Questions/Opinions on Booking Non-Home Resort

[boxer]

We own BWV, and really would like to stay at another resort (either VGF or BCV) for our trip next year from 11/4 to 11/14. I know this is Food-and-Wine time, so I am certain I won't get either at 7-mos. Please give me some opinions on the following:

OPTION 1: Rent points to the other resort--and then sell my (190) points to pay it back
OPTION 2: Book BWV as we always do, and then HOPE we can get something at 7-mos
OPTION 3: Book and sell (my points) all through David's


Or if there is another opinion, I'd be happy to hear it!!!

 

[skippytx]

I would take option 2 out of consideration. It's highly unlikely (I don't like to say impossible) you'll be able to piece together 10 consecutive nights at a BCV studio at the 7 month mark. You might get a few nights here and there, but unless you're willing to split stay, I'd forget it.

BWV is in high demand at that time as you know, so renting your points shouldn't be an issue at all. Personally I have a low risk tolerance, and no desire to rent points myself, so I would lean option 3. Option 3 is going to cost you the most money though as you'll be paying 18 dollars for the points you rent from another owner, but only getting 14.50 back in the points you rent out. You could try to rent them privately for more, but I wouldn't deal with the hassle personally. I feel David's handling everything on both transactions is worth the nominal net cost difference.

I don't know enough about VGF's booking pattern to know if F&W affects it like it does the Epcot resorts, but piecing together a long stay of 10 days at the 7 month mark can be hard regardless.

I'd personally go with Option 3 myself.

 

[boxer]

Thank you!! I was thinking David's too--but have a hard time paying the extra 3.50/PT--but I guess that is not horrible to 'guarantee' a reservation.

 

[skippytx]

A few more thoughts

The point total for BWV Preferred to BCV is a wash at 153 points for your stay. BWV standard though is only 112 points if you can snag/want a standard view room

VGF is going to run you a 179 to 219 points depending on std/lake view.

If you rent your 190 at 14.50 (2754), but then rent 153 at BCV for 18 (2755), it's basically an even trade (you'll net 1 more dollar than you spend). Your cost will jump quite a bit for VGF though which will run 3,222/3,942 to rent those points.

If you really want to stay at VGF, it might be worth trying to get a lake view studio with your own points at the 7 month mark unless staying there is worth the price difference to guarantee the room at 11 months for you.

Tough decision, just depends on what you feel like doing. I personally couldn't walk away from spending only 112 points on 10 nights at BWV standard if possible. Thats a crazy good deal.

 

[Sandisw]

One thing to consider if you decide to take your chance with your own points at 7 months is to book your 10 nights in two 5 night reservations.

This would allow you to modify smaller time frames, including a waitlist. it will be easier than getting all 10 nights. it would also maybe allow you to use your own points for half, trying for 7 nights, and renting half to get 5 nights at the other resort during home resort time,

The only thing is that if you only got some nights and not all, would you be okay with a split stay.

i don’t think I could spend extra money for a move, so I would try and find a way with my points. Losing control of the reservation and having to put up the money for rental if my own points weren’t yet rented would be tough for me.

Good luck

 

[drusba]

Getting something at VGF and BCV for Nov 4-14 should be considered near impossible at 7 months out even if seeking a 1BR or dedicated 2BR, although those have somewhat of a better chance than studios. Understand you are not just facing the normally high DVC demand in Fall for the times you want. You are also facing the Wine & Dine race weekend of Nov 5-8. the highest DVC demand weekend of the year when even SSR studios (and 2BR lock-offs) have filled before 7 months out. Moreover, days during another extremely high DVC demand weekend, the last weekend of Food & Wine, are included in the end of your trip and thus you are looking at a time period when you need to do the reservation during the 11-monrh window. If you are looking for a VGF studio, you should get the reservation at 11-months out because it has a risk of disappearing, particularly for that Wine & Dine race weekend, quickly once the 11-month window opens. BCV studios usually remain open for a while past the 11-month window, although safety dictates you should be planning to get it at 11 months out.

Option two is not going to work. Option one or three is possible but, particularly for a VGF studio, you still need to find someone who will do the booking at 11-months out (you actually need at least two bookings because only 7 nights can be reserved at 11-months out). Option three may be your best bet to get a reservation simply because to get the points needed for number of nights you want may take finding more than one owner to make a reservation. You may actually want to consider part of option two -- reserving BWV for the time period -- while pursuing the rent-from-another part of option one or three, particularly if you do not have renters completely set up to act by 11-months out. Moreover, you may need part of that BWV reservation. that can be modified to fewer days for a split stay, if you end up only being able to get part of the VGF or BCV reservation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've gotten a one standard on bedroom at VGF twice in early May at seven months out if you'd consider a different time of the year.

 

[Sandisw]

We've gotten a one standard on bedroom at VGF twice in early May at seven months out if you'd consider a different time of the year.

I just got my SV studio at 7 months this morning for June for 4 nights. So, I agree, other times of the year, things are possible

 

[skier_pete]

Big problem - literally picking the 3rd hardest week in the entire DVC year - WIne and Dine Marathon + Veterans Day weekend + late food and wine with cooler temperatures = super popular week. If you want it that bad, I would rent out your points and rent points at VGF or BCV but you better do it quick if you want a studio - as those will be gone quickly.

 

[boxer]

Thanks for the replies.....thinking about just renting my points, and buying the VGF/BCV points from David's to make it easier.

 

[kboo]

I would take option 2 out of consideration. It's highly unlikely (I don't like to say impossible) you'll be able to piece together 10 consecutive nights at a BCV studio at the 7 month mark. You might get a few nights here and there, but unless you're willing to split stay, I'd forget it.

One thing to consider if you decide to take your chance with your own points at 7 months is to book your 10 nights in two 5 night reservations.

This would allow you to modify smaller time frames, including a waitlist. it will be easier than getting all 10 nights. it would also maybe allow you to use your own points for half, trying for 7 nights, and renting half to get 5 nights at the other resort during home resort time,

Another option - if you have excess points and feel like gambling (or need the control):

Make the 9-10 night reservation at BWV. Wait list single nights on either end (i.e. night 1 and night 9). When you get them, modify your reservation, and then WL nights 2 and 8, and so on. Or if you get night 1, then change your WL to nights 2 and 3. then modify your BWV reservation. If you do it night by night, your WL has a better chance of coming through (matching single nights) and you only need 1 night's points to play around with. (i.e., book the 1 night, then drop the 1 night at BWV by modifying). Of course, this is a gamble because all your nights might not come through.

For that long a trip, I would use @Sandisw's strategy, and then if it doesn't work out, think about trying to stay at BCV and VGF at a less-popular time.

 

[jerseyduke]

Big problem - literally picking the 3rd hardest week in the entire DVC year - WIne and Dine Marathon + Veterans Day weekend + late food and wine with cooler temperatures = super popular week. If you want it that bad, I would rent out your points and rent points at VGF or BCV but you better do it quick if you want a studio - as those will be gone quickly.

And Jersey week thrown into the mix.