Switching at 7 months

[Cait8383]

Good Morning - my mother in law is an owner at Wilderness Lodge Villas. She will be taking the family for a vacation Mid May 2015. At 11 months out she plans to book a 2 bedroom villa and then an additional 2 studios (there are a lot of us going). What are the chances at 7 months out she would be able to switch us to the Beach Club during that time of the year? Also, what is the best way to go about booking (online vs. on the phone)? Thank you for your help!

 

[disneynutz]

If you were switching one room, maybe, but 3 room will be a challenge. Booking on line starts at 8AM EST, MS opens at 9. What if she gets some of the rooms but not all?

Bill

 

[Cait8383]

We would really like to be all the same resort, so much easier with kids/grandparents. So we wouldn't risk waitlisting some. SInce online starts earlier, we would move one at a time correct? And the last room, there's a chance it could be full? Or can you see availablitly for all three rooms, and if they have them, we could book? Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

We would really like to be all the same resort, so much easier with kids/grandparents. So we wouldn't risk waitlisting some. SInce online starts earlier, we would move one at a time correct? And the last room, there's a chance it could be full? Or can you see availablitly for all three rooms, and if they have them, we could book? Thanks!

You run the risk of someone booking a room out from under you while you are booking.

Lets say the you book the 2 bedroom, then a studio, and the final studio isn't available. What do you do, split the group up? Try to book back at VWL hoping that you can switch back?

Like I said, one room maybe, 3, good luck. This is the reason why we bought where we like to stay.

What about renting reservations from BCV owners and then renting out reservations with the VWL points. That way you can book BCV at 11 months.

Bill

 

[Cait8383]

Thanks for confirming, that i was i was afraid of. Honeslty we are very excited and happy to stay at WIlderness lodge and if it means staying there to be sure we can all be together, that is 100% ok! Just curious how the procedure worked if we were trying to switch. Thanks for your help!

 

[ltmoko]

I just switched resorts at 7 month window. I did it over the phone, I did not have enough points to try to book online with out cancelling the reservation first. I was not comfortable doing that. So on the phone I went, they can modify the reservation you have. I went from AKLV to VWL for a 2 bdrm lockoff, I had to wait list it to get it, It came through the next day! That does not always happen. I was on the phone at 9 am also. Good Luck!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Not sure of your exact dates, but here are a few things to keep in mind. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is March through mid-May. While this isn't as popular as the Food and Wine Festival later in the year, it will none the less cause an increase in demand for Epcot resorts. Also, Memorial Day is near the end of May, and will cause a high demand at all resorts.

 

[drusba]

What do you mean by mid-May? If you are talking about before the Friday (May 23) of Memorial Day weekend, then chances are good that you can make that complete switch to BCV from VWL, with some risk that a BCV studio might be missing a weekend day if there is a Stars Wars weekend during that time. If you mean to include Memorial Day weekend, there will be higher risk that the BCV studio may be missing a weekend day or two and possibly even the 2BR. In either event, be aware that VWL was available at 7 months out for all days in May in both 2013 and 2014 even for a while past the seven month window. Thus, you likely have little risk of being unable to get back your VWL reservation if the BCV reservation goes south between the time of cancelling VWL and getting BCV. Moreover, another alternative, BWV pool/garden view, was also open many days beyond the seven month window in May 2012 and 2013.

 

[Mazz519]

Doing one room would probably not be a big deal but 3 will cause you problems. I did the BWV to BCV 7 month switch last year and had no problems again it was only a 1br unit..BCV is not that big of a resort…. Good Luck

 

[Dean]

What do you mean by mid-May? If you are talking about before the Friday (May 23) of Memorial Day weekend, then chances are good that you can make that complete switch to BCV from VWL, with some risk that a BCV studio might be missing a weekend day if there is a Stars Wars weekend during that time. If you mean to include Memorial Day weekend, there will be higher risk that the BCV studio may be missing a weekend day or two and possibly even the 2BR. In either event, be aware that VWL was available at 7 months out for all days in May in both 2013 and 2014 even for a while past the seven month window. Thus, you likely have little risk of being unable to get back your VWL reservation if the BCV reservation goes south between the time of cancelling VWL and getting BCV. Moreover, another alternative, BWV pool/garden view, was also open many days beyond the seven month window in May 2012 and 2013.

I agree, getting in to BCV for 3 units and/or getting back to the VWL villas if things don't work out are easy for mid May. Remember the holiday is early next year so you'd really need to plan to be done by the weekend before though. IF they have enough points to hold both (or at least the 2 BR), then it'd be easier to attempt the change. The other issue is that you will not get a BCV villa with 2 queens in the second, there are very few and unlikely to be available at 7 months out. IF this is important to the sleeping arrangements, that may affect decisions. For VWL the dedicated 2 BR will have 2 queens while the lockoff's will have a queen and pullout. For BCV about 2/3 of the dedicated 2 BR have a queen and pull out.

 

[rkold]

Another possible rub, I heard next May RunDisney is going to be getting rid of the Expedition Everest Challenge and instead starting a Star Wars 1/2 Marathon. No one is sure what the dates will be, I suspect whatever week end is near May the 4th, but unless you're running in the race, it will add people competing for rooms. I wouldn't be surprised if the new Star Wars race follows a path similar to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 miler since one would think the race would end at the Studios like the Tower of Terror. If so, Epcot resorts will be particularly popular for the race because of convenience for the race.

 

[disneynutz]

Another possible rub, I heard next May RunDisney is going to be getting rid of the Expedition Everest Challenge and instead starting a Star Wars 1/2 Marathon. No one is sure what the dates will be, I suspect whatever week end is near May the 4th, but unless you're running in the race, it will add people competing for rooms. I wouldn't be surprised if the new Star Wars race follows a path similar to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 miler since one would think the race would end at the Studios like the Tower of Terror. If so, Epcot resorts will be particularly popular for the race because of convenience for the race.

As I have posted before, expect Disney to come up with events to increase attendance year round. You can't look in the past and hope that the attendance patterns will stay the same in the future. Some owners have a 50 years contract, major changes can occur in that time, heck major changes can occur next year.

Two years ago no one had herd of My Magic Plus, Magic Bands, Fast Pass + but today they have changed the way that people book and visit the parks.

Bill

 

[js]

If you wait and call MS, they can see the inventory and let you know it may be a good or not a good chance of switching. They can see how many actual rooms are left.

Good luck!

 

[Cait8383]

Thank you all for the helpful information! We were thinking May 9-16 but are flexible. It seems our best bet it to definitely get into VWL... then Call at 7 months to see availabitly and decide from there . Thank you again!