Which resorts/rooms are typically available at 7 months for late February?

[TheMick424]

I am debating purchasing a moderate contract (160 to 200 points) at SSR, AKV or BLT. We need a room that sleeps 5 (although we only have 4 people, want separate beds for both of my kids), and would prefer a 1BR vs Studio for longer trips. My ideal is BLT but think it may be outside our budget at this time. The AKV 1 BR units look great but the higher dues are a downside. With SSR we’d need a 2BR which requires more points, and it seems like the rooms really need a refresh. Also wondering whether SSR dues won’t stay low forever, negating some of the perceived bargain.

Decisions, decisions...what would you do?

 

[CarolMN]

Here is a thread that will help you decide:

drusba's 7 month booking summary (from 10/16)

Don't buy anywhere that you wouldn't be happy to stay if you couldn't switch at 7 months. As you see from the thread, availability depends heavily on the time of year and villa size & booking category desired. Generally, the least expensive villas book up the quickest, and late September - Marathon weekend is the most difficult time to book at 7 months.

(SSR is scheduled for a refresh - to begin later this year, IIRC).

 

[crisi]

You will almost certainly not get the low point standard view room at BLT at seven months. Nor a BWV standard view room (their one bedrooms do not have the sleeper chair, but people in your circumstances will sometimes bring an air mattress so everyone has a bed) or VAKL Value.

But except for the bargain options, at that time of year, you will find availability to be pretty good - you may not always get your first choice, but you should get your second or third.

Note that this is at seven months, the longer you wait to book the room, the less likely what you want will be available. There can be a huge difference between seven months and six and a half months. When you call at seven months, know what your choices are in priority so that you can make a decision then and there - if you need to call back after checking with the family, you may not have the same choices.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

SSR 1BR sleeps 5 if you bring your own bed.

1brs that natively sleep 5 are OKW, AKV, VGF and BLT. Only CCV requires a 2BR for 5. The rest allow BYObed.

 

[TheMick424]

SSR 1BR sleeps 5 if you bring your own bed.

1brs that natively sleep 5 are OKW, AKV, VGF and BLT. Only CCV requires a 2BR for 5. The rest allow BYObed.

Thanks! I’m don’t think traveling with an air mattress would be feasible for us, so I think we’d focus on those locations that natively sleep 5.

 

[TheMick424]

Here is a thread that will help you decide:

drusba's 7 month booking summary (from 10/16)

Don't buy anywhere that you wouldn't be happy to stay if you couldn't switch at 7 months. As you see from the thread, availability depends heavily on the time of year and villa size & booking category desired. Generally, the least expensive villas book up the quickest, and late September - Marathon weekend is the most difficult time to book at 7 months.

(SSR is scheduled for a refresh - to begin later this year, IIRC).

This is very helpful, thank you!

 

[zavandor]

Thanks! I’m don’t think traveling with an air mattress would be feasible for us, so I think we’d focus on those locations that natively sleep 5.

A service like the owner's locker would allow you to leave some stuff (including an air mattress) in Orlando, ready to be used evey time. It would allow you greater flexibility in resort choice for a reasonable fee.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For February, you should not have issues with BLT Lake, AKV Savannah or OKW. VGF is also quite possible but by far the costliest.

 

[CraigInPA]

I assume you'll be going every other year? 160 to 200 points isn't enough to stay a week in a 1BR anywhere at the end of February. For BLT, you'd need 268 points for standard view. At OKW, you'd need 222 points.

You will not fit in any studio due to your "3 bed" requirement. You're looking for enough points to book a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom.

If I was you, I'd find a way to buy into the place where I want to stay.

However, historical booking patterns show 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units are generally available at 7 months at most resorts (although these are not the least point requirement rooms). That would indicate that buying at a cheaper resort, such as SSR, and then planning your vacation around what is available at 7 months is a viable strategy. Following this strategy, you should be able to buy about 300 SSR points for the same price you'd pay for 200 BLT points. Remember that history isn't a predictor of future events. It may become more difficult to switch in the future, so you should be ready to accept that some vacations you'll be staying at whatever home resort you choose.

 

[TheMick424]

I assume you'll be going every other year? 160 to 200 points isn't enough to stay a week in a 1BR anywhere at the end of February. For BLT, you'd need 268 points for standard view. At OKW, you'd need 222 points.

You will not fit in any studio due to your "3 bed" requirement. You're looking for enough points to book a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom.

If I was you, I'd find a way to buy into the place where I want to stay.

However, historical booking patterns show 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units are generally available at 7 months at most resorts (although these are not the least point requirement rooms). That would indicate that buying at a cheaper resort, such as SSR, and then planning your vacation around what is available at 7 months is a viable strategy. Following this strategy, you should be able to buy about 300 SSR points for the same price you'd pay for 200 BLT points. Remember that history isn't a predictor of future events. It may become more difficult to switch in the future, so you should be ready to accept that some vacations you'll be staying at whatever home resort you choose.

Yes, our thought was every other year, until we have the funds to add on. However I thought some of the Studios sleep 5 (with the pull down Murphy bed) but I don’t know whether they would be available at 7 months. I know we stayed at a Poly Studio on cash a couple years ago and it had great space, but probably not for more than a few days.

 

[CraigInPA]

There are not enough beds at OKW, BLT, or CCR studios for you. The others have a Murphy bed or a trundle bed in the studio, in addition to the sofa. I've never tried to shoehorn more than 3 into a studio, so I've never opened up those "extra" beds.

If you buy 160 points, you'd have enough to do a 2 bedroom at some resorts in late February, and more than enough for a 1 bedroom everywhere else, for a week every other year. At 200 points, you're golden for a one week 2 bedroom everywhere except GFV in late February every other year.

You might also want to check out the point requirements if you stay February 1-15 instead of February 6 onward. It's about 10% less across the board.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, our thought was every other year, until we have the funds to add on. However I thought some of the Studios sleep 5 (with the pull down Murphy bed) but I don’t know whether they would be available at 7 months. I know we stayed at a Poly Studio on cash a couple years ago and it had great space, but probably not for more than a few days.

Yes, PVB, VGF, VWL (aka BRV), BCV and BWV all have the Murphy beds in the studios providing 3 sleep surfaces. A queen bed, a sleeper sofa and a murphy bed. The murphy beds are smaller than a normal twin so I not recommended for someone very tall but 5'4" or under would probably be comfortable enough for shorter stays. PVB and VGF both have the split bathrooms with 2 shower areas although each just has 1 toilet. Studios book the fastest of all categories but in Feb you could very well see availability at least for BWV pool/garden view and probably PVB standard view. Maybe others as well but the 2 I mentioned are the most likely.

 

[Dean]

I am debating purchasing a moderate contract (160 to 200 points) at SSR, AKV or BLT. We need a room that sleeps 5 (although we only have 4 people, want separate beds for both of my kids), and would prefer a 1BR vs Studio for longer trips. My ideal is BLT but think it may be outside our budget at this time. The AKV 1 BR units look great but the higher dues are a downside. With SSR we’d need a 2BR which requires more points, and it seems like the rooms really need a refresh. Also wondering whether SSR dues won’t stay low forever, negating some of the perceived bargain.

Decisions, decisions...what would you do?

You should plan for a 1 BR long term anyway. SSR will be the cheapest and you should be able to get AKV with it easily most of the year. In this situation I'd likely go with BLT if you can plan 11 months out, if not, SSR for the cheapest buy in and dues. I think it's likely that BLT & SSR dues will stay low compared to the rest due to the physical makeup of the resorts.

 

[msjprincess]

I brought a twin sized air mattress for my son this past summer when we stayed in a BCV one bedroom. With the air out it easily fit in a duffle bag. He's 5'5" and has slept on the murphy bed at BWV and the Poly. We were able to get a BW view studio at BWV last year President's weekend 7 months out. However I have no idea if that's he norm or not. We own at SSR and are planning on adding more SSR points. So gfar I've been pretty lucky at 7 months getting what I want. But I bought into SSR knowing that I would be fine staying there if nothing else was available at 7 months.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There are not enough beds at OKW, BLT, or CCR studios for you. The others have a Murphy bed or a trundle bed in the studio, in addition to the sofa. I've never tried to shoehorn more than 3 into a studio, so I've never opened up those "extra" beds.

If you buy 160 points, you'd have enough to do a 2 bedroom at some resorts in late February, and more than enough for a 1 bedroom everywhere else, for a week every other year. At 200 points, you're golden for a one week 2 bedroom everywhere except GFV in late February every other year.

You might also want to check out the point requirements if you stay February 1-15 instead of February 6 onward. It's about 10% less across the board.

SSR also doesn't have a murphy bed in the studio nor a sleeper chair in the one bedroom. None of the villas have trundle beds that slide under the main bed, just the fold down murphy bed.