What are the hardest views/rooms to get?

[hmire]

I am in the process of buying a resale DVC contract. Takes 6-8 weeks. I am looking into what will be out first trip as DVC members in November (15-20). I am hoping to get a 2 br. Which resorts will be harder to get and which ones will probably have availability?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

In general, the rooms that are hardest to get are the ones that are in shortest supply. Some of the hardest are concierge and value rooms at AKV and Boardwalk views at BWV.

There are also some seasonal things that drive higher demands at some resorts. For example, BCV and BWV are difficult to book during the Food & Wine festival, and VWL is very popular when the Christmas decorations are up.

For your specific booking question, it sounds as if you should be able to book fairly close to the 7-month point, and will be looking for a room in a relatively slow time of year. (Your dates are in the choice season. The busier magic season starts the day after you leave.) You should have fairly good luck getting a 2 bedroom at any resort, although some of the popular views (mentioned above) will be gone.

 

[Granny]

You didn't say which resort will be your home resort, but to stay at any non-home resort you will have to wait until April 25 to make your reservation at the 7 month mark. Your home resort (assuming it is at WDW) will give you the best shot at a reservation since you should close prior to the 7 month mark that others can book your home resort.

Aside from that, you will find SSR, OKW and AKV the easiest to book due to their size. VWL and BCV are small resorts and may be challenging. BWV books up the Boardwalk View and Standard View rooms the quickest.

I don't know much about BLT but it seems that it tends to book up quickly as well. And you are looking at a prime time of the year at Thanksgiving.

Best thing to do is make a list in order you want to book and then either go on-line or call MS and start asking about availability. Good luck!

 

[jennypenny]

BCV 2 bds and AKV concierge and BLT MK 1bd are hard to get. Then probably treehouse villas and BCV studios and BLT MK views for studios and 2bd.

 

[drusba]

Time you are seeking includes three nights into Thanksgiving week. AKV concierge, AKV value rooms, BLT standard and MK view, BWV standard and boardwalk view, and treehouses will most likely be gone. Also, BCV and VWL have fairly high risk of being gone. There is also a risk BLT lake view and BWV pool/garden may be gone leaving only OKW, AKV savanna or standard, and SSR. The one thing that is most likely certain for availability is that SSR will be open.

 

[DenLo]

BCV 2 bds and AKV concierge and BLT MK 1bd are hard to get. Then probably treehouse villas and BCV studios and BLT MK views for studios and 2bd.

I agree with jennypenny except for BLT. At BLT any standard view will be hard to get at the 7 month mark. It's true in 2013 that Theme park villas represent just under 20% (19.2%) of the vacation homes (2BR units), but Standard views are only 16% of the total vacation homes at BLT. And since there are no dedicated studios or 1BRs at BLT the lock off 2BRs are used for all three villa types. There are dedicated 2BRs. And standard view rooms are more popular than theme park views. Many members are not willing to pay the point cost for Theme park (formerly called MK views).

Also standard view villas at BWV will be hard to get. And possibly THVs at SSR, I not sure about the THVs since the point cost per night starting in 2013 is so much higher than in prior years so the THVs might not be as popular in the future.

 

[jennypenny]

DenLo--You're right, I forgot about the standard views. They are in demand at BLT and probably BWV and AKV also.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have not gone around Thanksgiving but have gone over Memorial Day weekend (which was also during F & G and Star Wars weekends) and booked late. Also went over MLK weekend one year - got into VWL and are going on our 2nd spring break this year. First spring break we booked AKV Kidani std. and this time are staying at BLT LV. I agree that AKV, OKW and SSR are the biggest resorts and will have the most availabilty. I would book whatever my home resort is as soon as you close and then call promptly at 7 months to see what else is available. That's what I did for this year over spring break. I booked SSR then called at 9:00 am at 7 mo. to switch to BLT. When I called the std. BLT's were gone but LV is what I really wanted anyway. For this August we tried to get a std. view at BWV and couldn't get all consecutive nights so we took the Boardwalk view. This is the 2nd time I had tried for a std. view there. I did not waitlist as we wanted 9 nights & I figured the odds probably weren't there so I just took the Boardwalk view. We have also had success getting BCV in August...but then we are always open to resort availability at 7 months. You will get something if you're not too set on which resort you book.

 

[amypetecar]

I have booked over thanksgiving week twice.... here are my experiences

Bought into DVC in March of 2010
Got a 2BR at OKW through the sales person.
Waitlisted at 7 months for BLT and AKV with no luck.
I was told SSR was my only other option

Booked at BLT (my home resort) at 11 months for thanksgiving 2012.
Standard view studios were booked at my 11 month mark! Others had already booked them for 11 months, plus 7 days for their stay
I checked availability at 10 months and 1 week online, and every category of room was sold out for the weekdays of Thanksgiving week..... and still are