Question

[donldisney]

I am considering purchasing DVC and have concerns on availability. I would not likely travel during peak times but would like any feedback from owners if they ever had problems making reservations for when they wanted to go. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[janiejo]

Don, most people will tell you that DVC works best for people who plan ahead. Meaning, you can book your reservation 11 months ahead at your home resort. We have NEVER had a problem booking and getting what we wanted when booking at the 11 month window. I have even been successful with booking reservations at 7 months out, 5 months out, and even 3 months out. However, if you are trying to get a reservation during busy times, you will run the risk of not getting what you want if you wait to book. Last year, we decided in early October to go during Thanksgiving. I could not get anything at BWV or OKW. I did, however, get a great AP rate and stayed at WL. There have been people who waitlisted during peak times and have been successful. So, depending on your planning style, DVC can work for you! We have not regretted our decision to join!

 

[Granny]

The 11 month reservation window for your DVC home is why it is so important to buy where you want to stay most.

I've made two reservations at the 11 month mark for the heavy summer season and had no problem getting what I requested.

donldisney.....by the way, I see this is your first post....WELCOME to the DVC DisBoard!!

 

[sunking]

hey donaldisney....
welcome to the boards...
i have just gone thru the process of purchasing dvc...when i called and left my deposit i was able to make reservations for a trip in february that we wanted to take...now, keep in mind, this is about 60 days out...they did not have anything in our home resort (vwl) but we were able to find something at okw....
good luck....
sunking

 

[Mickbee]

We were able to make reservations in mid-July for mid-August at VWL and reservations for 13-17Dec in September. The December reservations took a bit of work and date shuffling, but we got almost what we wanted without a waiting list.

We tend to plan our trips and we were not planning to return until July '02. However, we added three more visits in between; 1 month, 4 months, and 7 months out.

Enjoy!

 

[Caskbill]

Keep in mind that each resort allows only a certain number of owners, basically enough to cover about 96% of the resort. Don't think of it like airlines where they overbook passengers. The resorts are there and it's just a matter of balancing guest's stays with rooms. That's why at home resorts, at 8+ months, there should never be a problem with low or mid-season ressies.

At 7-months, others can book into any resort. So if you own at BWV but want VWL, and get it, then that leaves your BWV available for maybe an OKW owner, etc. It's really a balancing act.

Plan ahead and you shouldn't have any problems.