Question about DVC December bookings...

[Maliki2]

We are looking at out first trip to our AKV in December of 2009. We are looking at the value time of the 1-14 (for 7 or 8 nights).

Our use year is December. Obviously we would be booking 11 months out.
We are looking at a 1br Savannah. I know AKV will be new. How is it at this time of the year at other DVC resorts? I want to bring my parents, and I'm a little worried about availability.

 

[DVC Mike]

December is a popular time for DVC owners to visit WDW. However, I think as an AKV owner you shouldn't have any difficulty obtaining your reservation, as AKV is the 3rd largest DVC resort (or will be by Dec 2009).

 

[Maliki2]

I keep coming up with more questions and more questions. I drove my guide nuts I think with the amount of questions, so I appreciate all the help.

So if my use year is December. We get our points on Dec 1st. Say I'm not booking till Dec 5th. Can I still say book for Dec 5th. On the Feb 1st. Or Must I wait until Feb. 5th. Thus making it 11 months exactly until I will be checking in?

Does that make sense?

 

[LisaS]

So if my use year is December. We get our points on Dec 1st. Say I'm not booking till Dec 5th. Can I still say book for Dec 5th. On the Feb 1st. Or Must I wait until Feb. 5th. Thus making it 11 months exactly until I will be checking in?

You can book your home resort 11 months prior to your check-in day. If you want to check in on Dec 5, 2009 you can call MS to book your trip on Jan 5, 2009.

With a December Use Year, a trip in Dec 2009 falls within your 2009 Use Year (Dec 1, 2009 - Nov 30, 2010) so your 2009 UY points can be used for that stay. If you will get 2008 UY points with your purchase and have no plans to use them during your 2008 UY (Dec 1, 2008 - Nov 30, 2009) then you can bank those points into your 2009 UY and use them for this trip.

 

[Maliki2]

You can book your home resort 11 months prior to your check-in day. If you want to check in on Dec 5, 2009 you can call MS to book your trip on Jan 5, 2009.

With a December Use Year, a trip in Dec 2009 falls within your 2009 Use Year (Dec 1, 2009 - Nov 30, 2010) so your 2009 UY points can be used for that stay. If you will get 2008 UY points with your purchase and have no plans to use them during your 2008 UY (Dec 1, 2008 - Nov 30, 2009) then you can bank those points into your 2009 UY and use them for this trip.

Thanks for the information. The first paragraph is what I was getting at. Wasn't sure if you had to book exactly 11 months "prior to check in" but you answered that for me. Once again thanks everyone!

 

[DebbieB]

You can call on January 5, which would be 11 months before and book up to 7 nights. If you want additional nights, you could call the next day for the 8th night, the next day for the 9th, etc.

 

[5forDiz]

As pps have stated January 5 2009 is the date you would call MS for reservation

beginning on December 5 2009 if you plan to book at your Home Resort;

you will be able to book 11 months in advance of your checkin date at your

Home Resort.

If you want to bank your December 2008 Use Year points into 2009 Use Year just be sure to call MS to bank those points by July 31 2009 at the latest or you will have no choice but to use those 2008 points during the 2008 Use Year which will expire on November 30 2009.

If you want to try for a DVC resort that is not your Home Resort then

you would call on May 5 2009 for reservation beginning on Dec 5 2009

( 7 month booking window ).

 

[Maliki2]

Thanks for the information. Seems like I have a new question daily!

 

[JimMIA]

Although you commonly hear that the period of Christmas - New Years is THE most popular time, I suspect early December is just as popular. All of the reasons why you want to go during that period are also true for another 100,000+ members, so it's a tough booking period.

If you know your dates for sure (or are pretty sure) I would book that ressie as close to the opening of the 11-month window as you can. Most people who are sure of their dates, who REALLY want to go during that period, will be on the phone early in the morning the day their window opens.

As Mike said above, AKV will be a large resort by the time you are ready to book...but keep in mind that AKV has many different categories of villas. For that reason, AKV may book like a small resort if you want something specific - like a certain view or budget points costs. Those premium bookings will go very quickly.