What's the likelihood?

[nadira36]

We'll be traveling in Sept 2013 for 2 weeks and want to stay at AKL in a 2 bdrm CL on points. It's our home resort - what's the likelihood we'll be able to get it at 11 mos out?

I know there are so few rooms, and we do have a back-up plan, but want to know if it's worth hoping, or if it's more: try, but assume you won't get it?

TIA

 

[drusba]

As long as you go on-line at 8 a.m. Eastern at 11 months out, your chances for concierge should be good particularly considering that Sep is the slowest DVC time of the year. Nevertheless do not delay beyond 8 a.m. I have seen concierge disappear for a day within 5 minutes of the opening of the 11 month window on-line, meaning those who wait to use the phone and call MS when it opens at 9 may be left out in the cold.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Early to mid-Sept is a slower time for DVC, so there will be less competition for the CL rooms. As PP stated, you need to be ready to get on-line at 8AM Eastern time exactly at 11 months out.

Are you planning on doing CL for the entire two weeks, or just part of the stay? We have not done CL yet (we have a 2BR-CL for 4 nights in June ), but I get the sense from other posts about CL that it is not a wise use of points. You may want to consider doing 3-7 nights CL and then switch to a savanna view (or a different resort entirely) for the rest of the time. The CL rooms are on the sixth floor of Jambo and you may or may not get a savanna view. Even if you do, the view is not as good as on the lower floors at Kidani. Also, you will only be able to book 7 nights from your arrival day, not the full 2 weeks.

You do want to make sure that you are registered on the CL if you want to do the sunrise safari, which is on Sundays and Thursdays. This is one of the main reasons to stay on the CL.

Have fun planning!

 

[nadira36]

Thanks. I didn't realize I'd only be bale to book for one week.

We're playing with numbers right now. BUt we want at least a week. OUr 'baby' will still be less than 3 so we really want to take advantage of being able to fit in a studio lol. We're also considering a week at BC for the same reason. This is the last chance we'll fit in a studio.

We have looked into doing a week SV, and a week CL. We're looking into ALL kinds of options lol. Since we're planning on traveling with friends (if they want to come, we haven't invited yet) that'll have twins roughly a year old, we thought they'd particularly like CL since it'll be nice to stop for snacks for the littles and so much to keep everyone busy while not in the parks, but we'll see.

Thanks!

 

[Cee]

Sept. is probably the slowest month at WDW. I can't imagine you'd have any problem getting exactly what you want, especially 11 months out. Have fun planning your vacation!

 

[Kidanifan08]

Thanks. I didn't realize I'd only be bale to book for one week.

I should clarify. If you call (or log on) at exactly 11 months prior to your arrival date, you are only allowed to schedule 7 nights in a row. Then you would need to call later to add additional days. Some call daily, although that probably is not necessary. If you are trying to make a reservation at less than 11 months, then you can schedule as many nights as needed, although if you call at 11 months and 29 days, you will only be able to schedule 8 days (am I making myself clear?).

As the PP stated, Sept is generally a slow month, so you should have a good chance at getting what you want. But, for CL, you will definitely want to log on at 8AM Eastern to book that 11 months before your arrival. Some people will even do what is called "walking the reservation" in order to get these highly sought after and limited rooms.

 

[nadira36]

THis is good to know.

I thought Sept was a busier DVC month. I didn't realize it was slow for both crowds and DVC. Very happy to hear this since Sept has always been our preferred travel time, and will likely continue to be preferred when travelling o WDW. The exception to this is that I promised DH that we'll go to Star Wars weekends in a couple years. poor guy would be crushed if he never got to go.

Since reading this, we've been talking about possibly doing a split stay between AKV and BLT TP view. I'm assuming I should book my second week at AKV anyhow, then at the 7mos mark check for availability at BLT and switch if available? Since AK requires fewer points we won't need to worry about borrowing, unless we actually get BLT for the week, then we'd need to borrow a few from the next year.

Thank you all for your input!

 

[drusba]

THis is good to know.

I thought Sept was a busier DVC month. I didn't realize it was slow for both crowds and DVC. Very happy to hear this since Sept has always been our preferred travel time, and will likely continue to be preferred when travelling o WDW. The exception to this is that I promised DH that we'll go to Star Wars weekends in a couple years. poor guy would be crushed if he never got to go.

Since reading this, we've been talking about possibly doing a split stay between AKV and BLT TP view. I'm assuming I should book my second week at AKV anyhow, then at the 7mos mark check for availability at BLT and switch if available? Since AK requires fewer points we won't need to worry about borrowing, unless we actually get BLT for the week, then we'd need to borrow a few from the next year.

Thank you all for your input!

It is generally wise to book your home resort at 11 months and then attempt to change at 7 to assure you have a reservation. Nevertheless, be aware that for September 2012, including Labor Day time but except Sep 28-30 (beginning of wine festival time), BLT theme park view was wide open at 7 months out and even three weeks beyond the 7 month window. Sep, except those last few nights, is probably the slowest DVC demand time of the year. Several factors probably account for that, including: school schedules, hurricane season, it is usually one of the nicest months of the year up north limiting the number who want to get away, and the infamous lovebugs.

 

[nadira36]

It is generally wise to book your home resort at 11 months and then attempt to change at 7 to assure you have a reservation. Nevertheless, be aware that for September 2012, including Labor Day time but except Sep 28-30 (beginning of wine festival time), BLT theme park view was wide open at 7 months out and even three weeks beyond the 7 month window. Sep, except those last few nights, is probably the slowest DVC demand time of the year. Several factors probably account for that, including: school schedules, hurricane season, it is usually one of the nicest months of the year up north limiting the number who want to get away, and the infamous lovebugs.

Ah yes, love bugs. I almost forgot about those pesky things. Then our last Sept trip they were everywhere. DH was disgusted and our friends thought the plague of locusts had hit. But honestly those don't bother me so much, they're not mosquitos. I like the weather in Sept better than other times of the year, but then I've been perpetually cold since I moved to the Great White North.

So if We ever want to go for the F&W festival, then book home resort, and don't expect to find anything else? no worries - I like AKL and am sure the villas will be great.