Seek advice on Christmas resort selection

[PlutoNotPlanet]

First, I know I am already late as the 11-month time point has passed. I have read a few posts

Taking value into consideration (I know value is a nice-to-have as I decided to join the crowd spending the highest pt/night), which are your favorite WDW DVC resorts? (I need to take RIV out as I don't have direct points. And I personally prefer not to stay at SSR or OKW since I can do those other time of the year.) In other words, I am talking about BLT, VGF, PVB, BRW/CCV plus BCV, BWV.

And a more practical question as I am looking for studios: If a resort appears to be full booked now and I waitlist, what is the chance I get a studio during the week of Christmas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

First, I know I am already late as the 11-month time point has passed. I have read a few posts

Taking value into consideration (I know value is a nice-to-have as I decided to join the crowd spending the highest pt/night), which are your favorite WDW DVC resorts? (I need to take RIV out as I don't have direct points. And I personally prefer not to stay at SSR or OKW since I can do those other time of the year.) In other words, I am talking about BLT, VGF, PVB, BRW/CCV plus BCV, BWV.

And a more practical question as I am looking for studios: If a resort appears to be full booked now and I waitlist, what is the chance I get a studio during the week of Christmas?

Thanks in advance!

I’m not sure about value here, but I’d think your best chance at the 7mo window for a studio is the PVB longhouses just because of the sheer quantity of them. It’s also really nice to be at a MK resort (if you don’t mind the insanity) during Christmas. Getting to Grand Floridan or Wilderness Lodge to visit and explore is a treat and fairly easy from Poly.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, you aren't technically late since you can't book until the 7-month mark unless it's your home. So you still have time to think about where you'll want to waitlist.

I haven't been to WDW over Christmas time but I'm definitely planning on staying at BRV some year because their lobby looks so nice all decorated.

 

[mamaofsix]

I would recommend checking out https://www.dvchelp.com/ Click on the Availability Charts and you can see what your odds are to get Christmas week at each resort.

AKL Kidani would be my best bet for a studio Christmas Week if you are looking for incredible Christmas theming. VGF will be beautiful but crowded - and not as easy to get a studio.

Good news is that Christmas week is a whole lot easier to book than earlier in December due to the high points.

 

[Dis507]

8:15 on January 24 was to late for Christmas at Disney for 25’. But seriously you can wait list what you want and still have a good chance of getting what you want. The 7 month window is when the real chaos begins as folks that what to try something away from their home resort start to move their reservations around.

So you don’t know till you try.

Good luck!

 

[tofubeast]

Most of the resorts you wanted have wide open availability with the exception of Board Walk (pool view is open), CC, and BRV.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

I’m not sure about value here, but I’d think your best chance at the 7mo window for a studio is the PVB longhouses just because of the sheer quantity of them. It’s also really nice to be at a MK resort (if you don’t mind the insanity) during Christmas. Getting to Grand Floridan or Wilderness Lodge to visit and explore is a treat and fairly easy from Poly.

Yeah, thanks! I can see Poly is fully available at the moment.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Well, you aren't technically late since you can't book until the 7-month mark unless it's your home. So you still have time to think about where you'll want to waitlist.

I haven't been to WDW over Christmas time but I'm definitely planning on staying at BRV some year because their lobby looks so nice all decorated.

I hear a lot of BRV/CCV. It's not too late to get another contract to book around 8-month mark haha. But some studios have already been booked up

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Thank you! Yes, early December is much harder. Christmas week is hard because of the 25th. If all resorts have 25th booked, you can't even do a split stay... BRV/CCV studios are all booked on the 25th. How should I make a reservation in such case?

 

[Steelers0854]

If you cant get CCV (which is my top choice, BRV included too) then AKV would be my close second, both are so peaceful and relaxing, have amazing lobbies decorated to the nines and I could just sit in any of them and drink a coffee and all is well with the world.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

If you cant get CCV (which is my top choice, BRV included too) then AKV would be my close second, both are so peaceful and relaxing, have amazing lobbies decorated to the nines and I could just sit in any of them and drink a coffee and all is well with the world.

Both sound to me also in terms of economic value with low cost and low points per night. Just seems to be popular at the same time in terms of booking availability. Which days would you pick (I heard you might feel you never have enough points)?

 

[Counting Stars]

Did you book your home resort so that you at least have a reservation? During the week of Christmas waiting for some other resort to open up with a studio is a risky strategy.

Both sound to me also in terms of economic value with low cost and low points per night. Just seems to be popular at the same time in terms of booking availability.

No really sure what you are looking to accomplish here... Where would you like to stay?

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Did you book your home resort so that you at least have a reservation? During the week of Christmas waiting for some other resort to open up with a studio is a risky strategy.

No really sure what you are looking to accomplish here... Where would you like to stay?

I’d like to stay any of these and want some recommendations. None of these are my home resort yet. So, if any is really good, I will consider making it my home resort haha. Otherwise, I will try book based on the recommendations as soon as the 7-month window opens.

 

[jess2022]

You didn't mention AKV and I know it's due for a refurb but I'd still recommend it for Christmas, If you can get in Jambo House is amazing around the holidays.

 

[RickNJane]

We were at BLT first 2 weeks December 2023. Decorations were nothing to speak of. We did not go for the decor at the Contemporary that much either. However as other stated, it is easy to resort hop to look at the other decorations. All that was completely offset by being able to walk to MK at anytime! We really enjoyed that!

We usually state at BWV and we love the lobby there. Decorations are not as grand as GF or WL, but still there is something special about BW at Christmas for us.

All in all I don't think there is a "bad" choice.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

being able to walk to MK at anytime!

Yes, that’s unbeatable! And you have a great point on resort hopping. Maybe I shall consider dedicate a day or two just for that and stay at wherever available and cheap

 

[RickNJane]

Yes, that’s unbeatable! And you have a great point on resort hopping. Maybe I shall consider dedicate a day or two just for that and stay at wherever available and cheap

We usually take a down day and resort hop. Each resort has its charm and different Quick Serve offerings. Old days they had different resort mugs as well, but now all are the same. You will find different merch at each gift shop as well. Christmas time is especially great for hopping since every lobby is spectacular in their own way.
DW and I are going in May to Epcot flower and garden fest. We don't like the heat so we may do a lot of resort hopping!

We love to just relax and soak up the different vibes.

 

[drusba]

First week of Dec is the highest DVC demand week of the year at WDW, Christmas week is second, and second week of Dec is third, and Dec 30 to Jan 1 is itself the highest DVC demand time of year that is less than a week . During those times finding anything at 7-months out with all the nights open that you need at resorts you list has a low probability (e.g. the seven you list, other than Poly and Resort Studios at the newer VGF building, are already showing nights missing from Dec 25 to Jan 1 for studios and it is likely all or most of the nights still left for all seven resorts will be gone before 7-months out). Waitlist may work but do not assume it necessarily will.

Moreover, it sounds like you have not yet purchased enough points for any resort via resale yet so that you can make a Christmas week reservation at the resorts you list. It can take some time for a resale purchase to be completed and your account open for using the new points with DVC. The more you delay that purchase the higher the risk that you will not even be able to make a reservation in May at 7-months out. If that occurs, your chance of finding anything after 7-months out would be significantly reduced