Reservations

[cubs84]

My wife and I are looking into puurchasing a resale at the BoardWalk. We have goten better deals at Old Key West. My question is how hard is it to get a reservation (off-peak) at another resort other than your home if we book the seven months out. She really wants the Boardwalk but I'm not sure if it matters if we plan on going in the beginning of October each year.

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

First, you won't go wrong with Old Key West. It's a wonderful resort.

Flexibility is the key to resort hopping. If you are open to multiple dates for possible trips, your chances are pretty good for getting a BWV reservation, but certainly not guaranteed.

If you are certain that BWV is the place you want to stay regularly, your best bet is try to buy there and let the realtor know what you are looking for. Many of their sales never appear on the internet. They call their prospective buyers, and the good deals are snatched up before they make it to the internet. Chances are, you'll get the deal you want if you are patient.

 

[SSRex]

I would think an advantage to owning at Boardwalk would be to get the special points rooms they offer there only. They are the only DVC to have different points for standard and preferred view rooms. I believe that there is a discount or lower points for the standard rooms and thus they may go fast before the 7 month window ever opens. Also the few GVs there must book quickly.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by cubs84
how hard is it to get a reservation (off-peak) at another resort other than your home if we book the seven months out. She really wants the Boardwalk but I'm not sure if it matters if we plan on going in the beginning of October each year.

First, although it is a low point period, the beginning of October will be busy for DVC. The Food and Wine Festival has been expanded to cover all of October, and this event is very popular with DVC owners. Crowded times at DVC are not the same as crowded times at the rest of the resorts.

BWV and BCV are the hardest resorts to get during F&W, because they are within stumbling... err... walking distance of Epcot. If you have to try for them at 7 months out, I would call day by day, right at 7 months.

If you know that you are going to want to stay at BWV every October, I would buy there. Remember, "buy where you want to stay", and you won't be disappointed!

Good luck!


P.S. - Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by HookdonWDW
...BWV and BCV are the hardest resorts to get during F&W, because they are within stumbling... err... walking distance of Epcot. ...

too funny! yes stumbling.. err... walking distance is a major benefit at that time of year. And at BWV, if you want either the spectacular BW view or the low pts Standard view you are gonna need to get it at 11 months to be absolutely certain. That being said, there will probably be garden/ pool room available at 7 months.

But repeating the "buy where you want to stay" mantra is probably good advice.

 

[CarolMN]

If you plan to vacation in October on a regular basis and want to stay at BWV, buy the Boardwalk resale.

As already noted, October is a busy time for BWV & BCV. The EPCOT resorts are highly desirable places to stay during the Food & Wine Festival. That makes October one of the more difficult months to book at the 7 month window. It is very likely that you will have to use the waitlist for at least some of your days if you have to wiat to book until the 7 month window.

If you are comfortable booking OKW at 11 months and then using a waitlist at the 7 month window for BWV, go ahead and buy OKW. As noted, it's a beautiful resort and dues/point requirments are lower there.

If you drive to WDW and/or wouldn't mind staying at OKW if the waitlist doesn't come through, I'd recommend OKW for sure.
However, if you fly (like we have to do) and need confirmed lodging dates early on to book decent airfare, then buy at BWV. IMHO, you'll be disappointed / frustrated by the October waitlists more often than not. They may not come through until close to your departure dates or you may end up moving in the middle of your vacation.

Keep in mind that if you can plan 11 months ahead of time, you can book standard views, which are almost the same point cost as OKW. The BWV dues are higher, but unless you are buying a large number of points, the difference is not significant.

My vote is to make your wife happy - you'll have a much better vacation if she is staying where she wants to stay!

P.S. I'm a BWV owner who has yet to stay at any of the other WDW DVC resorts. Just can't bring myself to give up that wonderful location - the ability to walk to EPCOT and the Studios is a HUGE benefit, as is the proximity to many good restaurants, ESPN, JellyROlls and the other Boardwalk nightly activities.

Best wishes -

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by CarolMN
...My vote is to make your wife happy - you'll have a much better vacation if she is staying where she wants to stay!...

Now that is good advice!

 

[cubs84]

Thanks that sounds right.