Why is it so difficult to book w/DVC?

[bobbiwoz]

I was calling for Halloween weekend 3 nights at 7 months this year and was NOT able to get VWL, but BWV preferred view WAS available. We decided SSR would be better for us on this trip because we could get a dedicated 2 bedroom, but still, here it was during F&W and we could have gotten BWV.

Bobbi

 

[MiaSRN62]

I was calling for Halloween weekend 3 nights at 7 months this year and was NOT able to get VWL, but BWV preferred view WAS available. We decided SSR would be better for us on this trip because we could get a dedicated 2 bedroom, but still, here it was during F&W and we could have gotten BWV.

Bobbi

Same here.....I was offered BWV preferred for Sept 29-Oct 1 as well as Oct 8 (which really surprised me because that is also Columbus weekend !).

 

[gillep]

I have had no problem getting studios at BCV BWV and VWL calling at the 7 month mark (5 nights each) and have been able to get a club level studio at AKV for the week surrounding marathon weekend for January 2011 and January 2012 at the 11 month mark

 

[kwimbie]

Always book at the 7 month mark and never had an issue. Key is to be flexible. We'll be staying at BLT this October as BWV was missing one day for our reservation.

 

[LIFERBABE]

so you are saying you called at 11 months for your anniversary and all of BWV was booked? Or was it a certain view you wanted?

At 11 months, it is best to book and waitlist. Booking at 11 month is not a luxury, it is a necessity for certain times of the year. If you are not using your priority booking, you are burning money.

 

[utahkennedys]

I guess we have been fortunate but we have never had an issue getting what we want. We have used WL twice and got what we wanted within a short time. Today I just changed from OKW to AKV at Kidani in SV less than 3 weeks out! And I had my choice of room types even!! I think either you need to book at exactly 11 months for BWV and BCV or be super flexible. I am almost always happy just to get "on site" so maybe that is why we haven't had any issues. We did buy GCV b/c we knew we needed that 11 month priority and so far so good there too!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

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.

You called right at 11 months and there wasn't a single room in any view available at BWV?

 

[theww228]

I have always called on the first day of the 11 month window. We always take the in-laws and they get their own room. Plus we like to stay at least 10 days. I need as much availability as possible to ensure we can get 2 rooms.

 

[dmoore22]

We've never had a major issue booking. We use the 11 month window for our home resort and 7 months otherwise. There have been a few time when we did a spontaneous reservation a couple of months out and still managed to find room in the inn. Before we call we have a list of first choice, second choice third choice, etc. We will book our second choice and waitlist our first choice. Only once did we have to settle for our second choice. Even then it still worked out wonderfully. We stayed in a resort we would otherwise have not stayed and had a great time on short notice.

 

[corpcomp]

I generally book at the 11th month and never have a problem. However, I've cancelled the last three reservations this year due to snow days or conflicts with work.

I just tried to book the first week in August and there was only ONE 1 BR available across four different resorts. We took it and hope we don't have to cancel again. May be hot but need a break. Generally never have a problem and if necessary go on a waitlist which usually comes through.

 

[CarolMN]

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.

If you called 11 months out, then you must have been willing to accept only a standard view or a Boardwalk view.

No way was the entire BWV resort sold out at 11 months for any October date.

Even if you wanted SV or BW view, you should have gotten it if you called as soon as your 11 month window opened.

I wonder if you missed the change to the booking windows - we can now call 11 months prior to the arrival date. Did you call 11 months prior to your arrival date? Or check out date? If it was check out date, I can believe that the SVior BW view villas were sold out. Those do go fast during Food & Wine.

Hope you waitlisted and that it comes through for you.

 

[tmbcole]

Thanks for all of the input. We have family going with us in October and we wanted a specific room type (two bedroom). We settled for two studios the week after our anniversary. It's ok . . . I'm happy with the resort and the location. It's just been so very frustrating.

 

[pilferk]

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.

There's two things working against you:

1) October is uber-popular for DVC, especially at the Epcot resorts because of Food and Wine. I think that, and early December, are the toughest times to book.

2) If you're trying to book standard view room (of any type), you're going to have a hard time.

Might be easier to renew your vows in mid-September and start celebrating THAT as your anniversary.

 

[akl-fan]

We have had a 100% success rate booking at 11 months. This included rooms in AKV Club and AKV Value rooms.

 

[thereinertfamily]

Sorry you're having trouble the only issue we have had is booking at Bay Lake. A couple of times we have asked for a Magic Kingdom view in the studio's and it has not been available. We have always gotten into Bay Lake with a Lake View, however we do understand that there not as many studios that are available at Bay Lake. We have never had trouble booking at Spring Break, Summer or Thanksgiving were we want.