Which Size of Accommodations Go First?

[Disney Fanatic]

We are currently looking to buy enough points to stay in a studio for 2 trips per year.

My concern is that we buy the points and then find it difficult to get a studio.

We definately do not book 11 months out and for example we are planning a trip now for sometime in November or the beginning of December.

Any thoughts on if we are going to have a problem.

We usually like to book 2-3 months in advance.

We are also flexible about where we stay

 

[Beca]

For the beginning of December, you will have a problem booking 2-3 months out. Those dates usually disappear around the 7 month mark. Sometimes you can find a few dates "here and there" around 5-6 months. But, 2-3 months out....early December is DEFINITELY gone.



Beca

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Studios probably go the quickest since they cost the least amount of points.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I am currently renting my points out, and I can tell you that as of this morning there was nothing available thru 12/8 in any two bedroom at any resort. After that date there is only OKW and SSR available. There are no studios anywhere, except for odds and ends, but there were some 1 bedroom villas available at OKW. There was ONE room available at WL, nothing at BC or BW. If you are new to DVC, you will need to book at the 7 month window to get anything, if you plan to go in early Dec. Don't even consider Thanksgiving, and before that is Food and Wine Festival. October is the golfing stuff, so that's very busy, too. Can't tell you about September--no one has asked for it yet.

 

[NMW]

In general I'd say that DVC is not a good choice for someone who books 2-3 months ahead. You can book your home resort a 11 months and many members do. Some change those reservations at the 7 month mark to a non-home resort. Some wait until 7 months to book anything, but that is a gamble. I have read that early Dec is a busy DVC times too many times to count. I was also advised by MS to book Dec 1-9 day by day, at 11 mos at BWV (my home resort).

DVC works for us because we book exactly at 11 mos. We used to book our Disney trips about 12 months ahead, so it's actualy hard for us to wait until 11 mos! Is there a reason you can only book 2-3 months ahead, or is that just your preference? I don't know how hard studios are to get vs other units. Maybe they are harder because they are less points?

Good luck!

 

[Disney Fanatic]

In general I'd say that DVC is not a good choice for someone who books 2-3 months ahead. You can book your home resort a 11 months and many members do. Some change those reservations at the 7 month mark to a non-home resort. Some wait until 7 months to book anything, but that is a gamble. I have read that early Dec is a busy DVC times too many times to count. I was also advised by MS to book Dec 1-9 day by day, at 11 mos at BWV (my home resort).

DVC works for us because we book exactly at 11 mos. We used to book our Disney trips about 12 months ahead, so it's actualy hard for us to wait until 11 mos! Is there a reason you can only book 2-3 months ahead, or is that just your preference? I don't know how hard studios are to get vs other units. Maybe they are harder because they are less points?

Good luck!

We tend to book on shorter notice because we wait to see if there are any airfare deals before we book.

Since we are coming from Canada, we like to get our air secured and then book our accommodations.

We are now considering driving down once per year in the spring so booking at the 11 month mark will be possible.

I guess just a preference for us to book closer to departure.

 

[Doctor P]

Generally belief is that GV go first and then studios, but I haven't seen much new information on this in the recent past.

 

[tamu91]

I had hard time getting a studio @ VWL during Christmas season so I think those generally go first, then 2 bdrm unit.

 

[katedrew94]

We tried last week to book in a studio anywhere for the 1st weekend in Dec. and were unable to do so but we are waitlisted.

 

[dianeschlicht]

While early December is very popular with DVC owners, you should be able to get something if you reserve by or at the 7 month window. If you want to reserve short notice, I think January, February and September are your best shots. We didn't have much trouble booking August late either.

GVs, studios, and 2 bedrooms are the hardest to get short notice. GVs will be the most difficult in any season, with studios and 2 bedrooms being about equal.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Last year I tried to book 2-3 months out for a 2 bedroom anywhere for Nov 1-6, 2004. Nothing. Then I tried for 2 studios anywhere.....nothing. I was on a waitlist and called daily for the 5 days prior to check-in directly with the resorts and was constantly told they were booked to capacity. Not sure if any 1 bedrooms were available.
I think DVC (and most timeshares in general) works best for those that can plan further ahead unless you're looking for a particularily slow time of the year. Good luck with your decision.

 

[stacy6552]

We booked a studio for a few weeks from now last month but had to split our stay between BCV and BWV, because we wanted at least a few days at the BCV, though we could have stayed anywhere else for our entire trip.

We also just booked a studio for the second week in DEC. We tried for the first week, but couldn't get all the days.

I think availability on shorter notice depends on how flexible you are.

 

[tjkraz]

One thing to bear in mind is that there's no penalty for committing your points (reserving a room) until you get within 30 days of check-in. You could always book something months in advance in hopes of a good airfare deal, and change those plans--or consider driving--if nothing materializes.