Short notice booking

[kitkat32]

My DH and I are looking to buy DVC. Because of all your advice and financial reasons it looks like this fall especially Nov. would be a good time to buy. If we do, how like would it be for us to get a vacation in Jan. We are available for a vacation at anytime that month and may even want to take the DCL. Does any one have any thoughts on booking with that short of notice?

 

[MrsNick]

My DH and I are looking to buy DVC. Because of all your advice and financial reasons it looks like this fall especially Nov. would be a good time to buy. If we do, how like would it be for us to get a vacation in Jan. We are available for a vacation at anytime that month and may even want to take the DCL. Does any one have any thoughts on booking with that short of notice?

Last January lots of dis'ers posted that DVC resorts were surprisingly full, and was difficult to get a reservation closer in (Although I'm starting to wonder if that wasn't partly because of all the developer points that were given out with new purchases).

However, you may get lucky - I did two years in a row. In 2007, I called in the beginning of January for a reservation at the beginning of February. In 2008, I called one week prior to arrival the first week of March. Got both reservations.

OTOH, called at beginning of Oct. 2007 to reserve a 1 BR at VB the first week of April 2008. Got all nights except for one. Waitlisted for that night and it never came through.

Similarly, I just recently called to get a reservation in any type room at HH or VB for any time this summer, and the only availability is on weekends (I would never call this late for a summer reservation at VB or HH, but DH literally told me that he wanted to go this summer while we were at VB a couple of weeks ago ). And, we're paying the price, because nothing is available.

It just depends. Win some, lose some when it comes to last minute reservations.

 

[Deb & Bill]

With the holiday and the marathon, the first two weeks of January can be difficult to reserve that late. Also, the week that would include MLK holiday, would also be difficult to reserve as late as Nov. The last week of Jan might be possible.

 

[Dean]

As a rule I would advise anyone looking at short notice as a routine should not buy in but then I'd recommend against buying for DCL usage as well. I'd define short notice as less than 7 months. If you want next Jan and plan to buy, I'd go ahead and do so now if there's no other financial reason not to. If you're trying to save a few $$$ on the Maint fee, it's not worth it plus there may be a price increase that would certainly more than wipe out any meager savings on maint fees gained by waiting.

 

[ilovefh]

Be flexible! We don't always plan our vacations out in advance like most DVC owners do and we are usually pretty successful. We're also very flexible. Normally we'll take a studio/one bedroom anywhere. Because of this we normally end up staying at SSR or OKW. As long as we are in Disney we don't car where we stay! When we know the resorts will be full we do plan in advance.

Also, I think trying tp purchase a resale in Nov might be cutting it too close for a Jan ressie. But purchasing direct through Disney you'll be fine.

 

[CarolAnnC]

My DH and I are looking to buy DVC. Because of all your advice and financial reasons it looks like this fall especially Nov. would be a good time to buy. If we do, how like would it be for us to get a vacation in Jan. We are available for a vacation at anytime that month and may even want to take the DCL. Does any one have any thoughts on booking with that short of notice?

I would not expect there to be huge availability if purchasing in November and wanting to travel in January. As mentioned above, if you purchase through Disney you won't have as long of a wait to be in the system and may be able to book something. Purchasing resale, you won't have a prayer.

DCL may or may not have availability for booking on points then. The inventory for DVC Members cruising is different from booking on cash direct through DCL so it will be difficult to judge. You can always give it a try and just have a backup plan available! Good luck!

 

[CarolA]

I would not expect there to be huge availability if purchasing in November and wanting to travel in January. As mentioned above, if you purchase through Disney you won't have as long of a wait to be in the system and may be able to book something. Purchasing resale, you won't have a prayer.

!

You have a prayer. But the closing process might be a HUGE issue.

Last week I got two nights at SSR starting tomorrow. (That was less then 7 days in advance so I was on the night by night call plan. I did have to call several times to get all my nights but I did it!)

 

[CarolAnnC]

You have a prayer. But the closing process might be a HUGE issue.

Gotta disagree with you Carol. Closing on a resale typically takes 8 weeks to go from start to finish ie making reservations. Some do run even much longer. If the OP purchases some time in November, it is going to be highly unlikely they can plan a trip to WDW or DCL in advance for January. Unless they can leave on less than a week's notice such as you did, it is going to be very iffy for them to book if they go the resale route. If they buy via Disney then they have a much better chance of negotiating this into their purchase with their Guide.