*UPDATE POST 1* Is anyone else finding it very difficult to book what they want?

[LoveBWVVBR]

*UPDATE - Tomorrow is 11 months from the first day of our Thanksgiving trip, so today I went on dvcmember.com to see what was available at Boardwalk. Well, preferred view is already completely unavailable for our dates (in a 1 bedroom...did not check other unit sizes), and we cannot even book yet until tomorrow We will probably take a Standard res. right at 8am (if it's still available) and then try to move it elsewhere at 7 months, but we aren't holding our breath. People must be walking those dates to have preferred totally gone before it's technically even bookable for members not "walking" the res. I will be TICKED if all views are unavailable as of tomorrow morning for our dates because we aren't "walking" the res at 11 months.*

We have a large # of points that will expire in a couple of months if we can't book something useful with them. This is the first time I've ever had this happen It seems like if we don't book right at 11 months (sometimes by walking the res even then), we don't get a reservation at anything but very slow times. DH and I both think that it's the addition of people buying off site at places like Aulani, Vero and HHI and then only staying on-site that is causing the demand vs. supply issue. We are frustrated as it seems to get worse by the year. Is it just us? DH doesn't want to sell the DVC points right now even thought I suggested that it might be a good option considering the way that booking is going.

 

[DebbieB]

We have a large # of points that will expire in a couple of months if we can't book something useful with them. This is the first time I've ever had this happen It seems like if we don't book right at 11 months (sometimes by walking the res even then), we don't get a reservation at anything but very slow times. DH and I both think that it's the addition of people buying off site at places like Aulani, Vero and HHI and then only staying on-site that is causing the demand vs. supply issue. We are frustrated as it seems to get worse by the year. Is it just us? DH doesn't want to sell the DVC points right now even thought I suggested that it might be a good option considering the way that booking is going.

I haven't had a problem, I got VGF at 7 months for May and BWV at 11 months for October this year. Availability has always been tight a couple months out and I think it's getting harder for the reasons you mentioned plus the word has gotten out about renting.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What is the definition of "book what they want"? If it means that you want to book short notice and have your pick of resorts and views then I've not known that to be possible. Currently I have points in holding and have been looking at availability 60-90 days out and I would have no trouble using them somewhere and have fairly frequently booked 7 months out or even shorter notice during the last several years.

And at 11 months I honestly don't feel a need to walk a reservation either. There definitely are times that short notice is far more difficult but other times it's still possible.

I actually think things have tightened up a bit with online booking. Now that people are able to see what's available I think they've been taking advantage of that but I can't say it's not possible to use points on short notice.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I have never had any problems booking my three home resorts at 11 months (or even 8, 9 or 10 months). Now 7 months or less is a different story. But we knew this going in and have no problem planning 11 months out.

 

[MountainMouse]

We have a large # of points that will expire in a couple of months if we can't book something useful with them. This is the first time I've ever had this happen It seems like if we don't book right at 11 months (sometimes by walking the res even then), we don't get a reservation at anything but very slow times. DH and I both think that it's the addition of people buying off site at places like Aulani, Vero and HHI and then only staying on-site that is causing the demand vs. supply issue. We are frustrated as it seems to get worse by the year. Is it just us? DH doesn't want to sell the DVC points right now even thought I suggested that it might be a good option considering the way that booking is going.

No other resort offsite or on would impact you at 11 months.

 

[MountainMouse]

I haven't had a problem, I got VGF at 7 months for May and BWV at 11 months for October this year. Availability has always been tight a couple months out and I think it's getting harder for the reasons you mentioned plus the word has gotten out about renting.

Are you booking week long stays? If so that's pretty luck to get VGF at 7 months.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I had 80-90 holding points to use before my March UY...I used them all with December & January bookings.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I haven't had any problem booking 7 months out including aulani and vero beach. If you have lots of points that you can't bank consider turning them into RCI points. You have two years to book a place. We did that a couple if years ago when I spaced out and was going to lose 260 points. We turned those points into a two bedroom time share.

 

[LisaS]

Are you booking week long stays? If so that's pretty luck to get VGF at 7 months.

It depends on what you are trying to book. I had no problems booking a week in a VGF 1BR (both Lake View and Standard View were available) at 7 months out for early May. A studio would be more difficult.

 

[CMOORE185]

I see no difference in booking from when I bought in 2000 until now. I do not buy into the offsite resorts causing any booking issues. Now if you are trying consistently at only a few months out, yeah you will have problems.

 

[cccory]

I'm with you. If you book 11 or 7 months out, you're fine, but trying to use points up, that expire in a month or two, forget about it. Especially if you need a weekend. I had points in holding that I had to use by the end of February, and since they are "holding points" you can't book until 60 days. I would find one day here and one day there, but nothing for a long weekend. You have to plan far in advance and make sure nothing happens to make you cancel your trip.

 

[DebbieB]

Are you booking week long stays? If so that's pretty luck to get VGF at 7 months.

Saturday to Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I'm with you. If you book 11 or 7 months out, you're fine, but trying to use points up, that expire in a month or two, forget about it. Especially if you need a weekend. I had points in holding that I had to use by the end of February, and since they are "holding points" you can't book until 60 days. I would find one day here and one day there, but nothing for a long weekend. You have to plan far in advance and make sure nothing happens to make you cancel your trip.

I've had this happen twice, this being the second time. We have a lot of points that are going to just expire at the end of Feb. as we can't just travel whenever. Our spring break is in March. It's my own fault for not being able to book at 11 months I guess, but in the past we've always been OK booking at 7 months or even less. This is an expensive lesson to learn, and I think it might be enough to sway DH to sell DVC and just rent points from others. I don't want to be left holding the bag on unbookable points again.

 

[snoopy5386]

Nope. We have gotten exactly what we have wanted every trip, even BWV standard view during F&W, the resorts we wanted 7 months out in early December, a value villa at AKL at 8 months out, never a problem. Sometimes a waitlist, but it always comes through. We almost always book 1 bedrooms.

 

[Granny]

I've had this happen twice, this being the second time. We have a lot of points that are going to just expire at the end of Feb. as we can't just travel whenever. Our spring break is in March. It's my own fault for not being able to book at 11 months I guess, but in the past we've always been OK booking at 7 months or even less. This is an expensive lesson to learn, and I think it might be enough to sway DH to sell DVC and just rent points from others. I don't want to be left holding the bag on unbookable points again.

As this has happened to you twice, you may have the correct course of action above in selling your DVC contract. For better or worse, DVC works best for those able to plan at least 11 months out, and if flexible on resorts 7 months usually works except for peak DVC times.

FWIW, we've never had an issue booking our home resorts (VWL & BWV) at 11 months out or more often throughout the 7-11 month booking advantage window. And we recently booked VGF Standard View for 13 nights at about 6 months out for an April stay.

Right now, you are talking about 2-3 months out and that really is a tough one. DVC is based on pretty close to 100% occupancy so the point charts continue to evolve to achieve that goal. So yes, it may only get worse as Disney tweaks the point charts to reflect member demand.

One other thing...if you sell your contract and then decide to rent points for vacations, you could end up with the same issue if you aren't able to lock in on planning at least 7 months in advance.

Best wishes with finding a way to use your points.

 

[AZMermaid]

We own at Aulani and only plan on visiting WDW every 5 years or so. It costs us about the same to fly to Orlando as it does from Hawaii. I would guess if anything, Aulani points may put even more stress on VGC inventory than there was already. We are staying there for the 4th time since buying into Aulani and are going to Aulani for the first time this summer. DVC really needs another property at DL!

I hope you are able to use your points! That must be a frustrating position to be in. Can you book a hotel with them? I think there are different rules for WDW than DL properties- so not sure. Maybe you can use them at a DL hotel?

ETA- Not sure this would work, 1/28- 2/5 is available at Aulani in a 1BR Pool view- 396 points. 1/23- 2/5 is available in an ocean view 2 BR 882 points. Maybe book it and try to rent it out. Worst case, you are out the points, but are no worse off that you are now. Or you can go to Hawaii yourself!

 

[Minniesgal]

No other resort offsite or on would impact you at 11 months.

Except it might if people are finding it impossible to switch at 7 months due to demand from offsite and choosing just to book home resort at 11 months instead. In fact offsite could have quite an effect. Although I think it has more to do with the recovering economy, points renting and increased demand. We have done the trips where we sampled every resort and now we just tend to book nights at our 3 home resorts at 11 months because we are happy with them and it is easier. I guess that blocks rooms for people wanting to switch at 7 months.

 

[NancyDVC]

I have been a member since very early in DVC (23 years). If you book in a 2-3month window things may be tight but it is possible if you are flexible. I rarely book more than 4 months out, often with only 2 months to go. Being flexible helps a lot especially with resort choices & room size. If you want to book at the newest resort you may have difficulty because so many people want to stay at the newest resort. I just booked 2 weeks ago for the end of January into February with no problem.
When I needed to book for 12 people around my niece's wedding in January (she was married in Key Largo and some of us went to WDW after the festivities) several years ago I booked 8 months out without a problem and that required an accessible Grand Villa and an accessible 2 BR.
Just remember to be flexible with where you want to stay. I have had at least one stay when we had to change rooms in the same resort and it was all handled by Bell Services. Would you be open to changing resorts during your stay? That way you may have more availability and get to see another resort.
I have also booked at a resort/room I that I did not prefer and was successful on the waitlist. Remember there are folks who book 11 months out and then have to change their plans. So my advice is take a deep breath and try some other options as to which resort and your dates.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Except it might if people are finding it impossible to switch at 7 months due to demand from offsite and choosing just to book home resort at 11 months instead. In fact offsite could have quite an effect. Although I think it has more to do with the recovering economy, points renting and increased demand. We have done the trips where we sampled every resort and now we just tend to book nights at our 3 home resorts at 11 months because we are happy with them and it is easier. I guess that blocks rooms for people wanting to switch at 7 months.

This is exactly what I think.

 

[CMOORE185]

Except it might if people are finding it impossible to switch at 7 months due to demand from offsite and choosing just to book home resort at 11 months instead. In fact offsite could have quite an effect. Although I think it has more to do with the recovering economy, points renting and increased demand. We have done the trips where we sampled every resort and now we just tend to book nights at our 3 home resorts at 11 months because we are happy with them and it is easier. I guess that blocks rooms for people wanting to switch at 7 months.

Sure people that own offsite book at WDW, but so do WDW resort owners book at the offsite resorts. The offsite resorts are also at high demand, so they offset each other IMO.