VGF and Home Resort advantage isn't enough!

[easyd]

I'm looking at trying to book a Lake View Studio at VGF in December. I have Home Resort advantage. It seems like its impossible to get a week. Every time I use the web site, the first a day or two or three is not available. (I'm looking at 11 months from now, basically.)

Any suggestions on what to do? Besides being online at 8am to book my desired dates, can I do anything else?

Thanks
EasyD

 

[disneynutz]

Small high demand resort, not many studios, prime time of year.

Your choices were to buy a fixed week, book at 8 AM, walk your reservation, use a waitlist.

Bill

 

[cvjw]

Too many people bought just enough points at VGF to book studios and not enough studios to go around. I believe this will continue to be a problem at busy times of the year.

 

[easyd]

I've been reading about walking my reservation... The first day I'd like is within the 7 day window now, and is currently available, but I can't book it online, as the date of today + 11 months is not available, so not sure how to accomplish this.

I will for sure be up bright and early, and be online, at 11 months. Buying a fixed week is out at this point.

How would you proceed if you where in my spot?

Thanks!
EasyD

 

[1308Miles]

Completely agree. It's very frustrating...we weren't able to get a studio at 11 months out. We had to bank our 2014 points, use our 2015 points, and borrow a few from 2016 to get a 1 BR villa the week we wanted.

 

[Msmithmd]

I've been reading about walking my reservation... The first day I'd like is within the 7 day window now, and is currently available, but I can't book it online, as the date of today + 11 months is not available. I will for sure be up bright and early, and be online, at 11 months. Buying a fixed week is out at this point. How would you proceed if you where in my spot? Thanks! EasyD

If the 11-month-out begin date of tomorrow is available, I would book it at 0800, with a trip length that overlaps your true begin date, then call to modify at 11 months out from your begin date. Or if not available tomorrow morning, then try the same thing every day before your actual begin date comes up. The much-maligned walking maneuver, but it sounds like it might be necessary in your case.

One wonders (in theory) if DVC saw what was going to happen with competitiveness for VGF studios when they decided to go all-in on the studio model for the poly, maybe figuring it would ease the angst of shut-out VGF members. Probably, it was just a matter of reducing cost in refurbishing the long houses, versus adding the kitchens and laundry.

But the outcome will be the same. A whole lot of VGF members will likely be vying for Poly studios when they can't get the similar accommodations at their own home resort. Seems like the Poly and it's steep buy-in price will be viewed as more of a lateral move for these disgruntled VGF owners.

 

[easyd]

I'm certainly not beyond acting slightly unethically for this ressie!

If the 11-month-out begin date of tomorrow is available, I would book it at 0800, with a trip length that overlaps your true begin date, then call to modify at 11 months out from your begin date. Or if not available tomorrow morning, then try the same thing every day before your actual begin date comes up. The much-maligned walking maneuver, but it sounds like it might be necessary in your case.

 

[cbnsoul]

I have posted the same sentiment on 2 different threads. Unable to get my studio for October at 8:00 am 11 months out. Seems like your only bet is to walk if you can manage to get a day prior to the trip.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I bought a fixed week because I anticipated the December studio booking challenge. Although I was able to add a few days before and after the past two years, I suspect it will be more difficult this year.

 

[DebbieB]

I bought a fixed week because I anticipated the December studio booking challenge. Although I was able to add a few days before and after the past two years, I suspect it will be more difficult this year.

How does the fixed week work? Do they automatically book you for your dates? Is it possible someone with a fixed week could release their week and open it up for someone else?

 

[drusba]

What some of us predicted early is now happening. VGF has only 47 studios all part of 2BR lock-offs. It had a very high opening price per point (cleverly presented as a bargain after raising mostly sold out BLT's price by 40% over about a year) and has very high points per night requirements with the result that most who have bought there have bought just enough points to get a studio whenever they go. As the resort approaches sell-out, the demand for studios has become intense particularly when seeking a room during the last quarter of the year and even more so for early December time, the highest DVC demand time of the year. I have been watching VGF studio reservations for a while and during slow times it is becoming very difficult to get them at 7 months out and during high demand times, they are diappearing quickly once the 7 month window opens. In fact, "walking" a reservation when you want time in the last quarter of the year is fast becoming advisable.

Of course if you want a dedicated 2BR or a GV, with their extremely high points per night, you can get one even at 7 months out during many high demand times. VGF owners for the most part do not have the points for those.

VGF is the mistake DVD is correcting in spades with the Poly -- 360 studios and only a little else.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

How does the fixed week work? Do they automatically book you for your dates? Is it possible someone with a fixed week could release their week and open it up for someone else?

Yes, my reservation is automatically booked and the confirmation is e-mailed roughly 12-months in advance of the week.

It is possible for someone to opt out of their fixed week, releasing it to the general booking pool. However, I doubt many December fixed week owners release their weeks.

 

[disneynutz]

Yes, my reservation is automatically booked and the confirmation is e-mailed roughly 12-months in advance of the week.

It is possible for someone to opt out of their fixed week, releasing it to the general booking pool. However, I doubt many December fixed week owners release their weeks.

We don't necessarily want to start our vacation on Sunday so our fixed week is a backup. We release and book based on availability.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

How about the 1BR units -- are they available? (One can't always plan on Studio units!)

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We don't necessarily want to start our vacation on Sunday so our fixed week is a backup. We release and book based on availability.

Bill

We do not like to begin our vacations on Sunday either, because Thursday and Friday departures tend to be cheaper. I have been adding days before and after our fixed week to get our desired arrival and departure.

 

[easyd]

How about the 1BR units -- are they available? (One can't always plan on Studio units!)

Yes, 1BR is pretty easy, and I will book one if I have to, and borrow points to get it done.

I'm a new DVC owner. I booked a week in May at AKL using my 2014 points, and banked the remainder to 2015. Hoping to actually stay at my home resort in 2015, but didn't anticipate the fight for a studio!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Yes, 1BR is pretty easy, and I will book one if I have to, and borrow points to get it done.

I'm a new DVC owner. I booked a week in May at AKL using my 2014 points, and banked the remainder to 2015. Hoping to actually stay at my home resort in 2015, but didn't anticipate the fight for a studio!

I recently talked a friend out of buying VGF points because I do not think it is realistic to assume that VGF points can easily be used every year for week-long studio stays during the beginning of December. Although possible, I believe it will be challenging.

 

[easyd]

I recently talked a friend out of buying VGF points because I do not think it is realistic to assume that VGF points can easily be used every year for week-long studio stays during the beginning of December. Although possible, I believe it will be challenging.

It appears you're correct. I enjoy visiting in early December, and it seems like so does everyone else! But, I feel I can still get good "value" from my points staying at other times of year, and at other resorts.

Certainly a case of leaping before looking!

 

[SpaceMountain77]

It appears you're correct. I enjoy visiting in early December, and it seems like so does everyone else! But, I feel I can still get good "value" from my points staying at other times of year, and at other resorts.

Certainly a case of leaping before looking!

Oh, you will certainly enjoy staying at VGF, even if it is not in December. Unfortunately, I suspect many people, like my friend, are given the impression that home resort advantage is enough.

 

[sweatandsteel]

How about the 1BR units -- are they available? (One can't always plan on Studio units!)

I just checked and 1 bedroom units are still available and actually they are available for most of the months of October and November as of now.