Well, it's happening, can't get VWL or BCV at 7month window, and I own at both!!!!!

[crisi]

There is no logical reason to be in conflict - and yet the thread about charging relatives has people in it that seem SCANDALIZED that anyone would charge their relatives to stay at DVC. Now, whether I charge my sister $4 a point, $10 a point, nothing at all, nothing and pay for her tickets/airfare/food, or charge the difference between a one and two bedroom really doesn't have any impact on anyone but me and my sister. This one - a persons decision to ALWAYS stay at home - does. So there will be conflict. It will be the next great eternal "how much should points rent for" debate. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[pouncingpluto]

BWYWTS is important if you really want to stay at the same place everytime. For people like me who don't want to stay at the same resort for 40-50 years, it's "Buy Someplace You Like Staying." I would never have bought SSR if I didn't like it. But I admit I would probably never have bought into DVC if it hadn't been for the possibility of booking into other resorts as well. I don't think this is unique to me as an SSR owner, I know perfectly well from reading this board for five years that many people like staying at different resorts each trip.

You put this very nicely. I don't think we would have bought DVC at all, at *any* resort, if we thought we were buying into ONE resort. Our perspective was that we were buying into the system. SSR is very nice, and we will have a great time when we do stay there, but we have always enjoyed staying in various WDW resorts pre-DVC ownership and intend to continue to do so. The only difference is that now we will mainly stay at various DVC resorts.

I'm sorry if this is at odds with the perspective of other owners, but neither perspective is wrong.

 

[TeresaNJ]

You put this very nicely. I don't think we would have bought DVC at all, at *any* resort, if we thought we were buying into ONE resort. Our perspective was that we were buying into the system. SSR is very nice, and we will have a great time when we do stay there, but we have always enjoyed staying in various WDW resorts pre-DVC ownership and intend to continue to do so. The only difference is that now we will mainly stay at various DVC resorts.

I'm sorry if this is at odds with the perspective of other owners, but neither perspective is wrong.

I love VWL so much that I would stay there every time if I could. I like the BCV, mostly because they are next to Epcot and MGM. I don't feel as relaxed there as I do at VWL though. I like the BCV over the BWV for the fact that it is quieter, and it is easier to access the main and quiet pool from all areas of the BCV. I hate the way BWV is laid out, and only stay there if VWL or BCV isn't available. I love OKW, but don't like that I can't qet to a park or a pool quickly. I'll have to see about SSR. Anyway, that is my order of booking. I now am planning on booking for October 2007 at the BCV exactly at the 11 month window, as well as for December 2007 at VWL again exactly at the 11 month window. Not gonna let this happen again!

 

[shantay1008]

Our strategy is to enjoy as many DVC resorts as we can for as long as we can, and then if the day comes when we can only stay at our home resort (SSR) we will graciously accept that, but will pester management to death to get the second themed pool, ice cream place, activities, etc., to make it the most incredible resort ever so we won't miss the other resorts.

[This next bit is totally OT, but is chipscinderelly still reading? When we were at BCV in Feb., my dad and DS7 went off on their own to rent a boat. My dad later told me that my son was totally enthralled by a wedding party at the Yacht Club. I forget if the wedding was actually taking place or if they were just taking pictures, but he thought it was sooo cool. I know it's a little early to start planning, but you'd think with four kids, one of mine would want to get married at Disney.... Have a wonderful time!]

 

[waltfan1957]

I feel your pain, TheresaNJ!!!
I spaced last week, and instead of booking Presidents' Day 2007 day-by-day, I only realized later in the week that I needed to book it all. And then I find that all fo the BWV Std View 2BRs for the Sun, Mon & Tues nites of that week are all booked: all this at 11 months minus 2 days! Ouch!!! I still managed to book the weekend nights and the Weds, but I am waitlisted now for the Sun, Mon and Tues nights./QUOTE]

Damm we can't blame SSR owners for this, who can we blame now! oh I know its them BWV owners oh no thats us

 

[yitbos96bb]

Yes, pplasky, I did plan poorly. I'm shocked that I cannot get into an Epcot resort for the F&W at the 7 month window because I never had a problem until this year.

THat's understandable. Although Hidnsight being 20/20, a LOT of people bought in during F and F at SSR. So the number of people competing for those spots has gone way up over the course of the last year.

I assume you will also waitlist correct? Maybe you will get lucky. It could be worse... You could trying to waitlist christmas to NY week. (Which I will be attempting to do in a few months to see if I can switch from my SSR reservation... obviously not holding out hope.)

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...] This one - a persons decision to ALWAYS stay at home - does [impact me]. So there will be conflict. It will be the next great eternal "how much should points rent for" debate. I'm looking forward to it.

Wheeeee! Now, because I bought into SSR, love SSR, find that SSR meets our needs and plan on staying almost exclusively at SSR, I could be a villian!

Fear me, Oh DVC Owners, for I am your worst nightmare: A Satisfied SSR Owner! Bwahahahaha!

 

[Sammie]

Totally disregarding who owns where, at 7 months everyone is equal.

At what point will the system be overloaded with members and does break down as far as booking?

I mean how many members can it handle and even a small percentage get what they want?

 

[NYBlue1]

Wheeeee! Now, because I bought into SSR, love SSR, find that SSR meets our needs and plan on staying almost exclusively at SSR, I could be a villian!

Fear me, Oh DVC Owners, for I am your worst nightmare: A Satisfied SSR Owner! Bwahahahaha!

We are starting to form a real empire count me in!!!!

 

[chipscinderelly]

[This next bit is totally OT, but is chipscinderelly still reading? When we were at BCV in Feb., my dad and DS7 went off on their own to rent a boat. My dad later told me that my son was totally enthralled by a wedding party at the Yacht Club. I forget if the wedding was actually taking place or if they were just taking pictures, but he thought it was sooo cool. I know it's a little early to start planning, but you'd think with four kids, one of mine would want to get married at Disney.... Have a wonderful time!]

I am still reading and that is wonderful to hear! I hope one of the four makes that decision!

TeresaNJ - I chuckled to myself with all the resorts your family will be staying at during your trip, it sounded like a great way to vacation and still have some time apart! We really enjoy SSR and I hope you do as well!

 

[mark&sue]

I think I could be to blame!!!!

I booked 14 nights at SSR at our 11 month window. We love SSR but as we always stay for two weeks as we come over from UK we like to have split vacations. We are taking two other families with us from the UK.

I therefore phoned day by day and got a two bedroom at BCV for October 23rd, 24th and 25th. These are the last three days of our vacation. The first 11 will be at SSR.

I booked two afternoons off work (even had to remember we had our daylight savings a week before you so are currently 6 hours ahead) and phoned two minutes before MS opened. I had to do all the extra numbers phoning from abroad. I got it but the whole planning exercise has been thought out many many months in advance. We love SSR but do not envisage spending two to three weeks there all in one go every year for the next 48!!!

I have so far used points to go to Disneyland Paris and do an II exchange. We do however plan to stay at least one week at SSR every year. We love the location.

Sorry if I took anyone's dates!!!


Susan

 

[TeresaNJ]

chipscinderelly, my brother got married last June at the Poly on Sunset Point. Thought maybe you'd like to take a look at the pics. Here is the link:

http://www.collages.net/disneyweddings/
User Name: Sulzbach / Christopher Wedding
Password: 1971
Make sure you enter the User Name exactly as typed, with the spaces before and after the slash.


Also, here is a link to the thread where I have more wedding pics posted. We stayed at the VWL if anyone is interested at looking at some pics.http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=865718&highlight=brother's+wedding

As far as an update on where we are all staying in October, I called my sister yesterday, and now she wants me to switch her to Saratoga Springs also, as she doesn't want to be by herself at the BCV. Her husband can't go as he's a teacher and won't be able to get off from school, but her friend wants to go, but my sis isn't confident that her friend won't back out at the last minute. My son and his gf are still staying at VWL, lucky ducks!!

 

[Dean]

for I am your worst nightmare:

LOL, no, just very lonely.

 

[Didney Daddy]

I have read the park attendance is up significantly amongst die hard Disney fans in 2005 and so far into 2006. The economy is better and there are folks like us who really love the Food and WIne Festival at Epcot. Demographics are changing at the parks too. Of course there will always be a million kids there but now there is an ever increasing percentage of adults or groups of adults in the parks without kids. Especially Epcot. Just wander World SHowcase around dinner time and marvel at the lack of kids and the abundance of 20 somethings on up.


I think it is going to get more crowded there as time marches on.

 

[Jen D]

I booked two afternoons off work (even had to remember we had our daylight savings a week before you so are currently 6 hours ahead) and phoned two minutes before MS opened. I had to do all the extra numbers phoning from abroad. I got it but the whole planning exercise has been thought out many many months in advance.

Sounds like you deserve the dates! What a pain!

Enjoy!

 

[chipscinderelly]

chipscinderelly, my brother got married last June at the Poly on Sunset Point. Thought maybe you'd like to take a look at the pics.

As far as an update on where we are all staying in October, I called my sister yesterday, and now she wants me to switch her to Saratoga Springs also, as she doesn't want to be by herself at the BCV. Her husband can't go as he's a teacher and won't be able to get off from school, but her friend wants to go, but my sis isn't confident that her friend won't back out at the last minute. My son and his gf are still staying at VWL, lucky ducks!!

Thank you so much for those photos - they are awesome!

As for October I hope your sister's friend firms up and comes - SSR is so beautiful. And your son and gf are lucky ducks!

 

[FranP]

DS and his DFi are taking the Western Caribbean Disney Cruise this October for their honeymoon and I was able to get a 1BR at VWL for Oct. 18 thru Oct. 21 and a studio with a Boardwalk View at Boardwalk Villas for Oct. 28 this week with no problem!!!!! I guess I was just lucky (or they were just lucky LOL)!!!!

 

[La2kw]

It's my own fault for not planning properly. I have two studios booked at the BCV for Oct 22-28, one for my daughter and her bf, and one for my sister and her friend, and one studio booked at VWL for the same time for my son and his gf. I need a two-bedroom also, but had to wait for the seventh month window for the points to be available to book at BCV as I was borrowing from VWL, but I stupidly did not book day by day. Now it isn't available at either resort, BUT OF COURSE I COULD ALWAYS BOOK AT SSR!!!!! I am really angry right now and I'm just venting. I told the castmember it must be all the SSR people booking at the 7month window, and she gave me some BS about how it's the F&W Festival, yada yada yada. Yea, I know, but this is the first time in five years that I've had a problem booking VWL or BCV at the 7month window. Oh well, live and learn.

Just because you own at both resorts does not mean that your WLV points should give you a priority at BCV. Only your BCV points will do that. I think it's the F&W that has created the demand for BCV, not SSR. I had no problem booking BCV at the 7month window for this July. I even added two more nights about 2 weeks ago with not problem, and that's just 4 months out. Blaming SSR for not getting what you wanted is not fair.

 

[La2kw]

You probably should have tried a day by day, then you would have been on an equal footing with the non-BCV members.

True, but because she is using WLV points at the BCV, she is already on equal footing with non-BCV members. Having some points at BCV does not mean that her WLV points have a higher priority at BCV than someone else's SSR, OKW, HHI, VB, or BWV, or WLV points. Only the BCV points have the priority at BCV. Complaining that SSR owners are using their points at BCV is ridiculous because she is doing the same thing with her WLV points.

 

[La2kw]

Teresa, I don't think CarolMN was talking about you in her post; she was talking about other experiences with posters who got slammed.

I think most people here realize that you were disappointed when you posted, and who here hasn't had plans not work out the way they'd hoped? But the great thing is that you quickly rebounded, and will have the opportunity to get to know SSR.

And now, lest I get yelled at again for being too "personal," I'll bring a factual question into play: Does anyone know if the number of visitors to WDW in general has gone up? I've read on here that the numbers took a large dip after 9/11, and were bound to go up again, but do the longtimers think they've surpassed pre 9/11 days? Or do you just think specific events are getting more well-known and popular? (There, pops, are you happy?)
Shannon

edit: sorry, I meant CarolA

I think the crowds have surpassed pre 9/11. Last summer was the most crowded I have ever seen the parks, and we went many times before 9/11. We had little tolerance for the crowds last summer. Thankfully we were able to head back to our great room at SSR and relax in a quiet atmosphere away from the craziness.