Week Before Christmas

[amym2]

We've booked a cruise on the Dream the week before Christmas and would like to use DVC points for the night before the cruise as well as a few nights after. We're a family of 4 with two teens, so as much as we dislike squeezing into a studio, the 3 separate beds (DD13 fits in the pull-down) in the studio would be our preference. We've stayed in a 1bd at AKV, OKW, and BLT and like them, but we'd love to try a different resort. That said, what are our chances of being able to get a studio that will hold 5 for 3 nights the week before Christmas? We have 41 SSR points for 2017 left and I'll have to borrow from 2018 no matter what. We have a 50point Poly contract as well (but no 2017 points left) so I'm wondering if I should go ahead and borrow those points from 2018 and book 2 nights at the Poly? We've never stayed there and would love to! How likely is it I'd be able to add one more night onto that at the 7mo mark? We're hoping to fly Southwest, so of course I'll have to book rooms before knowing flights. Not convenient! Any advice would be appreciated!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That said, what are our chances of being able to get a studio that will hold 5 for 3 nights the week before Christmas?

Not very good, I am afraid. Either borrow those Poly points to book Poly in home resort, or I do not think you'll get a studio that sleeps 5. I do not think you'll get one more night there at 7 months.

 

[CarolMN]

Agree with _auroraborealis_

 

[drusba]

That week has somewhat lower demand than other weeks in Dec. There are five resorts that offer five in a studio -- VGF, Poly, BWV, BCV, and BRV (formerly VWL). If looking for just one night before the cruise at 7 months out, you may have a decent chance of finding one of them open; the extra three nights after the cruise likely has a low probability. Moreover, if you reserve something now and only need one more night after the cruise, you will raise your chances of getting that third night after the cruise but not necessarily in the resort you reserve now.

 

[amym2]

Thanks for the feedback! I've gone ahead and booked two nights at the Poly post-cruise and a night at SSR before the cruise and our final night post-cruise. I'll plan to be ready at the 7mo mark to switch resorts if possible. We've resort-hopped before and can do it again if we have to. I'm excited about the Poly nights, especially since we normally just head home right after cruises and I feel those post-cruise blues!

 

[amym2]

Just wanted to update that I was able to book two nights post-cruise in a Poly studio at 7 months no problem and add on a 3rd night this morning also in a Poly studio. Booked online right at 8am and we're good to go! Ended up booking a 2bdrm at Copper Creek for one night pre-cruise, and that was harder to get than the week leading up to Christmas!