So, what's the TRUTH about DVC?

[Carl]

Is it that you actually can not use it (other than at OKW) anytime except the summer months or other unpleasant times? The more I read this board (AFTER I have made the mistake of purchasing a resale,) the more obvious it is becoming that anytime that I'd want to go to WDW is a time that is going to be unavailable or at least VERY difficult to get. I don't really like to try to plan my vacations a whole year in advance, but generally like to go in November - NEVER in summer months. Am I really going to have to call every day, day-by-day in December the year before, to be able to get a 5 day stay in November? And then not even be sure of getting it? Hey! This is supposed to be a vacation, not a strenuous exercise in patience and stress. Did I just purchase at the wrong time, or has it always been this difficult?

 

[robinb]

The truth? Yes and no. The truth is that it can be difficult to get into the WDW resorts at the 7 month window around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter and President's Week. In addition, it can also be hard to get into BWV around the Food and Wine festival in November.

What is your home resort?

 

[Carl]

I do NOT want to go to Disney at Christmas (at least during the crowded time,) at Easter, or Thanksgiving, or President's Week. Nor do I want to go when it is HOT - which lets out the summer. I DO want to go in November and possibly May.
My home resort is BVW. I DID do enough research before purchasing to know that I'd have an 11 month (which as I understand it, means from the 11th up to the 7th month) advantage at the home resort. I have no desire or interest in any DVC other than BCV, VWL, or BWV. I bought DVC for LOCATION, not for the luxury. I did NOT do enough research to know that November would be difficult to get. While I am asking - is May also difficult to get? Although, I have to admit, May would be a very LOW second choice to November, because of the temperatures at that time of year.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We are staying for 13 nights in late October / early November. When we booked the trip, last December, I only called once and had no problem getting a one bedroom at VWL for the entire stay.

If you know when you want to go at 11-months out, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Richyams]

Basically at BWV the only time you would need to call day by day is for a standard view or a grand villa. Other than that, one call at the end should do fine.

May is a less busy month for DVC, especially at BWV.

 

[Carl]

So what you are saying is, that I might as well bank my points for this year and wait till December of 2002 to book for November 2003. Or, just put it on the market and write off DVC as "not for me." Then, use the money I recover from the sale and book an All Star for November of 2002 or December 4-8 for Dis Con of 2002. I don't think that (other than DVC) I'd have any problem booking either of those times right now.

 

[Carl]

"May is a less busy month for DVC, especially at BWV."
I can imagine that might be true. Walking all the way around that unshaded boardwalk in the May sun probably is not a very attractive thought.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

"Is it that you actually can not use it (other than at OKW) anytime except the summer months or other unpleasant times?"
No.

"Am I really going to have to call every day, day-by-day in December the year before, to be able to get a 5 day stay in November? And then not even be sure of getting it?"
If you are calling in December, you shouldn't have to call day-by-day, unless, as Rich says, you are calling for a standard view or a grand villa. If you call at the 11-month window, you should be able to get what you want.

 

[mikesmom]

Carl:
Have you actually TRIED to get a reservation? Or are you just going by hearsay?

We've owned for 3 years. Our "home" is at BWV. We've had reservations in May and June consistently. We've booked everything from studios to 2 bdrm, depending on the number of family going with us. I've never had a problem booking what I wanted when I wanted it. I have NEVER called day by day. Until this year, we have never used a waitlist. I have never had to adjust my travel days. The only time we've even had to go to another resort was when we did very last minute plans - changed ressies by a week because of at home issues. Very last minute means 2 weeks out. We've also had to do wait list this year when doing BWV for this year in November. However, we tried to book at about 6 1/2 months out and picked the week that simultaneously had Soap weekend, Jersey Week and the Food & Wine Fest. Even then, the waitlist came through. By the way, last year we booked that same week at 10 months out and had NO problems.

It's possible if you've just bought in and are only now trying to get into an Epcot resort for the 1st 2 weeks in November that you might not get in. It may take a while for you to get in the swing of things going forward.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Carl
I don't really like to try to plan my vacations a whole year in advance, but generally like to go in November - NEVER in summer months. Am I really going to have to call every day, day-by-day in December the year before, to be able to get a 5 day stay in November?

I'm sorry that there wasn't availability this year for DisCon and November at the time you were able to make your first ressies. (IIRC, your resale closed well after the 7 month window opened for those times). It definitely IS difficult to get a ressie for the more popular times if you cannot not use the 11 month / 7 month windows. As Richyams posted, you should be able to get a ressie at BWV in November with one phone call if you use the 11 month window.

Given that you prefer to vacation in November, if you really are unable (or unwilling) to plan 10-11 months in advance, then IMHO, you will not be happy with DVC. DVC does work best for those who are able to plan 10-11 months in advance.

Best wishes,
Carol

 

[Chuck S]

If you want to go in the "off season" and cool temperature, what about January or February? You'll still have a vacation, even if it is a month or so later than you originally planned?

 

[melk]

We just bought our resale and knowing that we've missed our 11-month window, did not even try to book for the beginning of December. From these boards I know that early December is a busy time for DVC, although not for WDW in general. But we just booked a 1BR at VWL for the week before Thanksgiving with no problem. I am not concerned about not getting a reservation for early December next year (if we choose to go then) because we will be able to book it at 11 months out. If that's when you like to go to WDW, then you would have to take advantage of your 11 month window.

 

[Poohnbuki]

From reading your posts, it appears that all you have done is get mad after reading this board. Have you even tried to make a reservation? My wife and I have made reservations within 4 months of traveling and have been able to book a room. Yes, sometimes it is not easy to book during the busy times, but that is the price you pay for having a "Timeshare" that allows you the flexibility to travel any time of the year. Have you thought about looking for some timeshare that books a block of time every year? From the sounds of it, that is what you are looking for.

Good Luck

 

[spiceycat]

early December for that last 3 years it is hard to get a DVC resort - there is a bunch of things going on and the annual meeting of the DVC is also in this time period - all the parks are having their special Christmas entertainment and the Dis con is also in this time period. the parks crowds are low. Thanksgiving - the weather is great most kids get off that week or for at least 3 days and the crowds are low (for a holiday). These are the only two times I have heard of that is a problem. May is generally not (but if WDW comes up with something for that time period - who knows). The other weeks in November (except for the last - because it is like the first two in December) are not a problem - or haven't been. If you know that you want these weeks go aheard and make your reservations as soon as possible - if you change your mind - you change your mind - I change my DVC reservations all the time - this is not a problem.

I am sorry that you couldn't get what you wanted - but get MS to put you on a daily wait list - you should be able to get your reservations that way.

Of course I love OKW so staying there is not a problem for me - if you like PI or DD it is really better than the BWV, BCV or VWL.

 

[robinb]

I feel like I'm playing "Blue's Clues!" here. Now where is my handy dandy notebook?

Let's see if I've pieced it together correctly.

(1) You bought a resale at BWV and closed sometime in the last month.
(2) You like to go in November and May.
(3) You tried to book for DISCON at the end of November, but BWV is booked.
(4) Now you're bummed.

In the words of a famous Science Fiction writer:

Don't Panic!

Many people think they can plan 7 - 11 months in advance, but they cannot. Put yourself on the waitlist and make backup plans. Others will cancel and you will get your room. Go ahead and bank your points into the next use year if you have to. You can always borrow back from the next use year.

 

[KNWVIKING]

CARL...

In one of your threads you stated that you don't like to plan your trips and in another thread you state you plan to go in May and Nov. Kinda sounds like a plan.

I always go in May & Nov/Dec, (between thanksgiving and Christmas) and have never not gotten what I wanted using the 11 and 7 month windows and I've stayed at all the resorts. The system does work with very little planning.

I've never tried to get a "last minute" type ressie but I've read tons of posts here from people who were pickle'd tink because they got in on short notice.

I think you just need to give it a little time. You made a good investment.

 

[vacationman]

What's the big deal about the heat - you live in Houston, Texas!!!

By the way, I have yet to have problems booking a room for my vacations. Either I am flexible about where to stay and what room size to get, or I use the waitlist.

 

[Carl]

OK, I paniced. I just got off the phone with MS and booked Contemporary Resort for Dec. 2-5. Now I have 2 days of Dis Con that I will be there and was able to use my 2002 points. It cost me 112 points for those 4 days, so not a really sensible use of my first year's points, but I'll book in December for NEXT November or December (if I enjoy this December's visit,) and get better use of my DVC points - I hope.
Do you think I was foolish for doing this?
Oh, btw, I have Dec 6 and 7 waitlisted, just in case something opens up. I thought 2 days were more likely than the whole 5 days. The CM says that she thinks it is unlikely, though, that I will get the waitlisted days.

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, I don't think the 112 points is unreasonable, and a good alternative IF that is the time you want to go, only you personally can decide if it is a good use of points for you. I like the Contemporary and the convenience of the monorail...although we've always stayed at OKW since buying in.

 

[Kelly&John]

You don't sound very happy about your decision to buy into DVC. I could always use some more BWV points if your interested in selling

Just kidding! I'm sure you'll enjoy your DVC membership.

Kelly