Thinking of buying DVC-Do you have availability probs

[jade1]

No problems here, we always book VWL for XMAS week at 11 months to the day, and BCV for Spring Break at 11 months to the day. Usually reserve the BWV at 7 months for the summer.

 

[macosx]

When I tried to use your second strategy the computer would not book the second reservation because I already had one for that date in my name. Once we cancelled the first one it let the CM book the second one. I imagine that if I had used my DHs name for the second one it might have let him make the reservation before cancelling the first but am not certain. I was using points from a different contract so at first he did not see the original reservation and the computer just kept refusing to let him make the second one. He finally asked if I already had a reservation and then we got it straightened out. There was plenty of availability so it wasn't a problem from that end.

I hope it wasn't just the name, especially for those with common names. Even more surprising that the different contract didn't help things. The inability for us to book and check in more than one room is annoying. I hope it's worth the hastle that it causes us. Would save a lot of our time as well as front desk time if we could just check in a couple of rooms together.

As far as the checkin problem, other have reported issues, but I've been successful mulitple times checking other guests (even without my name on the reservation), as I think my member name/number is on the reservation and I'm leaving MY credit card and taking financial responsibility. That's that really matters anyway, and I'm glad I've not been victim to some silly policies and computer "errors".

 

[jodifla]

I've been a member for 12 years. I haven't had much problem, but then again, I don't get locked into the mind-set of "I HAVE to stay here, and only here."

I have a list of favorites, and work from there. Luckily, my top favorite is my home resort, OKW, so it's normally available.

 

[hellerjw]

Can you book at your home resort 11 months out so that you are confident you will have something planned and then request a non-home resort at 7 months and let the home reservation go if you get it?

This is exactly what we did for our upcoming June trip. We booked a 2BR at AKV (our home resort) at 11 months, then changed to VWL at 7 months without any problems.

There can be scheduling issues during peak times but June is a relatively slow time and we didn't have any issues. However, like you keep reading, buy where you want to stay because certain times of the year will require the 11-month booking advantage.

 

[Hollymom1229]

We bought at SSR and at AKV because those are our favorite resorts and we'll never be unhappy staying at either. Now that said, I've made a variety of reservations at other resorts with our points. This past January, I made reservations for BWV in a Standard View Studio 7 months out, and then when I had points in holding due to a problem with our October trip I was able to upgrade the BWV to a Preferred View with those points, though I did have to waitlist for the upgrade.

In 2006 sent some friends down to VWL for Spring Break. They told us where they wanted to stay 5 months out. Originally was only able to get SSR, but waitlisted and 2 months out VWL came through for the whole week.

This past Saturday, DH and I decided we wanted to spend our anniversary at AKV, 8 nights in late October. When I called I was able to secure all 8 nights in a Savannah view studio at 7 months and 2 weeks from trip. Now would I have gotten all 8 nights if I'd waited another 2 weeks, probably not, but if you are flexible in room type then your home resort should be fairly easy to secure any time in the 4 month window.