Disney Vacation Club resorts are very popular, so knowing when to make a request increases your chances of getting the resort or room type that you are hoping for. Several factors determine which resorts or types of rooms fill up the fastest. Understanding what some of those are will help you choose the best time to make your rental request.
One factor to consider is location. Some resorts are more popular than others simply based on where they are located on the Disney property. For instance, Bay Lake Tower is the closest DVC resort to the Magic Kingdom and is located on the monorail loop. Both of these make it a highly sought after resort, especially for guests with small children.
Along with location, special events taking part in the parks also have an effect on resort popularity. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a very popular event that takes place in the fall. You must get your request in early if you want to secure a room at either the Boardwalk or Beach Club Villas, both of which are within walking distance to Epcot.
Resort size is another thing to consider. It is much easier to get into the larger resorts, like Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, simply because they have more rooms overall. Contrary to that, Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge Villas have fewer rooms, so they fill up more quickly.
Room type also plays into the equation. I know from personal experience that if I want a studio at Boardwalk Villas with a view of the boardwalk and Crescent Lake, I better get my request in at the earliest possible time. If I wait, the only choice I may get is a one bedroom with a pool/garden view.
There’s a lot to consider and, especially if you are new to the Disney Vacation Club Resorts, it can be overwhelming to know when the best time is to put in a request for the particular resort and room type that you want. The good news is that David’s Vacation Club Rentals has been doing this for quite awhile and I’m happy to say that we can help you out. We have suggested times to put in your reservation for each room type and resort in the DVC inventory. I’ve posted a list of our recommendations below.
Keep in mind, these are just recommendations and many factors, even things we haven’t mentioned, will effect availability. It’s always possible that there have been cancellations, or some fluke has caused rooms to be available even when we think they won’t be – so it never hurts to have us check to see if your particular request can be met, even if it isn’t within our recommended time frame. On the other side of that, please keep in mind that these are only guidelines and do not guarantee actual availability.
One last thing to consider: your travel dates can greatly effect availability as well. Rooms always fill sooner for popular dates, breaks and holidays, such as Spring Break and Christmas, so it is best to be earlier than the recommended timelines when requesting these dates. In summer months, beach resorts are quite popular. Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island should be booked 9 to 11 months in advance for summer and peak season times.
If you’re still not sure about when to request your room, keep in mind, sooner is always better than later. If you have any questions, we are here to help. You can always call our toll-free number (800) 610-5791, email us, talk to us via live chat, or visit our facebook page. We are available Monday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. Happy planning!
11 MONTHS IN ADVANCE
At 11 months in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms as they are some of the first to sell out:
ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS
- Concierge Level Studio
- Concierge Level 1 Bedroom
- Concierge Level 2 Bedroom
- Value Studio
- Value 1 Bedroom
- Value 2 Bedroom
AULANI VILLAS IN HAWAII
- Standard View Grand Villa
BAY LAKE TOWER AT DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT
- Standard View Studio
- Standard View 2 Bedroom
- Theme Park View Studio
- Theme Park View 2 Bedroom
BOARDWALK VILLAS
- Standard View Studio
- Standard View 1 Bedroom
- Standard View 2 Bedroom
- Boardwalk View Studio
- Boardwalk View 1 Bedroom
- Boardwalk View 2 Bedroom
- Grand Villa
THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA
- Standard View Studio
- Standard View 1 Bedroom
- Standard View 2 Bedroom
- Lake View Studio
- Lake View 1 Bedroom
- Lake View 2 Bedroom
- Grand Villa
SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA
- Treehouse Villa
10 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 10 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
BAY LAKE TOWER AT DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT
- Theme Park View 1 Bedroom
- Theme Park Grand Villa
- Lake View Studio
- Lake View 2 Bedroom
BEACH CLUB VILLAS
- Studio
- 2 Bedroom
THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL
- Studio
- 1 Bedroom
- 2 Bedroom
THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE
- Studio
9 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 9 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS
- Grand Villa
- Savannah View Studio
- Savannah View 2 Bedroom
BAY LAKE TOWER AT DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT
- Lake View 1 Bedroom
- Lake View Grand Villa
BEACH CLUB VILLAS
- 1 Bedroom
BOARDWALK VILLAS
- Pool/Garden View Studio
- Pool/Garden View 2 Bedroom
OLD KEY WEST
- Grand Villa
SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA
- Grand Villa
THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE
- 2 Bedroom
8 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 8 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS
- Standard View Studio
- Standard View 2 Bedroom
- Savannah View 1 Bedroom
AULANI VILLAS IN HAWAII
- Standard View Studio
- Standard View 1 Bedroom
- Standard View 2 Bedroom
BOARDWALK VILLAS
- Pool/Garden View 1 Bedroom
THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE
- 1 Bedroom
7 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 7 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS
- Standard View 1 Bedroom
OLD KEY WEST
- Studio
- 2 Bedroom
SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA
- 2 Bedroom
3 – 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 3 to 6 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
AULANI VILLAS IN HAWAII
- Ocean View Studio
- Ocean View 1 Bedroom
- Ocean View 2 Bedroom
OLD KEY WEST
- 1 Bedroom
SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA
- Studio
1 – 2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE (OR EARLIER)
At 1 to 2 months (or earlier) in advance of your check in date, we recommend reserving any of the following rooms:
SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA
- 1 Bedroom
~ This article provided by Barrie Brewer, Social Media Director for David’s Vacation Club Rentals
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