What is usually available at 7 months?

[discorsner]

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.

Yeah I am seeing what you mean about how there will probably be some types we can never try. That's what is making it such a hard decision.

We are basically on the school's out schedule. We have taken kids out almost every year but it is getting harder and harder to do so. We are taking them out in October because we have never done MNSSHP and we feel like this might be our last year being able to take them out. We have done May in the past and taken them out but that might be coming to an end. Our schools are not out until June. We also don't start up until the beginning of September so sometimes we luch out with a mid-August trip when others are already starting back up.

But.... DVC is a long term thing and my youngest is going into 3rd now so we only have 10 more years of school schedules and then we will be on college schedules or just leaving them behind and living it up at WDW on our own!

 

[discorsner]

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.

I think there is definitely some thinking I have to do as this is a really good point!

I feel like if I wanted BCV a particular trip and couldn't get it at least I would be happy with BWV. (Of course I would probably be happy with anything though, we just prefer some over others)

I really keep thinking that some trip sometime we would really like to go with extended family and depending on how many go we may even need a grand villa and I know that those are hard to come by and it basically needs to be your home resort at 11 months to the day to even try for it.

The makes BWV more attractive to me as well as OKW and SSR just because they have those choices.

I'm scared about reports of bad room locations and awful parkinga at BWV.

One thing I am thinking though is that if I bought BCV or BWV and then want the other one at least I have points that may be more attractive to rent or trade so that I could try to get the other one.

Has anything like this ever worked out for people before?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

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.

Actually they can't stop the ability to reserve at other club resorts but they could remove either the home resort or other resorts from the club under limited circumstances. IMO, the risks associated with this are so remote that they should not be factored in other than possibly for VB, HH or HI. Partly because it's so very unlikely and partly because that many of the things that would remove them from the club would also delete one's membership there completely. I would agree with you on the VB dues but would suggest there is a price difference where the risk is worth it though I don't think we're there yet. The reverse thinking doesn't work for lower dues when the lower dues resort (BLT) is dramatically more expensive than the comparisons due to the time value of money and the lost income on the difference. An $80-90 premium is a lot to pay for the occasional stay at BLT but maybe it's not a lot if you'll have all of your stays there.

Yeah I am seeing what you mean about how there will probably be some types we can never try. That's what is making it such a hard decision.

We are basically on the school's out schedule. We have taken kids out almost every year but it is getting harder and harder to do so. We are taking them out in October because we have never done MNSSHP and we feel like this might be our last year being able to take them out. We have done May in the past and taken them out but that might be coming to an end. Our schools are not out until June. We also don't start up until the beginning of September so sometimes we luch out with a mid-August trip when others are already starting back up.

But.... DVC is a long term thing and my youngest is going into 3rd now so we only have 10 more years of school schedules and then we will be on college schedules or just leaving them behind and living it up at WDW on our own!

First, never say never. One approach is to buy low (SSR for example) and then try for higher on most every trip. Of course you can only WL 2 options and that likely means only one resort at a time. But you can call and check as often as you want including up until the day of arrival, esp for things that cost more points than your then current reservation. With effort, even those almost impossible options will likely happen at some point. While DVC is a long term investment, like any timeshare, I would discourage taking too much more than a 10 yr view. That's true BOTH on usage AND on return. If you can't "break even" in 10 years compared to what you likely would have spent in that time (appropriate assumptions) then financially it's a bad choice. Also, using DVC rack rates as the benchmark is a fools comparison for all but those who would have paid those prices if they didn't buy.

One approach, often the best for many who are on the fence, is to buy in at a much smaller level than they think they need. Look for a loaded contract at a lower resort like OKW or SSR or even HH or ?VB and don't be afraid to bank and borrow. Once you are to the point you have no current or future year points left you can work with, you'll know what you want and/or have a far better feel for what and how many you really need or maybe don't need. Being tight on points will force you to avoid the high cost low value options like CC, DCL, etc at least on points. You may get there and decide you want to skip DVC for a year and do other stuff. There are an infinite number of things that could happen. You can always supplement with an occasional non DVC trips or at least non points trip or part of a trip like renting a cash room from DVC MS to extend a tirp..

While not typical, my situation is an example of that very issue. We like all of the resorts and plan to stay at them all at one time or another (mostly there x HI and BLT). We've had as many as 885 points in the past and are currently at 433. We have other timeshare options and almost all of ours stays the past few years have been through exchanges. That leaves me with the points which I use to do a day her and a weekend there and then rent out the rest. I'd likely be better off just selling most and keeping a small contract for the membership perks and MS access but I haven't gotten around to it. If I only owned 25 points I would be just as well off as I am now.

 

[mjc2003]

We closed on our BCV contract at the end of April. for our Nov trip, INSIDE 7 months (about 6.5) I was able to get an AKV Grand Villa for 3 nights and a BCV 2 BR for 6 nights.
We had our pick of GV's. Every one was available for the 3/4 nights we were looking. This is for Nov 11-20th.

We just booked at 6 weeks for a late August trip. We are staying 1 night at AKV to check it out, and 4 nights in at BWV, 1 BR.

I had to call multiple times for both trips and both trips involved 1 night waitlists.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We closed on our BCV contract at the end of April. for our Nov trip, INSIDE 7 months (about 6.5) I was able to get an AKV Grand Villa for 3 nights and a BCV 2 BR for 6 nights.
We had our pick of GV's. Every one was available for the 3/4 nights we were looking. This is for Nov 11-20th.

We just booked at 6 weeks for a late August trip. We are staying 1 night at AKV to check it out, and 4 nights in at BWV, 1 BR.

I had to call multiple times for both trips and both trips involved 1 night waitlists.

But if you want that GV for a week, it is going to be hard to get.

 

[JoJostar]

I own at VWL, but we want to try all the DVC resorts. We have booked in the past a 2 bedroom MK view in May at BLT, a studio at BC in February, a studio at AKV in January all at 7 months.

I just booked a MK view studio at BLT and a BW view 1 bedroom at the Boardwalk for next Feb at 7 months. I have had to waitlist a couple of times, but have generally not had a problem getting something at 7 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I own at VWL, but we want to try all the DVC resorts. We have booked in the past a 2 bedroom MK view in May at BLT, a studio at BC in February, a studio at AKV in January all at 7 months.

I just booked a MK view studio at BLT and a BW view 1 bedroom at the Boardwalk for next Feb at 7 months. I have had to waitlist a couple of times, but have generally not had a problem getting something at 7 months.

How many nights of each did you get? Any for a full week? That's going to be harder than a few nights of each.

 

[Atchley]

So I have a question. If I am wanting VWL in either June or July (not sure of the two weeks) would it be better to reserve the week in June at seven months out and then when DH finds out in January which week he can get, try to change to the July one? They are the same point totals.
Sorry, two questions. Should I reserve our home resort for the June week at 11 months out? Just in case we can't get VWL? Also, if I reserve at BLT for 296 points then cancel that and move to VWL at 271 points, am I able to bank the difference in points since I already had them reserved?
I am asking way too many questions......

 

[Dean]

So I have a question. If I am wanting VWL in either June or July (not sure of the two weeks) would it be better to reserve the week in June at seven months out and then when DH finds out in January which week he can get, try to change to the July one? They are the same point totals.
Sorry, two questions. Should I reserve our home resort for the June week at 11 months out? Just in case we can't get VWL? Also, if I reserve at BLT for 296 points then cancel that and move to VWL at 271 points, am I able to bank the difference in points since I already had them reserved?
I am asking way too many questions......

Yes, I'd book the first week when you can and WL if not available. Then if you have to change, you'll have an extra month to work on it.

 

[JoJostar]

How many nights of each did you get? Any for a full week? That's going to be harder than a few nights of each.

All of mine were for at least 4 nights. The BLT for next Feb is for 4 nights and the the BW for 5 nights. Originally, the BW view was not available, so I booked a preferred and waitlisted for the BW view. It came through after only a couple of days. I was so surprised.

 

[mjc2003]

But if you want that GV for a week, it is going to be hard to get.

When I called at the end of April (the 25th), we were inside of 7 months. We were looking for 9 days. We could have booked a GV for more than 3-4 days, that's just all I wanted to spend points-wise. Here is the GV availability on April 25th for Nov 11-20th according to my notes:

AKV GV Jambo: 7 nights
AKV GV Kidani: 8 nights
BWV GV: 6 nights
BLT GV: 5 nights
SSR GV: 9 nights
OKW GV: 9 nights

Maybe this is not normal, but this was the GV availability inside of 7 months for us. I would speculate that I could have Waitlisted for the 1 night at BWV to get all 7, so 5 of the 6 GV locations basically did have a full week.

Also, when I called in July to book our August trip we booked 4 nights at BWV. A GV was available 3 of the 4 nights.

We have found WDW to be very quiet that week between the end of Jersey week/last week of F&W and the start of Thanksgiving week. We have gone that week the last two years. This year it's the 12th-19th. Perhaps this is why I found so much available?

 

[Atchley]

Should I book BLT (home resort) now since we are inside our 11 month window for June? Then try to switch to VWL at the seven month mark? That away I am at least sure that I have a room.
We decided to forget July and just go in June. Fingers crossed it works out.

 

[crisi]

Should I book BLT (home resort) now since we are inside our 11 month window for June? Then try to switch to VWL at the seven month mark? That away I am at least sure that I have a room.
We decided to forget July and just go in June. Fingers crossed it works out.

That depends....

You will most likely have a room booking at seven months. I'll bet that you even have VWL. But if VWL isn't available, and BLT isn't available, will you be happy with whatever is available. The other question is - how willing are you to waitlist?

We book home. Then we make a list of what we'd like to try in priority. At some point, home is usually ranked higher than other options. So, for instance last trip we wanted to try BCV. (home is BWV). BWV ranked, I think, as our third choice. We got BCV and switched, but if we hadn't, we wouldn't have been "stuck" at our fourth or fifth choice. And I won't waitlist - which further limits the thing - I want to know where I'm staying, vacations don't need suspense.

 

[DizGirl20]

OP - take a look at this - I printed it out for my records!

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

 

[lionqueen]

OP- my husband and i are both teachers in NY so we travel July and August and have done trips over President's week and spring break. Our home is OKW. We have had no issues booking at the 7 month mark or less. We have gotten studios and 1 bedrooms at BLT for both spring break and feb break. We got a BW view at BWV about 5months out for our july trip. and have gotten savannah view at kidani. the only thing i've had trouble getting was concierge at AKV and i didn't really expect to get it. I've also booked BCV and VWL for friends numerous times. good luck with you decision!!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I don't know if it is luck or what but so far knock on wood I haven't had trouble at the 7 month window. So far I've booked at 7 months:

1 bedroom at Wildnerness Lodge Villas for Dec 26 to Jan 2nd.
Studio at Grand Californian Villas for March 5th & 6th (over a weekend)
1 bedroom Magic Kingdom View at BLT for June 22 to June 26th
1 bedroom Concierge level at AKL for July 1st through July 4th

I'm on the waitlist for GCV but I called 5 months out and I doubt I'll get them but I do have a back hotel room booked.

Also, for next year I'm hoping to book at Auluni in July for 3 nights at the 7 month window. I call right when they open and so far no issues.

Good luck!!!

 

[psac]

OP - take a look at this - I printed it out for my records!

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

That seems really restrictive. According to that, you wouldn't get anything besides AKV, SSD, and OKW at 7 months. In some cases that might be true, but I hope that's not always the case! Hoping for a 1-bedroom BLT in late April (would book any view) at 7 months.