When can you book Deluxe Villas?

[bohemian74]

I had originally been told 499 days by a CM. But I'm looking at Thanksgiving 2014 to get prices and still can't book. Our last day would be under the 499 mark so that isn't the problem.
I was later told by another CM that the Villas are held for DVC members to have first pick but she didn't know when they were released to the public.

A CM friend was looking at prices for the F&F discount and she can't see anything available as well.

Does anyone know how far in advance you can book the deluxe villas? We were hoping for a 2 bedroom in either BLT or WL.

PS-This is the first thread I've started so I hope I'm doing it right. I did a search but didn't come up with my answer there.

 

[familyabgar]

I booked a villa at BLT through my TA on Saturday for May 19-25. I've also read on here you can't until 11 months out b/c of DVC members, or even 7 months. But May 2014 is more than 7 months away.

 

[aaarcher86]

I had originally been told 499 days by a CM. But I'm looking at Thanksgiving 2014 to get prices and still can't book. Our last day would be under the 499 mark so that isn't the problem.
I was later told by another CM that the Villas are held for DVC members to have first pick but she didn't know when they were released to the public.

A CM friend was looking at prices for the F&F discount and she can't see anything available as well.

Does anyone know how far in advance you can book the deluxe villas? We were hoping for a 2 bedroom in either BLT or WL.

PS-This is the first thread I've started so I hope I'm doing it right. I did a search but didn't come up with my answer there.

They won't open them up until DVC gets a chance to book in December, 11 months out.

A regular room can be booked 499 days in advance, but the DVC villas are different.

 

[bohemian74]

Ok, thanks, at least that makes some sense.
I was going to look at renting DVC points but I'm wondering how that would compare to a friend's and family discount from a CM. So my understanding is both of them can search at 11 months out right? or does the CM have to wait longer?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it's ten months out. If you go in and look at the rooms, it looks like villas are showing up to early May.

 

[mefordis]

I booked a villa at BLT through my TA on Saturday for May 19-25. I've also read on here you can't until 11 months out b/c of DVC members, or even 7 months. But May 2014 is more than 7 months away.

I booked in January 2013 for our Oct 30, 2013 BLT stay.

I think they are required to reserve some rooms in each of the DVC resorts for cash customers.

 

[rlovew]

There are 3 ways that a dvc villa at a sold out resort can be reserved through cash. 1- a dvc member uses there points for a cruise or other nonDVC disney option. The points they use to book that will result in a dvc room equivelent to the points they used being moved to DRC to cover their vacation. 2- DVC owns at least 2% of the points at a resort for mainenance. If they know that they don't need the rooms for maintenance then the can turn them over to DRC for cash. 3- at 60 days out rooms not reserved by DVC members for points can be turned over to DRC under breakage to offset DVC dues.

 

[pixiedust824]

I think it's ten months out. If you go in and look at the rooms, it looks like villas are showing up to early May.

I called reservations for August 2014 and also was told by the CM 10 months out...

 

[Missyrose]

The inventories for villas booked through Disney and villas booked with points are completely and totally separate and have nothing to do with each other. Disney isn't "holding back" villas so owners can book there. Disney retains ownership of between 2 and 4 percent of each DVC resort. That inventory is used for maintenance and to allow for cash bookings. Disney also picks up additional villas when an owner trades out their points to Disney Cruise Line or Adventures By Disney. It's Disney's practice to not release DVC villas for cash bookings until 10 months out, but it has nothing to do with DVC owners.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I booked in January 2013 for our Oct 30, 2013 BLT stay.

I think they are required to reserve some rooms in each of the DVC resorts for cash customers.

Thats what I thought too, that its not dependent on DVC necessarily. Maybe they wait and release them together, the non-DVC and then the ones where the owners are using their points for a cruise, etc.