Switching from Home Resort...How Easy?

[Andrea0710]

We have a 1 bedroom preferred room booked at Saratoga from February 26-March 4 since that is our home resort. How hard is it to switch at 7 months to a different resort? We would like to try to get something near a park, so Bay Lake Tower or Boardwalk would be our preference. Also, is there a way to know what is available before we have to modify reservation? TIA

 

[DVCsloth]

You can modify it on the DVC website. Go to you dashboard and edit right from there. If you are looking for the same days you can see what is available and change it right there. The points may be different and it will ask you how you want to use the points. Just realize that if you borrow points they will stay in the use year you moved them to if you decide to change the reservation again or need to cancel.

 

[Andrea0710]

I am not able to do this until 7 months before right?

 

[DVCsloth]

I am not able to do this until 7 months before right?

Yes, it will tell you the exact day you can book your home resort and the date for any resort.

 

[Andrea0710]

Ok! I have the 7 month date written on my calendar so that I can try to do that morning!

Do you suggest Bay Lake Tower or Grand Floridian? I have only been to Bay Lake Tower.

 

[mousehouse23]

If you would like to track current availability (updated twice a day) and see the points required for different options, you can check here: https://tools.dvcvacations.com/points-calculator

 

[Andrea0710]

If you would like to track current availability (updated twice a day) and see the points required for different options, you can check here: https://tools.dvcvacations.com/points-calculator

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

[Stargazer65]

1 bedrooms at BLT are usually not too hard to get at 7 months (except the Standard View unless you get really lucky). Same with VGF. Both are nice, most rooms at BLT don't cost so many points as at VGF.

 

[Andrea0710]

1 bedrooms at BLT are usually not too hard to get at 7 months (except the Standard View unless you get really lucky). Same with VGF. Both are nice, most rooms at BLT don't cost so many points as at VGF.

I saw that they are both about a 10 minute walking distance to MK. We will have a 10 year old and 5 year old (who has never been to WDW) with us. Which hotel do you suggest?

 

[mousehouse23]

The walk from GF is actually longer than BLT's by about 5 minutes. Of course, you can always take the monorail. GF is the last stop before MK on the resort loop, while the Contemporary is the first stop after MK.

Bonuses for BLT:

• Fewer points
• Two bathrooms in their 1-bedroom villas
• Shorter walk
• Kids like seeing the monorail go through the Contemporary

Bonuses for GF:

• More beautiful/spacious rooms
• Better pool, splash pad for kids
• More of a "wow" factor to its lobby and grounds

Both have excellent dining options. I'd probably choose GF by a hair with kids your age. Either way, you're bound to have a great stay!

 

[CarolynFH]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

If you want to track current availability updated in real time, just sign in to the member website and click Plan a Vacation -> Book a Vacation and pretend you want to book for your dates. It will show you availability as it stands right then, even though your 7-month window isn't open. You can check as many times a day as you want, and what it shows will be up to the minute.

 

[Sandisw]

You can go in today and search the dates you are looking for right on the DVC website...no need to use a different tool. While you can't book, you can tell if there is at least one room still available for those dates.

I do this all the time when wanting to change at 7 months. If I see that things are still there, and I have extra points, I'll even attempt a walk, especially when I wanted a SV studio at VGF which can be elusive.

You will have better luck at BLT vs. VGF (based on my experience) and may have good luck at BWV P/G view!