What is usually available at 7 months?

[discorsner]

Total newbie here. Not even a member yet but planning a purchase this fall. I know there are no guarantees and that home resorts are important but what have people found are usually available at 7 months with no problem?

We would usually be going may through august with an occasional thanksgiving trip thrown in maybe. We have a family of four so will be doing studios or 1 bedrooms mostly but possibly every other year or every third year extended family seem to tag on and then we need a 2 bedroom.

We really like BCV so we were going to do that resale but because of cost we might consider other resorts as well. We like to try different resorts all the time and we will be ones who like to switch it up. However we don't want to get to the point where every time we stay we can't get BCV or BWV and therefore miss out on them.

Any insight for this newbie would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[kristenrice]

I have only booked a handful of trips at 7 months because I just love AKV so much. That being said, we successfully booked a 1BR at HHI for 5 weeknights in April (not around Easter). Since there are only (21) 1BR's at the entire resort, I think we lucked out. I was also able to get a 1BR Standard view at BWV for a Sat-Tues during F&W. Again, I think I just got lucky. I had to waitlist for a LV studio at BLT for a Thurs-Sat stay during F&W but it came through within about a month.

I believe in the "Buy where you wouldn't mind being stuck" philosophy. I could spend every trip at AKV if I had to, but I am also looking forward to trying something new. I plan on booking AKV at 11 months and then, if we want a change of pace, we'll see what's available at 7 months. With the ever-increasing number of DVC members, competition for rooms at 7 months will become more and more intense. Since DVC is designed to run at near-capacity, there really is not a specific "slow" time anymore. Sure, some are slower than others, but there's no way to say that your should have "no problem booking XXX resort at 7 months for YYY time of year".

I know that we want the option of the value category at AKV so that is another reason we chose that as our home resort. I also like the option of concierge villas. With such a limited number of value (10) and concierge (5) 1BR's, we *must* have the home resort advantage to have a chance at booking either of those categories on a regular basis. We recently bought a small add-on at HHI too. We liked it so much that we'd like to go there for spring break every three years. Since our spring break sometimes hits around Easter AND we want a 1BR, we wanted to maximize our chances of not getting shut out.

To answer your question, the resorts that generally have availability at 7 months are SSR (not the Treehouses) and OKW (not the Grand Villas), simply because of their size. The larger resorts take a little longer to fill to capacity so those 2 are usually the last ones to fill up. Unless you want the THV's or GV's, you probably don't *need* the 11-month window to book at SSR or OKW on a fairly regular basis.

Good Luck with your decision! You're in the right place to get your questions answered so ask away.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It depends on when that seven months is booking for. Early Dec is hard at almost anything less than ten months out. Christmas/New Years, you need 11 months out. GVs need ten to 11 months out. BWV BW view or standard villas, not a good chance at 7 months. BCV for F&W (also BWV) at seven months, not good. BLT standard and theme park view, not good at 7 months out.

 

[CarolMN]

Total newbie here. Not even a member yet but planning a purchase this fall. I know there are no guarantees and that home resorts are important but what have people found are usually available at 7 months with no problem?

We would usually be going may through august with an occasional thanksgiving trip thrown in maybe. We have a family of four so will be doing studios or 1 bedrooms mostly but possibly every other year or every third year extended family seem to tag on and then we need a 2 bedroom.

We really like BCV so we were going to do that resale but because of cost we might consider other resorts as well. We like to try different resorts all the time and we will be ones who like to switch it up. However we don't want to get to the point where every time we stay we can't get BCV or BWV and therefore miss out on them.

Any insight for this newbie would be appreciated! Thanks!

Thanksgiving week will be tough to book at 7 months. May through August will be relatively easy to book at 7 months all of the resorts. 1 bedooms will be easier to get than studios.

You generally need the home resort booking advantage for the "specialty" views like MK View, Boardwalk View and Concierge category (at AKV) and for the "bargain" views like value and standard.

 

[DebbieB]

I have been able to get a 1 bedroom at OKW for May, an AKV Jambo studio for late April, an AKV Kidani studio for mid June, BWV standard 1 bedroom for late April, VGC studio for May, all at 7 months. Once even got a BCV studio for 1 night in early February 1 week ahead. The only time I was ever shutout was when I wanted a room for mid October about 3 weeks ahead, none available anywhere, any size.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We don't stay for long periods, but I've been able to get a BCV studio in May for 3-5 nights at 7 months. I bought BCV points to get the dedicated 2 bedroom with 2 queens at 11 months, but I often take my chances and try for a studio at 7 months. I've gotten one also in June/July 3-5 nights, including 4th of July.

 

[crisi]

But August is pretty easy for most things. At least at this point in time. You never know if Disney might stick an event in there that brings in crowds.

 

[discorsner]

Ok thanks everybody! I have started figuring this out....

Do you think I would be able to get a 2 bedroom villa at any resort at the 7 month mark at Thanksgiving for a week?

Also what would be more typical would be summer trips... week long... which resorts at 7 months for a 2 bedroom?

I am appreciating every response. Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

Do you think I would be able to get a 2 bedroom villa at any resort at the 7 month mark at Thanksgiving for a week?

Also what would be more typical would be summer trips... week long... which resorts at 7 months for a 2 bedroom?

you can generally get OKW or SSR at 7 months.

those will probably be the only one you can get at thanksgiving week if any.

depends upon when you are going in the summer - July/August - might be any thing -

would never expect BCV or BLT at the 7 months - those sometimes they do show up at 7 months - but don't ever count on them showing up. you will be disappointed.

 

[muffinsmom]

We bought our first set of points at WLV and although we love it there we like to try new places. We have never had a problem getting in where we wanted at 7 months... we have stayed at BCV in August, BWV in August, and we just booked Bay Lake for February. We got a great deal a couple of years ago on a resale for Saratoga Springs, so we added on some points, we've actually only stayed at Saratoga once. I think if you are planning on going at Peak Holiday times the home resort booking is important, but otherwise 7 months is no problem

 

[wdwfan1]

In the past I have always been able to get OKW at 7 (or even less) months out. This year we had to change plans at 9 months and I could not get BWV (my home resort for all nights). I booked the 3 nights available and booked the other nights at VWL (our other home resort).

At the seven month mark we decided to add another night at the beginning of our trip. Nothing available at VWL, so I tried to book OKW. I could not get all nights, so I had to go with SSR. I am waitlisted for both BWV and OKW for all days at the beginning of our trip. So far, nothing--and to be honest, I do not think either will come through. SSR does not really appeal to us, but I am getting used to the idea of staying there. Hopefully we will like it.

For our last few trips, I have found it harder and harder to get what I want at 7 months. I think it is because there are so many members now and the competition has become more fierce. So, as others say, buy where you don't mnd staying. I think SSR will be available, and maybe OKW.

Good luck.

 

[crisi]

Ok thanks everybody! I have started figuring this out....

Do you think I would be able to get a 2 bedroom villa at any resort at the 7 month mark at Thanksgiving for a week?

Also what would be more typical would be summer trips... week long... which resorts at 7 months for a 2 bedroom?

I am appreciating every response. Thanks!

Thanksgiving week you'll want to book your home resort 11 months out.

At seven months you can switch to what is available. I wouldn't expect much to be available most years - something will be. Chances are it will be SSR/OKW available, but some years you might get lucky with other availability.

 

[daisyduck123]

Look at all of the trips listed in my signature from 2007-present.

All of those were booked at 7 months out (with the exclusion of SSR, our home resort). We have never had to use the waitlist. We have stayed in studios, 1BR, & 2BR.

 

[VBSunGoddess]

We just booked a week in a Studio at BWV for Presidents week at 7 months

 

[staceymay00]

Do you think I would be able to get a 2 bedroom villa at any resort at the 7 month mark at Thanksgiving for a week?

I tried to switch our five night Thanksgiving week reservation to AKV (right at 7 months at 9AM) and could not get a 2BR. I wanted standard view Kidani or Jambo House, which are in shorter supply, but the CM mentioned there were no 2BRs available of any view at Kidani for all five of our nights. I don't think she checked other Jambo House views, so I don't know if any were available there, and I did not inquire about other resorts. We will probably try to switch resorts once in a while but we really like our home resort, OKW, so it is no big deal if it never works out for us.

Last year I was able to switch from a 1BR to a 2BR at OKW a few weeks after the seven month window had opened. This was for the week leading up to Christmas, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We had booked the 1BR before the 7 month window but then decided we wanted a larger villa.

 

[nunzia]

In 2013 we are planning on going back to WDW (after 17 or so years) druing F&W, so end of Sept to Early Nov...I sure hope they keep those dates. Naturally I'd rather stay at BCV or BWV, but since those will probably not be available, what is the next best option for ease of getting to EPCOT?

 

[a742246]

Last year I was able to get Beach club for 3 nights in early November
for F and W. I booked it at 7 months. There were also rooms available at Boardwalk. I believe early November may be your best shot for an epcot resort during FW. Weather was upper 70's for highs.

 

[Dean]

Total newbie here. Not even a member yet but planning a purchase this fall. I know there are no guarantees and that home resorts are important but what have people found are usually available at 7 months with no problem?

We would usually be going may through august with an occasional thanksgiving trip thrown in maybe. We have a family of four so will be doing studios or 1 bedrooms mostly but possibly every other year or every third year extended family seem to tag on and then we need a 2 bedroom.

We really like BCV so we were going to do that resale but because of cost we might consider other resorts as well. We like to try different resorts all the time and we will be ones who like to switch it up. However we don't want to get to the point where every time we stay we can't get BCV or BWV and therefore miss out on them.

Any insight for this newbie would be appreciated! Thanks!

I think the only resorts you can count on availability for those times, and really for any times, are going to be SSR and OKW. There will be other options at times but they will be hit or miss. If one owned at say SSR and wanted to try all on property resorts during this time, I would expect success over the long haul but not necessarily for a given trip. However, there are certain unit types one might never get to experience using this plan (BCV 2 queen, BWV BW view, AKV concierge, 3 BR other resorts, to name some of the more difficult options). If going the very end of August and during the month of May, you'll have more success but I read your note as "I can go when school's out" which suggests the May weekend to about 2/3 through August for many people. This will be a tougher time. As long as one owns on property, reserves at 11 months out, calls day 1 at 7 mo out and utilizes the wait list, it should be fine for most people as long as those specialty options are not critical.

 

[wildernessDad]

Total newbie here. Not even a member yet but planning a purchase this fall. I know there are no guarantees and that home resorts are important but what have people found are usually available at 7 months with no problem?

We would usually be going may through august with an occasional thanksgiving trip thrown in maybe. We have a family of four so will be doing studios or 1 bedrooms mostly but possibly every other year or every third year extended family seem to tag on and then we need a 2 bedroom.

We really like BCV so we were going to do that resale but because of cost we might consider other resorts as well. We like to try different resorts all the time and we will be ones who like to switch it up. However we don't want to get to the point where every time we stay we can't get BCV or BWV and therefore miss out on them.

Any insight for this newbie would be appreciated! Thanks!

My advice is to buy where you want to stay. There are no indications of this, but Disney could nix the ability to book at a non home resort in the future. Buying, for example, at Vero means that you will have high dues. Over time, it's the dues that's the main cost driver.

 

[gatorskin76]

Total newbie here. Not even a member yet but planning a purchase this fall. I know there are no guarantees and that home resorts are important but what have people found are usually available at 7 months with no problem?

We would usually be going may through august with an occasional thanksgiving trip thrown in maybe. We have a family of four so will be doing studios or 1 bedrooms mostly but possibly every other year or every third year extended family seem to tag on and then we need a 2 bedroom.

We really like BCV so we were going to do that resale but because of cost we might consider other resorts as well. We like to try different resorts all the time and we will be ones who like to switch it up. However we don't want to get to the point where every time we stay we can't get BCV or BWV and therefore miss out on them.

Any insight for this newbie would be appreciated! Thanks!

If BWV is even a close second to BC, then I don't see how you could go wrong with BWV at it's current price compared to other resorts. You might get a slightly better "value" somewhere else, but there is something to be said for the peace of mind in knowing you can set your reservation at 11 months knowing that you would be more than happy to stay at that resort, at least for me there is. Some will point to the slightly higher MF's at BWV, but I never really get that, for the most part. Obviously that argument using SSR holds the most water.