What times are the LEAST difficult to get into at BCV?

[JBCP]

I don't own there, but I think my family would really enjoy visiting sometime. I'm already pondering if/when to add on in the future (I haven't even closed on my AKV yet!) and I was wondering just how much I might need the 11-month advantage.

I would think we'd be most likely to want to visit BCV during the second week of April (my daughter's spring break) or sometime in the summer, maybe toward the end, with fingers crossed for free dining?

We'd probably be looking for a two-bedroom, maybe a one-bedroom.

 

[JimC]

Welcome to the DIS Julie

BCV is a small resort in a prime location and a fabulous pool complex. Spring break and summer are busy times. Any holiday period is going to be very busy, including and especially early December. Early June (first two weeks) or late August (last two weeks) may be the best summer opportunities to get in at 7 months. Being flexible on travel dates and villa size increases your chances. Other good times are January and early February as well as after Labor Day through mid-November.

 

[jaurban]

I noticed you mentioned free dining. My understanding is that free dining is not available when staying DVC on points or cash discount - only if you buy a package. Also, BCV will be busy in Oct. for F&W.

 

[mikesmom]

Right. When staying on DVC points we are absolutely NOT eleigible for free dining. If that will be something that is important to you for future trips, best rethink your purchase.

 

[JBCP]

Bummer on the no free dining. I don't know why I thought DVC members could still do that with points. It's certainly not a deciding factor, however---I had just thought that if I was thinking of going one time vs another, that might tip the scales.

Thanks for the answers, everybody---are any villa sizes more commonly available than others?

 

[NYMomof4]

Last year we got a 2 bdrm at BCV for the last week in August at 7 months and this year I have a studio there for Aug 12-17th reserved at 7 months.

We also do the free dining but go to POR for that week and then do a regular DVC trip. It just makes a longer vacation for us when they offer the free dining but youcan't add it to a DVC points reservation.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My experience with BCV is that it's hard to get anytime you want if you don't own there and use the 11 month window. I can think of several trips that I tried to book within a few months of arrival, at different times of the year, and BCV is always booked. And although I decided to try the waitlist for two of those trips, it never came thru for one of the trips (the other trip is next month, and I'm still "waiting"). It's not just the pool and hot weather-I booked for January and BCV was full several months beforehand. But I remember now that I was able to book the BCV 5 months out just once in November-there's hope! I hope you get to stay there, it's my favorite resort.

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

Under the 7-month mark, I was able to book in March of 2007 for September 2007 (studio). Previously I've been able to get a studio (July) and a 1BR for late May, both times under the 7 month mark. I've been lucky!

 

[DMKEDM]

We've booked BCV at 7 months out once and at 6 months out the other time...went the first week of June w/a 7-month out booking last year, and just 2 weeks ago booked at 6 months out for January 4-11...last year's trip (7 months out) was in a studio; next year's is in a one-bedroom...when I booked the 1-bedroom, there was a studio available for all but one night (the last night) of our trip...

 

[Alexander]

Hmm--We haven't ever had a problem getting a villa at the Beach Club within the 7 month window. We've stayed twice in early May, once in mid-August, and will be there again at the end of August into September this year. We are at the BWV at the beginning of this August, but they also had availability for the BCV when I called for that ressie. We usually stay in a 1 bedroom or a studio. I guess it just really depends on your dates. It sounds like it's hit-or-miss. I would have my doubts about April however. That is big-time school break time and Flower & Garden Festival time at Epcot.

Edited: We did try for President's Week '08 for 2 studios, but there was no availability. Forgot about that one!

 

[Starr W.]

I got a 2br dedicated(with the queen & sofa bed) for MLK weekend(Thursday-Monday) with one call at the 7 month window. Didn't even call right at 9am either.

 

[zalansky]

September is low season, but we booked a one bedroom at BCV for 5 nights for next month at the 7 month window. And I didn't call at 7am either.
When I called about 4 months out to book a 4 night trip for this past March (2007) everything was available, including BCV.

 

[JimMIA]

Don't know the exact answer to your original question, but FWIW, we booked a studio at BCV 4/29 - 5/5/2007 at five months out. Actually, maybe 5 months and a week.

 

[MichelleB]

We don't own at BCV but love the location. We've stayed there in July, January, and February and it's all been booked at the 7 month window. Not I have to admit that I call the day it becomes available to me and continue to add our days by calling day by day, but I've always gotten what I wanted. The only exception was this coming Jan. when at the 7 month mark I wanted to reserve 2 weekend nights on cash but wanted the dedicated 2 bdrm. (with 2 queens in the 2nd bdrm) and I couldn't get it. We ended up renting pts from another member to finish our ressie so we wouldn't have to move. So it can be done, just be on the phone as early in the window as possible.

 

[PEANUT1]

i am in the same boat. i am booked at SSR for May 4-9, but am hoping to switch to BC for that time. We will have stayed at SSR, VWL, and AKV, but would like to try one of the epcot villas.

 

[tidefan]

September is low season, but we booked a one bedroom at BCV for 5 nights for next month at the 7 month window. And I didn't call at 7am either.
When I called about 4 months out to book a 4 night trip for this past March (2007) everything was available, including BCV.

September is still hard though under 7 months. I called back in early June for a 2Bdr for the nights of 9/25-26 and all that was available systemwide was OKW or SSR. We chose OKW to save points, but I pretty much think any DVC is fantastic, so no problems there...