November/December Stay

[ILovePixieDust]

Hi! We are planning our first trip to Disney World but not going until 2016.
We would like to rent DVC points to get a Savannah View Studio at AKL. I keep reading that the end of November and beginning of December are the busiest times for DVC even though the parks themselves may be quieter then. What is the likelihood of us being able to rent a DVC studio for 10 days over that period? Would be have better chances with a 1-bedroom? Would we be better off booking a room directly with Disney instead? THoughts?

 

[MAO]

Your best bet is to find someone well before the earliest your contact can make the reservation. For someone who owns at Animal Kingdom Lodge, that would be 11 months to the day of the start of your vacation. For a DVC owner who does not own at AKL, that would be 7 months to the day ... etc. etc. Starting out this early is great!

As far as studio vs. 1 bedroom, I'm not familiar with AKL so can't speak to which would be 'easier'. From the perspective of renting points, it should not matter (though it will cost you more $$$ for a 1-bedroom, as it will 'cost' the DVC owner more points.) Now that I think of it, though, it might be technically easier to get a studio simply because there should be more DVC owners with the smaller number of points needed for a studio available to rent. Note that "more DVC owners" might simply mean that, from a pool of 3 who have enough points for a 1-bedroom or a studio you jump to a pool of 5 who have enough points for a studio - in other words, there may or may not be a large difference in the number of people with enough points for either option. Of course, there may be fewer studios to be had in the resort -- again, hopefully you'll get some input from someone else with more AKL experience. ;-)

As far as better off -- it depends. Seriously. To get a room in a DVC resort from a DVC owner, you enter into a contract with them. Generally such contracts include such things as "pay some % up front which is completely Nonrefundable" and "Absolutely NO changes can be made to the dates" in addition to the normal issues people sometimes have with a timeshare, such as the fact that you will only get housekeeping services about 3 times during your 10 day stay. To get a room in a DVC resort from Disney, you enter into a contract with them. Generally such contracts include things as "pay some % by a certain date, all of which is refundable if you cancel before some short period of time before your initial dates" and "you can usually add or subtract days to the contracted stay" as well as the fact that you will get daily housekeeping during all 10 days of the stay. The difference in total price between the two is usually significant and that's why people look to rent from a DVC owner instead of directly from Disney.

So. #1 - are or will your dates be 'set in stone' prior to 11 months before your trip? #2 - if so, look to the Rent/Trade boards here on Disboards to try to find someone who is willing to make a reservation in your name at AKL. You should also peruse multiple 'middleman' sites such as the one you'll find known as "David's" that advertises on the Rent/Trade board. #3 - enjoy your trip, regardless of how you go about getting it set up!

 

[ILovePixieDust]

Thank you for the feedback MAO!

 

[graychef]

From experience, booking that time period should not be a problem. I was able to book three studios and one 1-BR the week between Christmas and New Year's...all Savannah view. There are a bunch of rooms at AKV.

But as MAO said, make a move early. The longer you wait, the less likely there will be availability.

 

[DenLo]

The OP is talking about the end of November and the first week of December, the dates that are usually fully booked by DVC members. Last year members were complaining that they couldn't get a room at the 7 month mark for those dates. I would suggest you find an AKV owner to book those dates. Studios fill up first at any DVC resort over 1BRs. You might have a better chance to get a 1BR. Standard views are harder to get as well. And if you want values or Club level these villas go quickly by AKV owners.

 

[drusba]

Owners of AKL can book there beginning 11 months out from date of arrival. If you can find an owner, or a service like David's (dvcrequest.com), that has AKL points and do the reservation 11 months out or close to it, you will have no trouble getting a savanna view room regardless of whether it is a studio or 1BR. As far as what usually gets filled first, it is studios, followed by 2BRs, and then 1BRs, but at 11 months out that will not be an issue.

If you cannot do it near 11 months out, things will be a lot tighter come 7 months out when owners of any resort can reserve there and that is when the 1BR could become your only option assuming there is one.

Note if you are choosing between a studio and 1BR, then i would recommend the 1BR, particularly at Kidani, because in comparison to the studio it is an order of magnitude better. The room is more than 3 times the size of the studio, has two bathrooms, living room, kitchen, long balcony and a comfort level way above the studio.