Possibly a Stupid Question

[mupt02]

Has anyone had any problems with availability booking at a resort other than your home resort at around the 7 month mark? I know if I wait until too close, it could be harder, but what about doing it as soon as I can? Will I have trouble getting rooms (mostly we are looking at AKL Savannah view) at the 7 month mark?

 

[NewDCLGuy]

You will have no problems booking most rooms at most times of year at the 7-month mark. There are some rooms, and some times of year that can be tough. Savannah View at AKV is going to be available most of the year... December being the time you are most likely to have a problem.

EDIT - Not a stupid question at all. Some variation on it has been asked many, many times. If you search, you'll find lots of threads with details on the hardest rooms and times of years to book.

 

[hopare]

You should not have a problem unless it is a busy season such as Christmas or Easter etc. Savannah view I think you could get right at the 7 month mark but concierge level would be difficult. When are you planning to go?

 

[JimMIA]

The period from Thanksgiving through New Years is very difficult to book because of lower point costs, holiday decorations and events, school breaks, and DVC association meetings. Most experienced DVC owners book right at 11 months to get what they want during that period, regardless of resort.

Other than that, the most difficult period would be F&W at either of the Epcot resorts.

Some accommodations and views can also be difficult. BWV standard view is hard to book because of the low points cost. Grand Villas anywhere will be hard to book because of limited availability. And other scarce things like AKV Concierge Level or BLT MK view will be tough.

 

[Girlie1]

My family and I usually travel during busy times of the year (Thanksgiving and April break) because of school schedules for my DS10 and DS6. WE usually have trouble getting the more popular resorts (Like BWV and BCV). But this morning my 7 month window opened for our April 2011 vacation and I called right at 9 am. I could not get a full week at BWV or BCV and did not want to do a split stay. Instead we booked a savaanah view studio at AKL and the kiddos are very happy. When I called I was told that I had my choice for studios of Jambo or Kidani. So there is hope.

 

[jandbmom]

My family and I usually travel during busy times of the year (Thanksgiving and April break) because of school schedules for my DS10 and DS6. WE usually have trouble getting the more popular resorts (Like BWV and BCV). But this morning my 7 month window opened for our April 2011 vacation and I called right at 9 am. I could not get a full week at BWV or BCV and did not want to do a split stay. Instead we booked a savaanah view studio at AKL and the kiddos are very happy. When I called I was told that I had my choice for studios of Jambo or Kidani. So there is hope.

I canceled my BWV studio tonight at 5pm for 4/14-4/21. We have a one bedroom now at BCV.

 

[mupt02]

We are looking to travel in October next year (our first trip as a DVC member) and then future trips would either be late May/early June or October (most likely).

Glad to hear that I should be able to get what we want!

 

[charight]

I definately think the bigger resorts with more inventory such as SSR and OKW are much easier to gain access to at the 7 month window no matter what time of year you are planning to go. I was able to get a Studio at SSR for Easter week '08 in February - two months before!

 

[wildernessDad]

If you buy at one resort to book at another at the 7 month point, you may run into problems depending on when you want to go.

Also, resorts that look cheap purchase wise, may have high dues. Check the dues because over time, it's dues that drive the overall cost.

 

[jpolak]

We own at SSR and have only stayed there once. We have had no problem staying anywhere during anytime. Our waitlist for BWV for the first weekend in December even came in. Originally we booked OKW at the 7 month mark.

 

[addiln]

we have not had a problem with the 7-month window. the closer you get to your date the more difficult it will become. as long as you are somewhat flexible i don't see have a problem booking. the only thing you may have trouble with would be a savannah room or maybe a thv at ssr.

 

[Hopefully]

We are looking to travel in October next year (our first trip as a DVC member) and then future trips would either be late May/early June or October (most likely).

Glad to hear that I should be able to get what we want!

It may be difficult to reserve one of the Epcot DVC's (BWV and BCV) at the 7 month window for October, because of the F & W festival. We bought BCV just for this reason. This year I tried at 6.5 months out and all I could get was a 1 BR at SSR.
The old adage, buy where you want to stay applies for this time of year at the Epcot resorts.
Good Luck

 

[twinboysmom]

I don't want to rain on your parade but I was unable to get a AKL Savannah 2 bedroom last year in early to mid may and I called at the 7 month window. I have had better luck in early June but staying outside my home resort (ssr) during October has not been an easy time. I have gotten ssr and okw easily but not bcv, bwv, or vwl during October. Never tried Akl for October. I think sometimes it depends on what size unit you want as well. Not sure if you own now or not but if you do not, buy where you want to stay.

 

[6bowmans]

We are looking to travel in October next year (our first trip as a DVC member) and then future trips would either be late May/early June or October (most likely).

Glad to hear that I should be able to get what we want!

It can be hit or miss (as noted by other posters). A good technique I have used is to reserve a day at a time, exactly seven months before that day. I reserved a week in a 2BR at BCV in October that way (although it certainly may still have been available if I had waited until 7 months prior to our checkout date - never know). A good place to check on room availability is on the "Resort Reservation Availability" forum: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=168 Good luck!!

 

[csharpwv]

It is nearly impossible to book concierge level rooms at AKV-Jambo - there are very few rooms - all are two bedroom lockoffs from what I understand. And from another post I read - they are almost always booked as two bedrooms - leaving studios available very rarely.
But I'm not positive that's 100% true - however - I do know that when we tried to book them last year we had no luck for the first week of December.

No fun!

 

[charight]

Has anyone had any problems with availability booking at a resort other than your home resort at around the 7 month mark? I know if I wait until too close, it could be harder, but what about doing it as soon as I can? Will I have trouble getting rooms (mostly we are looking at AKL Savannah view) at the 7 month mark?

I think it also definately depends on the size and type of room you are looking for. Some resorts have a limited availability of 2BR's and GV's. If you are looking for just a studio I think your chances vastly improve. I know however that studios are not the most desirable if you have a large family.

 

[ocmommy]

I am an owner at GCV (and now Aulani) and didn't have a problem getting a 2 bedroom at AKV Savanna view in October at the 7 month mark for a week. I called EXACTLY at the 7 month mark. I'm a planner!

 

[Dean]

I think the 7 month window overall is more difficult that this thread has led you to believe. You can generally get something but it's becoming increasingly harder to get anything but SSR/OKW for about half of the year.

 

[jblrn2b]

If you don't mind staying anywhere, you can find a room. We booked OKW - I know it has a lot of rooms - in May for July. At first my boys were disappointed that it wasn't Kidani and then by the end of the trip we are big fans. Think it will be our summer DVC. I've never had a problem finding a room somewhere but it may not be our first choice.

 

[CMOORE185]

In my 10+ years of booking experience I have found that if you book right at 7 months you will have very little problem getting what you want where you want most of the time. Even during busy times.