Studio availability

[MuleDog]

Prospective new DVC buyer. Had a couple questions for the boards more seasoned DVC-ers.

We are a young family of 4, and basically have little to no extended family that will ever travel with us. Consequently, we would be looking primarily at studio rooms. I’ve done some research and have narrowed down my interest on a home resort to the Poly, Beach Club, Boardwalk and Boulder Ridge.

Question 1: at the 11 month mark, do the studios at the above resorts sell out frequently in June - mid August time frame?

Question 2: part of the appeal of DVC are the non-WDW resorts. I understand studios at Grand Californian sell out almost always by the 7 month mark... what about Vero Beach, Hilton Head and Hawaii during the June - mid August period?

Question 3: anyway to get any discount on dining if buying a resale? I believe the answer is “no” if you aren’t a Florida resident (and thereby wouldn’t be able to get tables in wonderland).

Thanks all for the insight - it’s much appreciated.

 

[badeacon]

HHI has been my home resort since 1996. June to mid August would be difficult at 7 months. I have kept HHI just to book summer at 11 months.

 

[stewart715]

Question 1: at the 11 month mark, do the studios at the above resorts sell out frequently in June - mid August time frame?

Studios are first to go everywhere, but at 11 months your odds are very good all summer. All year even with exception of major holiday weeks where it is a rat race to the cheapest studio rooms.

Question 3: anyway to get any discount on dining if buying a resale? I believe the answer is “no” if you aren’t a Florida resident (and thereby wouldn’t be able to get tables in wonderland).

There are no discounts with resale memberships. If you purchase an annual pass, you can get some 10% dining discounts.

 

[crvetter]

If you do buy the AP you are eligible to buy TiW (DVC, FL, and AP holders are eligible).

 

[CraigInPA]

Many of the dining discounts overlap with annual pass and Disney Chase Visa discounts. The Disney Visa card may be an option for you, as it also allows you to redeem rewards as Disney gift cards and/or airfare reimbursements (not airfare miles, but actual reimbursements for airfare).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Question 1: at the 11 month mark, do the studios at the above resorts sell out frequently in June - mid August time frame?

I would use caution assuming that you can get BWV Standard even at 11 months. The abundance of recent small contracts has led to a rush on that category, which is small. Otherwise, those resorts are bookable at 11 months.

Question 2: part of the appeal of DVC are the non-WDW resorts. I understand studios at Grand Californian sell out almost always by the 7 month mark... what about Vero Beach, Hilton Head and Hawaii during the June - mid August period?

Getting a studio at HHI in high summer can be a challenge at 7 months, but 1BRs are generally more available. Aulani is more popular in early to mid-June, before the point chart increases for high summer, but is often available so long as you don't assume you can get a Standard Stduio (or unit - Standard is a small category at Aulani) or the Hotel Room (unicorn - there are 8 points units in that category). If you budget for Ocean View it is generally quite possible. VB is also quite possible.

 

[kniquy]

Question 1: at the 11 month mark, do the studios at the above resorts sell out frequently in June - mid August time frame?

During June to August it is typically a slow DVC time, so you should not have any trouble getting a studio at 11 months. I would say out of those 4 BC is probably the most competitive and Poly the easiest as it is mostly studios. Do keep in mind there are some, I feel, significant differences between those 4 resorts you listed. You mentioned being a young family - of all those resorts they will accomodate 5 in a studio. It will be cramped but if your family does grow you can still stay at those resorts. Poly has an extra bathroom (well extra shower, still only one toilet). And poly expires in 2066 where as the other 3 expire in 2042 -- again this might make a difference if you are young and plan many years of DVC trips.

Question 2: part of the appeal of DVC are the non-WDW resorts. I understand studios at Grand Californian sell out almost always by the 7 month mark... what about Vero Beach, Hilton Head and Hawaii during the June - mid August period?

VGC is always difficult to get, Vero is typically very easy to get at 7 months, HHI will be tough to get in the summer. Aulani will be near impossible in June, but availability does get better in July and a bit better in August.

Question 3: anyway to get any discount on dining if buying a resale? I believe the answer is “no” if you aren’t a Florida resident (and thereby wouldn’t be able to get tables in wonderland).

If one in your party gets an AP you can have a 10% dining discount. and the 20 % shopping discounts. Or you can make your own discount by purchasing discount Disney gift cards from target at 5% off. It is worth it to work out the numbers to see if it makes sense.

It might even make sense if you want to try and fit 2 trips off one AP. So one year travel in August and then the following year go in July - then if you have 2 - 7 day trips - getting an AP for the family might work out to be a better deal.

 

[DaveNan]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-studios-1-bedrooms-june-2018-update.3689931/
Here is a great thread on past availability maintained by some dedicated DIS'ers.

I have used it several times, and found it very useful. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

 

[FFMickey]

1. We have a PVB contact and haven't been shut out for a studio. You do need to book at close to the 11 month mark.
2. Aulani want a problem to book at 7 month. We did book for Sept, but that is a slower time for Aulani. VGC is hard to book no matter what time of year.
3. No perks unless bought direct. With resale, you only get access to TOTWL and RCI trades.

 

[MuleDog]

Thank you all for your insight.

A follow up question on a related point pertaining to Aulani and HHI.

If we are only interested in buying a smaller contract that could cover a studio, and assuming the point cost at Aulani and HHI go beyond that point total, have any of you had success in the point rental system to make up the gap?

Thanks!

 

[cruisin5]

We borrow if necessary to get the needed extra points.

You can "purchase" one time use points, up to 24 per year at $19/point BUT they are only available on a 7 month reservation, it won't work on a reservation at your home resort with the 11 month priority.

Alternatively, book the nights that you can then rent a reservation for the additional night from a third party and link the reservations so you won't need to switch rooms.

You can transfer points from another owner but we are limited to only one transfer in or out per year and most will only transfer a minimum number of points, like 100.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you all for your insight.

A follow up question on a related point pertaining to Aulani and HHI.

If we are only interested in buying a smaller contract that could cover a studio, and assuming the point cost at Aulani and HHI go beyond that point total, have any of you had success in the point rental system to make up the gap?

Thanks!

You don't rent points to add to your points. You must get a transfer from another member to add to your points (or do the 24 or less One Time Use points - once per UY). There are a lot of rules about tranfers, like only one per UY in or out, you can't transfer banked or borrowed points, you can borrow transferred points, but you can bank them.

If you had enough points to make a six night reservation, but not the seventh, you could rent a single night reservation and attempt to add it to your reservation. But that might not happen either.