So, what's the TRUTH about DVC?

[caverill]

I know it has been said repeatedly, but DVC does require planning at least 10 months ahead to ensure you have a place at your home resort.

We have been members for two years and gone during President's week both years. We had no problems getting a room and even got a Std view this last year.

Planning ahead and remembering to call it the main key. If you wait too long, you may not get what you want.

Last year we also booked a room at VB at the 7 month mark, which in effect opened up two nights at BWV since we used that as our fallback option at the 11 month window.

I believe you will be very happy with DVC in the future. Try it one more year and then make your decision.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I don't know about the Discon issue but I do know I called a few days after the 7 month mark and had no problems getting into BCV for a studio. Actually I have yet to book anything as far ahead as 11 months yet. When I want to stay at VWL after Thanksgiving or early December that will be the one time I will do it....maybe next year! It sounds like a good idea.

I think for future reference you might try the waitlist and do backup cash reservations somewhere...I'm guessing but you could then convert the cash reservations to points if you get too close to your travel date and the wait list hasn't come through. Using points is an expensive way to go tho'.

One thing you didn't say was what size unit you were trying to book.

 

[sgtdisney]

We have been members since 1992 and rarely plan any vacation more than 6 months in advance. I have never done anything at the 11 month window. That being said, I can only remember one time when I wanted to get a room throught the DVC that we couldn't and that was around spring break one year. The problem there was I was trying only about 2 months out. (Long story, but we got invited to a wedding in SoFla and I wanted to spend a couple of days at Disney..) I will have to say that we are members at OKW and always stay there. Perhaps it is is more difficult at BWV, I have never tried so I don't really know.. Maybe BWV will become a little easier when BCV is going full steam?

 

[Richnj]

WE love to go in Nov. also. Never had a problem. Our last stay in Nov. was in a Grand Villa. We had no problem in getting our request on the fist try( 11 mounth window).

 

[KLR-wlv]

I've been a DVC member for a little over a year and have gone on 2 vacations using points - both times with a waitlist coming through. I got into a std view 1 br at BWV in the beginning of December after about 2 months on the waitlist (and I called for that reservation about 4 months out...). So don't assume the waitlist won't work out.

 

[Disney Doll]

Truthfully, Carl, DH and I have always gone at off times of the year(October, January) and have never had a problem booking 11 months out. I would guess that if you aren't trying to book Thanksgiving week(which you say you aren't interested in doing), you shouldn't have a huge problem.

 

[Carl]

To answer the question about what I waitlisted, I had asked for a studio, either preferred or standard view, either at VWL, BWV, or BCV. I had asked for Dec 4-8. When I called today, I told the CM that I was new and really needed her advice. Should I continue to stay on the wait list or should I book Contemporary Resort. She said "Just a minute and I'll check." She came back and said that she saw little chance for my wait list to come through. She then warned me that if I booked CR I could not cancel it and book a DVC resort. I asked her how long I would have to use the points in holding for a non DVC and she said until the end of my use year. So, what I did was book CR for Dec 2-5 for 28 points per day and change my wait list to Dec 6 and 7, still for any of the three. She had no comment about whether I'd have a chance at getting that. She did say that the 30 points I had remaining would be enough, if the wait list came through. I'm not sure that is correct, because the two days I have wait listed are Friday and Saturday. I might have to borrow a few points from next year. She had also told me that CR for Friday or Saturday was 50 points per day.

 

[CarolMN]

Actually, you'll need 44 points (40 if you get a standard view at BWV) if the waitlist comes through - Fri & Sat nights in a studio are 22 points each during during Adventure Season. (But borrowing14 points doesn't sound too bad, does it)?

You must be booked in a garden view at the CR. Weeknights are 28 points each for that and weekend nights are 50 points each.

Hope the waitlist comes through for you!

 

[Carl]

I thought so. I don't know why she did not pick up on that. Yes, it is a Garden View. Do you know anything about that? I have never stayed anywhere at the Contemporary. It is not in the main building, is it? How far is it to walk into the building to the monorail? Is it closer just to walk to the MK?

 

[CarolMN]

I've never stayed at the CR, either (though I'd like to someday). You'll probably get a lot more info on the CR room types and locations if you post your questions on the Resort Board.

 

[erikthewise]

Carl,

Can you explain why you say you bought DVC for *location* when the only ones you're interested in (VWL, BCV, BWV) are directly adjacent to perfectly good deluxe resorts? Surely there was some factor other than location involved!

As another new member I can sympathize with the difficulty of using your first year's points. I think the keywords are "waitlist" and "banking". Don't feel that you have to use your points at CR.

 

[dbkelly]

Carl,

I hate to hear that you are having trouble. I have never had any problems. I can't understand why you are having them for November. It must be the dis-con (whatever that is). The bottom line is that you should not have any problems except for the holiday times noted before. I don't know if you remember, but I booked you a reservation and I believe it was only a few months out.

Try calling MS everday and see if that helps. I was on a waiting list once for a few days and I called each day. I think they note that you are calling everyday.

Hang in there!

Doris

 

[Carl]

By "location" I meant either near (walking distance or boat) to MK or Epcot. And, of course, PRICE is also what I had reference to. Ability to lock in at $100 or less per night those conveniently located deluxe resorts. There is no way I would EVER have paid $200 + per night to stay anywhere, close, deluxe or not. In other words, I did not purchase DVC to just to get deluxe resorts at a decent price. The MAIN reason I bought was to get Epcot or MK resorts at a reasonable price. I have no interest in OKW, HH, or any other DVC other than the 3 that are Epcot and MK resorts.

 

[Carl]

Yes, Debra, as I wrote to you, the rental from you is what made me decide to purchase DVC. And, yes, the fact that we were able to book it 3 months out is one of the reasons I felt that it might work. However, that is the first time I ever went in Feb. and I really did NOT enjoy it. I liked BWV, but NOT the weather. Two very harsh cold fronts came in during my visit. I would never go in Jan or Feb again. It is a good thing that I did enjoy BWV and the Dolphin, because that is where I spent 50% of the time - in the rooms.
What I have been complaining about is that AFTER I bought the resale I began reading on here that November is a very difficult time to book DVC, and that is my preferred month to go. The only reason I was booking in Feb for this year was that I was in a Little Theater production during the month of November this year. Thanks again for renting to me.

 

[PamOKW]

It must be the dis-con

Last year was the first DIS Con. It's a convention of people who post here on the DIS....the granddaddy of DIS meets.

 

[Regina]

Last year, we were able to book a one bedroom at VWL for the end of November (DIS CON), a month and a half ahead of time.

Not panicking is excellent advice.

 

[patbscrooge]

Carl, we have belonged to DVC for about 3 years and have not had any trouble booking our rooms at all. We usually go for the one bedroom standard at BWV and like to go in November (the weekend before Thanksgiving) and - believe it or not - Easter weekend. If I call at the eleven month window, there's usually not a problem. I got Easter weekend this year and only called six months out. I'm going for a short visit next month and was able to get VWL two weeks ago after being waitlisted for 2 days. I've gotten on the wait list for unplanned visits and it has come through for me every time. Can't guarantee it, but people cancel or change their plans every day. Hang in there, DVC is great!

I have stayed at the Contemporary in a Garden Room. My family loved it. You can be a distance from the monorail however since the Garden Rooms are in the wings set off from the main building. Depending on which wing you're in it might be quicker to walk to MK. The bathrooms are huge!! You can watch the Electric Water Pageant from the boat dock every night and there are numerous dining options in the hotel and at the other resorts on the monorail (not to mention Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness). Hope you like it too!

Pat

 

[manning]

Carl, don't worry, be happy. Go with flow. Nine years ago I was somewhat like you. Then I got real sick and didn't know if I would see tomorrow. I said to hell with it, life is too short to worry about everything. My dad use to say "worry about only the things you can control and you will realize that there is very little in life you can control". You just might find out you will get the dates you want, more times than not. So pick up that phone, start dialing and ENJOY LIFE!!!

 

[Cinderelli]

We were able to snag a studio at VWL last year for the Sat - Wed before Thanksgiving. We only called a few weeks out and got the ressie (no wait list involved). I think you'll find that you'll be able to get what you want.

Enjoy your DVC!

 

[Bill K]

I must be different, I never had a problem with ressies @ my home BWV in November..