What is usually available in January / February at 7 months out?

[Antonette2128]

Hello!

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone - I've learned so much from this forum. I have never been on a site where the discussions are so well rounded. I love reading strict analysis from a numbers perspective or just from pure magical pixie dust emotional standpoint.

I am still torn between resale and buying direct. I usually travel in January February and flexible enough to avoid Marathon weekend or President's Day. Could the folks who travel around that time tell me what is usually available? My thinking is, if I buy 250 SSR points as they are the most economical, I would like to know what would the chances be of getting other resorts around the 7 months mark?

If I buy direct, it would be for GVF or Poly. The difference in price for 250 points is significant.

I would like to know your thoughts pls.

Thank you.

 

[Antonette2128]

I missed to mention, we would be a studio and/or 1 bedroom type of family.

 

[CarolMN]

Hello!

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone - I've learned so much from this forum. I have never been on a site where the discussions are so well rounded. I love reading strict analysis from a numbers perspective or just from pure magical pixie dust emotional standpoint.

I am still torn between resale and buying direct. I usually travel in January February and flexible enough to avoid Marathon weekend or President's Day. Could the folks who travel around that time tell me what is usually available? My thinking is, if I buy 250 SSR points as they are the most economical, I would like to know what would the chances be of getting other resorts around the 7 months mark?

If I buy direct, it would be for GVF or Poly. The difference in price for 250 points is significant.

I would like to know your thoughts pls.

Thank you.

I missed to mention, we would be a studio and/or 1 bedroom type of family.

First of all, I've assumed you will be staying for about a week.

IMO, every WDW DVC resort (with the possible exception of VGF and the Poly) will have either a studio or 1 bedroom available for the times you mentioned. Some studio booking categories may not be available, however. Those categories could include concierge and value at AKV, standard & theme park view at BLT, and standard & Boardwalk view at BWV. (We really don't have enough experience with the Poly to predict 7 month availability there, yet. The VGF is proving to be difficult at 7 months for nearly all times of the year and it's even looking tough at 11 months for the last three months of the year).

I would only recommend buying the Poly or VGF if you intend to use those points almost exclusively at the purchased resort and are willing and able to book when the 11 month window opens. JMHO, but I think they are too expensive to use elsewhere.

 

[crisi]

If there is a Marathon weekend or some other special event (I know there is a Run Disney event in early January) then availability can be tighter, but if you are flexible on timing and resort, and don't have your heart set on something specific, there is a lot of flexibility at that time of year.

 

[Johnny D]

Minus the weekends you mentioned, I would opt for SSR just do to cost. You have a high probability of getting a studio at all resorts except VGF right at 7 months at that time of year. Jury is still out of PVB with 360 studios, which have not all been declared. If you get a 1 bedroom a majority of the time, SSR is really the way to go as you will probably be able to stay at VGF in January and February at 7 months if it's not marathon or Presidents weekend.

 

[disneynutz]

Buying direct verses resale will cost you more money.

Buying SSR will save you money but will you be happy not being able to always stay where you want?

As a newbie you may not know what or where you want, you think you know but you really don't until you spend time at the resort in the rooms.

Buying SSR for now, experiencing the DVC, booking issues, different resorts and rooms with the understanding that you may be selling later to get your favorite home resort makes sense to me.

Good luck and have fun!

Bill

 

[Judique]

Hello!

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone - I've learned so much from this forum. I have never been on a site where the discussions are so well rounded. I love reading strict analysis from a numbers perspective or just from pure magical pixie dust emotional standpoint.

I am still torn between resale and buying direct. I usually travel in January February and flexible enough to avoid Marathon weekend or President's Day. Could the folks who travel around that time tell me what is usually available? My thinking is, if I buy 250 SSR points as they are the most economical, I would like to know what would the chances be of getting other resorts around the 7 months mark?

If I buy direct, it would be for GVF or Poly. The difference in price for 250 points is significant.

I would like to know your thoughts pls

Thank you.

Most of Jan and Feb will be available at 7 months except VGF, which will have spotty availability.

I've been booking mid Jan to Mid Feb for a few years now, some at 11 months and some at 7 months, as I've changed plans and dates. Booking later, as in 2-3 months, I've gotten the room but sometimes have to change resorts mid vacation, but I'm usually booking for 2 weeks. I do use the waitlist quite a bit and it seems to work well at this time of year.

I'm actually thinking of picking up a few SSR points just for this reason, and because I like to get one bedrooms.