Room Availability

[conandrob240]

Trying to make a final decision on purchasing and I really want to know how hard it is to get ressies. Has anyone checked on a Dec 26- Jan 2 type ressie at AKV? Would I expect all availability for that to be gone right at 11 month window or is there usually something available? Anyone give any insight to status of AKV availability fo ra 1 bedroom fror this 12/26-1/2? Also, how about Feb break and April week? Are these generally fully booked at exactly the 11 month window? And for DCL- is there usually plenty of availability if you want to use points this way or very limited inventory? How far in advance can you book for DCL?

Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I doubt you would find anything ANYWHERE for that time this year, but plannign prior to the 7 month window should not be too great a problem unless you MUST have a certain class or size of villa. For holiday times, I would book as soon as you can at the 11 month mark, but we often will wait until 9 months out.

 

[Granny]

Trying to make a final decision on purchasing and I really want to know how hard it is to get ressies. Has anyone checked on a Dec 26- Jan 2 type ressie at AKV? Would I expect all availability for that to be gone right at 11 month window or is there usually something available?

You have cited the single busiest week at WDW, and that pertains to DVC bookings as well. I would expext to have to call exactly at 11 months to get that reservation, and probably day-by-day at that.

Also, how about Feb break and April week? Are these generally fully booked at exactly the 11 month window?

Depending on when Easter is, April can be relatively easy or challenging. February depends on if it is President's week or not.

 

[conandrob240]

Yes, I know I cited to busiest weeks- that is the point of my question. If I call at the 11 month window is it relatively easy to get New year's eve week, president's week, easter week, thanksgiving week? Do those weeks sell out of all inventory right at the 11 month mark? For less popular weeks, how far out do you have to book to get a room?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Depends on where and when you want. Day by day calling (if DVC doesn't outlaw that in the near future to simplify it for us ) will be required.

If you want OKW or SSR, you might be able to get them by calling once. If you want the BCV, VWL or BWV, you would have to call day by day at 7 months.

If you want a GV, you need the 11 month head start. If you want Standard view or BW view at BWV, you need the 11 month head start.

 

[daisyduck123]

For a studio at AKV Dec. 20-26, we were able to book it this past June, no problem.

 

[Deb & Bill]

For a studio at AKV Dec. 20-26, we were able to book it this past June, no problem.

That's because they just opened AKV up for booking in June. Try that next June.

 

[daisyduck123]

That's because they just opened AKV up for booking in June. Try that next June.

Yes, but I was still relieved when we got it.

We called about 2 weeks after the booking date opened, & from what I'd read hear on the DIS.....I was worried that there would not be any rooms left!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Day by day calling (if DVC doesn't outlaw that in the near future to simplify it for us )

Things are getting WAY too simplified!

 

[conandrob240]

Does this timing concern anyone? It concerns me greatly. I don't want to have to call at exactly 11 months in advance and still maybe not even get what I want when I am spending so much $ for ownership. I think we may just back out. Anyone care to comment on this?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Does this timing concern anyone? It concerns me greatly. I don't want to have to call at exactly 11 months in advance and still maybe not even get what I want when I am spending so much $ for ownership. I think we may just back out. Anyone care to comment on this?

I think that one of the trade-offs between being a DVC member and booking the same room thru CRO is the need to plan in advance versus saving money on the room. As a DVC member, you pay a lot upfront, but over time your room price is cheaper. But, you pay for the "cheaper" room with the inconveneince of planning in advance and possible your time in needing to make multiple phone calls to secure your reservation.

When you book thru CRO, you do not need to plan so far in advance, but the cost for the same room will be significantly higher.

Only you can decide whether the eventual cost saving for DVC is worth the inconvenience of needing to plan so far in advance.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[mikesmom]

Try and relax. You do have to plan ahead, but not ridiculously so. December is a bit over 3 months away and is a popular time at DVC. The week you are looking at (Dec 26 - Jan 2) is Christmas week and arguably the busiest time at WDW on the whole. Yes, you would need your 11 month window for that week, but unlikely day by day. You've got to step into the system somewhere - next year you will have it licked.

Spring break and Easter book early also, but if you look on the other Boards, ressies all over WDW are a challenge for that time. Lots of people are not getting exactly what they planned on. I suspect with some flexibility you could get a DVC room for those times, maybe just not exactly what you thought you wanted - again, next year will be easier.

To give you some perspective: Every year we go to the Food & Wine Fest and stay at BWV. This is accepted as one of the busier times for both BCV and BWV because of the walk in access to the festival. We take family or friends and usually get a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom or 2 studios, Boardwalk view. Boardwalk view rooms are (at most) 20% of the rooms. I have never failed to get what we want and I never call day by day. To be honest, because it is an extremely busy time for me at work (including travel), I almost always forget to call in the 11th month at all. Sometime in the 10th month I usually remember and make the ressies. Again, I have never failed to get Boardwalk view for all of us, and we have never gone on the waitlist. Now, if I were forgetful enough to wait until month 8 or 9 or (heaven forbid) into month 7, I suspect I would have had a problem. Again, you have to plan ahead, but unless you want something very particular and scarce (like a GV in December) I don't think you have to be silly about it.

 

[javamom]

If it makes you feel any better, I was able to call and get a 1BR guaranteed Boardwalk View at the 9-month mark for the first weekend in June. Which is only the second weekend of Summer Vacation for my kids, so I suspect for lots of other families as well.

I prepared myself ahead with 2 choices re: room size a/o view, and even an alternate month altogether. This proved unnnecessary, as my first choice was available.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Does this timing concern anyone? It concerns me greatly. I don't want to have to call at exactly 11 months in advance and still maybe not even get what I want when I am spending so much $ for ownership. I think we may just back out. Anyone care to comment on this?

I don't think you have a lot to worry about once all the resorts are completed. This next year at AKV could be tight, since they will be building most of it yet, but I'm quite sure you will be able to get something most times and places by calling at the 11 month mark. The only time we call day by day is when we are trying to secure a GV at OKW at the 11 month mark. Even when we are calling for holidays, we usually wait until the final check out day window to book. We usually book 1 or 2 bedroom villas.

 

[beachblanket]

Does this timing concern anyone? It concerns me greatly. I don't want to have to call at exactly 11 months in advance and still maybe not even get what I want when I am spending so much $ for ownership. I think we may just back out. Anyone care to comment on this?

If you commit to calling MS the moment they open at 9am exactly 11 months to the day on a day by day basis, you will be at the absolute front of the ressie queue, ergo pretty much insuring you will get "exactly" what you want (e.g. category of villa in your home resort on your specific days).

However, if you are not willing to commit to that approach, you will never get the "insurance" you are looking for. Or put another way, DVC is not for those who want to cherry pick but aren't willing to engage in advance planning and a certain amount of "stopwatch" type reservation calling.