New Rule for Modifying Your DVC Reservation

Plans can change, and DVC makes it easy for you to update your resort reservation by making changes online or calling Member Services.  However, DVC just rolled out a new rule for modifications made to trips that are still within the 11-month booking window.  Here’s what DVC Members need to know about the latest rule.

What Has Changed?

Disney Vacation Club Members may notice the new policy on the DVC website related to modifying reservations.  At 11 months before check-in:

“Modifications to travel dates and room types on a confirmed reservation can only be made when the original check-out date is within 11 months of the modification request.  You can still update Guest information or cancel the reservation.”

For example, if you booked a reservation for August 1, 2027 to August 7, 2027, you would now need to wait until September 7, 2026 (11 months from August 7, 2027) to make any changes to your check-in or checkout dates or your room type. 

Why Was the New Rule Created?

Although Disney Vacation Club has not officially provided an explanation for the new rule, it’s quite clear that the policy will help prevent Members from walking reservations at the 11-month booking window.  Walking a reservation is a controversial practice in which a Member secures reservation dates well before their actual travel dates and then repeatedly modifies the reservation dates until they align with their desired travel dates.  The advantage to this strategy is that it enables walking Members to get a jump start on holding room inventory.

Boulder Ridge One Bedroom Villa (Photo Credit: WDW News Today)

DVC has not explicitly prohibited walking, but as Members walk reservations and book dates that they don’t intend to keep, they tie up room inventory, which blocks other Members from booking dates they genuinely want to reserve.

DVC has long heard Members complaining about walking, so it appears that this is an attempt to level the playing field when it comes to booking reservations. 

How Does This Impact DVC Members?

While the new policy may be helpful in preventing walking, it may also have the unintended impact of making it more difficult to book trips that are longer than 7 nights.  When booking a trip, DVC Members can reserve up to 7 consecutive nights.  In the past, if a Member wanted to book a 10-night trip, they would reserve the first 7 nights and then modify the reservation to continue adding each additional night as they became available.

Polynesian Island Tower Duo Studio

Under the new rule, booking that 10-night trip would have to work differently.  The DVC Member would book the first 7 nights like normal but then have to wait until the checkout date is within the 11-month window before they could add those additional 3 nights.  Unfortunately, while waiting for the checkout date to fall within the 11-month window, the DVC Member could potentially lose out on room availability.  This uncertainty can be particularly dicey during more popular travel periods when availability is already competitive, such as the beginning of December.

Are There Any Strategies for Booking Stays Longer Than 7 Days?

DVC Members who love to book longer stays, especially international Members, may find the new rule frustrating.  However, if you have enough extra points, you could consider booking the first 7 nights of your trip and then booking a second reservation that partially overlaps with that trip.  This allows you to secure your additional nights slightly earlier than waiting until the checkout date of your first reservation hits the 11-month booking window.  You could then modify that second reservation so it covers just the dates you need and request to have the two reservations merged.  For example: 

• If you wanted to book October 20 to 30, 2027, you could book October 20 to 26, 2027 (the first 7 nights of the trip) at 8am ET on November 20, 2026.  
• Instead of waiting until November 26, 2026 (11 months out from your original checkout date) to book your remaining dates (October 26-30, 2027), you could book a second reservation for October 23 to October 30, 2027 as of 8am ET on November 23, 2026.  
• Once you hit November 30, 2026, you would then be able shorten that second reservation to October 26 to 30, 2027.
• To have the two reservations merged, contact Member Services by phone, email, or chat.

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