Only use DVC during premier and magic?

[Sora1978]

I have just started looking into DVC and I am a little concerned by feedback I have received about booking during peak travel times. I don't have much flexibility in when I could vacation and I can really only travel during school vacations but not over the summer. I have heard that it can be tough to get a popular room during peak times even at your home resort. Has anyone had any experience with that, good or bad? I know I would get more mileage out of my points if I went during the slower times but that isn't an option for us.

I can often plan my vacation far enough in advance to book at the start of the 11 month window. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DVCconvert]

So long as you buy where you'll want to stay, and book your stay right at the 11 month point to use your home resort advantage, in general you'd have no problem.

HTH

 

[drusba]

If you call 11 months out you should never have a problem. Problems develop only if you wait. What you will find is that access then becomes a factor of the time requested and type of room. For example: (a) if you want a Grand Villa or AKV Concierge you should always be calling exactly 11 months out to safely get one; (b) if you want Christmas time, the same for any rooms anywhere; (a) for time in two Easter weeks, you should also not wait much beyond 11 month window; (b) for other holidays, you can usually still get what you want 10 months out or even less; (c) certain classifications of rooms (other than just Grand Villas and AKV concierge) can go faily quickly after the 11 month window opens many times of year: BWV standard or boardwalk view, BLT standard or MK view, Treehouse villas, AKV value rooms. As to any of those I have mentioned you may even find them open at 7 months out but it is just a lot safer to reserve 11 months out to assure getting them.

 

[msp2mco]

I have rarely had a problem booking during March spring break or summer, and I have often not called until less than 6 months before check in. I have had problems booking what I wanted during the off season when the points are low--early December, January and October. If I had done it at the 11- or 7-month window, I don't think it would have been a problem. Regardless, I still got reservations.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

If by school breaks except summer you mean Spring Break and Christmas each year, you will find it challenging but not impossible. If you have a home resort at one of the larger resorts like SSR or OKW, you won't have a problem getting a room. If, however, you're at one of the smaller resorts like BWV, you'll need to be on your toes to get your requests in right at the 11 month point. With some pixie dust, you may be able to find something at the 7 month point if you want to try a non-home resort. But you should always book at home at the 11 month point to ensure you have a place.

 

[JeffT1976]

I agree....I have always had trouble making a reservation at peak travel times if I do not plan it out WAY in advance (like the 11-mo window).....DVC is not the best for those who can only travel at peak times and can't plan 1 year ahead.