Really Bugged (But Has Happy Ending)

[WolfpackFan]

Okay, DW and I got to talking and said it would be great if we could use our AP's one final time before they expire in June. We looked and Southwest has some great prices for May and thought we could maybe fly down and do three nights in a studio during the mid-week time when the air prices are cheap. I just got off the phone with MS and there is absolutely nothing available in a studio at any DVC resort for the month of May. I know this is short notice as far as DVC planning goes. I know you have to plan years ahead, etc. but I thought surely as large as SSR and OKW are that there would be at least one studio available for 3 nights. What happened to all those people who bought SSR that hate the resort and just bought to stay somewhere else? Sorry for venting, but I'm rather disappointed. I guess I'd better start planning for our trips in 2011 now. That's the way DVC seems to be working these days.

 

[CarolMN]

I think it is the incentive points - those who aren't using them are renting them.

If it were me and if the airfare is really good , I'd have waitlisted for any resort for all three days - you might get lucky at the 31 day mark. I think the chances are pretty god.

You could make a room only cash back up reservation and stay on the waitlist until the cancellation deadline for the cash reservation - is that still 5 days prior? Been awhile since I've made a cash ressie.

Good luck!

P.S. I know HHI isn't WDW, but 3 days there in May might be nice. Was that all booked as well?

 

[theoarn]

Try to mix up your stay
A night here and a night there.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Okay, DW and I got to talking and said it would be great if we could use our AP's one final time before they expire in June. We looked and Southwest has some great prices for May and thought we could maybe fly down and do three nights in a studio during the mid-week time when the air prices are cheap. I just got off the phone with MS and there is absolutely nothing available in a studio at any DVC resort for the month of May. I know this is short notice as far as DVC planning goes. I know you have to plan years ahead, etc. but I thought surely as large as SSR and OKW are that there would be at least one studio available for 3 nights. What happened to all those people who bought SSR that hate the resort and just bought to stay somewhere else? Sorry for venting, but I'm rather disappointed. I guess I'd better start planning for our trips in 2011 now. That's the way DVC seems to be working these days.

I am surprised too. I would have thought with all the older kids preparing for and taking final exams that you would have found a vacancy. But this is how it is designed. They sell enough points to keep them at 95% capacity year round (except maybe not HHI). I have to say though that after ten years we have always been successful with 7 month bookings. We never book holidays though.

Sorry for your frustration.

 

[Muushka]

Check the TUG boards for last minute rentals.
A lot of times Bonnet Creek is on it and that is a great place to stay.

 

[Chuck S]

Or try to use that AP for a discounted room, maybe even at Pop Century. It isn't DVC, but for a quick trip at the right price...

 

[JimMIA]

Well, your trip IS last-minute and that's not always going to work out, although our family has had good results even during peak periods.

The waitlist idea is good as long as you understand that the waitlist will be filled automatically without notifying you. Because of that, I'd sure do an "all or nothing" waitlist for one resort only. You don't want to have points taken to fulfill one day of a waitlist, but be unable to get the other dates...or get one day at one resort, one at another, and nothing in between.

Personally, I'd probably call regularly rather than waitlist. Things do open up as you approach 31 days and you might get lucky.

If not, you just have to realize that trying to book DVC 4-6 weeks out is contrary to the design of the system, and often is not going to be successful.

 

[WolfpackFan]

If not, you just have to realize that trying to book DVC 4-6 weeks out is contrary to the design of the system, and often is not going to be successful.

Yea, I know. We've been members long enough so I should not have been surprised or disappointed. I was just venting. I may try again Monday morning and see if anyone cancels today. The problem is working it in with these cheap air flights. I have to make sure the flights are still cheap before I make the ressie with MS.

 

[Brenle]

There are studios available midweek in May at most DVC resorts - just not using DVC points! Yes, I know it's infuriating and I agree with you. There's another thread on here about this same topic you might want to check out.

And you can see for yourself there are rooms available. Just try booking a vacation through Disney on line requesting a studio in May and see what pops up. The same thing happened to us when we were trying for a studio in November. Had several available if paying in cash - just not using my points.

 

[LIFERBABE]

:
I always try to caution people when others tell them that they should be able to get into SSR and OKW at short notice because they are so large. Those people do not understand how DVC really works to give that advice.

You cant base bookings on others personal preferences that they post here.

I have been telling people for years that once SSR construction was completed and all their inventory released, would we be able to tell the true availability of the resort.

In the past, SSR was always available on short notice, because they were always releasing new buildings into inventory. They have nothing else to release and when people call MS, their first priority is going to WDW on points for most, resort choice is second to availability. Most DVC owners are not die hard "If I cant stay at X then I wont go"

I know you were just venting, but others should understand that personal preferences aside, a near sold out resort will operate at near sold out capacity.

My advice to all would be book early and book often

I guess snatching people up from the bus stops and taking them to that back theater in MK is working!

 

[Chuck S]

And you can see for yourself there are rooms available. Just try booking a vacation through Disney on line requesting a studio in May and see what pops up. The same thing happened to us when we were trying for a studio in November. Had several available if paying in cash - just not using my points.

Those rooms are either owned by Disney or ARE being used by members on points, only they traded that room for another location.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I wonder how far ahead of time you really need to book to get a ressie easily these days. I mean May is not typically considered a high demand time (except maybe BWV in conjunction with F&G). Specifically we were looking at checking in May 5th for 3 nights. I wonder how long it has been since you could get a studio at OKW or SSR? How far out do you have to book to have a good chance of success - 3 months? 4 months? Or does everything pretty much get booked close to 7 months? I'm not taking into account wait lists, etc.?

I have to say as a DVC owner this has been kind of an eye opener for me. I know in the past, I've run into this before, but I just figured it was a high demand time. I guess it's gotten to the point that all year is high demand. It's really kind of a disappointment to us. We have the freedom to basically travel when we want - but you have to plan 7-11 months ahead of time. And yes, I knew this when we bought our points - but I always felt there were certain times of the year that had to be an exception. It's not looking like it anymore.

 

[Starr W.]

I book everthing at 11 months out, Thanksgiving, MLK weekend and Easter. Other times of year I have called maybe a few weeks late, but I always try to make my initial ressie in the home resort priority.

I called right at 7 months to switch a Sat-Tues stay in a 2br the first week of May 2007. VWL and BCV were both booked up at the 7 month window and this was over a weekend! I waitlisted both and we got VWL in about 5 weeks.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I wonder how far ahead of time you really need to book to get a ressie easily these days. I mean May is not typically considered a high demand time (except maybe BWV in conjunction with F&G). Specifically we were looking at checking in May 5th for 3 nights. I wonder how long it has been since you could get a studio at OKW or SSR? How far out do you have to book to have a good chance of success - 3 months? 4 months? Or does everything pretty much get booked close to 7 months? I'm not taking into account wait lists, etc.?

I have to say as a DVC owner this has been kind of an eye opener for me. I know in the past, I've run into this before, but I just figured it was a high demand time. I guess it's gotten to the point that all year is high demand. It's really kind of a disappointment to us. We have the freedom to basically travel when we want - but you have to plan 7-11 months ahead of time. And yes, I knew this when we bought our points - but I always felt there were certain times of the year that had to be an exception. It's not looking like it anymore.

You have many variables at work here that will contribute to resort availability. You are 30 days out. Holding points come into play at 60 days out. Even a BCV owner with holding points would be thrilled to use them at SSR or OKW because what are the odds of getting the smaller DVC's at 60 days out? Chances are extremely slim.

Then DVC releases inventory to CRO at 60 days also.

Anyone with a reservation for May 5 is within the penalty cancellation period. If they cancel now, their points will go into holding. This may prevent them from cancelling and renting the reservation instead.

So my best guess for last minute availability would be more than 31 days before to catch those cancelling before the penalty period and the majority of waitlists expiring. All waitlists are off within 7 days, so that is another opportunity to get your ressie if you are going to be there anyway and can keep trying.

3-5 months out you should be able to find something if flexible in lower demand times.

 

[alldiz]

I'm sorry you didn't get your studio.

I do hope it is the developers points this year, because I wouldn't think May is a very busy time as the kids are in school.
I hope that it works out for you.
Kerri

 

[bobbiwoz]

I called today to try to get a studio for this Tuesday and Wednesday nights for DSis and only SSR had a studio and only for Tuesday. If I were you, I would book a room with the AP, probably at Pop because we do like that resort, book my air and waitlist as was mentioned for the 3 nights at once, although, I think you do stand a better chance at single nights. The F&G is worth it!

Bobbi

 

[theoarn]

Our last trip was in august and we booked 2 studios right next to each other at 5 months out at SSR.

 

[PamOKW]

If you really want to go, you may get lucky piecing something together. I would take whatever day(s) and whatever resort they might have and then see if the waitlist comes through either filling out your missing days or possibly getting you days elsewhere. It's hit or miss catching a cancellation as it comes in and the cancellation may only include part of what you need.

 

[Desnik]

Don't give up!
This week I just changed my HHI ressie to WDW and we were about25 days out. Like you I was able to snag really great airfare, but I also had limited points to work with! It was a challenge but I called at least 4 times on the same day and had to play with dates a little(while looking at the flights on my computer to make sure I was still getting the low rate) I was able to get OKW 1 bedroom for 4 nights. I am also on the wait list for AKV, BCV, and BWV because OKW wasn't my first choice. If the wait list comes through, great, if not still great because we'll be at WDW!

Good luck, and keep trying multiple times a day!

 

[4Pluto]

I wonder how far ahead of time you really need to book to get a ressie easily these days. I mean May is not typically considered a high demand time (except maybe BWV in conjunction with F&G).

I tried in the middle of March and could not find any Studio bedrooms in any of the on-site DVC properties. I did find 1 bedrooms but at SSR only. So I am looking again at the calendar for 2009 and making a better effort to reserve at the 11 month mark.