ALL RESORTS BOOKED FROM OCT to JAN

[Carl Aird]

It's pretty outrageous that ALL the DVD resorts are booked for the weekends from Oct to Jan
And then we dont even get discounts on cash reservations?!

DONE

Selling it

They're overselling memberships

Better off booking regular hotels

 

[supersnoop]

They're overselling memberships

No, they aren't. They cannot legally sell more than 98% of the rooms available.

And I think you may need to quality "all resorts." I plugged in a random weekend; third weekend in November, and got a hit for a two bedroom at VGF, as well as plenty of rooms at Vero Beach, and a couple at Old Key West.

 

[kristenrice]

If you just started looking for a reservation that is within the next 2-5 months, you should not be surprised. October through the beginning of January is the highest-demand period for DVC bookings. The month of October was almost completely booked at all WDW properties by mid-April.

 

[hakepb]

DVC is certainly not the best choice for all regular WDW guests.
Especially guests that do not book 7+ months in advance for DVC's busy time Oct-Jan.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Points are sold based on filling all rooms to 90-95% 365 days. There is an imbalance of people wishing to stay October-January.

This is why DVC is best used by those willing to book 11-7 months out, and who are open to booking and staying at their home resort.

 

[keaster]

Doesn't DVC get a discount on cash reservations if booked through DVC?

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Doesn't DVC get a discount on cash reservations if booked through DVC?

Yes, I believe it's 25%

 

[Dean]

It's pretty outrageous that ALL the DVD resorts are booked for the weekends from Oct to Jan
And then we dont even get discounts on cash reservations?!

DONE

Selling it

They're overselling memberships

Better off booking regular hotels

As noted, no they are not. Timeshares work best when on plans far in advance, IMO anything under 7 months out is short notice and even then one will usually have significant limitations. If you can't do this most of the time you should sell but based on your issues not theirs.

Doesn't DVC get a discount on cash reservations if booked through DVC?

Subject to availability and only for DVC reservations made with points transferred to DVC/DVD. Not all Disney resorts and not all DVC resort reservations.

 

[Carl Aird]

Doesn't DVC get a discount on cash reservations if booked through DVC?

I was told today NO.

 

[Carl Aird]

As noted, no they are not. Timeshares work best when on plans far in advance, IMO anything under 7 months out is short notice and even then one will usually have significant limitations. If you can't do this most of the time you should sell but based on your issues not theirs.

Subject to availability and only for DVC reservations made with points transferred to DVC/DVD. Not all Disney resorts and not all DVC resort reservations.

IMO you couldn't find anywhere in any of the sales materials (video or written) when it states or advises : "DVC memberships are only for people who can plan 7 months in advance". Additionally, no sales rep would ever make this claim.
So, my issues with THEM is that basically, I'm paying monthly fees for something I cant use and has gotten even more difficult to use as time has passed.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

So perhaps the system has changed since you bought. I see you joined the DIS in 2008 - at that time it was easier to make reservations but that was largely driven by the recession, not anything DVC did or did not. Depending on whether you bought direct or resale, the emphasis would be on years of magical vacations. If you are trying to book Oct to Jan in a studio or value 1BR, those are going to book at 11 months - F&W, Halloween, Thanksgiving and then all the holiday decorations. What's going to be available are high point 2BR and perhaps scattered days at multiple resorts for studios or 1BR. If the current reality of needing to plan early for the accommodations you prefer is not part of your lifestyle, then you should sell. Points are selling at nice prices and depending on your resort you could make a profit to bank for those future vacation stays. Best of luck.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The reality is that most timeshares are for people who plan significantly ahead, whether through the sale of fixed weeks, or via these kind of points systems.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since 2009, DVC has added Aulani, Polynesian, Grand Californian, Grand Floridian, Kidani Village and BLT opened. That's a lot more members. And they all want to go to F&W, Christmas holidays, marathon, etc. They booked at seven months out if they didn't own at WDW.

So if you thought you could book any DVC resort at WDW at two to four months out, you didn't do your homework.

 

[tjkraz]

Still waiting for DVC to reallocate the seasons.

It's pretty outrageous that ALL the DVD resorts are booked for the weekends from Oct to Jan
And then we dont even get discounts on cash reservations?!

DONE

Selling it

They're overselling memberships

Better off booking regular hotels

Saratoga, Old Key West, Kidani, and even BoardWalk have numerous weekends available in December and January in a One Bedroom villa. Maybe others--I didn't check every single resort.

Saratoga Springs has weekend Studios available in November, December and January. Again, probably other options out there.

This doesn't come close to demonstrating that memberships are being oversold. Timeshares aren't right for everyone.

 

[chalee94]

IMO you couldn't find anywhere in any of the sales materials (video or written) when it states or advises : "DVC memberships are only for people who can plan 7 months in advance". Additionally, no sales rep would ever make this claim.

So, my issues with THEM is that basically, I'm paying monthly fees for something I cant use and has gotten even more difficult to use as time has passed.

right. when spending thousands of dollars, sometimes you cannot trust the salespeople but will have to do your own homework. salespeople make money if you buy and get nothing if they give you reasons to walk away. that is a valuable lesson to learn.

on the bright side, you should get most of your upfront costs back on the contract if you sell your DVC contract. many timeshare buyers wind up getting only pennies on the dollar.

 

[Dean]

IMO you couldn't find anywhere in any of the sales materials (video or written) when it states or advises : "DVC memberships are only for people who can plan 7 months in advance". Additionally, no sales rep would ever make this claim.
So, my issues with THEM is that basically, I'm paying monthly fees for something I cant use and has gotten even more difficult to use as time has passed.

No there isn't and there wouldn't and shouldn't be. However, any reasonable person who looks at DVC will realize that they are in competition with others for reservations and that creates potential issues and risks. The longer you wait the less likely something is available. Th only exception is for fixed weeks and those re only available at 3 resorts. When you MUST reserve by to get a reservation depends on several factors including the resort, time of year, unit size and booking category. For some that cutoff is day 1 eleven months out (ex AKV concierge, VGF) and even then you'd have to do it online since MS opens an hour after the inventory becomes available. IMO, looking at the system as a whole, 7 months is the minimum timeframe to expect availability and even that is not early enough some times of the year. Otherwise you're just donating to the system in one way or another.

It is not the job of the salesperson to make sure that DVC works for you or to insure you understand the practicality of the system. Their job is to sell, plain and simple. It's your job to understand what you're getting into including reading the POS (the rest of the sales material is meaningless). If it's to use DVC 3-4 months out, esp during one of the busier DVC times, you get what you plan for. Some make it work doing shorter notice trips but no one should buy to plan to use it that way and many who find themselves in that situation should sell and move on.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Saratoga, Old Key West, Kidani, and even BoardWalk have numerous weekends available in December and January in a One Bedroom villa. Maybe others--I didn't check every single resort.

That may be partly because some studios now advertise as being available for up to 5 people, while one bedrooms still say four. Yet, one bedrooms cost twice as much point-wise. There are few of us who choose a 1 BR over a studio for fewer than 4 people.
It's becoming increasingly necessary to buy your points where you want to stay so you can get the 11 month window. And planning is more necessary too.

 

[DebbieB]

Doesn't DVC get a discount on cash reservations if booked through DVC?

Yes, I believe it's 25%

Subject to availability. This time of year has been more popular for both points and cash reservations. There is no free dining in October this year (except maybe October 1), so that shows cash rooms are full. Discounts are unlikely.

I've been a member since 1999 and have never not gotten a room I wanted if I booked at 7 months or earlier. Not only home resort, but all of the WDW DVC resorts except SSR (never tried). Also 4 for 4 at VGC at 7 months.

 

[Dean]

That may be partly because some studios now advertise as being available for up to 5 people, while one bedrooms still say four. Yet, one bedrooms cost twice as much point-wise. There are few of us who choose a 1 BR over a studio for fewer than 4 people.
It's becoming increasingly necessary to buy your points where you want to stay so you can get the 11 month window. And planning is more necessary too.

Given that studios were already more popular than 1 BR and that the changes you reference will further alter than demand, I suspect we'll see a reallocation in a few years raising studios by 10-15% and lowering 1BR by a similar amount.

 

[hakepb]

Given that studios were already more popular than 1 BR and that the changes you reference will further alter than demand, I suspect we'll see a reallocation in a few years raising studios by 10-15% and lowering 1BR by a similar amount.

I better start buying popcorn stock now for those studio increase reallocation threads, there's bound to be a national popcorn shortage!