Viewing Member Portal before becoming a member

[Kyle Reilly]

I've been doing tons of research on DVC, and I narrowed my options to 1 resale 160 pt contract or 2, 80 pt contracts. My goal is to visit WDW every other year at BLT, and VGC a few times a year for just a day or two each (I'm an hour away from Disneyland).

The question is I want to see how the member portal works at the 7 month window, is there any way to see a live demo of what is open right now at the 7 month mark for Aulani, GFV, etc? I want to see if it makes sense to buy 1 or 2 contracts (looking for 11 mo. advantage since popular sites fill up quick).

 

[com_op_2000]

No you can not view the member portal until you are a member. There is no "copy" site that I am aware of.

 

[crisi]

It wouldn't do you any good anyway. You'd have to track regularly for a few years to even out the differences in time of year and the sometimes strange lack of availability that will crop up one year that we never see again (there was the year SSR was sold out at seven months, but a lot of other stuff was open).

If you want anything at GCV, you should own points there. Its very small and the only resort at Disneyland, which makes it very difficult to get at seven months.

 

[bwvBound]

For the most part, assume that studios at both Grand Cal and Grand Floridian will be 100% booked at the 7 month mark. One uses the waitlist to get units at either.

I recently booked a 1BR unit for early Dec at Grand Cal right at the 7 month window. The studio has never shown availability and even the 1BR was only "partially available." I booked what I could and used the waitlist to fill in the missing night. I've got two waitlists running for the studio ... hoping to downsize but at least I have a reservation in hand. Phew.

Editing to add, for my same dates (3n weekend in early Dec) -- Aulani showed 1BR units available in every view option. I didn't check studios ... I don't know why?

Edit #2 to add: Agh. I figured I'd pop over to the Member Site to check Aulani Studios ... but of course, the site is down with a 500 error. Sigh. Forget a 'preview portal' site -- I wish they could keep a 'Member Portal' working.

Edit #3 to add: I got into the site to check Aulani studios ... now ~2 weeks into the 7 month window. The standard view (least expensive) studio was partially unavailable but all remaining studio types were open/available. All 1BR view types remain available.

 

[disneynutz]

The easiest way to get the accommodations that you want is to buy there. If you don't mind taking chances or playing the booking game and not getting to stay where you want sometimes then take your chances at 7 months.

Disney is doing everything in their power to get rid of less demand times. Booking today is definitely more challenging than a few years ago.

Bill

 

[Kyle Reilly]

For the most part, assume that studios at both Grand Cal and Grand Floridian will be 100% booked at the 7 month mark. One uses the waitlist to get units at either.

I recently booked a 1BR unit for early Dec at Grand Cal right at the 7 month window. The studio has never shown availability and even the 1BR was only "partially available." I booked what I could and used the waitlist to fill in the missing night. I've got two waitlists running for the studio ... hoping to downsize but at least I have a reservation in hand. Phew.

Editing to add, for my same dates (3n weekend in early Dec) -- Aulani showed 1BR units available in every view option. I didn't check studios ... I don't know why?

Edit #2 to add: Agh. I figured I'd pop over to the Member Site to check Aulani Studios ... but of course, the site is down with a 500 error. Sigh. Forget a 'preview portal' site -- I wish they could keep a 'Member Portal' working.

Edit #3 to add: I got into the site to check Aulani studios ... now ~2 weeks into the 7 month window. The standard view (least expensive) studio was partially unavailable but all remaining studio types were open/available. All 1BR view types remain available.

Thanks for checking. Yeah, I understand it varies from year to year, but it gave me a general idea at the crazy booking process. I wouldn't stay the the most economical studio view, I would always want a view of some sort. Thank you again.

 

[disneynutz]

I've been doing tons of research on DVC, and I narrowed my options to 1 resale 160 pt contract or 2, 80 pt contracts. My goal is to visit WDW every other year at BLT, and VGC a few times a year for just a day or two each (I'm an hour away from Disneyland).

The question is I want to see how the member portal works at the 7 month window, is there any way to see a live demo of what is open right now at the 7 month mark for Aulani, GFV, etc? I want to see if it makes sense to buy 1 or 2 contracts (looking for 11 mo. advantage since popular sites fill up quick).

Disney doesn't want potential buyers to do any homework so they don't provide much info prior to purchase/membership.

If prospective buyers knew about availability and the booking process they might not buy.

Bill

 

[crisi]

Thanks for checking. Yeah, I understand it varies from year to year, but it gave me a general idea at the crazy booking process. I wouldn't stay the the most economical studio view, I would always want a view of some sort. Thank you again.

Be aware that views at most DVC resorts are iffy. If you are a view person, you might want to stick with cash. Theme park view at BLT can be disappointing if you end up on a lower floor. Boardwalk view at Boardwalk is lovely, but you'll want to own there to get it regularly - and often the preferred views are not significantly better than the cheaper standard views. BCV and VWL don't have bookable views - but both were added on to the main resort in sort of less than ideal locations, and the views don't tend to be good.

 

[bwvBound]

Disney doesn't want potential buyers to do any homework so they don't provide much info prior to purchase/membership.

If prospective buyers knew about availability and the booking process they might not buy.

Bill

Related but otherwise random comment ...

My DH and I have been timesharing for 15 years. We also have asked the 'obvious' question about previewing the member portal before purchase. In all cases, developers say, "Nope, no can do." In various resale transactions for one-off or small-scale 'clubs' -- I've been offered temporary login/password access though a broker's personal account. The offer to preview inventory/trade power/whatever was a huge step towards closing the deal!

 

[rlovew]

I've been doing tons of research on DVC, and I narrowed my options to 1 resale 160 pt contract or 2, 80 pt contracts. My goal is to visit WDW every other year at BLT, and VGC a few times a year for just a day or two each (I'm an hour away from Disneyland).

The question is I want to see how the member portal works at the 7 month window, is there any way to see a live demo of what is open right now at the 7 month mark for Aulani, GFV, etc? I want to see if it makes sense to buy 1 or 2 contracts (looking for 11 mo. advantage since popular sites fill up quick).

BLT lakeview will be available much of the year (though rarely at 7 months during most of Dec). If you want theme park view at 7 months you will find it available mainly during the period of mid Jan to mid Sept. If you want standard view studios you need to own there and book at 11 months most of the year.

If you want a studio at VGC you need to own there and book your rooms at more than 7 months out- if you don't plan on making your Disneyland plans this far out expect to use 1 bedrooms on the occasion you can get a room after the 7 month window opens.

 

[deedisneydream97]

I've been doing tons of research on DVC, and I narrowed my options to 1 resale 160 pt contract or 2, 80 pt contracts. My goal is to visit WDW every other year at BLT, and VGC a few times a year for just a day or two each (I'm an hour away from Disneyland).

The question is I want to see how the member portal works at the 7 month window, is there any way to see a live demo of what is open right now at the 7 month mark for Aulani, GFV, etc? I want to see if it makes sense to buy 1 or 2 contracts (looking for 11 mo. advantage since popular sites fill up quick).

I'm a big proponent of the "buy where you want to stay". I really don't have the patience to play the 7 month game and don't want to end up staying someplace I won't be happy with.

Resale contracts are not very plentiful for VGC from what I have seen. But at least you are doing your research.

I disagree with the comment about how people would not buy if they knew about availability and the booking process. GFV is nearly sold out or sold out. Poly sales are brisk. DVC resorts are almost always at full capacity (with the exception of AKV and SSR and OKW because of the sheer size) and resale contracts at monorail resorts and Epcot resorts are snatched up quickly. New buyers are not really interested in buying Poly to stay at BLT, so the 7 month window is a non issue. And new buyers are excited to stay at their home resort. A few years down the road when the "learn the ropes" they will branch out perhaps.

Disgruntled people, IMO, are those that bought "cheap" SSR points with the intention of switching resorts at 7 months and then are disappointed and/or angry when they can't get in to an Epcot resort or a monorail resort.

But I think you got the info you wanted from BWVbound. Personally, I would go for the two contracts, but only you know what is best. Good luck.