OMG! No VWL or BCV!!

[BraveMom3]

I can't believe there is no availabilty at VWL or BCV for May 27 through June 10. I've never had this problem before. We always stay 5 nights in a studio at VWL then on to a 1BR at the BCV for 9 nights. I didn't realize how far in advance I had been making our arrangements. Apparently I've been doing it in the Fall, but with the aftermath of Katrina, I did not think of it or just didn't stop and do it until now. I've made cash ressies at WL for the 5 nights (my children would DIE without their WL fix ), and got a 1BR at the Boardwalk. I hope they don't freak when they find out we won't being going to the BC. I'm kinda freaked myself, but then it may be a good thing to force us to try someplace different. We've pool-hopped to BW before and the kids loved it. Please tell me they are going to love staying there. I'm on the waitlist for BCV. Do many people have good luck with that?

 

[bullpup12564]

Sorry you did not get what you wanted. Did you try the waitlistalso for VWL? I have read it often comes through. I have only booked one time so far and it was for OCT. Everything I have read said that you should try to reserve at 7 months. I always thought it was overkill but I the more I read the more I think short of spur of the moment trips 7 months is the way to go.

 

[lovinthemouse]

I am sorry you did not get what you wanted. However, you will be at Disney. Your kids will still have a wonderful time. You never know your waitlist may come through. Good Luck!

 

[Daitcher]

I can't believe there is no availabilty at VWL or BCV for May 27 through June 10. I've never had this problem before. We always stay 5 nights in a studio at VWL then on to a 1BR at the BCV for 9 nights. I didn't realize how far in advance I had been making our arrangements. Apparently I've been doing it in the Fall, but with the aftermath of Katrina, I did not think of it or just didn't stop and do it until now. I've made cash ressies at WL for the 5 nights (my children would DIE without their WL fix ), and got a 1BR at the Boardwalk. I hope they don't freak when they find out we won't being going to the BC. I'm kinda freaked myself, but then it may be a good thing to force us to try someplace different. We've pool-hopped to BW before and the kids loved it. Please tell me they are going to love staying there. I'm on the waitlist for BCV. Do many people have good luck with that?

Are you serious? You are talking about 2 of the smallest DVC Resorts, 5 months out, over memorial day weekend no less. The chances you have are the waitlist and also that all unbookes inventory from DVC goes to CRO at 60 days I believe. I hope it works out and I'm think there is a very real chance it will. You might want to plan further ahead next time.


DAVE

 

[Deb & Bill]

We tried to get BCV, studio or one bedroom last January for the first week of June. Everything was reserved for the week we wanted. We wound up at SSR instead. But the day we were supposed to check out of SSR, we found out we wouldn't be able to go to the resort we planned in Gulf Shores AL (Tropical Storm Arlene was hitting), so we called DVC to see if we could stay someplace at WDW instead. We wound up getting a one bedroom at BCV for three nights. It was the weekend, so our points were higher, and we were only there for the three nights. That might have been part of the ease in getting the new reservation.

 

[Olaf]

I made my ressies for a Memorial Day Weekend holiday May 2005 on 7 Feb of last year. We were in a 1-bedroom at the BCV from 21-29 May. VWL is our home resort and I remember enquiring about that and Member Services said it still had plenty of rooms left. I guess this is what people have been talking about with regards to availability as of late.

 

[loribell]

Good luck with the wait list coming through. If it is meant to be for you to stay there then it will. On the other hand, if not then just know you were supposed to stay at the BWV's. I want to stay there at some point but have not made it yet.

This Christmas will be the first time I have been able to stay at our VWL's since my very first trip. The family is always wanting to try one of the others. On our last trip I informed them that we were staying at VWL no matter what.

Good luck and I hope that everything is okay for your family and Katrina did not do much damage to you. It really is understandable that you forgot about making those reservations.

Lori

 

[gppnj]

I can't believe there is no availabilty at VWL or BCV for May 27 through June 10. I've never had this problem before. We always stay 5 nights in a studio at VWL then on to a 1BR at the BCV for 9 nights. I didn't realize how far in advance I had been making our arrangements. Apparently I've been doing it in the Fall, but with the aftermath of Katrina, I did not think of it or just didn't stop and do it until now. I've made cash ressies at WL for the 5 nights (my children would DIE without their WL fix ), and got a 1BR at the Boardwalk. I hope they don't freak when they find out we won't being going to the BC. I'm kinda freaked myself, but then it may be a good thing to force us to try someplace different. We've pool-hopped to BW before and the kids loved it. Please tell me they are going to love staying there. I'm on the waitlist for BCV. Do many people have good luck with that?

OK, I have to ask: Where do you own?

 

[dianeschlicht]

With the great influx of new members the past two years, those two smaller DVC resorts are going to see this happening more and more.

 

[BraveMom3]

I own at VWL and Saratoga Springs, but as I said, I just didn't realize the importance of booking so far ahead for May/June. It's not usually that crowded then. Oh well, I'll be on my toes this Fall hopefully! Can't wait to tell my children and see their reaction - they may surprise me.

Loribell - Thanks for your concern. Our home did not suffer too badly, but our business was out of commission for about 3 months. We're about to get back to normal - at least if we don't look around at the area that is!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Are you serious? You are talking about 2 of the smallest DVC Resorts, 5 months out, over memorial day weekend no less.

I think Memorial weekend is the culprit. I've gotten BCV at less than 60 days out during the summer and VWL at 3-4 months out during the summer as well. As someone already mentioned, I think, with these being the 2 smallest resorts, we will be seeing more and more of this. I think your kids will love the BWV. Maybe you can plan a meal or two or perhaps a day of pool-hopping over to the WL to alleviate your childrens' VWL withdrawl ? ONly thing is, I wonder if this weekend will be a blackout for poolhopping since it's a holiday ? I wouldn't stress over it. I'm sure you all will have a wonderful time.

 

[Sammie]

Are you serious? You are talking about 2 of the smallest DVC Resorts, 5 months out, over memorial day weekend no less. The chances you have are the waitlist and also that all unbookes inventory from DVC goes to CRO at 60 days I believe. I hope it works out and I'm think there is a very real chance it will. You might want to plan further ahead next time.


DAVE

Are you serious?
She said she usually books earlier; but she went through a major hurricane, gee maybe she was distracted.

To the OP, for me personally I would book SSR and not even worry about the others. It is a great resort with a really fun pool.

 

[athenna]

Are you serious? You are talking about 2 of the smallest DVC Resorts, 5 months out, over memorial day weekend no less. The chances you have are the waitlist and also that all unbookes inventory from DVC goes to CRO at 60 days I believe. I hope it works out and I'm think there is a very real chance it will. You might want to plan further ahead next time.


DAVE

Umm, did you happen to actually read the OP? I think hurricane Katrina was foremost in her mind at that time.

 

[loribell]

Bravemom3 so glad to hear the home didn't suffer to badly and more importantly you were all safe. I hope everything with the business is is pretty much back to normal.

I can't imagine what it is like to see that every day. It bothered me to think of the damage to places I had visited and enjoyed. I remember on our very first trip to WDW with the kids back in 93 staying a night in a hotel on the gulf, I think it was the Biloxi Belle and of course we visited the USS Alabama a few times. How are things in the area now?

Hope you continue to do well. Just to hopefully ease your mind a little, I live just a couple of miles from the area that the big tornado that did so much damage to in Oklahoma in May of 99. Things were completely wiped out. I now drive through there several times a week and it is better than ever. Things will eventually return to normal for your area as well.

Best wishes,
Lori

 

[BraveMom3]

Loribell-Thanks for your good thoughts. My family and I were very blessed considering the impact of this disaster. As far as how the area is doing, anything that you ever went to that was on the beach, is no longer there as well as much of what was a couple of blocks off the beach. It can be extremely depressing and I know it is going to take many years for a significant change to show. Debris trucks are still running 24 hours a day. "They" say we will come back bigger and better, so I hope for that. Meanwhile, I can't wait to get away for a nice breather at my favorite break from reality - WDW!! BTW, I told the children about our change of plans when we were leaving school today. As soon as we got home they started checking out the pics of the BWV (even though we have been there to visit) and looking for information about the Community Hall.

 

[LisaS]

Bravemom3, I can't imagine what your life has been like since Katrina. I hope you have a wonderful trip, wherever you end up!

 

[Dean]

With the great influx of new members the past two years, those two smaller DVC resorts are going to see this happening more and more.

As many of us have predicted, certain resorts will become harder and harder to get over the next 5-10 years, it is inevitable.

 

[Valentine]

I was waitlisted for NYE and the first week of January and all of my dates finally came through... albeit at the last minute.. but hey... so what!! I still got em.. so.. I am now a firm believer in the waitlist system.. It does work! Yeah.. it's a little iffy.. but as long as you have a backup reservation and make sure you can cancel them BEFORE you confirm your DVC then you are good to go!

Good luck! and I am happy to hear that you and your family came through Katrina okay! Every day is a gift!!!

Kathy

 

[Dean]

I was waitlisted for NYE and the first week of January and all of my dates finally came through... albeit at the last minute.. but hey... so what!! I still got em.. so.. I am now a firm believer in the waitlist system.. It does work! Yeah.. it's a little iffy.. but as long as you have a backup reservation and make sure you can cancel them BEFORE you confirm your DVC then you are good to go!

Good luck! and I am happy to hear that you and your family came through Katrina okay! Every day is a gift!!!

Kathy

The wait list will become more important over the next few years as well. Those that learn how to get to the top of the list consistently will be far more successful as will those who learn how call and get the units that others will not.

 

[Cinderella]

I would waitlist for what you want. A couple of weeks ago, I booked VWL two bed for May 26th for 8 nights, and I only just changed it on Wednesday gone, I think for May 24th for 8 nights. It may be that you only just missed out. I would call back and see what is available. Maybe it will be that it is only a couple of nights you are waiting for.

I am sure BWV will be great but, it's a shame you are having to pay cash at WL, so maybe you could waitlist those nights. As others have said - other resorts - ssr and owk are also great - maybe you could consider one of them. I was a die hard WLV fan, but added on at SSR and love it. Plus the pool there is really nice and the slide would be great for your kids.

You'll have a great trip wherever you stay. I wanted WLV in December - and waitlisted and kept calling, but I ended up staying at SSR and it was fantastic. I was so glad that being unable to get my home resort allowed me to experience this wonderful place. Have a great trip.