Questions regarding booking last minute

[vicki_c]

Okay. This ^^^ is very helpful. So.... let's say we want to stay at AKV and we are NOT talking summer or holidays. Generally speaking, are all DVC rooms sold out 60 days out? Would you guess 90? I am guessing there is availability 7 months out, no? (Not being a "smarty" here, honestly asking as I appreciate that you are trying to help.) Where does it start to get really tough?

Thanks!

- Dreams

AKV is bigger than some of the other resorts, so availability at 7 months shouldn't be an issue. Same with SSR and OKW, as posted above. As to shorter notice, 60 or 90 days - it really depends on when it is during the year.

You will find difficulty at all resorts for early December reservations, and all of the Epcot resorts anytime during Food & Wine festival. Of course, Christmas is difficult all over as well.

Very hard to get on short notice - VWL and BCV because they are smaller.

In my own experience, we booked a split stay at SSR and VWL in June on 3 months notice - neither resort had a studio available for all 4 of our nights.

This year, as I said, we wanted to book ANYWHERE - a studio or 1 BR - for late October, early November - 6 or 7 weeks out. No availability without moving around and there was no availability for Halloween night at any DVC resort.

Another time, we booked a Food & Wine trip about 3 months out and got a room at SSR, but waitlisted for BWV. That waitlist did come through about 6 weeks out, but it was actually for the wrong room size (1 BR when we wanted a studio) - we took it anyway and spent the extra points.

My comment about being "lucky" at 7 months was just because we are still in the process of trying out all the DVC resorts, so except for our 1st stay we are always trying to book outside our home resort at this point. So far, we have been lucky to get what we wanted at 7 months - that is not always the case. Hence, the "buy where you don't mind staying" advice.

Could we have found a room somehow by staying in a 2 BR vs. a studio or 1 BR - maybe, maybe not. Or by switching rooms every day or every other day - probably, except for Halloween. But I'm not willing to switch rooms every few days - once maybe, multiple times, no.

I think most times of the year you might be able to get a room at SSR on shorter notice, but it won't be every time.

 

[LoveKermit]

I was able to book a 1 BR at SSR (and only SSR) two weeks out for August. But there was not much left. This was for a 4-night stay. We do not usually travel quite so last minute.

I might open a high interest savings account (does that even exist anymore?) and save my money. Then when the time does come you can stay at a DVC resort on cash. Or MK view at CR or club level somewhere and "do it up" similarly.

I wanted to say that I did get a reservation on very short notice, but I know I was lucky (and was crossing fingers for OKW and didn't even get that). I'm sorry you were so disappointed with the results.

Maybe someone would help you play a guess and check game by spending a few months calling with short notice dates and seeing what's available. Kind of crazy, but just an idea.

 

[Sammie]

Just based on our personal experience, we find it difficult to get multiple days at one location any time after 5 months. You basically have to take what is available when it is open.

If you want a week at a specific location you are going to find it difficult after 7 months.

At certain resorts at certain times, you will not be successful at 7 months.

For a few time periods and certain rooms such AKL concierge and Grand Villas you will find difficulty at 11 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My husband decided he wanted to do the Disney Marathon in early Sept. So he called DVC to see what was available. He could get a one bedroom at SSR or OKW. We like OKW and it is close to the start so he took OKW. But I suggested that maybe BLT might be nice so that they could take the monorail to the race start and I could watch them from there. So we tried to switch to BLT. No one bedrooms were available, so we went on the waitlist. So about three months later and still the waitlist hasn't come through. And we are still over a month out from the marathon.

Keep in mind that we are talking about Fri, Sat and Sun nights (two of the highest point nights of the week). Short trip, and still not much availabilty.

Also keep in mind that one bedrooms usually are more available at later dates than studios because they require twice the points of a studio.

Finally, the dues at BLT are currently the lowest. It's not guaranteed that they will remain the lowest once they sell out.

 

[arthur06]

How many points are you looking at buying?

If you can book before 7 months, I would buy AKL. If you can't I would buy SSR. If you are looking at 160 points. AKL dues (going off of memory here) are 5.01 for this year and BLT are 3.86. The difference is under $200 a year. When spending 15,000 to 20,000, make sure you love it!

We called at exactly 7 monts for any 2br at AKL for 2 nights Dec 9th and 10th. Coudn't get anything. WL and still no luck. We leave Saturday and have 2 studios instead of a 2br.

 

[ticofan]

I think I have always been able to get a room with short notice!

I guess I am either more persistent or more spontaneous than most of the other posters, and I like to travel in the off-season. I have had great luck at getting reservations on short notice. Even same day ressies!!

However, I love OKW. So it is one of my first choices usually. It is probably my favorite resort. (But I like other resorts for different reasons.)

I was coming home from a vacation passing through Florida a couple years ago and found out, at the last minute, that some friends from Brazil were at Disney World. I called Member Services and was able to get a three night stay at OKW that night.

We fly standby a lot. At least three or four times we have not caught the plane we wanted and instead of staying in the airport all day waiting, we called MS, got rooms, and just took Magical Express back to Disney World for another day of fun!!

About two months ago I booked a five night stay in a 2-bedroom at BLT for January. I was excited and surprised that I was able to get in BLT.

We were planning a family trip to BLT in Jan. As plans have changed I have been cancelling ressies. All three reservations were made within the 7-month window. I have cancelled two of those this month and rebooked for May -- still in BLT.

Last year we stayed in SSR and wanted to extend our stay two days (we made this decision while we were at DW). We found AKL was available, since I had never stayed there, my three boys and I stayed in a one-bedroom and thoroughly enjoyed the resort.

I don't think I have ever not been able to get a wanted reservation. I may have had to be persistent at calling or getting on the waitlist.

So in my case -- I think DVC is great for last minute. But I am easy-going, and happy with whatever I get when I go last minute.

I love the flexibility of DVC!!

 

[crisi]

ticofan's post brings up another point - sometimes - not always - you can't find anything at all 60 days out - but they clear the waitlist by default at 30 days out. Then if people cancel within the 30 day window, unless someone has specified to remain on the waitlist, there is no waitlist. And life does happen and people do need to cancel within that 30 day window. So sometimes you can find availability for really really short term (like "lets stay two more nights!" or "let's head down next weekend!") when nothing was available six weeks prior.

It doesn't ALWAYS work that way, but it can. But you have to have an attitude like ticofan - go with the flow, not be too picky about resort, and have backup plans. People like ticofan do make it work - but you have to understand the system and know yourself. Most of us here are uberplanners - I don't even waitlist because I don't want to deal with the stress of "maybe it comes through, maybe it doesn't."

 

[cbnsoul]

Everyone here has given really good advice. I think, as mentioned, that if you want a specific resort at a specific time, you want to call as early as possible. That said, I also have had luck getting reservations at the last minute (a few days before a trip). I was happy to take any studio available and didn't mind moving even if I only got to spend one night in each property. Last minut trips can be done but the time of year and your persistence does matter. Hopefully, the online reservation system will come sooner than later which will give us the opportunity to check for those last-minute rooms ourselves instead of having to call MS 3-4 times a day!

 

[DenLo]

It looks like short trips might be available at last minute based on ticofan's and cbnsoul's experiences, but many of the DVC members here go to WDW for a week or more at a time and in our experience it is not that easy to get a full week's vacation scheduled on short notice. Or you split your stay into so many segments at different resorts that it seems like all you do is move. So if you rarely take vacations more than 3 or 4 days it might work for you.

Now if you think you can book at 11 months and then cancel if you can't get the time off from work, then that option might work for you. However you have to be careful about canceling a vacation not only in the last 31 days but after your banking period as you won't be able to bank the points for the cancelled vacation. And then you will have to use those points before the use year ends, or move them to RCI (and that's a different world).

Keep in mind the goal of the DVC is to have every resort fully booked. Someday all of the current resorts will be sold out and like at BCV and BWV, BLT will probably book early on. Right now there are lots of villas still owned by the DVD (the developer) at BLT as they have only sold 71.34% (per wdrl's thread), that means a DVC member is on equal footing with a cash guest for 82 villas. So it seems easy to book at BLT, but when BLT is really sold out it will be harder and harder to get a book 2 or 3 months out.

I guess most of us think that advance planning is part of what makes the DVC work for us. Good luck to you. Let us know if you decide to join and we'll gladly welcome you home.

 

[LovetheMouse12302]

I was able to get a studio a week before traveling and we stayed Memorial Day weekend. We didn't get to choose a resort, SSR was the only resort available. I doubt this happens all that often though. We are big planners and have already wrote down our trip plans well before our 11 month window. I wish you luck in your purchase decision.

 

[krikiter]

Admittedly, I'm a rookie at this (been a member for 2 weeks), but I had 220 points that were expiring today (11/30) that I didn't have access to until 11/24. Even WITH the holiday weekend, I was able to use 180 of them to book a studio at SSR for 2 nights, a 1BR at OKW for 2 nights and a 1BR at SSR for 3 nights. If you're not picky about where you stay, and don't mind moving around a bit, it's likely that there will usually be something open somewhere, even at the very last minute.

 

[robert@dvcstore]

Congratulations on your reservation. You will enjoy all 3 resorts and as a new member, it will be good for you to experience the different resorts during your stay.

Have a great time.

Robert

 

[Dean]

It looks like short trips might be available at last minute based on ticofan's and cbnsoul's experiences, but many of the DVC members here go to WDW for a week or more at a time and in our experience it is not that easy to get a full week's vacation scheduled on short notice. Or you split your stay into so many segments at different resorts that it seems like all you do is move. So if you rarely take vacations more than 3 or 4 days it might work for you.

Now if you think you can book at 11 months and then cancel if you can't get the time off from work, then that option might work for you. However you have to be careful about canceling a vacation not only in the last 31 days but after your banking period as you won't be able to bank the points for the cancelled vacation. And then you will have to use those points before the use year ends, or move them to RCI (and that's a different world).

Keep in mind the goal of the DVC is to have every resort fully booked. Someday all of the current resorts will be sold out and like at BCV and BWV, BLT will probably book early on. Right now there are lots of villas still owned by the DVD (the developer) at BLT as they have only sold 71.34% (per wdrl's thread), that means a DVC member is on equal footing with a cash guest for 82 villas. So it seems easy to book at BLT, but when BLT is really sold out it will be harder and harder to get a book 2 or 3 months out.

I guess most of us think that advance planning is part of what makes the DVC work for us. Good luck to you. Let us know if you decide to join and we'll gladly welcome you home.

Often they will be but often they won't. The problem is it's a risk and IMO, an unnecessary one.

 

[NancyDVC]

I have been a DVC member since early 1992. I have booked less than 6 weeks out because of my schedule at work and family issues. Usually I book 2-3 months out, depending on the season. I have only booked further out for a special trip with family around a holiday.
If there is little availability I will take what ever resort is available. It's fun to stay at resorts other than my home resort OKW. (When I book for my family they always seem to get SSR. Which they like but they do like OKW better.)
My advice is to
1) Buy where you want to stay.
2)Be flexible in your dates and choice of resorts.

The final decision is yours but weigh the pros and cons and only you can decide if DVC is right for you. I know that it is one of the best decisions that I ever made. My DBFF and I (2 mature women with no children) bought early in 1992 and have never regretted it.

Good Luck.

 

[Plutofan]

Most often it is very tough getting last minute bookings especially during popular time.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I didn't read through this whole thread as I am at work (teehee) but wanted to chime in and say that I tried to book a Studio (any view) at BLT back in April of this year for 6 days in May during Flower and Garden and got shot down miserably. However, I asked the CM to check availablity at SSR and she told me to pick the week, there was pretty much open availabilty. To date, I have not had a problem booking at SSR - ever. It is my home resort but wanted to try BLT...

I don't, however, make a habit of last minute trips because to me, half of the fun is the planning. I have 2 trips planned and booked most of the time. I go every 6 months and as soon as I return from one trip, I start looking into booking again Call me crazy but I love it!!!

 

[cel_disney]

How unpredictable are your work plans? Is it that you cant go at all at a certain time, or that you cant go exactly the days you wanted? If you cant go at all - but you would know before you banking and 31 day window, there are possibilities for you - and if its that you mgiht need to shift a day here or there from your original plans this could also work as long as you understand the risks involved and are prepared to occasionally (but not always!) be disappointed.

I think if you are going to plan on visiting disney frequently enough to consider DVC, then maybe get a small contract. Then you can use your DVC every other year or every third year, but still pay with cash if you cant get a reservation you were looking for.

What time of year are you most likely to travel? If you do consider DVC and you typically travel in a certain season - you should post so folks can help you figure out the ideal use year - based on what you have said your travel plans are, a good use year will be important to allow you to bank/borrow without penalty. Also if you tend to travel during a time that is NOT a low point DVC period, your chances are better at getting a room..

 

[kikiq]

I don't think I have ever not been able to get a wanted reservation. I may have had to be persistent at calling or getting on the waitlist.

So in my case -- I think DVC is great for last minute. But I am easy-going, and happy with whatever I get when I go last minute.

I love the flexibility of DVC!!

I have to join ticofan in that I have made last minute plans the last year and been successful. Last year when my DD was in the CP, I decided to help her move in and I was able to get a value AKV studio 4 weeks out. She was feeling homesick in September and I was able to get a SSR studio for an October weekend during F/W. This year my Dad had several medical issues that prevented any long range planning. We were lucky to get an OKW studio 6 weeks out in May during F/G. Then added a trip in October for the last weekend of F/W the beginning of September after my dad's surgery. Persistent calling and flexibility, we first had a split stay between AKV and SSR in one bedroom (no studios anywhere). Then called again 4 weeks out and was able to add one night and change all nights to a SSR one bedroom.

SSR is our home resort and we love it there. But there have been times that even SSR and OKW are booked solid and all MS can piece together are one night at AKV in a studio, an one bedroom at BWV and then back to AKV. I've been lucky in that I've gotten great MS CMs who really worked to find something for us. That one time, the CM told me to call back first thing in the morning to try again.

My question would be how last minute are you talking about? 7 months, 4 months, 6 weeks? And how flexible are you? My DH just needs to be in WDW in a villa and he's happy. Of course, he's happier at SSR than BWV or BLT, but nevertheless any WDW DVC is better than none as far as we're concerned.

 

[cvjw]

We have booked last minute 4 times within the last 15 months. When I say last minute, it has been within 6-8 weeks of when we wanted to travel. Twice was in September, once in May, and once at Thanksgiving. We have gotten a villa each time. It might not be our first choice, but we were able to go to Disney. DVC does work better if you can plan your trips earlier, but we haven't been shut out of a villa at the last minute.

 

[MrsLS]

Did you do the math on your purchase? Why would you book BLT at a higher cost per point? Yes MFs are more but overall it will be much cheaper if you buy resale for say SSR.
I just did the math and rough estimates it will be cheaper especially if you can't book at 11 or 7 months out. Personally with reading the posts I wouldn't do dvc if I couldn't book way in advance either.