Somebody explain September

[Hoops McCann]

We are new DVC members, having just bought a few months ago and heading down for our first stay two days from now. (YAY!)

Our contract came loaded with lots of unused points to use (great problem to have, right?) so we are planning three trips for this year. I managed to snag a stay at CCV (our home resort) for December, as we really want to see the Christmas decorations there. That was harder than I expected, even at 11 months out. It almost made me regret buying at CCV!

And now that we're 7 months out from September I'm trying to plan a 20th anniversary trip for my wife and I. Based on the ubiquitous crowd calendars, the parks are slow in September; and based on the points charts I expected that DVC demand would be low. But it seems to be the opposite, which has really surprised me. Lots of places are heavily picked over, with no more than 2 consecutive nights available, or in some cases only single nights. We can find *something* but mostly it looks like we'll have to spend more points than we wanted. Currently I'm seeing resort studios w/ preferred view at VGF are widely available, which also surprised me.

So, can someone explain September to me?

 

[cstempel]

September is the cheapest time to go for DVC points, but, surprisingly, the first half of December is the third cheapest time to go, which is why you’re not seeing a huge dip in numbers. End of December vs September prices are close to double. We’re looking to book the first week of December ourselves for that very reason, but finding points to rent is a tough thing at the moment. CCV is supposed to be one of the absolute best to see during the holidays, so congrats! Also, looking at the Points Chart for CCV, it doesn’t seem to have such aggressive point swings as some of the other resorts. AKL in September starts at 7 and goes up to 16 point per night, where CCV goes from 13 to 25 base

 

[Jonnnyap]

Congrats on your new purchase!


The point charts in September are quite low, which makes that month incredibly popular for DVC visits. Many book right at 11 months in advance to secure those dates. I hope something opens for you. Otherwise, keep checking and piece together - perhaps split stay in a few resorts to enjoy their variety.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree with other opinions you've been getting. In short, September is very likely to see lighter crowds for various reasons (it's still pretty hot, hurricane season, kids back to school). But that doesn't directly correlate to DVC reservations, since the point charts are so favorable. So - lighter crowds likely, but a lot of those people in September are probably tied to a DVC reservation!

 

[Genie+]

People like to stretch their points. The lower point seasons, standard studios, near park resorts… whatever looks a really good value means probably high on other people’s radars as well. Just like Sept, early May is not a high demand period at WDW, but near park standard studios can be competitive even at 11 months especially weekdays.

VGF1 sold around 2.5 million points. That was a mix of different room sizes typical of most other DVC resorts. Later VGF2 was added, selling another 2.1 million points, and consisted entirely of the 202 studios in Big Pine Key. There’s plenty of studios to go around now.

 

[muppets3d]

As you get accustomed to your DVC membership you'll find that the best course of action is to book your home resort at 11 months for every trip, even if you ultimately don't want to stay at your home resort. That way you have something. Then, when your 7 month window opens you can attempt to modify the reservation and exchange into a different resort. The only time this doesn't work is if you want to book DLR or AUL - the DVC website will not allow you to modify a reservation across the continent. You can call member services to complete the modification, or simply cancel and rebook online.

DVC availability does not necessarily correlate with crowd figures for the parks. The parks are quite slow in early December for example (probably the lightest crowds all year), but as you've discovered it's very popular with DVC. Most DVC properties are beautifully decorated for Christmas - especially your home of CCV. And early December takes far fewer points than Christmas itself.

 

[Narcoossee11]

September:
Mickey not so scary, Halloween Horror nights, fall weather, fall crowds, school back in, lower points
These that affect availability to resorts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are new DVC members, having just bought a few months ago and heading down for our first stay two days from now. (YAY!)

Our contract came loaded with lots of unused points to use (great problem to have, right?) so we are planning three trips for this year. I managed to snag a stay at CCV (our home resort) for December, as we really want to see the Christmas decorations there. That was harder than I expected, even at 11 months out. It almost made me regret buying at CCV!

And now that we're 7 months out from September I'm trying to plan a 20th anniversary trip for my wife and I. Based on the ubiquitous crowd calendars, the parks are slow in September; and based on the points charts I expected that DVC demand would be low. But it seems to be the opposite, which has really surprised me. Lots of places are heavily picked over, with no more than 2 consecutive nights available, or in some cases only single nights. We can find *something* but mostly it looks like we'll have to spend more points than we wanted. Currently I'm seeing resort studios w/ preferred view at VGF are widely available, which also surprised me.

So, can someone explain September to me?

I'm glad you asked this question. We've been members for 23 years, and I had the same question today. We went to WDW in September last year and loved it. Great weather and low crowds. We booked our home resort at 11 months out, and never looked at availability after that. This year I wanted to go back, forgot to book earlier, now 7 month is coming up, and virtually nothing I want is available already. Like you, I wondered why?

 

[Wedgeout]

Currently lowest point charts. WDW Food & Wine. Usually a Moonlight Magic date. Schools back in session. After hours events. (Just a gamble with the hurricanes).

 

[Brian Noble]

We can find *something* but mostly it looks like we'll have to spend more points than we wanted.

Pretty much year-round, studios in lower-point view categories are very competitive at seven months. For example, this is Riviera Resort view:
https://dvcfieldguide.com/riv-studio-standard115

And this is Preferred:
https://dvcfieldguide.com/riv-studio-preferred116

Throw in the added "bonus" of what is sometimes called Fall Frenzy: the period from the beginning of Food & Wine, through Marathon weekend. The demand is generally higher then than during the rest of the year.

 

[davidhr]

One thing you'll quickly learn is that WDW High/Low Seasons are not necessarily DVC High/Low Seasons.

 

[kgou]

OP, not sure how comfortable you are rolling the waitlist dice ...personally I have had great luck with it since becoming a member. You may consider also stalking your dates ...things will pop up!

 

[airjay75]

Also just noting that if you compare this savings to using points over rack rates, December is far and away the month where you get the most savings. But, the second month with the most savings across the board is September.

There's a great tool on this website if you've never checked it out: dvcrofr.com

Unless DVC decides to adjust points charts (personally, I think they should), these will continue to be very difficult months to book.