What Studios Are Usually Available. . .

[jba2]

at the 7 month window. I'm seriously considering buying a small dvc contract at VWL (100 points). What studios, historically, are available at the 7 month window during July/Aug., the week before Christmas or Jan. 2 for 1 week, and the second week of March. Presently, I am limited to those travel dates but in seven years when I retire, the window is wide open.
Thanks

 

[drusba]

at the 7 month window. I'm seriously considering buying a small dvc contract at VWL (100 points). What studios, historically, are available at the 7 month window during July/Aug., the week before Christmas or Jan. 2 for 1 week, and the second week of March. Presently, I am limited to those travel dates but in seven years when I retire, the window is wide open.
Thanks

It is not just a studio issue. At 7 months out, AKV concierge is near impossible any time of year, BLT standard most of the year, AKV value about 85% of year, and BWV standard and boardwalk view about 75% of the year. BCV studios can be gone about 45% of the year.

For times you mention and as to studios 7 months out:

July/Aug: generally a slow DVC time. Other than ones mentioned above, studios will be open everywhere (AKV standard and savanna view, BLT lake and theme park view, BWV pool/garden view, OKW, VWL, and SSR) and even BCV is likely after July 7 and sometimes during that period you may even be able to get BWV standard and boardwalk view and AKV value.

Week before Christmas: depends on exactly how you define as week before because Christmas bookings usually start heavy about Dec 22 or 23. In any given year, if you are talking about the period from Dec 15 to 22, most all will be open except the usual suspects mentioned above and even BCV may be open with some chance for BWV standard or boardwalk, although BLT Theme Park view could also have some issues. After the 22d and any time in Dec before Dec 15 is a whole different story. First two weeks of Dec and Christmas time starting about the 22d or 23d are the highest DVC demand times of the year and your chances are usually limited to AKV standard or savanna view (although even those can be gone during that period sometimes) and OKW and SSR.

Second week of March: low DVC demand time with everything open other than some of the usual suspects mentioned above. You should also be able to get BCV and potentially even BWV standard or boardwalk view and AKV value.

Jan 2: I assume you mean as an an arrival date for a week. Other than the usual suspects (including BCV that week), it should be open.

 

[jba2]

Thanks so much Drusba for your thorough reply. I inquired about studios because that is what I'll most likely be staying in if I go every year.
I stayed at Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time and really liked the resort. I liked the way the Lodge was refurbed so I'm hoping they'll do the dvcs the same way.
I also really liked staying at AKL but I want a sooner expiry date. I also like the BWV but their points cost more than VWL.
I would like to try OKW because they have two beds.

 

[DebbieB]

I just got back last night from a BLT lake view studio booked at 7 months. Standard & park view were gone at 7 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks so much Drusba for your thorough reply. I inquired about studios because that is what I'll most likely be staying in if I go every year.
I stayed at Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time and really liked the resort. I liked the way the Lodge was refurbed so I'm hoping they'll do the dvcs the same way.
I also really liked staying at AKL but I want a sooner expiry date. I also like the BWV but their points cost more than VWL.
I would like to try OKW because they have two beds.

With a family of five, you won't fit in a studio unless one is under the age of three. Or one isn't coming along on the trip. You'll need a one bedroom at a minimum.

I tried to get one night in early October for this year in a studio for a Saturday night at either the BWV or BCV and both were sold out. This was exactly at seven months out. I did get my waitlist (first ever) two days later, but if I had wanted more nights, I doubt if I would have gotten it.

Also, if they renovate the VWL like the one two bedroom lockoff I saw in January, they are different from the Lodge rooms. No carpet, only wood like vinyl on the floor.

 

[jba2]

Yes, I know that a family of five won't fit in a studio but it's unlikely that all five of us will be traveling to Disney often. My kids are teens and my boys no longer like going to Disney. I'm still deciding if DVC is right for us as I'm the only Disneyphile in the family. My daughter likes Disney but she doesn't want to go as often as I do. My husband does like Disney but he won't openly admit it.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

My husband does like Disney but he won't openly admit it.

Ah, the secret closet person who really does like Disney.

 

[automaticsoap]

Ah, the secret closet person who really does like Disney.

My boyfriend is definitely in this category.

 

[Anal Annie]

at the 7 month window. I'm seriously considering buying a small dvc contract at VWL (100 points). What studios, historically, are available at the 7 month window during July/Aug., the week before Christmas or Jan. 2 for 1 week, and the second week of March. Presently, I am limited to those travel dates but in seven years when I retire, the window is wide open.
Thanks

We usually vacation in August and always use studios. Our only trips outside of summer have been for long holiday weekends in January & May. But so far we have been able to get everything we've wanted at 7 months. We've even gotten a LV studio at BLT over spring break (the week leading up to Easter) for last year. We've also tried Vero and HHI and will be staying at VGC and Aulani this summer. We try to be flexible with our resort choice but so far it's all worked out. We waitlisted once for BCV and it came thru but we would've been happy with our backup plan (BWV) if it hadn't. Twice we have booked at less than 7 months. I think our first time for spring break we booked at about 6 1/2 mo. out and I had several choices but we opted for AKV Kidani to save points. And once we booked at about 4 months out for Memorial Day. The 7 month thing may not work for those who "HAVE TO HAVE" certain views or certain resorts. We like to resort hop from trip to trip so that each trip is a little different from the last so it works for us as there is always something available that will work for our plans. Sometimes the points required per stay determine our 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices tho. It depends on our plans for other trips for the year. I think being flexible is key and to do that you need to have enough points to sort of play with. By no means do we have a LOT of points but we do have enough that we can plan 2 one-week trips / year or one longer trip at resorts that suck down a lot of points (like our trip this summer with VGC & Aulani). Our trip this summer has been my biggest "nail biter" as the entire trip hinged on getting in at 2 harder to get resorts.