Why is it so difficult to book w/DVC?

[tmbcole]

Why is it so difficult to book with DVC? I don't care when I call, when I try to book, what resort, etc. I RARELY get the resort that I want or even the dates that I want. It's crazy . . . I thought we were in a recession . . . you would never know it when you call DVC. What is the secret?

 

[WDWMom]

I am sorry you've had problems. Never had any here. I rarely book over 5 months out and always get the dates I want and usually the place/s I want.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I book between 11-9 months and always get exactly what I want - sorry you are having issues.

 

[adminjedi]

Why is it so difficult to book with DVC? I don't care when I call, when I try to book, what resort, etc. I RARELY get the resort that I want or even the dates that I want. It's crazy . . . I thought we were in a recession . . . you would never know it when you call DVC. What is the secret?

First Question: How early are you booking?
Second Question: Are you booking your home resort?

If you are booking other than your home resort, the odds go down for you to get availability. Add certain seasonal busy-ness, the odds go down even further.

Best way to get what you want when you want it:
1. own there
2. book at the 11 month window

We have always gotten what we wanted.

 

[jekjones1558]

Why is it so difficult to book with DVC? I don't care when I call, when I try to book, what resort, etc. I RARELY get the resort that I want or even the dates that I want. It's crazy . . . I thought we were in a recession . . . you would never know it when you call DVC. What is the secret?

Timeshares are different from regular resorts and hotels. People have already paid for their timeshare vacations, so most will use or rent out their time even during a recession.
If you can plan way ahead and book your home resort, you should not have trouble getting want you most of the time with DVC. Even then certain very limited rooms (like AKV concierge) may be hard to get.
I think that the DVC sales people are sometimes not totally upfront with folks when explaining that DVC work best for those who can plan 11 months in advance or who aren't at all fussy about which resort if they book 7 months or less out.

 

[com_op_2000]

I have never had a problem booking any resort that we wanted. As other PP have stated book at 11 months/7 months. Try and go at some of the DVC off seasons, to have a better chance.

 

[CarolAnnC]

You should be able to book your home resort at 11 months out. You have the home resort advantage until 7 months prior when it opens up to all members booking all resorts. That is when it becomes much more difficult.

 

[rlovew]

I haven't had much of a problem getting something even without much notice but when I am calling at 2 months out I am happy to get a studio not worried about where it is. I book our home resort 11 months out for our big trips and when I know when we are going for a night or 2 I am happy with whatever we get.

 

[DVC Mike]

I just called today (at 11 months out) and got exactly what I wanted. I typically do. However, I always book at the 11 month window.

 

[Joey7295]

The key is planning at least 7 months in advance. I find you can get in most resorts right at the 7 month mark. The longer after that, the less likely to get what you want.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

We book at our home resorts 11 months out with no problems...and that's Boardwalk during F & W, and WLV at Christmas time. Sorry you're having issues...are you not able to book at 11 months out?

 

[rmcildw2m]

Well ,If you do the math disney has less than what 10,000 dvc rooms avalible at wdw?
I know HHI and VB are very nice ,and I own at HHI , but most folk want to go to the world most of the time . I think the last time I heard their was close to 400,000 members now .

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Another reason to buy where you want to stay. Not saying this is the case of OP, but I don't think one would have a reason to complain about not being able to book where they want to at WDW at 7 months if they made a decision to buy at HHI or VB because the points were cheaper.

 

[helenk]

Why is it so difficult to book with DVC? I don't care when I call, when I try to book, what resort, etc. I RARELY get the resort that I want or even the dates that I want. It's crazy . . . I thought we were in a recession . . . you would never know it when you call DVC. What is the secret?

Can you provide more info? When do you typically try to book? I have booked about 9 trips on points so far and have always gotten the resort that I wanted. I booked the BCV at 7 months for a stay over Labor Day, just this year I booked the AKV about 30 days out for a stay in mid January. I was not able to get a savannah view but considering it was "last minute" I was happy with a standard view.

 

[DebbieB]

In 11 years of DVC, I only had 1 time where I called and couldn't get what I wanted. That was when I tried to call 3 weeks out! Other times when I called at 11 months for my home resort or 7 months for non-home resort, I always got what I wanted.

What are you trying to book? What dates?

 

[tjkraz]

Why is it so difficult to book with DVC? I don't care when I call, when I try to book, what resort, etc. I RARELY get the resort that I want or even the dates that I want. It's crazy . . . I thought we were in a recession . . . you would never know it when you call DVC. What is the secret?

According to textbook measures, the recession ended in June 2009.

But as others pointed out, that really has no bearing on your booking situation. You are competing solely with fellow DVC members--people who have already made the financial commitment to Disney. Regardless of the economy, we are all still obligated to make those annual dues payments and many are also making mortgage payments. So most will find a way to get to a DVC resort and enjoy their purchase.

The early bird gets the worm. If you aren't booking 7/11 months out, expect to be stuck with the leftovers.

 

[tmbcole]

Thanks for all of the input. Unfortunately, I don't always have the luxury of booking 11 months out. However, I have tried to book the 11 / 7 timeframe, I've been on waiting lists, I've been flexible with room types, etc.

I was able to get at the Boardwalk in October, but not on our wedding anniversary. Every year we go to WDW for our anniversary, but not this year . . . . and I called 11 months out . . . and Boardwalk is one of our home resorts.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't have the luxury of booking 11 months out either. But usually I'm pretty firm on dates and have gotten vacation approval for 7-10 months out depending on the time of the year.

I just booked BLT (my first choice) on March 13 for Dec 18 for four nights.

Booked Feb 4 for mid August for AKV...........which was my first choice.

I made reservations 9 months in advance for our late Sept /early Oct stay at BLT. The only request I did not get here was a MK view. I have since called back in early March and checked on additional availability and found BWV, VWL included in some possible choices for the same time frame (was checking for friends).

The only time I seem to really have issues getting what I want is 3-5 months out. And even then, I've gotten SSR at 30 days out on a few occasions. SSR is usually the bottom of my list for preferences, but when it's all that is left at 30 days out----I can't complain and I'm grateful for it being open.

Sorry you haven't had much luck. Hopefully things get better. I guess I'm surprised you couldn't get your anniversary at BWV on your anniversary at 11 months out. This doesn't seem to be the norm with DVC though I don't think ?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for all of the input. Unfortunately, I don't always have the luxury of booking 11 months out. However, I have tried to book the 11 / 7 timeframe, I've been on waiting lists, I've been flexible with room types, etc.

I was able to get at the Boardwalk in October, but not on our wedding anniversary. Every year we go to WDW for our anniversary, but not this year . . . . and I called 11 months out . . . and Boardwalk is one of our home resorts.

Anyway, thanks for the input.

October is a tough one at Boardwalk, but since you own there, booking at the 11 month window should be no problem. Since you know when your wedding anniversary is, why not book that week at 11 months, and then change it later if you need to?

Also, have you ever taken advantage of the waitlist? I would think if you used a waitlist you might get your desired reservation eventually.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

we always plan 7 months out