Timing for points availability

[ZehnJahren]

I know that you can rent your resort at 11 months and all resorts at 7 months. But when it comes to "not-so-busy" times of year, how long in advance is good practice for resorts like BLT, BWV, and BCV? Or, in other words, if you're going in September or in January, and want to stay in a studio or one-bedroom at BLT, BWV, or BCV, how far in advance should you expect to book to make sure there's availability? I'm looking to find out what's considered "last minute" that you can still get a booking for.

 

[rlovew]

normally for the slow times for DVC which includes most of September (but not the last week as Food and Wine starts) and January (accept for the first week, time around the marathon, and time around Martin Luther King Day) I would say you need to book at least 4-5 months out if you are looking at staying for more than 4 days and want a more popular resort- if you want to be sure to get in then 7 months is when you should be calling. I have been able to get into OKW and SSR within a week of the stay since online booking came about. Of course online booking could make this better or worse as people can more easily see availability in rooms.

 

[dzorn]

I know that you can rent your resort at 11 months and all resorts at 7 months. But when it comes to "not-so-busy" times of year, how long in advance is good practice for resorts like BLT, BWV, and BCV? Or, in other words, if you're going in September or in January, and want to stay in a studio or one-bedroom at BLT, BWV, or BCV, how far in advance should you expect to book to make sure there's availability? I'm looking to find out what's considered "last minute" that you can still get a booking for.

last minute and DVC don't really go well together. If you are trying to rent points the earlier you start the better.

Denise in MI

 

[ZehnJahren]

normally for the slow times for DVC which includes most of September (but not the last week as Food and Wine starts) and January (accept for the first week, time around the marathon, and time around Martin Luther King Day) I would say you need to book at least 4-5 months out if you are looking at staying for more than 4 days and want a more popular resort- if you want to be sure to get in then 7 months is when you should be calling. I have been able to get into OKW and SSR within a week of the stay since online booking came about. Of course online booking could make this better or worse as people can more easily see availability in rooms.

I was thinking 6-7 months out would probably be the best bet - I was just hoping to hear more about what would be opening (and when) in Fantasyland before deciding 100% on dates. Of course, they probably really won't tell us anything more about Fantasyland for awhile, and I won't be back in WDW next year (since we're doing a big family trip to DL) so I was hoping to catch SOMETHING new opening up. I don't want to miss my window to book at one of the DVCs near the parks though.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO there really isn't any slow time anymore, it more like busy and packed. You also need to remember that Disney matches their hours and schedules to projected crowd levels. Going during the less crowded times you will notice more maintenance going on at the resorts and in the parks.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last minute can sometimes be 10 1/2 months out and you still have to waitlist and not get it.

 

[n2mm]

Some of it also depends on what view. If you're not picky, then your chances are better. I had to waitlist for BWV standard studio for this past January (last week of the month). I got on the waitlist the first day of the 7 month window and was on the waitlist until 7 days before arriving and it never came through. Normally January is a slower time to visit (staying away from MLK weekend and marathon weekend), but it didn't work out for me this past January. I just booked for January 2013 this weekend and used my home points for BWV so I wouldn't get shut again next year.

 

[chalee94]

But when it comes to "not-so-busy" times of year, how long in advance is good practice for resorts like BLT, BWV, and BCV? Or, in other words, if you're going in September or in January, and want to stay in a studio or one-bedroom at BLT, BWV, or BCV, how far in advance should you expect to book to make sure there's availability?

here are some general suggestions:

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

 

[ZehnJahren]

Thank you all so much for your information. This had really made me much more aware of what I should be considering.