point charts reflected demand (obviously they don't). I would have been much more upset if I found out about this *after* joining!

In the future we will at the very least be able to get BCV, and can always try for one of the others at the 7-month point. I suspect things will work out OK.

 

[Carl]

"The fact that the Nov-Dec Value season is very busy at DVC is counterintuitive, especially if you thought that the point charts reflected demand (obviously they don't). I would have been much more upset if I found out about this *after* joining!"
Which is exactly what happened to me. That is why I was so upset until I finally worked something out for this December. From what I'm told, I will be very happy with DVC from now on.

 

[lsutigger]

And remember that sometimes the 7-month window is open at the other resorts that are not your home resort as others have mentioned. I made both of my ressies at the 7 month window, both were/are for Oct (I know not as popular as Nov/Dec) but had no problems. Each time I made my ressies it took about 10 - 15 minutes and I had what I wanted. I know it probably won't be like this always but for the first two times it has been great. This year I got a 1-bdrm at BCV, I was willing to take a 1-bdrm at OKW or VWL but got my first choice. It is all in the planning.
You should make the right decision for you and your family.