URGENT!! How tough to get VWL if not home base

[skylynx]

Hi, all...thanks for all your help on the nonresponsive guide. Finally talked to him today (I called HIM) and he really had no excuse why he didn't call back, but whatever...here's the newl issue. We were prepared to buy VWL because we liked it the best. After we talked about the offer on the cruise, our guide said he'd ask for an exception and could probably get us the $15 discount per point if we bought SSR (plus the additional years, which isn't as important to us because we're no spring chickens.)

Now, here's the rub...with one possible yearly exception, we generally can't know if we can steal away for a few days on Southwest's cheap fares until 3-4 months out. As we understand it, if we bought VWL we can book VWL rooms three months earlier than other DVC members who bought at other resorts. And we also heard that after seven months out, it's a free for all anyway. So, how hard is it to get rooms at VWL in the shorter (3 month or less) time frame? This would mostly be low season, three day weekend kind of things. We want to make up our minds tonight. If we'd have trouble getting rooms at VWL even if it was our home resort because we usually can't plan 11 months out, then we might opt for the cheaper, longer term deal. Mind you, we think SSR is lovely, but we prefer the smaller environmenet at VWL with Magic Kingdom direct access.

Those of you that have a moment to respond...how tough is it to get rooms at properties that aren't your home resort if you can't book way in advance?

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Chuck S]

VWL can be "iffy" anytime of year at 7 months or less because it has fewer rooms than any other onsite DVC resort. That being said, if you will travel mostly on weekends, with Friday and Saturday nights on points being part of your normal routine, it will most likely be easier to get, as many DVC either move or pay cash on weekend nights because they take more points.

If, as you say, you usually do not/can not plan far in advance, basically a point is a point as far as booking VWL (or any other resort) and the 11 to 7 month priority window would not be of an advantage to you. So it would not matter where you own. At 7 months out, you'll have the same chance of booking VWL whether you own there or not.

 

[btrim]

This has been debated before, but it really is hard to say. We have had some luck getting other resorts, and we have had problems getting our home resort (SSR). You really can't tell anyone for sure it will or will not be easy to book a non-home resort. It all depends on the time of year and what type of accommodations you want. You might have been luck if you are going on the weekends, because people don't like to pay the extra points for a Friday or Saturday. However, you might not be able to get the Sunday or Monday on either side of your reservation. I really feel if the price and the extra years aren't that important to you, I would buy where I want to stay. We love SSR, so if we can't get something else just to try it out, that is fine with us. Last June, we had trouble even getting into SSR on short notice. Had to waitlist day by day right up until the time to leave for Orlando. I know this doesn't help you much, but it really does boil down to what is most important to you.

Go ILLINI--Downstate here. Right around Champaign-Urbana!

 

[mikesmom]

As btrim says, it's really hard to say. VWL is the smallest, so at 4 months out it would be a challenge unless you got lucky and someone had cancelled. I do think it's safe to assume:
- you won't get in from October 1 thru New Years (Food & Wine which fills nearly all DVC by that point, followed by Thanksgiving, followed by early December (VWL has the best holiday decorations) and the holiday season,
- you won't get in at Easter
- you won't get in on any major holidays

any I've left out?

 

[salmoneous]

Have you considered buying neither right now? You seem put out by your guide, and unsure which way to go. I wouldn't want to make such a major purchase under those conditions.

If you went resale instead of direct, you could buy at either resorts for the same money, if not cheaper. Resale isn't perfect - it's slower than and not as simple as going through Disney. But we are talking about 30 years of vacation here - take your time.

 

[starbox]

As btrim says, it's really hard to say. VWL is the smallest, so at 4 months out it would be a challenge unless you got lucky and someone had cancelled. I do think it's safe to assume:
- you won't get in from October 1 thru New Years (Food & Wine which fills nearly all DVC by that point, followed by Thanksgiving, followed by early December (VWL has the best holiday decorations) and the holiday season,
- you won't get in at Easter
- you won't get in on any major holidays

any I've left out?

You never know - I got VWL for NYD at 5 months out. I waitlisted "just in case" and it came through.

C'mon now - everybody sing:

So - anything is possible, if you just believe........wishes.......dream a dream........wishes..........set it free....................

 

[starbox]

Now, here's the rub...with one possible yearly exception, we generally can't know if we can steal away for a few days on Southwest's cheap fares until 3-4 months out. As we understand it, if we bought VWL we can book VWL rooms three months earlier than other DVC members who bought at other resorts. And we also heard that after seven months out, it's a free for all anyway. So, how hard is it to get rooms at VWL in the shorter (3 month or less) time frame? This would mostly be low season, three day weekend kind of things.

I'd say that if you call at 3-4 months out and waitlist VWL whenever it is not available, it will come through as often, if not more often, than it does not.

There's no advantage to having a specific home resort if you don't book more than 7 months in advance.

 

[Spacedude]

Not too sure, we own at OKW and SSR, got two weeks in a 2 BR first two weeks in Aug no problem, just inside the 7 month window...

 

[dis-happy]

One thing in your favor---it's usually easier to book Fri. and Sat. nights because the points are higher.

 

[dumbo71]

Really it boils down to the fact that you should buy where your cost of ownership is the least if you cannot book more than 7 months in advance.

Really, look at OKW, VWL or HH via resale if you won't be using the 11 -8 month advantage to book. Point is a point at 7 months. You might as well save a few bucks.

Check out TSS listings.

 

[greenban]

Dear Denise:

You really have answered your own question, because at 7 months (or less) a point is a point is a point. Therefore buy the best deal you can get!

If you get lucky and find out more than 7 months in advance for a 'special' vacation, you can always rent points (or transfer) from a VWL owner for 11 month advanced booking.

Also, I have had tremdous luck on the waitlist.

Bottom Line (IMHO), you really can't go wrong with the DVC!

-Tony

Hi, all...thanks for all your help on the nonresponsive guide. Finally talked to him today (I called HIM) and he really had no excuse why he didn't call back, but whatever...here's the newl issue. We were prepared to buy VWL because we liked it the best. After we talked about the offer on the cruise, our guide said he'd ask for an exception and could probably get us the $15 discount per point if we bought SSR (plus the additional years, which isn't as important to us because we're no spring chickens.)

Now, here's the rub...with one possible yearly exception, we generally can't know if we can steal away for a few days on Southwest's cheap fares until 3-4 months out. As we understand it, if we bought VWL we can book VWL rooms three months earlier than other DVC members who bought at other resorts. And we also heard that after seven months out, it's a free for all anyway. So, how hard is it to get rooms at VWL in the shorter (3 month or less) time frame? This would mostly be low season, three day weekend kind of things. We want to make up our minds tonight. If we'd have trouble getting rooms at VWL even if it was our home resort because we usually can't plan 11 months out, then we might opt for the cheaper, longer term deal. Mind you, we think SSR is lovely, but we prefer the smaller environmenet at VWL with Magic Kingdom direct access.

Those of you that have a moment to respond...how tough is it to get rooms at properties that aren't your home resort if you can't book way in advance?

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[dvcnut39]

My home is BCV. We recently had no problem getting BWV from 21-28JUL07, calling day by day. I did ask about VWL and MS said we could of had that as well. Good luck!

 

[kimberh]

As another poster posted, It really depends on when you are going to travel. Disney has really become very effective on drawing crowds in at the low seasons. The last 2 times that I have had a stay at the Villas at WL even the hotel was filled. I heard people at the desk telling the cast members, they had came over to eat, but could not get into the Lodge and it was their favorite. It is a hard location to secure. If I truly had my heart set on it, I would buy it. I would then figure a way to secure a room and work the Air out. Buy where you want to stay, but at 7 months points are points.

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

JMHO.....You should buy VWL if that is your favorite place and the extra SSR years are not important.

Another way to look at it is....if you own VWL you can always make reservations at the 11 month or less window for dates that you MIGHT be interested in....... and then cancel within the guidelines if your airfares never materialize. This might work if you are flexable with your travel dates. Also, your vacationing trend of using the special airfares to travel might change in the future.

We own VWL and booked some days before and after a DCL cruise next October. We know that we are going to have to cancel some of those days and return those points to our account because we don't know yet what the Board of Education is going to do with Fall Break in our County. Basically, we just covered our bases either way......way in advance. It would be a way for you to keep options open and if you HAD to cancel you could always try and rebook into a DVC that has availability.

That can sometimes be risky though. Take it from someone who recently bought that great airfare during a "supposed" low attendance time and then sweated on a waitlist for ANY resort at WDW. Thank goodness it did come through.