Best DVC Fallback Reservations

Let’s face facts. The overwhelming popularity of the Disney Vacation Club has made booking more challenging than ever. Some of the best resorts and Room Types are seemingly impossible to book at the seven-month window.

So, let’s presume that you fail to book your preferred hotel and/or Room Type. Here are a few of the best DVC fallback reservations. 

The Best Views at Bay Lake Tower

When Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened, it immediately became a fan favorite among members. That’s because some fans had clamored for a DVC presence at the Contemporary for decades before Disney finally granted the wish. 

As part of the hotel stay at Bay Lake Tower, DVC members gained two of the best Room Types. Lake View provided guests with a panoramic view of Bay Lake. It’s one of my favorite Room Types in the DVC program, as I love looking at the water during rainstorms. 

Of course, most DVC members would suggest that a different Room Type is even more desirable. Theme Park View lets hotel guests watch all the action at Magic Kingdom from the comfort of their DVC room. It’s magical, especially at night. You can watch Happily Ever After as the perfect ending to a Disney day. 

Alas, other fans know this, which explains why Lake View and Theme Park View book quickly. Fortunately, a different monorail resort offers those same Room Types. 

At The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you can book Lake View. This option exists for Deluxe Studios and Resort Studios, meaning you don’t need to pick between the old and new rooms.

With Theme Park View, you must book a Resort Studio, but you’ll be happy to do so. In exchange, you can watch Magic Kingdom from your Grand Floridian Studio/Villa. It’s a different viewing angle from what you’ll find at Bay Lake Tower, which makes this a unique viewing experience. 66

The Short Walk to EPCOT 

Most guests stay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas for one of two reasons. The first is that you gain access to Stormalong Bay, which is arguably the best pool in the DVC program. 

Another is that you’re staying right beside the International Gateway entrance at EPCOT. For guests who don’t like to rely on Disney’s mercurial bus system, that’s a huge asset. Plus, you’ll appreciate the short walk when you drink your way through the World Showcase. 

Sadly, Beach Club books quickly. So, you’ll need fallback options whenever you try to book here. Fortunately, you have a couple of terrific choices, one of which is obvious. 

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas offers many of the same conveniences as Beach Club. The sole difference is that you cannot swim at Stormalong Bay, but that’s okay. The creepy clown is no longer a thing at BoardWalk’s pool. So, it’ll suit your purposes. 

More importantly, you gain the benefit of exiting your hotel and standing on Disney’s BoardWalk, the entertainment district overflowing with drinking and dining options. You’re also a similarly short walk away from the International Gateway. 

Then, we have another option, Disney’s Riviera Resort. Admittedly, this resort isn’t as convenient to the International Gateway, but it’s also better when you’re trying to cut down on your vacation walking. You’ll simply take the Disney Skyliner from the hotel to the International Gateway instead. 

Substituting for the Treehouse Villas

Are you in the mood for a secluded nature sabbatical during your Disney vacation? Surprisingly, Disney has made this option possible at multiple resorts, including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. 

However, some DVC members prefer to get away from it all by choosing a more isolated setting. Those fans love the vaunted Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The feeling is understandable since these luxurious suites provide opulence in the middle of nowhere. 

Alas, the Treehouse Villas tend to book quickly. Even when you find one available, you might lack the requisite DVC Points to book the suite. It’s not cheap. 

Thankfully, another option recently became available for DVC members. While it’s not quite the same, the broad strokes prove remarkably similar.

At The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you’ll stay in a standalone Cabin at Fort Wilderness. This hotel room is half the size of a Treehouse Villa, but it’s also much less expensive to book. 

Meanwhile, you’re still staying in a single facility, which isolates you from your neighbors. You’ll never hear someone on the floor above you stomping around because there is no second floor. It’s the proverbial Cabin in the woods. 

Since these buildings are brand new, you’re indulging in state-of-the-art amenities in your room. Plus, you and your family can enjoy a rustic getaway in a remote setting, just like at the Treehouse Villas. These Cabins represent the ideal fallback option when Treehouse Villas doesn’t work out for whatever reason.