VGF & Poly availability question

[Shannon G]

I apologize in advance if this is not the right place to post this.

We are planning a trip to WDW in early December, and are hoping to rent points to stay in a studio at either VGF or Poly (I've rented points many times). We are within the 11 month window, so I could book through an owner at one of those resorts (assuming I could find one renting points). If I instead wait until I'm in the 7 month window & rent from an owner at another resort, what is the likelihood that I will still be able to find availability at either of those resorts? We really want to stay at a monorail resort (never have before) and we will have 4, possibly 5 in our group, so we need a studio that can accommodate 5 (which rules out Bay Lake). I have always rented directly from owners before, but if I'm not likely to be able to find any availability if I wait, I may consider paying the premium to rent through David's DVC rentals.

 

[Minniesgal]

I would think it near impossible to rent a studio at VGF for December this late. I'm fairly sure in fact almost positive they are all already rented.

poly may we'll have more availability but I think finding a Poly owner willing to rent their shiny
new points unlikely.

You might have more luck with a 1 bedroom at VGF or BLT but I think early December will be a real tough ticket.

If I were you I would try and target an older resort. However even with that I think you will find early December a challenge.

 

[CarolMN]

VGF is already booked up for early December. If you want the Poly, you need to act now. If you wait until 7 months, your chances will be close to zero.

 

[CMNJ]

Actually it appears that the only resorts that currently have full avail for studios in early Dec (first 2 weeks) is PVB, OKW and SSR-AKL kidani has only 12/6 missing but all other resorts are missing multiple or all days already. As others have already stated PVB will be extremely difficult for you to obtain at the 7 month window. If you can find a PVB owner now to rent from I would suggest doing that. We own BWV and sucessfully traded in PVB for our Oct vacation-I had been closely watching how quickly PVB books up as we were unable to book BWV in time for Oct (fully booked when we closed in our resale). Every morning the avail rooms are gone by 8:01 so I was ready to go and successfully booked at 8 on the dot but I have seen many posts about being shut out. There are too many people competing for these (and other popular rooms) at the 7 month window. I have read that early Dec is even more popular than Oct for DVC bookings so I don't imagine it will be any easier to book a room there for your intended trip.

 

[Fantasia79]

You could always ask if a renter would do a wait list for you. I did it for as renter wanting a room at the grand. no matter what if you want a monorail resort, act fast.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I think many do not understand just how difficult VGF is to book. Owners have trouble at 11 months out yet people are still inquiring about 7 month availability. I think VGF needs to be lined up BEFORE 11 months out. Crazy I know.

 

[Fantasia79]

BWV Dreamin, no joke. When I was renting out my points last, I was constantly looking up avaibility for 1-3 months out.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

And that is so frustrating. I don't think people believe you when you tell them there is scarce availability 3 months out. But once they hear it from multiple owners only then will they understand DVC is different.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

For December and for a studio, yes. But I would imagine its tough to get in anywhere. But I just booked a 1 bedroom at VGF for August for a week and only had to wait list one night (granted its in the middle of the week, so it better come through!). So depending on when you want to go it's not impossible. I understand that August is not a robust DVC month, though. I personally hate going in August as well, but we have to with school and all.

 

[Tunseeker1]

If you are going in December you need to talk to the rental folks quick and see if any 11 month points are out there and decide if you want a backup resort to switch from at 7 months

 

[CKCruising]

I think Poly might be available at 7 months (to the day at 8am). There aren't as many owners as rooms, so for the first little while, it will be owners of other resorts switching at 7 months. That might open up studios for other resorts (I would doubt VGF but others) at 7 months as well.

Note early December is one of the busiest times for DVC.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I think VGF is going to be tight most dates at 11 months out. I don't consider getting 4 out of 5 nights ( and having to wait list it) success at 7 months. If you can't get the whole reservation its a broken reservation and not worth the risk. If for no other reason VGF's sheer size is what makes " complete" reservations a challenge.

 

[Fantasia79]

My experience of booking three VGF trips for February, April and May, is that it's a lot tougher than you'd think. Every trip I was asked to book in a studio for January and February outside of 7 months had only single day avibility. Again, all studios but also back when VGF wasn't approaching sold out status. One or Two bedrooms usually had more days of avaibility. Trips inside of 7 months had nothing open at the time of booking, this was December/November.

Granted, I think waitlising does work.

I too am hoping the Poly has decent avibility, but we're not going to know for a while.

 

[CMNJ]

I think Poly might be available at 7 months (to the day at 8am). There aren't as many owners as rooms, so for the first little while, it will be owners of other resorts switching at 7 months. That might open up studios for other resorts (I would doubt VGF but others) at 7 months as well.

Note early December is one of the busiest times for DVC.

I agree Poly may be avail 7 months to the day if you have someone book for you at 8 am on the dot (assuming DVC doesn't sell a ton of points in the next month and those home resort owners decide to go then)-this is based on what I saw for Oct 2015 bookings at the 7 month window (another prime DVC time). I would not count on it opening much up at other resorts though as early Dec is prime time for DVC members to travel -even more so than Oct and there was not much opening up (at least that I saw) in Oct for studios despite all the 7 month bookings happening at the Poly-so either the majority had not booked a room in the home resort window or it was booked at SSR-that is the only resort that has had full availibilty for our week since our 7 month window opened.

 

[Sandisw]

Just want to mention one piece that hasn't been mentioned...when using David's, you are dealing with owners as well and it is not going to change what will/will not be available...what it will do, however, is give you a better chance of finding an owner with the home resort points you need to book what you want during home resort booking. As already mentioned, getting VGF, is not going to be possible without a waitlist (which many owners won't do for renters), and PVB may or may not be still available. So, if that is your hope, I would definitely try to get something going now and pay extra to secure it.