What are the most popular months for DVC rental?

[abt426]

OK I have several questions and I appreciate in advance anyone who takes the time to help.

I am trying to deicde on purchasing a DVC membership. My concern now is not the expense but how hard it might be to make reservations for our trips. I know that early December must be booked out far in advance but what about early March (we have early spring breaks) or October for fall break. My children's school schedule will dictate much of our travel for the next 10-15 years, and I may not always be able to book 11months to the day in advance. So is there anyone out there that has consistantly had problems reserving desired vacation times?

Also if I purchase a resale in December or January with current year points what is the likelyhood that I could make reservations for this March?


Lastly does the use year month affect the price of resales? I think October will work best for us because we will likely travel in October, December, or March. I don't see as many October contracts in the listings and they seem to be a bit more per point.

Thanks for your opinions.
Alena

 

[spiceycat]

Oct is food/wine festavial at Epcot, plus the Halloween party at MK - so very popular.

WDW moved this month from value season to regular season a couple of years ago.

plus many schools now have a fall break in Oct.

March should not be as hard. March is higher points because of spring break.

besides it is spring and everything is blooming!!!

if you want an EPcot resort for Oct either make it at 11months (if you own Epcot resorts) or 7th month as soon as possible.

 

[AFMom]

December is probably pretty much an 11 month out plan at this time for DVC - especially the first 2 weeks from what I've been seeing since we joined just last year. October seems pretty booked - but a bit more flexible. OKW and SSR do have more available closer to the dates - but nothing really last minute. We were able to go on 3 weeks notice last year - the last week of Sept/1st week of Oct and hit the beginning of the F & W and had a great 1 bdrm at OKW. There were many other rooms available to us as weel - but later in Oct it was more booked up! As far as Spring break - everyone all over the country has such widely spread spring breaks - it doesn't seem as difficult to get in at those times, and they aren't as popular for DVC reservations - still might want to plan ahead a bit. I'd say if you know pretty far in advance what your kids' school schedules will be for Fall break or Christmas - and know you'll want to go during those times, and can plan a trip - you'll be able to take advantage of the early booking windows and do just fine. If you're hoping to go during Fall Break on 1 month notice to the BCV - you'll probably be disappointed!

 

[beccasmom]

October is our use month, but we've never traveled then! Here is the pattern we have seen during our decade-plus DVC membership:

OKW is where we spend most of our vacation time, but we have also stayed for short periods at BCV, SSR and BWV.

January - busy through the MLK holiday weekend when lots of folks take long weekend trips; otherwise not too bad. Weather is iffy.

February - great in early February. Gets very busy starting President's Day weekend. Weather can be chilly early in the month.

March - very busy - school breaks - holiday period. We've found this to be a rainy month (when we've visited, anyway! ) And evenings can be chilly.

April - very busy early and then it slows down a bit unless Easter is late and then it will stay pretty busy all month. I think Easter is late this year.

May - a great time to visit, IMHO. Early in the month the weather is usually lovely and not too unpleasantly warm. Gets very busy towards the Memorial Day weekend.

June - okay for the first week. After that, summer crowds congregate as schools are out in force.

July - crazy busy. Not an optimal time for a visit, IMHO - heat and crowds. Great holiday fireworks, though!

August - busy early in month. Last two weeks are less busy, with some schools returning early. Not uncrowded, but not crazy.

September - medium busy. Some schools visit Epcot, so that park can be crowded at times. Other parks are manageable. Weather can still be uncomfortably warm.

October - no comments - only month we haven't visited! Lots of events - golf, food, art.

November - have been there in late November and it was really nice. Weather was great and crowds (except around the holiday) were not too bad.

December - early December is a wonderful time to visit. The parks are decorated for the holidays and the crowds are relatively thin. Weather is unpredictable, but we've been lucky on our trips. Around the holidays - hope you like company!

 

[spiceycat]

My children's school schedule will dictate much of our travel for the next 10-15 years, and I may not always be able to book 11months to the day in advance. So is there anyone out there that has consistantly had problems reserving desired vacation times?

Thanks for your opinions.
Alena

some of the school districts are going to the internet. sometimes you can find the correct schedule on the internet before the schools tell you. Always call the school board and check.

the only time I though I had a problem: the internet was right - what the school send out was wrong and was corrected.

 

[Friend of Disney]

Hi-

I have just joined this board even though we have owned a DVC since 2002. We own at Old Key West. I have never had trouble booking the BCV at 7 months.

We have a December use year which works out nicely. I do not have to decide to bank until May.


Kim

OKW Owner

April- '05 Disney Wonder and BCV
May-'04 BCV-9 nights
April- '02 Contemporary
Sept.- '01 Wilderness Lodge
Oct.- '95 Carribean Beach

All others off-site (never again!)

 

[jomik1]

I have two boys (10 & 12) so we have to work around school schedules and sport schedules (both boys play baseball, football & basketball!!). Our break schedule is as follows: Summer break (Early June - Late August), Christmas Break (Last 2 weeks of December) and Spring Break (Last week of March).

So far I have booked 3 trips using our DVC membership. We went the last week of August in 2004 (booked 5 months out). We stayed in a 1 bedroom at SSR. The weather was hot but the crowds were very manageable. We never waited more than 20 minutes for any ride. This was definately worth missing the 1st couple of days of school for.

We went down the last week of July 2005.(booked 11 months out). Again we had a 1 bedroom at SSR. Very hot and very long lines. This worked best for our shedule but not something I would do on a yearly basis.

I have a week booked at the end of March 2006 (booked 11 months out). This trip we are going with a group so we have a GV at SSR booked.

I have never encountered any reservation problems. The first two trips were booked all days at once. The March trip I booked day by day only because it is a GV and I just figured better safe than sorry.

Hope that helps you a little.