Question for you DVC vets

[jollymon2]

Hi all,

Still thinking about buying DVC, but I have a quick question for all of you DVC veterans out there. Here is a little backgroud about us before I give you the question. I truly don't see us planing anying 11 months in advance. In the past we usually decide to go on a trip about four months ahead of our actual trip date. I know all about resale vs. direct from Disney, and obviously if we aren't the type to plans 11 months in advance, home resort doesn't make a whole lot of difference to us. Because of this, SSR obviously seems like the better deal with the extra years and the $10 off right now. My question is this: if we really don't care which resort we stay at (heck we're at Disney, we'd be happy anywhere) what are our chances of getting a room (either a studio or 1br) at say the four month mark. I know that depends when we will be traveling, which would most likely be during school vacations. Let's just say we go for Christmas the most...what are the chances of getting a room at that time anywhere (not VB or HHI)? Thanks for your help.

 

[PamOKW]

Chances are probably pretty good of getting "a" room at WDW when you aren't picky about which resort. Sometimes you might have to spend some time on a wait list to get some or all of your dates but this could clear in a matter of days.

Throwing in Christmas Week could be the kicker. This is generally very tricky to book as is the first week of December (low points, holiday decorations and very often groups of Internet people holding meets). I wouldn't say it couldn't be done but there could be years when you were disappointed -- especially if you wanted to spend New Year's Eve.

While you say you don't tend to plan, you may find yourself falling into a rough pattern of vacationing. If you find that you spend two March vacations at WDW, the next year you might want to go ahead and book that week. It's always easier to cancel and reschedule than to try to book popular times.

 

[Doctor P]

Christmas is a very busy time, and many DISer's report being waitlisted for several days for Christmas for several months. However, if you don't mind waitlisting, don't mind switching resorts (possibly several times during your trip), and don't care where you stay, my guess is that you would be able to piece together a stay even at Christmas time. But the sooner you try to book, the easier it will be. If it were I, I would book at the 11 month mark if there was ANY chance you would want to go since you can cancel up to 31 days in advance without having your points going to "reservation status."

 

[Patsy1969]

We were not great planner of future vacations - until we became DVC members! We great great fun out of planning now, it makes vacations seen not so far apart. We have always had great luck with getting our dates. We have never be sorry about buying. Patsy

 

[Disney Doll]

In genral, since oyu're not too fussy about where you stay, chances are you'd probably always be able to get a room somewhere, or maybe in 2 separate resoerts, necessitating a move somewhere in your trip.

That Christmas week thing could be tough on short notice though.

 

[StormalongKay]

I second Patsy's opinion. Before we joined DVC, we would often go on the spur of the moment and just take whatever resort was available. Now we know based on the points we bought we'll be going about once a year and we still have fun planning it out. I think it has something to do with the frequency and I think to myself now I have the luxury of planning different trips to see Disney at all different times of the year - and from all the 5 home resorts!! so you may find your vacation planning habits change once you're in!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by PamOKW
While you say you don't tend to plan, you may find yourself falling into a rough pattern of vacationing. If you find that you spend two March vacations at WDW, the next year you might want to go ahead and book that week. It's always easier to cancel and reschedule than to try to book popular times.

I agree totally with Pam's statement.

Here's the problem I see--you said that you don't like to plan more than 4 months in advance. Yet you have also made it clear that you don't have many options for travel (Spring Break, Summer and Christmas.) Setting aside the issue of whether or not there will be a room available, I'd be more concerned about the possibility of you losing points because you don't use or bank them.

You only have the first 6 months of your Use Year to bank points. If you leave your points unbanked on the presumption that you might get around to planning a trip, those points could simply be forfeit if you never do plan that trip.

If you don't forsee yourselves reaching a point where at least 6-8 months of advance planning is possible, then I'd just forget about DVC. Chances are you'll frequently lose points that are not used, and that will negate the value of purchasing DVC in the first place.

 

[Dean]

I would concur that those that think they can't or won't plan at least 7 months out, frequently end up doing so after they buy. IMO, anyone that can't plan at least a full 7 months out would be better off not buying. But if you did buy, it boils down to where you want to stay. If you truly want to rotate around and don't plan to use the 7 month window, it doesn't matter which home resort you buy. I'd still recommend buying an onsite resort unless you want to use the off site option part of the time. Reason being is noted above, that you'll likely move to booking farther out later on.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You should not have any problems getting some room some where at 4 months but the problem like others have said is that you have already passed your banking date for getting full point value when banking. You will as a general rule have points to bank after making a reservation at the 4 month period. The way things are going here with so many people buying into DVC that really do not have the money to do so, there is going to be a situation where you will be able to rent points anytime you wish and probably at very low rates. I would suggest to you to rent points if you want to stay at a DVC resort and do not become a member, your 4 month situation is the reason.

 

[spiceycat]

I have gotten spring break in January, the only time I have gotten really late if the Dec 1-14, or Thankgiving week.

So Christmas is finally popular?

when did this happen.

last time I looked - DVC and done away with the in advance program (which the system still seems to think is there - reason why they can't make reservations immediately) - and treated it like everyone else.

in the early years of DVC - they had decided that Christmas time would be the favor time for DVC members - (remember it is the more expensive time by far) - so they set up an lottery - this for 18 months before you could put your name in this lottery - then the lottery would choose who got what - BUT - the lottery was never really needed.

so a couple of years ago DVC did away with it.

this to me does not sound like great demand.

I mean seriously do you want to be there when 125,000 other people are in MK too..... I don't.

Summer months have never been a great demand for - those you should be able to get. - but remember it is down right HOT and humdity at WDW in the summer.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I agree w/spiceycat. I would never stay at a DVC resort during Christmas week because of the huge point requirements and the crowds...almost twice as many points to stand in line for hours. Kudos to those of you that have the patience (and the points), I'm sure you're creating lots of great holiday memories -- please don't tell my kids.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Hi!

This year I stayed for a week during the week of July 4th. We stayed in a studio at OKW for a couple of days and then a 1BR at VWL for the rest of our stay. I made this reservations within 4 months, no problem. I have reservations during the week between Christmas and NY (2BR) at SSR. I made these during the month of August. I do have preferences at to which resorts, but, in the end, I am very flexible because we love ALL the resorts! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that even the busiest of times can be done within a shorter time than 11 months. In the years that I've owned DVC, I've NEVER booked 11 months in advance and rarely before 7 months. I have had to waitlist for a few of the days before, or stayed at 2 different resorts, but Disney makes the switch as painless as possible! And we look at it as a chance to experience another resort! Anyway, everyone is different!

Kim

Did I mention that I LOVE DVC?????

 

[Pluto4Pres]

Stick to the board mantra - "Buy where you want to stay." Then you'll never be disappointed. There are resales available at every resort if you are patient.

Your situation sounds flexible. OKW and SSR are (or will be) the biggest resorts and are the most likely to have short term availability. If you are happy with either of those buy one. OKW resales are more plentiful and reasonably priced. The room size and point cost per room also make OKW a good value. You should consider this option and compare before buying SSR from Disney.

The people who are the most unrealistic are the ones who say, "I don't like SSR, but I'll buy it and trade for my favorite place - resort X." Sometimes those trades can work out, but it's a real crapshoot.

I also think that if you join the program, you'll find yourself going along with the 11/7 month strategy. Especially if you want school vacation or holiday times. Disney trips are better when you have a plan, (I always recommend the Unofficial Guide). 4 months to 11 months is not that long. Most members start planning their next trip when they get on the plane at MCO to head home.

Good luck with your decision!