You know, the recession may actually be affecting DVC reservations...

[Hammer]

Our annual trip for the Food and Wine festival is planned for Sept 27-Oct 2 2009. As I would perfectly happy staying at SSR and I wanted to make sure nothing changed with the Phillies schedule (so as to not miss any games), I decided to make my initial reservation at the 7 month mark. Well, I have been putting many hours at work and totally forgot to call yesterday at my 7 month mark. So while I was at the office this afternoon, I had a few minutes while an software application was updating (I'm a software test engineer) and decided to call to see what was available in DVC accommodations.

To my utter amazement, I had my choice of places to book for a 1 bedroom! I was overwhelmed as the CM kept listing the places which were available. The only thing which was not available was a MK view at Bay Lake Towers (though all other views were available). As we are going for the Food and Wine festival and Frank (Maleficent's Dad) wrote that they had upgraded the rooms, I chose Beach Club Villas. Also, I had a really great CM work with me in Member Services!

[Maleficent's Dad]

Christine,
That's bittersweet news!
First off - congrats on the BCV. Great location - especially for the F&W Festival!

I'm interested to see how the next 12 months or so play out. Will there be more availability with DVC due to the economic recession? I always wondered this because (1) DVC points are already paid for by its members - meaning that they have "pre-paid" their vacations, and (2) DVC members seem to have (at least some) additional cash to have purchased membership in the first place.

I'm happy to read that there was availability at the 7 month mark for several locations. As a member, it makes me happy. As an American citizen who is carefully watching our economy in its slump, it makes me very cautious.

[Ian]

Bear in mind, though, that the room reservation is only a very small part of the cost of the trip.

You still have transportation down there, food, souvenirs (maybe), park admission, rental car (maybe), etc.

I mean you can still quite easily drop $2,000 - $3,000 on a weeklong trip, even with DVC. People who are out of work or just plain scared might be putting off that expense until things stabilize a bit.

[vizsla]

We have been putting our annual trip on hold for this year. DW and I are fortunate that the recession has not hit us yet, but we are being very conservative. We have our trip on hold primarily due to the airline rates. We cannot find any reasonable airfare rates even if we commute to the big city airports. We just flat out refuse to pay that much for airfare at this time.

[Ian]

Vince, we've been hitting that issue, as well. Cheap flights are becoming harder and harder to find, especially into MCO for whatever reason.

I mean I used to see DING! fares come out from PHL to MCO all the time, but I honestly haven't seen one in ages.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by Ian

Vince, we've been hitting that issue, as well. Cheap flights are becoming harder and harder to find, especially into MCO for whatever reason.

I mean I used to see DING! fares come out from PHL to MCO all the time, but I honestly haven't seen one in ages.

DING! fares aren't as good as they used to be either. I usually fly in and out of Tampa (so as to visit my parents in Clearwater) and the price isn't any better. A DING fare just came out last week for when I am traveling at the end of March (Spring Training, no WDW) and the price isn't any better than what I had booked a few weeks before. For one way, the cost was actually higher! I'm fortunate that I only have to pay for myself; it is definitely harder for families. I actually have enough Frequent Flier miles on USAirways to fly free, so that is what I will probably do for my late September trip.

The big expense for me is food. I spend at most $25 on souvenirs and work out a deal where my car rental is always under $200 if I choose to rent a car (not renting one for my FLA trip at the end of March). But I like to eat at nice places on my WDW trips, or any vacation for that matter. Last year our food and bar bill for 1 week was $1100. We did a comparison in that it would have cost us just as much if we had used the Deluxe Dining Plan (we had DDE/Tables in Wonderland). We have already decided that we are cutting back on our meals this year. Still will go to Signature restaurants for dinner, but will only do a TS for lunch once or twice (we ate at 5 last year) and switching one of our Signature dinners for dinner at Boma (probably Flying Fish). Cutting out 3 lunches and a lower priced TS dinner will save us around $350 off our food/alcohol budget. I'm already putting money aside for this year's food.

[hubbyofadisneyholic]

Originally Posted by vizsla

We have been putting our annual trip on hold for this year. DW and I are fortunate that the recession has not hit us yet, but we are being very conservative. We have our trip on hold primarily due to the airline rates. We cannot find any reasonable airfare rates even if we commute to the big city airports. We just flat out refuse to pay that much for airfare at this time.

Definitely make a point of checking your airfare options on a daily basis. We had pretty much resigned ourselves to having to drive to WDW in June but out of nowhere this past week our preferred airline came up with a fare we couldn't refuse. Actually about the same as last year even figuring in baggage fees.
Be patient and persistent and you just might be pleasantly surprised.

[dolphinmickey9170]

We have decided that driving will save us enough to be able to make 3 trips this year. For the four of us to fly it is over $1200, but I can drive for under $500. We by annual passes when we get our tax refunds and I stretch my points and we stay in a studio. Don't get me wrong, I love the 1BR, but, sacrifice that for an extra trip to the world, heck yeah!!
The $$ we save from flying, we can eat whatever we want. We do a couple of breakfasts, a TS lunch and mostly TS dinners. With the TIW card I save even more that the cost of the card and you also get free valet parking at the resorts!! All is good.

[Terk24]

I agree, but at the same time, think a lot of people will be trying BLT this fall. That could be why openings at some of the other favs...just a thought.

[FortheloveofStitch]

We just paid $59 from Buffalo to Orlando on Airtran. They seem to have a good sale going on. I think it ends soon. We usually wait for Southwest but they don't open flights until April. Couldn't pass on $59 even if I have to pay $15 for a bag. Our flight sare in August.

[JMTStone]

We were surprised that the BWV were available to us at the 7 month window for my birthday week in September. The Birthday ends in a zero (if you're going to deny aging, better do it at WDW). I had some comp flights for me and DH. We have AP so all we'll be spending is two flights and food.

I'm thinking we may be taking a break from the world in 2010 if things don't improve, though. Even though we bought outright (no loan) for points, we may take a break from AP and airline tickets. We can always bank the points.

I think one of the biggest indicators is the dropping prices on the TimeShare Store site. DH and I are eyeing them.

[Mushu11756]

We thought we would have a hard time getting anything as well because we are going in mid September. Point's are cheap and the wine festival going on. We had our pick! Well except for the Tree House they seem to be off limits to us!

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't really think there will be a significant alteration in the habits of MOST of the DVC membership....barring anything but a total collapse of the world economy (...in that case....i'm not sure WDW will be too high on anyone's list)....

but i do think that two things are already underway and will become more evident in the coming months:

1. those that bought on plastic beyond their means (alot of those that bought the last 4 years) will be desperate to dump their memberships. This is already happening more and more with timeshare resales. What i would expect....in fact what i think has already happened...is that these individuals are borrowing up their banks through the next usage year to squeeze what they can out of it before they dump it for whatever they can get.
If this is true....then the system will ease greatly over the next calender year.

2. Repeat travel will also slow. In my own little corner of Hel.....errr...i mean..."New Jersey"....there are alot of members who won't blink to travel 4-5-+ times each year to WDW for smaller stays....or in some cases...longer stays.

I think you'll see some consolidation out of those ranks - instead of four 5 day trips....you'll see 2 six or seven day trips to cut down on airline and associated expenses.

While the same number of nights may be used, the reservation grid will not have as many single nights or small multi-day blocks spread across it that impedes other reservations....which is a constant issue for all WDW hotel locations.



I do think we'll see an easing of the demand for some locations and times....if not perhaps a general slowdown...

My advice: enjoy it while it lasts....any pickup in economic activity sustained over a six month period will undoubtedly push the lemmings back towards the sea.....or the Seven Seas Lagoon...as the case may be

[lockedoutlogic]

Originally Posted by Mushu11756

We thought we would have a hard time getting anything as well because we are going in mid September. Point's are cheap and the wine festival going on. We had our pick! Well except for the Tree House they seem to be off limits to us!

Unless WDW is trying to shake things up....the Food And Wine Festival will only include AT MOST the last couple of days of September.....By just looking at the calendar....I would guess it will start September 27th at the earliest.

They may be expanding it again....as they only added the first two weeks in November about 5 years ago....but i've seen nothing out there that indicates this to be the case.

I've seen several mentions of "Food and Wine in September" over the last few weeks on boards....
....this is not the case unless something new has been announced

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by lockedoutlogic

Unless WDW is trying to shake things up....the Food And Wine Festival will only include AT MOST the last couple of days of September.....By just looking at the calendar....I would guess it will start September 27th at the earliest.

They may be expanding it again....as they only added the first two weeks in November about 5 years ago....but i've seen nothing out there that indicates this to be the case.

I've seen several mentions of "Food and Wine in September" over the last few weeks on boards....
....this is not the case unless something new has been announced

The Food and Wine Festival is scheduled to run September 25- November 8, so my trip will be during the Food and Wine Festival. I usually have gone a couple weeks later, but we decided after last year to move the trip after all of the work I had to do to switch playoff tickets with someone so as to not miss any playoff opportunities I had . I love the possibility of seeing Phillies playoff baseball as much as the Food and Wine Festival and did not want to sacrifice either !

[doodleboy]

Originally Posted by Ian

Bear in mind, though, that the room reservation is only a very small part of the cost of the trip.

You still have transportation down there, food, souvenirs (maybe), park admission, rental car (maybe), etc.

I mean you can still quite easily drop $2,000 - $3,000 on a weeklong trip, even with DVC. People who are out of work or just plain scared might be putting off that expense until things stabilize a bit.

Very true. For my family of four to take our annual 10 night trip it costs around $3,200 not including hotel because we are DVC owners. Airfare, food, tickets, and rental car add up quickly. Our May trip this year will cost us $2,300 without park tickets because we have annual passes I purchased for our trip last October. Still a good chunk of change for some of us. If I had lost my job, I would have banked or given the points away to friends rather than make the trip.

[doodleboy]

Originally Posted by vizsla

We have been putting our annual trip on hold for this year. DW and I are fortunate that the recession has not hit us yet, but we are being very conservative. We have our trip on hold primarily due to the airline rates. We cannot find any reasonable airfare rates even if we commute to the big city airports. We just flat out refuse to pay that much for airfare at this time.

What about driving with gas being so cheap?

I just bought four round trip from Chicago on Southwest for around $700, so driving is not worth it for me but I keep my mind opent to it.

[doodleboy]

Originally Posted by Terk24

I agree, but at the same time, think a lot of people will be trying BLT this fall. That could be why openings at some of the other favs...just a thought.

I agree. I think that whenever a new property opens it always makes room for more reservations initially until it sells out. That may be a while for BLT and AKV.

[lockedoutlogic]

Originally Posted by Hammer

The Food and Wine Festival is scheduled to run September 25- November 8, so my trip will be during the Food and Wine Festival. I usually have gone a couple weeks later, but we decided after last year to move the trip after all of the work I had to do to switch playoff tickets with someone so as to not miss any playoff opportunities I had . I love the possibility of seeing Phillies playoff baseball as much as the Food and Wine Festival and did not want to sacrifice either !

thanks for the dates....

my comment was in response to a posters "food and wine during our trip in "mid" september" comment

food wine only conveniently dips into the last week of september.....but i see they aren't keeping it unitl November 12-15th like they have the last few years as well....so really, it just shifted forward one week or so....

buy the way....the Red Sox will win the world series this year....

...right that down...you're all on notice....they were one 1 Matt Garza overachievement from winning it last year....and they lie in perfect position with the best pitching in baseball and alot of money freed up to bring bats to the club as teams undoubtedly will be shedding salaries like a locust sheds its shell by May or June....