Thinking of backing out...

[Coamfo]

We are set to close in 2 weeks on our AKL resale. The realtor today let it slip that we will probably never be able to book the value studio at AKL, and it will be near impossible to get 2 rooms at Disneyland and Aulani. We will be traveling with my parents so we will need two rooms. I'm scared now that it is going to be hard for us to go together. We don't travel during peak times, mostly the first two weeks of Dec or Jan. Will it really be difficult? I didn't even consider the fact that we may not be able to get rooms as DVC owners. I'm hoping she was just wrong.

Thanks

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The first two weeks of December ARE a peak time for DVC. January overlaps marathon weekend, so it can be fast to book as well.

The Value category at AKL is challenging, because there simply aren't many units in that group - there are 8 dedicated studios, and 10 that exist as part of lock-off 2BR units (that split into a studio and a 2BR). Inventory is very low, making it one of the hardest to book rooms in DVC, even at the 11-month window. Booking Grand Californian at 7 months is a process involving waitlists and hope, as well - there are only 23 lock-off units total at VGC, meaning that at any one time only 23 total studios are available. If a 2BR is booked, it takes a studio out of circulation. Owners at VGC get 11-month booking priority and leave mostly days here and there for 7 month booking. I can't speak to Aulani in any way, and given that it isn't sold through I don't know if anyone truly knows for sure.

I don't think she's wrong about either Value Studios or Grand Californian on a regular basis, though. The inventory is prohibitive for both.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Aulani is the one location you really shouldn't have any problem with for early Dec or Jan. And to clarify - do you also mean early January or anytime in January? VGC in January might be possible but you would have the best luck if you did something like book 1BR's or 2BR's. For the values at AKV - for mid to late January it will likely also be possible. For early Dec it would likely be a challange. But the standard views would be easy to book.

Counting on booking the cheapest rooms is likely going to be a pain at many times of the year and with early Dec being the absolute most popular time for DVC it will be difficult. If you can do standard view when you can't get the value then you will be fine.

 

[disneynutz]

We are set to close in 2 weeks on our AKL resale. The realtor today let it slip that we will probably never be able to book the value studio at AKL, and it will be near impossible to get 2 rooms at Disneyland and Aulani. We will be traveling with my parents so we will need two rooms. I'm scared now that it is going to be hard for us to go together. We don't travel during peak times, mostly the first two weeks of Dec or Jan. Will it really be difficult? I didn't even consider the fact that we may not be able to get rooms as DVC owners. I'm hoping she was just wrong.

Thanks

The way to learn is to complete the purchase and experience DVC for yourself. Go on a couple of vacations, try different resorts but expecting to get limited rooms is setting yourself up for disappointment.

Bill

 

[Coamfo]

Thanks everyone We're ok with standard rooms and 1 bedrooms. I just don't want to purchase into something that is going to be extremely limited on when/where I use it.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks everyone We're ok with standard rooms and 1 bedrooms. I just don't want to purchase into something that is going to be extremely limited on when/where I use it.

IMO the owners are changing as more people buy. Studios are a hot item more than before and buyers want to put more people in smaller spaces. DVD has done a good job of forecasting the demand. We love our resort/room more than the parks, we kick back on vacation, book a 1 or 2 bedroom depending on 2 or 3 people in our party. We love the space!

Bill

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks everyone We're ok with standard rooms and 1 bedrooms. I just don't want to purchase into something that is going to be extremely limited on when/where I use it.

Why are you buying? What are your plans? Always studios? Always values?

You will always be able to get a room at AKV if you book in the home-resort timeframe. It might not be a value room, but you'll get a room. There are almost 300 studios at AKV, but only 5 of them are "club" and 18 are "value."

Aulani won't be a problem, but Disneyland will be. If you want to stay somewhere else, you should buy somewhere else.

If you back out now, you'll likely lose your deposit. Ask yourself, how much will it cost to sell in a year if you aren't happy? Will it cost less than your deposit? Buy it, try it, if it doesn't work out, sell it.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Nothing to see here....

 

[DisDadDVC]

We are set to close in 2 weeks on our AKL resale. The realtor today let it slip that we will probably never be able to book the value studio at AKL, and it will be near impossible to get 2 rooms at Disneyland and Aulani. We will be traveling with my parents so we will need two rooms. I'm scared now that it is going to be hard for us to go together. We don't travel during peak times, mostly the first two weeks of Dec or Jan. Will it really be difficult? I didn't even consider the fact that we may not be able to get rooms as DVC owners. I'm hoping she was just wrong.

Thanks

I don't even own at AKV and I get Value rooms often at 7 months. I wouldn't worry about it much. And if you can't get value, there will be TONS of AKV rooms available at 11 months. VGC will be tough at 7 months. Aulani depends on the time of the year.

 

[DisBuckMan]

The OP's post is the exact reason that most people here attempt to convince people to do a ton of research on DVC before buying. It's no secret on the boards here that AKL value rooms are (1) very limited in supply, and (2) book quicker than almost any other class of rooms in the entire DVC inventory. Due to the extremely limited supply, and the low point value, they generally tend to get booked right at the 11 month mark. That's not to say that one can't happen upon a few nights here and there in the value category in the 7 month window occasionally, but one should never make a "buy" decision based on booking solely in the "value" category. It's just not realistic.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

but one should never make a "buy" decision based on booking solely in the "value" category. It's just not realistic.

I'd argue that buy decisions based on the lowest category at several resorts is not realistic -- I'm thinking Boardwalk and BLT most seasons. (OKW? Go for it!)

People also have to remember that Disneyland is not really a DVC destination option. Sure, VGC is a DVC property. But it is so tiny, and sold its own points. It is not a destination option that should be thought of with more than "maybe!" in mind, and non-crushing disappointment when it can't be made to happen, if one has bought points anywhere else. (VB and HHI are more realistic secondary options. DVC works best on the east coat.)

 

[crisi]

And even VB and HHI aren't realistic options to count on for non-owners if you intend to use your points over the Summer....that's what those owners bought for. You might get it, but you'd better have a backup plan before promising the kids a week in July.

 

[DenLo]

The problem with booking Aulani is if you only want to book and island or standard view, they are the first ones to book by members especially Hawaiian members, they live there so the view is not important to them. The locals are booking to enjoy the resort. So I always check to see what the Hawaiian school vacation dates are and make sure that I don't book on three day weekends. Also Aulani has 8 hotel rooms that are DVC only rooms and they also book quickly.

Good luck. I think you can easily book two standard studios most of the time. You could also book a 2BR and have more space for the entire group to visit and dine in room.

 

[bumbershoot]

The realtor today let it slip that we will probably never be able to book the value studio at AKL

What a funny thing for a realtor to "let slip". Does he have someone else on the line who wants to pay more?

You're buying AKL. So you'll be able to book at 11 months out and have the greatest chance at getting the Value rooms. Will you be booking 11 months out for your AKL stays?

it will be near impossible to get 2 rooms at Disneyland and Aulani

I personally have never found anything at Grand Californian (villa-wise). But that's not important to me. Disneyland has *so many* good hotel and motel options that I never feel an overwhelming urge to stay there, and the Grand is our least favorite onsite Disneyland resort (and we are happier to stay offsite than at the Grand). So it's not important to us.

I have no idea about Aulani.

But unless you are actually willing to buy 3 separate contracts, each at places you are already planning to stay at, no matter where you buy you'll have to book at 7 months for two of them.

We don't travel during peak times, mostly the first two weeks of Dec

Sadly, that time is absolutely full-on PEAK time for DVC members.

But again, you are buying at AKV, so if you're trying for there or for OKW/SSR, you should be OK as long as you're booking at 11 months!

The OP's post is the exact reason that most people here attempt to convince people to do a ton of research on DVC before buying.

YES.

If you're thinking about it, don't waste time talking to sales agents; spend your time reading here, IMO. We took 1.5 years between tour and purchase, and I read so much that I only had one misunderstanding post-sale, and it was minor, had to do with the very specific stuff that went on with Bay Lake purchases before it opened, and DH knew the answer because he had paid attention when I faded out, apparently. It's good to know what you're buying.


But still, 2 weeks from closing, that's a funky thing for a realtor to say.

 

[Coamfo]

We initially toured in 2005 and have just now decided to buy. I have family with DVC, family that works for Disney, and I felt confident with my knowledge. Over the years we have talked to at least 10 DVC families, DVC kiosks at WDW, 3 different realtors, and I've spent quite a bit of time watching videos and reading up all I could. I've never been told that we would have trouble at DL or Aulani.

I just found out about this site so I'm researching as much as possible now before closing. Losing the $1000 deposit is not as big of a big deal to me as not being able to use our points as we wish. We are buying 250 and plan to vacation 7-10 days a year. I'm not buying it to use on the value rooms, we will have plenty of points. That said, I am always the person up at midnight for fast passes and 6 am for dining reservations at 180 days out. I'm sure I can get rooms at AKL.

However, we are a family that runs the parks from open to close. We spent WAY too much money on the Grand Villa at Saratoga and it was such a waste. I don't go on vacation to cook, so the kitchen was never used. We didn't even swim in the pools because we were at the parks all the time. So for us, a studio or 1 bedroom is what we'd like. I don't think AKL will be a problem if I get up 11 months to the day in advance. I did have a realtor suggest "walking the reservations" but I'm not doing that.

I guess if we can't get DL, I can rent out points and pay cash.

 

[Coamfo]

The problem with booking Aulani is if you only want to book and island or standard view, they are the first ones to book by members especially Hawaiian members, they live there so the view is not important to them. The locals are booking to enjoy the resort. So I always check to see what the Hawaiian school vacation dates are and make sure that I don't book on three day weekends. Also Aulani has 8 hotel rooms that are DVC only rooms and they also book quickly.

Good luck. I think you can easily book two standard studios most of the time. You could also book a 2BR and have more space for the entire group to visit and dine in room.

We will want ocean view for sure.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We initially toured in 2005 and have just now decided to buy. I have family with DVC, family that works for Disney, and I felt confident with my knowledge. Over the years we have talked to at least 10 DVC families, DVC kiosks at WDW, 3 different realtors, and I've spent quite a bit of time watching videos and reading up all I could. I've never been told that we would have trouble at DL or Aulani.

I just found out about this site so I'm researching as much as possible now before closing. Losing the $1000 deposit is not as big of a big deal to me as not being able to use our points as we wish. We are buying 250 and plan to vacation 7-10 days a year. I'm not buying it to use on the value rooms, we will have plenty of points. That said, I am always the person up at midnight for fast passes and 6 am for dining reservations at 180 days out. I'm sure I can get rooms at AKL.

However, we are a family that runs the parks from open to close. We spent WAY too much money on the Grand Villa at Saratoga and it was such a waste. I don't go on vacation to cook, so the kitchen was never used. We didn't even swim in the pools because we were at the parks all the time. So for us, a studio or 1 bedroom is what we'd like. I don't think AKL will be a problem if I get up 11 months to the day in advance. I did have a realtor suggest "walking the reservations" but I'm not doing that.

I guess if we can't get DL, I can rent out points and pay cash.

Somewhere along the line you should have been told that VGC will be iffy. It's only 24 studios, 24 1BR's, 24 2BR's and 2 GV's. That said it still often has openings at 7 months but with it only being 24 studios then you might only have a shot at 1 room and suddenly be competing with many members for it. It's the location that will be the most difficult for multiple rooms if you even do get a shot at one.

Since AKV value isn't the requirement you will have zero issues in getting rooms there at 11 months as long as any category is fine and you are open to both Kidani and Jambo. If Jambo, which is smaller, is the preferred then I'd still feel it shouldn't be an issue but because it has fewer rooms it's hard to say never on that one. But I'd not personally have a concern. Aulani Ocean view (and pool views if you'd consider them too) seem to book up last so I personally wouldn't be concerned about them either at the times you mentioned you would go.

 

[Coamfo]

Somewhere along the line you should have been told that VGC will be iffy. It's only 24 studios, 24 1BR's, 24 2BR's and 2 GV's. That said it still often has openings at 7 months but with it only being 24 studios then you might only have a shot at 1 room and suddenly be competing with many members for it. It's the location that will be the most difficult for multiple rooms if you even do get a shot at one.

Since AKV value isn't the requirement you will have zero issues in getting rooms there at 11 months as long as any category is fine and you are open to both Kidani and Jambo. If Jambo, which is smaller, is the preferred then I'd still feel it shouldn't be an issue but because it has fewer rooms it's hard to say never on that one. But I'd not personally have a concern. Aulani Ocean view (and pool views if you'd consider them too) seem to book up last so I personally wouldn't be concerned about them either at the times you mentioned you would go.

Thanks, we will have to concentrate on a 2 bedroom a VGC and hope for the best. We are flexible with our schedule so I will just keep looking until we get one!

 

[supersnoop]

I guess if we can't get DL, I can rent out points and pay cash.

That's a great idea.

 

[supersnoop]

Somewhere along the line you should have been told that VGC will be iffy. It's only 24 studios, 24 1BR's, 24 2BR's and 2 GV's. That said it still often has openings at 7 months but with it only being 24 studios then you might only have a shot at 1 room and suddenly be competing with many members for it. It's the location that will be the most difficult for multiple rooms if you even do get a shot at one.

Since AKV value isn't the requirement you will have zero issues in getting rooms there at 11 months as long as any category is fine and you are open to both Kidani and Jambo. If Jambo, which is smaller, is the preferred then I'd still feel it shouldn't be an issue but because it has fewer rooms it's hard to say never on that one. But I'd not personally have a concern. Aulani Ocean view (and pool views if you'd consider them too) seem to book up last so I personally wouldn't be concerned about them either at the times you mentioned you would go.

There are 23 studios as part of lock-offs and 23 dedicated two-bedrooms.