Unavailable Disney

[Mr. & Mrs. Mouse]

Is it just me and the dates I pick, or is anyone else having difficulty in getting a reservation at DVC? It seems that I use to be able to book a couple of months out, when I knew what my work schedule, etc. would be. The last year or so, I haven't been able to book anything! Doesn't matter, week day or weekend. I stay away from holidays, but still can't seem to book a spring, summer or fall vacation.
Am I the only one? If not, has Disney "oversold"?
Ed

 

[halld6479]

I have made half a dozen reservations anywhere from 2 weeks away from arriving to 2 months out and got AK, Baytowers, WL, SSR we go for short trips and arrive on Sunday leave on Wednesday or Thursdays. and are usually in 2 bedroom and just today got a studio at SSR for June 1st.

 

[Chic]

I've never had this problem since I became a DVC member in 2007. Last year, I actually booked a Studio at Saratoga Springs less than a week out for a Spring Break trip. What travel dates did you find no availability anywhere?

 

[CarolMN]

Is it just me and the dates I pick, or is anyone else having difficulty in getting a reservation at DVC? It seems that I use to be able to book a couple of months out, when I knew what my work schedule, etc. would be. The last year or so, I haven't been able to book anything! Doesn't matter, week day or weekend. I stay away from holidays, but still can't seem to book a spring, summer or fall vacation.
Am I the only one? If not, has Disney "oversold"?
Ed

IMO, it's mostly the improvement in the economy - allowing more people to travel again, and members willingness and ability to rent extra points . DVC isn't oversold, but it is designed to be at near 100% occupancy all year round.

More members are finding out about renting and are much more unlikely to let points expire than in the past. It's relatively easy to rent them out. Demand is up. Park attendance is up. Those who used to be able to easily book DVC a couple of months out are competing with the general public hungry for a deal.

 

[DenLo]

Since members can bank and borrow the points some years will be harder to get reservations than others. And if you are trying for anything from October 1 through the first weekend in January you will encounter problems more frequently, because so many members want to travel then. There is just so many events during that time period with lower point cost and the holidays.

I hope it works out for you.

 

[disneynutz]

As I often post, past availability should be a measure for the future. Another reason why I tell DVC people to buy where you love to stay.

With more people buying DVC and more vacationing at Disney, availability has to get more competitive.

Remember DVC has the right to give to Disney any un-booked DVC room at 60 days before check in.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

I booked last years July 4th trip 2 months out. It wasn't an easy, call once and book. Instead, it took perpetual stalking the website and using waitlists (and changing the waitlist after we found a day.

I still think "last minute" is possible, but you have to be ready for a stressful game of calls, stalking the website, and waitlists.

 

[DebbieB]

Haven't had a problem, I almost always book at 11 or 7 months. I did pull off a 2 month out reservation for last November at BWV by stalking the website & waitlist. It happened because of a date change with work.

 

[hicksville dave]

I've been looking at a sat to sat this September and I can book anywhere, but the swan and dolphin. I'm stilling waiting for someone on the rental board to offer 10$ a point for old key west. I know, wishful thinking right.

 

[crisi]

More members are finding out about renting and are much more unlikely to let points expire than in the past. It's relatively easy to rent them out. Demand is up. Park attendance is up. Those who used to be able to easily book DVC a couple of months out are competing with the general public hungry for a deal.

I think brokers make renting a lot easier for everyone. I would have had severe thoughts about renting before - I really didn't want to deal with shoppers and bargainers and unrealistic expectations and phone calls asking if I can add this request or that request, can you add a day or move it to the next week.....

But since I can rent through David, he took care of most of that - and I have to do a few little things to get the reservation through. Most importantly, I don't have to educate a renter or deal with their expectations.

Plus, I was able to rent points at Hilton Head for the Summer in exchange - and I suspect that sort of trading (rent out my BWV points during Food and Wine, get that GCV room I want that will be nearly impossible unless I have an owner) will become more common. The $3 a point delta was worth getting the reservation I needed.

 

[nsalz]

I have had problems getting the resort I want. We leave in 10 days, made my ressies two months ago. Ended up with AKL Jambo for four days and then 4 days at Kidani. My first ressie was 1 week at Saratoga. I wanted my home resort BWV's ..... I went on line everyday and changed my ressies as days came available and got my 2nd favorite resort (didn't really want to move during the stay, but at least it's right next door.) Took me two weeks of looking and changing things. tried the wait list, but it
did not help me in anyway.

 

[Goofy DVC]

We've never had a problem finding something but we have had to settle for our 4th or 5th choice on a few rare occasions. Last February, we were able to grab a 1 BR at SSR about 3 weeks out. When I called MS the cast member gave me great advice in telling me to take it. I wanted to hold out for OKW or AKV but I jumped on SSR. I don't know how true it was, but the cast member shared that member services had heavy call volume from people up north trying to escape the brutal winter which was exactly what we were doing. He shared that some folks were saying to put them at a different resort each night if need be but just get them away from the winter. So maybe last winter was more crowded than others??