Ready to buy VGF but worried about studio availability

[Erin D]

We are just a couple buying a smaller contract and only looking to stay in a studio. We know the studios are very popular and are curious as to what people's experience has been booking the studios. Do you have to book it the day it opens or do you have some leeway on how quickly you book? Have you ever run into an instance where you couldn't get a studio for when you wanted before it opens to other DVC members? We are well aware this is all dependent on the season you go in but we plan to take our two trips a year during off peak times (Mid-May & Early December).

 

[Sparrow624]

Early December is one of the hardest times to book and is peak season for DVC. We have not had a problem because we travel in the summer and in March...but...we were blocked out when I checked Halloween weekend at 8 months...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you're planning direct and aren't already on the waitlist with Disney you are very unlikely to be able to buy from them and will have to find a small resale.

Early December is a fight for studios and I would not recommend buying VGF if that is your intent. You'll be sweating it every year. FYI - early Dec is probably the #1 most difficult time to book DVC as it's very very popular. Mid-May you would likely have success but I'd recommend booking right at 11 months.

 

[coastalhh]

Early December is not off peak for dvc. It's is the highest of the peak.

Low point season is very popular for dvc and especially high point resorts like VGF.

People will start booking it 7 days before Dec 1st and walk it. It will be difficult. Many many of the owners have small contracts and want it for the same reasons you do.

Other times of the year it will be much less of a problem (if at all).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And let me add - I said you'd be sweating it every year for a studio in early Dec. And likely there will be years you won't get it.

 

[Erin D]

Thank you, this is all great info! We are planning to go resale not direct. Is the entire adventure season a battle or would we be able to swap our December trip for a September trip instead and book with relative ease?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Early September is likely the slowest DVC time so it would be much easier although I'd still book right at 11 months. Once F&W start though the competition will be more difficult for the rooms with small inventory and VGF studios falls into that category.

 

[Sparrow624]

Late-Sept. Through Jan are the hardest times to book at VGF. Sept. Will be easier, but you will still need to book at 11 months on the dot.

 

[Erin D]

Is there any time of year that you have any sort of leeway booking? The idea of having to book 11 months on the dot is a little stressful. We definitely have flexibility but don't want something enjoyable to turn into a chore.

 

[Sparrow624]

Studios for February are already pretty much booked. You need to be able to book VGF 9-11 months out pretty much all the time and 11 months out most of the year.

 

[coastalhh]

Is there any time of year that you have any sort of leeway booking? The idea of having to book 11 months on the dot is a little stressful. We definitely have flexibility but don't want something enjoyable to turn into a chore.

Then you may want to own at a large resort like BLT, AKV or SSR. Some people think it's not good to own where you can often book at 7 months but I like to own where I KNOW I can ALWAYS book at 11 months and often less time than that.

 

[Erin D]

Thanks guys, we appreciate all the great info.

 

[Dean]

Thanks guys, we appreciate all the great info.

I would not buy VGF counting on a studio with points. What you might consider is finding a fixed week that works for you in case you can't get anything on points. Of course that ties you in to a specific time if you have to fall back to the fixed week. But if you can get a year ahead and have both the points to book AND the fixed week, you would have options. However, this requires you are always dealing with banked points if successful and have points you might not use and have to rent out if you have to use the fixed week.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is there any time of year that you have any sort of leeway booking? The idea of having to book 11 months on the dot is a little stressful. We definitely have flexibility but don't want something enjoyable to turn into a chore.

VGF? No, I would not say so. Don't buy there if that's the case. You might as well buy cheaper points elsewhere and then try and pick up a waitlist or cancellation that shows up for VGF vs buy expensive and then use your points at the larger resorts that do have some flexibility. But best might just be cash rooms in your situation.

 

[rlovew]

I have been able to get studios at VGF at 10 months out but have not tried for closer than that other than 1 time when I wanted to free up my VGF points and use BLT points to book there in July and I was able to do so by canceling and rebooking at like 2am but with the new waitlist stuff I don';t think I could do that again. I knew that I could get a 1 bedroom if I lost the studio and so I wasn't sweating it but I did it at about 6.5 months and in the middle of the night so it was less likely someone would come in and book the room I released.

 

[Minniesgal]

For a VGF studio i would always book exactly at 11 months. We added on an extra 40 points this year so we could consistently book 1 bedrooms instead of studios as the availability is not good. I would not buy VGF for a studio. If I was happy staying in studios I'd buy at the Poly.

 

[JWG]

Interesting dilemma as if you wants VGF studio, you'll need the 11-month booking window for sure (a lot of the time). Poly is an option, though doesn't really save you on points, has a high MF cost to start, and doesn't offer real alternatives if you ever did want a 1BR or 2BR. Yes, the bungalows are 2BR - but I consider those cost prohibitive and unrealistic.

Maybe a BLT resale? No... you don't want to do that... I don't need any more competition for rooms there !

 

[VGF Ben]

VGF is not a huge problem to book if you own there. Especially if you have a little flexibility, you should be able to find a reservation that works for you. You don't have to sit by the computer at 11 months. I've thought that twice...once during spring break, I had no issues and in fact was able to extend by a few days a few months after I booked...

I will say this, if VGF is where you want to stay and you want a studio, you will not be able to book it with cheaper points. A day here or there perhaps, if you're lucky....only VGF owners can stay at VGF studios, unless you are VERY VERY LUCKY....

So keep that in mind. Yes, you probably need to book 9 - 11 months ahead of time, but that beats not being able to stay there at all, doesn't it? Why would you buy SSR or AKV when you want to stay at VGF? Not gonna happen....

 

[DWorldOrBust]

I initially purchased at AKV but wanted to be able to stay at VGF when we went without our son. So I purchased a small VGF contract with the purpose of having the ability to book a studio at 11 mos. I wouldn't count on staying in a VGF studio without being an owner. I am extremely happy that I was able to get not one but two small VGF contracts to use for "Mommy & Daddy" getaways.

 

[disneynutz]

Thank you, this is all great info! We are planning to go resale not direct. Is the entire adventure season a battle or would we be able to swap our December trip for a September trip instead and book with relative ease?

A few years ago the availability was much different and as new contracts get sold and members added, the competition for rooms has increased. I didn't spend thousands of dollars to compete for a room. Buy where you love to stay and book online at 8:00 Eastern at 11 months.

Bill