Getting into your home resort

[CandleontheWater]

I have another question for you DVC owners out there. How hard is it to get a reservation if you don't plan your trip one year out. My family and I usually plan one big trip a year, but my husband and I like to take weekend trip we usually only plan 1-2 months out. I'm getting worried reading the posts about not being able to get in anywhere in December, especially with it only being May. Have you all had trouble making reservations, its it hard to get into your home resort (esp. if we were to buy BWV by resale)? Any info on this topic would be really informative before we pull the trigger on this one.

[Ian]

If you're at one of the smaller properties, I'd say you're probably gonna be out of luck 1-2 months out, but it will all depend on what time of the season it is I guess. Some are much more popular than others.

If you're at OKW or SSR, your odds are better. I just booked SSR for December and was able to get in, so it can be done.

There's always waitlist, too.

[CarolMN]

Don't buy BWV (or VWL or BCV) if you can't or won't plan more than 7 months ahead. After the 7 month window opens, all members have an equal shot at getting reservations, and many members try to switch to the smaller resorts at that time.

No reason to pay the higher price or higher annual dues if you won't be using the home resort booking avantage.

Standard view and guaranteed Boardwalk view accomodations are almost never available once the 7 month window opens - a few exceptions, but those are few an far between.

The most difficult times to book the BWV after the 7 month window opens (talking mostly about the Pool/Garden room category, which makes up about 60% of the available BWV rooms) include October through the first weekend in January and the weeks surrounding any national Holiday. Spring break time starting in mid -february through end of April can also be tough (but not impossible). Summertime is actually easier than most other times. May and September are the easiest (excluding the Holiday periods).

You're most likely to find last minute availability at the larger DVC resorts - SSR and OKW. However, 60 days prior to the date, any unreserved member inventory is sent to CRO to rent to the general public. Members still have access to those rooms, but are competing for them with the general public on a first come, first served basis. Thus availability is often very limited once you get to the 60 day mark.

If you are going to regularly book on short notice, you will proably end up frustrated with your membership. Some members do book last minute successfully, but you just can't count on being able to do it or even on staying at the same resort for your entire trip.

[sillyolbear]

I think CarolMN's final paragraph says it all. I've found DVC to be a great thing, but I am able and love to plan at the 11 month window.

If you are not able to plan more than a couple of months, I, too, would bet that DVC would be frustrating.

[Seasonscraps]

I tend to think it's hit or miss or maybe we just luck out but we have been able to get the smaller resorts on short notice. In October 2006 DH & I booked a studio at the BCV for a weekend in December 2006. In May 2007 we booked a studio at the BWV for next weekend.

[ldn324]

This is our first attempt in about 5 years to book our home resort which is BWV for December. We called exactly at the 11 month mark and could not get in. We have been on the waiting list ever since but with no luck yet.

We called the morning of our 7 month mark for an alternate resort and, although we did book OKW, we were not able to get it for the duration of our trip. Unless the waiting list comes through for either BWV or two additional nights at OKW, we will have to move resorts at least once during our trip.

From what I've heard, booking your home resort in off-season is very difficult since it's a lower points usage time of year.