Which rooms are easiest to get?

[mdoc]

Could someone tell me which are the easiest rooms to get if you're calling at the 7 month window (both resort and room type)? Which are the most difficult? I'm trying to figure out whether we'd be able to stay at most of the resorts. We travel to WDW during peak WDW seasons (Easter week, T'giving), but it sounds like WDW peak might be different from DVC peak. I've also heard that DVC is going to make 1 BRs 5 person occupancy (like AKV is). Is that vicious rumor? We'd prefer a 2BR, but that would make one more type of room work for my family in a pinch.
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[simzac]

7 months during holiday times is always going to be very difficult to get, but not impossible. Always make a reservation at your home resort at 11 months to guarantee you have somewhere to stay, then at 7 months give it your best shot. If your willing to be flexible on where your willing to stay, you can probably get lucky and find something available at one of the resorts. We own at OKW and are wanting to try all of the resorts some day. We go in January though so our chances are a little better than yours. Good luck with your future trips.

 

[Granny]

Could someone tell me which are the easiest rooms to get if you're calling at the 7 month window (both resort and room type)? Which are the most difficult? I'm trying to figure out whether we'd be able to stay at most of the resorts. We travel to WDW during peak WDW seasons (Easter week, T'giving), but it sounds like WDW peak might be different from DVC peak. I've also heard that DVC is going to make 1 BRs 5 person occupancy (like AKV is). Is that vicious rumor? We'd prefer a 2BR, but that would make one more type of room work for my family in a pinch.
.

Easiest resorts to get at 7 month will be SSR and OKW due to their size. Hard to say, but something at AKV will probably be next in line followed by BWV Preferred-Pool & Garden View.

Yes, AKV will have a 1BR that sleeps 5 (pullout chair in addition to pullout sofa) but only in the new section that hasn't been built yet (Kidani). Actually, that will be a real nice option since it not only sleeps 5 but will have two full bathrooms!

 

[goldilocks_63]

I think in general 1BRs are easier to get than either studios or 2BRs...

Just my opinion,

Goldi

 

[RLRDA]

Yes, AKV will have a 1BR that sleeps 5 (pullout chair in addition to pullout sofa) but only in the new section that hasn't been built yet (Kidani). Actually, that will be a real nice option since it not only sleeps 5 but will have two full bathrooms!

Just to clarify....the 1BRs in Jambo House (open now) sleep 5 too, (we've stayed in one) but they do not have the extra bathroom that the 1BRs in Kidani will have (that will be nice!). The only 1BRs at AKV that do not sleep 5 are the Value 1BRs, I believe.

 

[SteveS]

I have never failed to get exactly what I want at 7 months. Maybe I am blessed but I have always expected problems and never had a single problem.

This spring I had two reservations at my home resort of BWV in a std studio. At 7 months I easily switched to a week at WLV and a week at BCV.

 

[drusba]

DVC peak times include holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving time (and other holidays). Where DVC differs drom Disney in general involves other times of year, e.g, first two weeks of December is one of highest DVC times while a slower Disney time, but much of summer is a high Disney time but lower DVC.

Getting peak holiday time at 7 months can be difficult for any of the resorts, i.e., you may at times be able to get nothing except a trip to the wait list. More likely than others to possibly have some availability at those holiday times at 7 months out are OKW, SSR, and possibly BWV preferred pool and garden view. AKV is currently an unknown but likely when all is completed including the Kidani building that AKV sanannah view will join the above as more likely possibilities during holiday time at 7 months out if you can get anything.

Studios tend to book completely first. As noted above AKV 1BRs will sleep five but that does not include "value" point cost 1BRs at AKV which are smaller rooms, don't have that extra sleeping pull-out chair, and still sleep only 4.

 

[crisi]

Since DVC is sold to operate at capacity year round, DVC is almost always completely booked when you check in (at least the points inventory - CRO may still have their inventory). The question is "how fast does what book" and that is the $10,000 question.

Generally speaking, small resorts (VWL, BCV) book before large resorts (OKW, SSR).

Specialty units in high demand book more quickly (Grand Villas, BWV Standard View or Boardwalk View, 2Q 2 Bedrooms at BCV).

After Grand Villas, Studios are reported to booked quickest followed by Two Bedrooms with One Bedrooms booking last.

Traditional holidays (Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years) and early December book quickly. Epcot resorts in particular book quickly during Food and Wine - and the other resorts book quicker than you'd expect for October. Special events (from non-Disney controlled Jersey Week to the Disney Marathon) can mean resorts book faster.

The waitlist changes at 30 days, and 30 days is the cancellation point for not putting points into holding, so sometimes you can find unlikely availability on short notice (and sometimes you can't).

Sometimes this will mean you call at 12:00 for a Boardwalk Standard View Studio for New Years Eve eleven months to the day and are out of luck. Or you can call while you are there deciding to extend your stay by a day and get an SSR One Bedroom.

But you'll hear plenty of stories about people who got BCV during Food and Wine a mere four months out. And stories about people who went on the waitlist for BCV during Food and Wine eight and a half months out.

We always stay "home" - but if we were the "want to try all the resorts" type, I'd book home, intend to stay at home, and then see what was available at seven months. Maybe I'll have my pick of resorts, maybe not. Maybe next year I'll get different choices. What I'd try not to do (and we are talking about trying a different resort for one night next trip) is get my heart set on something.

 

[Granny]

Just to clarify....the 1BRs in Jambo House (open now) sleep 5 too, (we've stayed in one) but they do not have the extra bathroom that the 1BRs in Kidani will have (that will be nice!). The only 1BRs at AKV that do not sleep 5 are the Value 1BRs, I believe.

Thank you for correcting my post. You are quite right, of course. Someday I'll keep the view designations and buildings for AKV all straight in my mind!

 

[eporter66]

It's a simple question - when are you going to WDW.

If you go during peak times, most rooms are difficult. My guess is SSR and OKW because of size, other than that I dont think there is much to it.

I have planned vacations within 60 days, 4 months, and have never really encountered a booking problem. I will admit that SSR & OKW seem to usually be the ones where I can get the room I request (1 bedroom) and exact dates. Other resorts you may have to play around a bit, or take a studio one night and move.

If you can travel during non-peak times, I dont think you will have much of a problem. Still - I always try to plan for the 11 month window, or somewhere soon after. I often will call at the 7 month to see if I can switch (just to try a different resort), but usually book at our home resort to ensure we get what we want