The unvarnished truth about availability?

[janni518]

Can someone give me the lowdown on booking in a non-home resort? I understand how it works but I want to know how well it works.

My hubby like many people just loves the Beach Club. He asked he nice people at DVC several times if owning at SSR and booking at BC was going to be a problem and they assured him it wouldn't be. I'm a bit more skeptical than he was but it wasn't a deal breaker for me so I let it go.

I'm sure it depends on when you go, so for example if we want to go next year during "Jersey Week" usually the first week of November what are my chances of getting into the BCV? If they are zilch I want to start preparing him for that. I'm thrilled to be in the DVC and want to make sure he feels the same way.

Thanks for your help!

 

[DVC Mike]

My hubby like many people just loves the Beach Club. He asked he nice people at DVC several times if owning at SSR and booking at BC was going to be a problem and they assured him it wouldn't be. I'm a bit more skeptical than he was but it wasn't a deal breaker for me so I let it go.

I'm sure it depends on when you go, so for example if we want to go next year during "Jersey Week" usually the first week of November what are my chances of getting into the BCV?

Some DVC guides aren't so upfront about trying to book non-home resorts during busy DVC times.

I agree with the oft-stated “Buy Where You Want to Stay” philosophy. If you really love a particular resort, then buy into it. There are some people who have a particular fondness for a resort and really want to stay at that particular resort, and they would be unhappy if they were not able to book there. These folks should buy where they want to stay, provided that they can reliably plan and book to take advantage of the 11-month home resort booking advantage.

BCV is the 2nd smallest DVC resort at WDW, and has a prime location right outside Epcot and the best feature pool (SAB). Thus, it can be hard to book at certain times.

Since NJ has the second largest number of DVC members (and holds the #1 spot when you rank per population), it might be hard to book BCV at the 7-mo window for Jersety Week.

Buy SSR only if you wouldn't mind staying there, as your home resort will be your fallback reservation in case you can get another resort at the 7-mo window. Since the resort you buy into will be your default location should your other options fall through at the 7-month window, you should pick a resort that you would wouldn’t mind staying at; i.e., it would not make you unhappy.

Of course, many SSR owners have been able to book BCV -- just not at the peak times.

 

[DisneyFan1003]

We've been wondering the same. SSR is our home, but we didn't make July reservations until mid-March and had no problem getting what we wanted.

Is it best to make your reservations at your home resort 11-months out and then try to change them to another DVC resort at 7 months if you'd like to stay elsewhere?

 

[DVC Mike]

We've been wondering the same. SSR is our home, but we didn't make July reservations until mid-March and had no problem getting what we wanted.

SSR is the largest DVC resort, and typically is the easiest resort to book (along with OKW, the second largest).

Is it best to make your reservations at your home resort 11-months out and then try to change them to another DVC resort at 7 months if you'd like to stay elsewhere?

Yes.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am not a DVC member but I have several friends that are and they echo what Mike has already said. If you are traveling in the value season it is generally not a problem to book at a non home resort but if you are traveling during peak season, Jersey Week, Christmas Week and Thanksgiving non home reservations can be hard to come by and it seems to get more difficult every year.

 

[DisneyFan1003]

SSR is the largest DVC resort, and typically is the easiest resort to book (along with OKW, the second largest).



Yes.

Thanks!

 

[Phonedave]

I just spent a week at BCV in April over my kids Spring Break.

I own at SSR, and I booked there as soon as I could with no problem

I then tried at BCV when the non-home window opened and could not get in, but I could get into AKV, so I changed my reservation to there and waitlisted at the BCV

After about a month of waiting, I received notification in the mail that I got my BCV 1BR for the week.

So, as you can see, there is a chance you may not get the resort you want, but as long as you book at the start of the windows, you should be able to stay somewhere.

I did try for BCV in March, but for only 2 nights, and on very short notice (3-4 weeks) and could not get in, but I did get into BWV.




-dave

 

[janni518]

Some DVC guides aren't so upfront about trying to book non-home resorts during busy DVC times.

I agree with the oft-stated “Buy Where You Want to Stay” philosophy. If you really love a particular resort, then buy into it. There are some people who have a particular fondness for a resort and really want to stay at that particular resort, and they would be unhappy if they were not able to book there. These folks should buy where they want to stay, provided that they can reliably plan and book to take advantage of the 11-month home resort booking advantage.

BCV is the 2nd smallest DVC resort at WDW, and has a prime location right outside Epcot and the best feature pool (SAB). Thus, it can be hard to book at certain times.

Since NJ has the second largest number of DVC members (and holds the #1 spot when you rank per population), it might be hard to book BCV at the 7-mo window for Jersety Week.

Buy SSR only if you wouldn't mind staying there, as your home resort will be your fallback reservation in case you can get another resort at the 7-mo window. Since the resort you buy into will be your default location should your other options fall through at the 7-month window, you should pick a resort that you would wouldn’t mind staying at; i.e., it would not make you unhappy.

Of course, many SSR owners have been able to book BCV -- just not at the peak times.

Yup, I kind of thought that was the case. Unfortunately I knew that if I didn't get him to buy while we were there, he was going to put it off and then forget about it. Guess we'll just do the best we can and see what happens. The SSR was gorgeous but since I have vacationed in the actual Saratoga Spings NY for the past 34 years of my life it may not hold the fascination for me that it does for some.:ROFLOL:

Thanks for the input.

 

[hansel1]

Don't forget that the Epcot food and wine festival runs until November 9th. During that festival the epcot resorts book up fast, as do the Epcot DVC resorts.

I wouldn't assume that you could get a booking at the 7 month window.

Maybe with being waitlisted.

 

[janni518]

Thanks for all the info. I spoke to him and made sure he understood how this was really going to work and I'm happy to report that he's fine with it. We've only ever stayed at the WL and BC as far as nicer resorts and I'm happy to say he's open to trying others. So we'll book at 11 mos for SS and try at BC at the 7 mos mark and just see what happens.

We will also try to buy into the BC when finances allow.

Thanks again!

 

[carolina_yankee]

We've gotten into BCV at the 7 mos window for Food & Wine, but not for Thanksgiving or the week after.

The problem is that each new DVC resort being built will add pressure onto those trying to get int BCV and VWL. This is probably especilly true for AKV owerns, as that's like SSR - no park connection. Once Bay Lake Towers opens, that may ease the pressure somewhat - assuming anyone can get in there at 7 months!

That said, the pool of folks with home resort advantage for BCV is stable since it's a sold-out resort. So, you're competing on equal footing with everyone else wanting in at 7 mos. Just be sure to dial in at 8:59 am . . .

 

[MinnieLee]

We orignally bought into VWL eight years ago. The next year we bought into BCV. I agree with Mike - we bought into where we want to stay. We always go down for the F&W and MNSSHP for 10 days the last week in Oct. and are very spoiled with it's proximity to EPCOT. I am still waited listed for this year at BWV that we booked at exactly the 7 month window. For the past couple of years we did a May trip and although we called 7 months in advance we were unable to get into BWV, BCV, VWL or AKL. We were only able to get into SSR unless we wanted to split our trip and stay a couple of nights at OKW.

As they sell more and more into DVC I believe it will get harder and harder to get into BCV and BWV. When we first bought in we really did not have a problem with any of our wait lists but now it seems next to impossible.

 

[tasha99]

I just asked this exact same question on another forum! Glad to see the responses here, though I wish the news were better. I want to buy a small number of points, and it's really important to me to be able to get BCV at least half of the time. Guess I'll have to hold out until I find a small resale (I woke up early this morning to call about one I found over the weekend, but it was already sold. :brick: )

 

[carolina_yankee]

I just asked this exact same question on another forum! Glad to see the responses here, though I wish the news were better. I want to buy a small number of points, and it's really important to me to be able to get BCV at least half of the time. Guess I'll have to hold out until I find a small resale (I woke up early this morning to call about one I found over the weekend, but it was already sold. :brick: )

If BCV is your goal, then I would definitely buy a resale there. However, most of the resales posted on the internet, especially the small ones, often go before they even get posted. Your best bet might bet to get on the waiting list with a couple of reputable resellers and be patient!

Dirk

 

[krueg66]

We are going through this right now! Our friends parents own at OKW and tried to book us two studios at BWV the first week of January '09. There wasn't any availability so we are on the waitlist.

I was a little confused as to why one of the most down times at WDW would be sold out already??? I guess DVC members will go during the "down" times because of the lower point requirements??? Is that true? If so, then how could you be assured to be able to switch your ressie even during a supposed slow period??? :veryconfu

 

[Phonedave]

We are going through this right now! Our friends parents own at OKW and tried to book us two studios at BWV the first week of January '09. There wasn't any availability so we are on the waitlist.

I was a little confused as to why one of the most down times at WDW would be sold out already??? I guess DVC members will go during the "down" times because of the lower point requirements??? Is that true? If so, then how could you be assured to be able to switch your ressie even during a supposed slow period??? :veryconfu

People also book "just in case" and then later on decide not to go and release the dates.

-dave

 

[carolina_yankee]

We are going through this right now! Our friends parents own at OKW and tried to book us two studios at BWV the first week of January '09. There wasn't any availability so we are on the waitlist.

I was a little confused as to why one of the most down times at WDW would be sold out already??? I guess DVC members will go during the "down" times because of the lower point requirements??? Is that true? If so, then how could you be assured to be able to switch your ressie even during a supposed slow period??? :veryconfu

1st week of January is a very attractive time for DVC members - Christmas decorations are still up (at least through the weekend) and its Adventure Season, which is the lowest points cost.

Are there no available rooms at Boardwalk for your time frame, or just your desired view? Preferred Boardwalk View and Standard go first - standard because of low points cost, and Boardwalk View because its Boardwalk View.

Dirk

 

[krueg66]

1st week of January is a very attractive time for DVC members - Christmas decorations are still up (at least through the weekend) and its Adventure Season, which is the lowest points cost.

Are there no available rooms at Boardwalk for your time frame, or just your desired view? Preferred Boardwalk View and Standard go first - standard because of low points cost, and Boardwalk View because its Boardwalk View.

Dirk

Our friends mother, the DVC owner called two weeks ago to make the ressie. She asked for Boardwalk and they were completely booked on studios. She made a ressie for two studios at OKW and was asked to be put on the waitlist for BWV...that's where we stand as of today. We're so bummed...not that staying at OKW would be a bad thing as we have never stayed there but compared to BWV??? No comparison. I just really hope something happens with the waitlist. We have over six months for two units to open up?

Another question for you guys, can we call in and get information, check the waitlist, etc. to DVC with our confirmation number even though we are not owners?

Sorry to hijack the thread! :lookaroun

 

[carolina_yankee]

Member Services will only talk to members. They verify your membership number at the start of the call.

Dirk

 

[krueg66]

Member Services will only talk to members. They verify your membership number at the start of the call.

Dirk

So I guess we are just blowing in the wind hoping enough people cancel to get us into BWV... :shrug: