Shut Out at 7 Months

[MiaSRN62]

Booked 50+ days out at our non-home resort BWV. Got a preferred studio for 2 weeknights and 1 weekend night. This was the end of July into the first week of August. This was our only experience booking outside of our home (OKW). My first request for BCV was turned down. I chose not to waitlist because I just didn't think it would come through. The kids really wanted to go to SAB and that's the reason we were considering BCV. So, the "clown" pool seemed to interest the kids. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get BWV either, but I did. The kids are now torn between OKW and BWV as their favorite resorts---they said it's a tie.

 

[zulaya]

Now that I think on it, we did have two stays, both weekends that were "last minute" for me at 2 months out when DH decided he wanted to go for Star Wars Weekends. Once in mid-May, once, the first weekend in June. Both times we got a studio just for the weekend. Both times, one night had to be "found" by MS.

I think in most cases, 7 months works for people. But you have to expect that the waitlist may come into play. There are A LOT of success stories with the waitlist, where people booked at their home resort and waitlisted at 7 months at another resort. Some people reported getting a call back later the same day, others report differing experiences. And still others have reported being able to just switch and not waitlist at all.

It all depends on a variety of things...the dates you are going, both arriving and departing, the size unit you want, how flexible you are with the dates. Sometimes you may find that all your days are available except arrival day, or a day in the middle. I have always had MS tell me what days were available and which weren't, without asking. Make sure when talking with MS, that you get that info. If you only have to waitlist 1 day out of 7, that's pretty good odds. But only if you have that info.

 

[littlestar]

6 Weeks out (right after we purchased) we could only get 4 nights at OKW in a studio. This was for the middle of March. We were thrilled there was availability anywhere and we grabbed it!

June of 2003 I changed a booking from a VWL studio to a Boardwalk 1 bedroom standard view for September 2003. Yes, I was shocked I got it. We had two more people that decided to go with us and we needed more room. They also had availability at OKW when I called. I think September is low season, plus the weather can be iffy (think hurricanes).

Most of the time I book at 10 to 11 months out. I do enjoy staying at Boardwalk and I wish our 85 points at BCV were at Boardwalk instead. I like the standard view points option and I like the quiet pool area (it's landscaped nicely and community hall is terrific). Now, my kids like Storm-a-long Bay, so they might argue between the two!

We have some friends that decided to join us on a trip last October to VWL and they were able to book a studio at VWL a week out! We were thrilled they managed to get it. I think the inventory on that one came from CRO (somehow they did a switch and they managed to get their reservation).

 

[GraceDVC]

We usually take one extended vacation a year. At our home resort, OKW, we book at the 11-month window, but have booked closer to our arrival date on two occasions with no problem for shorter stays.

When we wish to stay at one of the other DVC resorts, we call exactly 7 months from our check-out day and have always gotten our requests. Just called yesterday for reservations at the BCV in May 2004 and had no problem getting our requests.

I have heard of others having to change their plans to another resort when calling close to their requested dates, so if you can plan at either the 11-month or 7-month window, that's your best bet.

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

I think with SSR's debut ressies will change when DVC'ers can book into that resort. I would waitlist and keep track of the dates so you can be on the phone checking for any cancallations.

Good Luck!

We have always gotten the dates and accomondations we needed without the waitlist. I did waitlist for a standard view at the BWV once and that did not work. Then 9-11 happened and our trip was planned 3 days after. Needless to say we got the SV at check-in.

Things will work out!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

So far I haven't had problems with anything except...I booked Beach Club 7 months out and then had to change it about 60 days out. No availability in the October week I was looking for. But did a day by day waitlist and I was in!

Three months is not the best of time frames to look. I'dve gone the waitlist route because people do wind up having to cancel vacations...but three months out they may keep sitting on the reservation with the hope that the problem will clear up (for example...my reservation in November...I sat on that hoping the airfare would clear up until I figured out it was Jersey week...it was worth my while to pay cash and go in October than to use points and go in November...fortunately I wound up getting to use points AND get an affordable airfare).

 

[pwoodham]

Long scenario, but everything turned out great....

1. Booked BWV 2 bdrm + studio 11 mo out no problem
2. Changed to BCV at 7 months out, no problem
3. FIL died at 2 months out - need another 1 bdrm so MIL can accompany us
4. Buy more points
5. With additional points, we are able to book 2 days at BWV, 1 day at BCV, 2 days at BWV, 2 days at BCV. On waitlist at BCV for all BWV days.
6. BCV comes thru for first 2 days about 45 days out.
7. BCV comes thru for day 4 about 40 days out.
8. BCV comes thru for last day about 20 days out.

For someone like me who plans every vacation for at least 18 months, all the last minute stuff was way too stressful!

Whew!!

 

[Laurabearz]

My last venture was a bit tricky.... but I booked 37 days out...Waitlist came thru..... what to do... what to do...

We do try and book 7-11 months out, but have so far booked...


BWV with boardwalk view, this November's F&W trip res 8 months out (1 bedroom) 1st Choice

BWV Prefered, September 2002 5 months out (1bedroom) 1st Choice

HHI in Oct 2002 6 months out (GV) 1st Choice

OKW first week in Dec 2002 7 months out (2-2bedrooms) 1st choice

12 OKW units,Feb 2004, 7 months out (lots of 2 bedrooms and studios) 1st Choice

And today I am calling about HHI for March (we are past the 7 month window for that... but we will see... I also hope to score HHI for the second week in June.... a long shot, but what the heck. I will waitlist and see what happens!

If your open to when and where you stay, short trips are doable.... but I recomend booking as far out as you can!

 

[Kelly Nelly]

My personal record was when I was staying at OKW during Spring Break ( Peak Season) and my family and I were visting VWL. We all decided that maybe we should try this resort next time we are down, but out of curiosty I asked the front desk if there was any availbilty at VWL right then and there, and it turned out that we could stay there for the rest of our holiday!!!!!! So I got on the phone to member services and whamo we were in. So I guess this goes to tell you that you never really know. I really think that this whole 11 month window is really over rated. Other then the compulsive Disney Planners on this board no one really uses it unless for holiday and peak seasons.