Off peak times for DVC?

[Bertie131]

Do I just look at the points chart-- meaning less points is a less busy time for DVC--- or is there something else I need to know? Thanks!!!

 

[Dean]

Do I just look at the points chart-- meaning less points is a less busy time for DVC--- or is there something else I need to know? Thanks!!!

No, the points tables do not tell the entire story on availability. You can't assume that times that are cheaper are easier to get, often that's not the case. Plus it's a moving target and will likely continue to be. For example, early Dec is one of the most difficult times to get. You also can't take the non DVC Disney resort experience as a good guide either.

 

[Bertie131]

I see posts referring to off peak DVC times. What do you think they are referring to? I was thinking of taking a trip in the month of January. I wonder if that is good or not......

 

[LisaS]

Do I just look at the points chart-- meaning less points is a less busy time for DVC--- or is there something else I need to know? Thanks!!!

You would think that would be the case but it's not. For example, October is cheaper than May but October is more popular due to the Food & Wine festival among other things. May, particularly early May, is not that busy but is in the middle tier cost-wise, more expensive than October and way more expensive than early December which, as Dean said, is among the busiest times.

Among the least busy times are late January, early May and most of September.

 

[Dean]

I see posts referring to off peak DVC times. What do you think they are referring to? I was thinking of taking a trip in the month of January. I wonder if that is good or not......

Jan used to be easy but with the holiday weekend and other events, it's not as easy as it once was. You should be able to get into resorts at 7 months out most of the time but likely not high demand options like BWV standard view. The lowest times are generally going to be late Jan to early Feb, late April through May and Sept after the holiday weekend. The nature of timeshares are that they should be booked most of the time but there is some variability.

 

[crisi]

The thing with DVC is that the resorts book up year round - they sold enough points to book them, and that is what they do (unless people aren't using their points), so it really isn't a matter of how busy it is when you get there, but how fast it books up.

Traditional holiday times book up, but then you get surprises - early December books really quickly - low points and Christmas decorations. Food and Wine is very popular with DVCers. Events like marathons bring in a lot of DVCers. Weird "holidays" like Jersey Week when there are a lot of kids off school at a strange time.

January - once you are past the marathon - doesn't tend to book very quickly. September doesn't. June or August. But by a month out, even these times of year it can be difficult to find consecutive days in the same room type and sometimes people end up moving.

This is one of the reasons that we generally advise people DVC doesn't work great if you can't plan ahead. At eleven months out, you usually get what you want at your home resort. At seven months out, some rooms at some resorts at some popular times of year are already booked - and at six and a half months out - availability tightens further. Four months out and you won't have much choice in resorts for a lot of the year - and a certain times of the year DVC may already be completely booked. Two months out and you have to be very flexible to be happy.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney's goal of course is to be busy all year long. In addition to vacation dates that are popular due to holidays and school schedules, Disney is good at creating other busy times. MVMCP keeps getting longer and longer. F&G, F&W, Star Wars weekend, and now multiple marathons are all Disney created busy periods.

In addition, DVC rooms not booked by people on points are turned over to CRO for Disney's cash guests to book.

Bill

 

[Bertie131]

Do you know when the marathon is in January!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you know when the marathon is in January!

In 2013, Marathon weekend is Jan 10-13. And then there are other half marathons throughout the year.