Trying to book a trip for Dec 29th to Jan 4th, but we want a 2 bedroom and they are all booked at Bay Lake Tower. Is there any trick to finding open spots? We would take the Boardwalk or Beach Club Villas but our booking window doesn't open till tomorrow. Would calling in be better than doing it through the online booking system? We are taking 3 adults and 2 two year olds. Would a 1 bedroom work?
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Booking Question?
- Thread starter hollieandjake
- Start date
AmongMadPeople
Active Member
I would only stay in a 1 Bedroom with 5 people at BLT or AKV Kidani since they have two bathrooms. If you're all good at sharing, a 1 Bedroom would be do-able if it opens up availability somewhere a 2 bedroom isn't. Based on what I see, Saratoga and Old Key West are the only places available for all your dates. Looks like you'll need to waitlist if you don't want to stay at either location. (You'll still want to book something in case the waitlist doesn't come through.)
I don't think calling is better than online, but always I wake up early so I can book first thing when it opens up. Hopefully someone else knows what time that is for the online system.
I don't think calling is better than online, but always I wake up early so I can book first thing when it opens up. Hopefully someone else knows what time that is for the online system.
BCVTalsJam
Active Member
Hey HollieandJake my wife and i own at Beach Club and our parents own at Boardwalk. I do all the bookings for the family so I checked both Beach Club and Boardwalk 2 bedrooms at that time you need and nothing is available except for the last 2 days. BUT since the seven month window is tomorrow things may be opening...so I would just call them as soon as they open tomorrow. Do you have anything booked for that time...or is this a last minute booking? Hope it works out for your guys...that time is very difficult to book as I am sure you know. 
BCVTalsJam
Active Member
I am almost positive they open up at 8am...in this instance I would try online and calling at the same time...But atleast if you talk to someone you don't have to check each resort one by one and maybe miss an open window. GOOD LUCK!
GoofGoof
Premium Member
Are the 2 year olds still going to be sleeping in portable cribs? The 1 bedroom has a king in the MBR and a pullout couch. Some 1BRs have the sleep chair too. If the 2 year olds can still fit in the portable crib then you will just need to request a second one since the room comes with 1 already.
I booked 3 nights at Bay Lake Tower in a 1 Bedroom from Jan 1-Jan 4 but now I need Sun Dec 29 - Wed Jan 1 to complete the trip. The only 1 Bedroom open From Dec 29 with a Check out Jan 1 is Saratoga Springs and Old Key West and we wanted to stay somewhere either on the Monorail or walking distance to a park since we can just walk on the Monorail to go to MK or walk to Epcot and get on the Monorail to MK. Are Saratoga Springs and Old Key West hard to get to the parks on bus transporting 2 year olds? Or would it be easier by car?
AmongMadPeople
Active Member
I'd side with the buses. Our experience with OKW buses was good when we stayed there, and I find in general that that area of resorts is within an easy travel distance from MK, Epcot and DHS. If you're flying with 2 young ones you'd have to bring or rent a carseat/booster. If you're driving down and will have your car anyway, you can try both and see what works best.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
It's a very popular time. I would suggest booking SSR or OKW as soon as you can so you have something on the books. Then wait list those nights at BLT and/or other resorts.
One wildcard is VGF. They set the opening for 10/23/13. New owners can begin booking now through the 11 month window. Existing DVC owners who want to trade in for VGF will be allowed to at the 4 month window starting 6/23/13 for any stay through the end of 2013. All stays in 2014 and forward will be subject to the standard 7 month window. If you wanted to stay there you would have to wait until 8/29 to book it. You may also find that others who booked BLT switch to VGF in August when it becomes available and your waitlist could come through then. Either way its a shot at a monorail resort.
One wildcard is VGF. They set the opening for 10/23/13. New owners can begin booking now through the 11 month window. Existing DVC owners who want to trade in for VGF will be allowed to at the 4 month window starting 6/23/13 for any stay through the end of 2013. All stays in 2014 and forward will be subject to the standard 7 month window. If you wanted to stay there you would have to wait until 8/29 to book it. You may also find that others who booked BLT switch to VGF in August when it becomes available and your waitlist could come through then. Either way its a shot at a monorail resort.
New Year's Eve is the single most in-demand night of the year. I would highly recommend taking whatever is available and using the waitlist to try and move to another resort.
You may end up stuck with the split stay between two resorts. BLT reservations opened to owners nearly 4 months ago. Not only is it full but there could be owners ahead of you on the waitlist.
The split stay may not be ideal, nor what you had in mind, but nothing you can really do at this point. You either take what's available or you're left without a room. Chalk it up to a learning experience and book sooner next time.
Good luck.
You may end up stuck with the split stay between two resorts. BLT reservations opened to owners nearly 4 months ago. Not only is it full but there could be owners ahead of you on the waitlist.
The split stay may not be ideal, nor what you had in mind, but nothing you can really do at this point. You either take what's available or you're left without a room. Chalk it up to a learning experience and book sooner next time.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advice. I know where ever we stay with DVC it will be awesome because Disney has not done us wrong in the past.
1 bedrooms anywhere are pretty big. Pack an air mattress or two, and turn the whole thing into a slumber party. My daughter has often slept on the floor using the cushions from the sleeper sofa. As long as there's enough floor space, turn it into a slumber party.
I agree with the waitlisting thing too, and the move mid trip. Yeah, moving's a pain, but at least you'll be booked somewhere. I do have a trick or two for getting what you want a bit early, but I'm afraid Disney will close my little loophole if I publicize it. Good luck.
I agree with the waitlisting thing too, and the move mid trip. Yeah, moving's a pain, but at least you'll be booked somewhere. I do have a trick or two for getting what you want a bit early, but I'm afraid Disney will close my little loophole if I publicize it. Good luck.
dvcnut
Member
Every trip that we have made with our DVC has ended up a split stay. While not preferred, we always had a great time and used the experience as a way of learning which villas we prefer most...first hand
During one stay we were split between BLT and AKL. If it hadn't been for that experience, we never would have known how much we love Jambo House, its restaurants, and pool!
During one stay we were split between BLT and AKL. If it hadn't been for that experience, we never would have known how much we love Jambo House, its restaurants, and pool!