Understanding 7 month availability

[*pixie*]

I think we are pretty much "sold" on buying in on DVC via resale, most likely at AKV. I do have a couple of questions. We are going on the WBPC in May 2015. We had planned on visiting WDW the day before and then a day at DLR at the end of the cruise. Our cruise leaves out of Miami, so we had planned on driving halfway between Orlando and Miami after our WDW day, then getting up the next morning and finishing the drive to Miami.

If AKV is our home resort, what are the chances we will be able to stay one night at Vero Beach and then one night at the Grand Californian in May? Just wondering if it would be worth it to buy into DVC before the WBPC, or if we wouldn't be able to book at these two resorts at 7 months.

Also, another question about Grand Californian and Aulani. Most of our trips will be to WDW. We would like 5-7 days at GC and 7 days at Aulani within the next 5 years. These are two trips we would definitely like to take with our two kids before they leave for college. Ideally would like to go in middle of May, but could go anytime during the summer months. Again, having to book at 7 months, is there any chance of getting a reservation?

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have been to grand Californian twice and we don't own there. Have had some problems getting a room. Once had book at Disneyland hotel using points. Depends on your timing. Been to aulani 3 times in either April or early may. We own there but haven set dates 11 months out, more like 8 months. Never had a problem. Also own at vero beach. Except for 3 bedroom cottage we have never had a problem getting rooms a few months out.

 

[disneynutz]

I think we are pretty much "sold" on buying in on DVC via resale, most likely at AKV. I do have a couple of questions. We are going on the WBPC in May 2015. We had planned on visiting WDW the day before and then a day at DLR at the end of the cruise. Our cruise leaves out of Miami, so we had planned on driving halfway between Orlando and Miami after our WDW day, then getting up the next morning and finishing the drive to Miami.

If AKV is our home resort, what are the chances we will be able to stay one night at Vero Beach and then one night at the Grand Californian in May? Just wondering if it would be worth it to buy into DVC before the WBPC, or if we wouldn't be able to book at these two resorts at 7 months.

Also, another question about Grand Californian and Aulani. Most of our trips will be to WDW. We would like 5-7 days at GC and 7 days at Aulani within the next 5 years. These are two trips we would definitely like to take with our two kids before they leave for college. Ideally would like to go in middle of May, but could go anytime during the summer months. Again, having to book at 7 months, is there any chance of getting a reservation?

I would not buy hoping to get specific reservations, you may be disappointed.

Since the only way to guarantee your resort/room size/room category is to own a contract for that resort, what do you do if you don't have experience staying at the different DVC resorts, how do you know where to buy?

We own at 6 resorts and really only have a desire to stay at 3 of them, lesson learned. If we did it over again, we would by at SSR and use the points to learn about the DVC first hand, stay at the different resorts, decide on our favorites and buy there.

Bill

 

[*pixie*]

We have been to grand Californian twice and we don't own there. Have had some problems getting a room. Once had book at Disneyland hotel using points. Depends on your timing. Been to aulani 3 times in either April or early may. We own there but haven set dates 11 months out, more like 8 months. Never had a problem. Also own at vero beach. Except for 3 bedroom cottage we have never had a problem getting rooms a few months out.

Thanks, that helps a lot!

 

[*pixie*]

I would not buy hoping to get specific reservations, you may be disappointed.

Since the only way to guarantee your resort/room size/room category is to own a contract for that resort, what do you do if you don't have experience staying at the different DVC resorts, how do you know where to buy?

We own at 6 resorts and really only have a desire to stay at 3 of them, lesson learned. If we did it over again, we would by at SSR and use the points to learn about the DVC first hand, stay at the different resorts, decide on our favorites and buy there.

Bill

I realize I can't count on specific reservations, just wanted to get an idea if they were feasible, or completely out of reach.

We want to buy at AKV because we genuinely love the resort, and would be quite happy staying there for all of our WDW visits. Have also stayed at Poly and BC, and enjoyed them, but not as much as AKL. Also like GF, but it doesn't make sense for us at that price point. We haven't been to OKW or SSR, but after researching them online, we are still gravitating towards AKV. If OKW or SSR were significantly cheaper than AKV, then yes, I would probably purchase there first to get a feel for DVC.

In 5 years, after the kids are gone, we can travel any time of the year so I'm hoping it will be easier to book when we want to try Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, and Grand Californian.

Our May 2015 WBPC is really the only time we will have very specific travel dates and resorts. It would just be nice to be able to use our DVC points before/after our cruise, but obviously not a deal breaker to pay cash.

 

[disneynutz]

I realize I can't count on specific reservations, just wanted to get an idea if they were feasible, or completely out of reach.

We want to buy at AKV because we genuinely love the resort, and would be quite happy staying there for all of our WDW visits. Have also stayed at Poly and BC, and enjoyed them, but not as much as AKL. Also like GF, but it doesn't make sense for us at that price point. We haven't been to OKW or SSR, but after researching them online, we are still gravitating towards AKV. If OKW or SSR were significantly cheaper than AKV, then yes, I would probably purchase there first to get a feel for DVC.

In 5 years, after the kids are gone, we can travel any time of the year so I'm hoping it will be easier to book when we want to try Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, and Grand Californian.

Our May 2015 WBPC is really the only time we will have very specific travel dates and resorts. It would just be nice to be able to use our DVC points before/after our cruise, but obviously not a deal breaker to pay cash.

I understand what you are saying, I'm just trying to bring up other possibilities. We bought AKV as a founder, liked it for a couple of years, then decided that it's a wonderful resort, just not our wonderful resort. Didn't learn and did the same thing with BLT but if only took 2 stays to move it to the bottom of our list.

Good luck and have fun with the experience.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I understand what you are saying, I'm just trying to bring up other possibilities. We bought AKV as a founder, liked it for a couple of years, then decided that it's a wonderful resort, just not our wonderful resort. Didn't learn and did the same thing with BLT but if only took 2 stays to move it to the bottom of our list.

Good luck and have fun with the experience.

Bill

Add VGF to that list in a couple of years?

 

[disneynutz]

Add VGF to that list in a couple of years?

I don't think so if Disney keeps the place up. Our fixed week guarantees our room size and category so not getting our view or location won't be a factor. We really enjoy the design, level of appointments, and quality of furnishings at VGF. The lobby is beautiful, we enjoy the grounds, food availability and location. Another major factor is being attached to the GF, Disney's flagship resort that we feel will always be maintained at a level that we expect. Our only concern is that after sell out, DVC will reduce the VGF maintenance. At BLT they had roving CM's keeping the place perfect, after selling out, they were removed. I noticed that they are doing the same thing at VGF. I had a very nice conversation with the CM who monitors the lobby fountain assuring that the coins don't turn the water green.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I don't think so if Disney keeps the place up. Our fixed week guarantees our room size and category so not getting our view or location won't be a factor. We really enjoy the design, level of appointments, and quality of furnishings at VGF. The lobby is beautiful, we enjoy the grounds, food availability and location. Another major factor is being attached to the GF, Disney's flagship resort that we feel will always be maintained at a level that we expect. Our only concern is that after sell out, DVC will reduce the VGF maintenance. At BLT they had roving CM's keeping the place perfect, after selling out, they were removed. I noticed that they are doing the same thing at VGF. I had a very nice conversation with the CM who monitors the lobby fountain assuring that the coins don't turn the water green.

Bill

Bugging you in part but I'm assuming you didn't think so with the other 2 purchases as well. The problem is you really don't know until you have a few years a few trips under your belt. If you had that experience, think how it might be multiplied many times over for new buyers who don't have the amount of experience that some of us do here.

 

[drusba]

Assuming you don't want usually difficult to get rooms like grand villas at VGC, Vero or Hilton Head, or standard view at Aulani, you should have a very good chance of getting VGC, Aulani, Vero, and HH in May at 7 months out other than time around the holiday. June through August is more difficult many times for VGC and to some extent Aulani and particularly so for both most of June and holiday time. HH is problematic much of the summer, its high demand time.

 

[disneynutz]

Bugging you in part but I'm assuming you didn't think so with the other 2 purchases as well. The problem is you really don't know until you have a few years a few trips under your belt. If you had that experience, think how it might be multiplied many times over for new buyers who don't have the amount of experience that some of us do here.

Bug away!

That's one of the reasons that I am on the buy SSR and sell later after you are experienced band wagon. Would have saved us some money if we would have taken our time and not acted like kids in a candy store. I also had some health issues come up so I wanted it all before it was too late.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Bug away!

That's one of the reasons that I am on the buy SSR and sell later after you are experienced band wagon. Would have saved us some money if we would have taken our time and not acted like kids in a candy store. I also had some health issues come up so I wanted it all before it was too late.

Bill

That would be good advice for new buyers and it's a large part of the reason I feel that IF one buys they're almost always better to underbuy in terms of resort choice and # of points as long as they are at least 150 pts. However, I don't think there's any way you can be certain you won't feel the same about VGF than you do your other purchases though I do suspect it's less likely given you have more knowledge and experience now. However, if you're wrong, it'd be your most expensive issue yet would it not.

 

[bwvBound]

*pixie*: We don't own at Grand Cal but do tend to visit fairly frequently (10 nights in 2013 over 3 visits; all weekends; one holiday weekend). My tricks:

• Stalk the inventory via the owner's website
• Use the waitlists
• Be ready to accept a larger unit (1BR units are easier to book than Studio units)

I'm guessing you'll be fine if you are somewhat flexible on unit size and use the waitlists!

Edited to add: We were also successful booking Aulani for 8-night stay, 1BR Ocean View unit in Sept 2011 for the Grand Opening Celebration. This year we've enjoyed your intended "home," AKV, with 9 nights this past May and another three in early December. We have only one home resort, SSR.

 

[disneynutz]

That would be good advice for new buyers and it's a large part of the reason I feel that IF one buys they're almost always better to underbuy in terms of resort choice and # of points as long as they are at least 150 pts. However, I don't think there's any way you can be certain you won't feel the same about VGF than you do your other purchases though I do suspect it's less likely given you have more knowledge and experience now. However, if you're wrong, it'd be your most expensive issue yet would it not.

Yes, but it's Disney money and that doesn't count the same as real money.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Yes, but it's Disney money and that doesn't count the same as real money.

Bill

Unfortunately far too many people seem to look at it that way that can't afford to.

 

[MJ6987]

I understand what you are saying, I'm just trying to bring up other possibilities. We bought AKV as a founder, liked it for a couple of years, then decided that it's a wonderful resort, just not our wonderful resort. Didn't learn and did the same thing with BLT but if only took 2 stays to move it to the bottom of our list.

Good luck and have fun with the experience.

Bill

Out of interest Bill - as you seem to have a lot of experience, what are your favourite DVC resorts (say, top 3, ranked) and why?