Reservations on short notice

[Weegl]

We live just 2.5 hours from WDW and, since we go there 2-4 times a year, I am considering buying. My big concern is having the ability to book long weekends on a relatively short planning window. We usually decide to go 30-45 days out, then find a room and go. What experience have you owners had in getting accomodations along these lines?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Today I made a weekend ressie for December, for a studio at the VWL. This will be our first trip HOME!!!

It's 90 days out, not as close as you would be making. MS said that weekends are easier to get because they require more points.

Our deeds aren't even recorded and I'm just as thrilled as can be. We're going to see the VWL all decked out in holiday finery, YEAH!!!

 

[Richyams]

Two things...

First, it depends on the time of year and the desired unit. Less crowdwed times, Oct-Nov, are the busiest and hardest to reserve DVC rooms, really impossible on short notice.

Second, the points are structured so that Floridians are discouraged from taking all the weekends. They do this by making the two days of the weekend roughtly comparable in points to the five weekdays. Buying DVC primarily for weekend stays is going to be VERY expensive.

We live in Weston, we do use weekends(sorry Dean) and we use alot of them. But I do try to minimize them by arriving Saturday and leaving Wednesday.

Take a look at the point charts, see if you can see what I am talking about.

Unfortunately, we have sevel pieces of advice that we normally give and two of them are strikes against you.

DVC is best suited for those that can plan ahead, the eleven month window is important.

DVC primarily for weekend stays is probably an expensive option.

 

[d-r]

weegl, weegl, war damn eagle, kick em in the butt big blue, hey.

Weegl,

We have points at wlv and bcv. Now ssr, too. We typically do one one-week trip a year, and two or three long "weekends" a year, like Friday-Monday, Thursday-Sunday. We typically stay in studios for a long weekend. DVC is very flexible. Yes, weekend points cost more, because that is a more desirable way to travel and they have to balance out supply and demand. You will have to look at the time of year you want to go, but we started with 170 points which was enough for a one-bedroom five weekdays plus a studio for a long weekend, or a studio for a five weekdays plus two long weekends, that sort of thing. But then we've added on twice, too. Look at the chart at the different times of year that you might go and the different types of accomodations. Also remember you can bank and borrow, etc. OKW rooms are especially cheap on points. Weekdays are especially cheap on points; so if you have the flexibility to travel on weekdays it is much more of a bargain.

What we've found, and your milage may vary, is that it is pretty easy to get a OKW reservation on short notice, it is very hard to get a bcv reservation on short notice, and that bwv and wlv are possible, with bwv being a little easier than wlv. That's just been our experience and I don't know if it is what others have found.

DR

 

[Weegl]

I wasn't sure anyone on this board would get the meaning of my name, especially someone in Michigan!!!

Thanks for the info...I am a little concerned that this program will meet our style of Disney travel. We're so close that sometimes we plan it the week before!

 

[CarolA]

While I would not say it is the BEST way to use your points. I have done last minute booking several times. (And I mean last minute - the same day for example!) I would say I get it over 50% of the time, However, I am willing to take a studio at OKW which is usually easiest to get. I don't go during the busy times (i.e. President's day weekend etc.)

 

[July]

Originally posted by Weegl


I wasn't sure anyone on this board would get the meaning of my name, especially someone in Michigan!!!

Thanks for the info...I am a little concerned that this program will meet our style of Disney travel. We're so close that sometimes we plan it the week before!

Well,
I live 47 minutes from Disney and use my 240 points whatever way I want. On weekends, during the week. Studios, one bedrooms. Just one night, maybe two nights. I have made reservations about a week in advance. Also a month in advance so far. I have even traded 140 points next year for a 1 bedroom condo on the Beach in Sarasota.
Alot of people will say its not worth the money you pay for it. And true. As a Florida Resident I can get specials. Which I still do use..
But my DVC I enjoy planning and using the points the way I can. I bought in Vero because I live so close to Disney. I figure on those week vacations in the Spring I will need the 11 month window at VB.

July

 

[msdis]

We book all the time at less than 30 days out. Dvc has been a challenge because we do travel at the last minute. If you don't care where you stay and sometimes in what size accomodations, DVC may work for you, if not, then DVC will probably not work for you. Good luck deciding.

 

[d-r]

don't forget those florida resident discounts when you add it up though, weegl, you really do have a lot of thinking and comparing to do.

Also the upside of being close if you didn't get one this weekend, you could try for next weekend, that sort of thing, since you don't have to worry about airfare.

And they have some war eagles even up here, life can be weird like that.

 

[Dean]

If you want mostly long weekends you'll be better off just paying cash through CRO even if you never got a discount. Combine that with difficulty booking on this short of notice, DVC is not for you, at least not for this purpose.