Tips for Booking at Non-Home Resorts

Whether you are ready to visit a different destination like Hilton Head, Vero Beach, or Aulani, or you just want to try another DVC resort at Disney World or Disneyland, booking something other than your home resort can be a fun way to change things up.  With DVC, you can’t use your points to book at a non-home resort until 7-months out from your check-in date, so here are some tips to increase your odds of getting what you want.

Book Your Home Resort and Then Modify

If your schedule is less flexible, it’s a good rule of thumb to book your home resort first to secure the dates that you want and then attempt to modify that reservation to another resort at 7-months out.  This way, if all else fails, and you can’t find the room you want at another resort, you can still vacation on the dates that you prefer.

Aim for Less Popular Travel Periods

By traveling during less popular times of the year, you have better odds of finding availability at another resort.  This will be location-specific.  While the summer months are relatively easier to book for Disney World resorts since some guests like to avoid the Florida heat, the opposite is true for beach resorts like Hilton Head, Vero Beach, and Aulani.  The summer is their peak season, so they can be more challenging to book for those who don’t own contracts there.  

Go for the One Bedroom Villas

Since Deluxe Studios typically cost the least number of points per night compared to other room types, they are the first to book up.  If you have the points to book a One Bedroom Villa instead of a Deluxe Studio, you will often find that you have less competition.  The exceptions to this rule are Villas at Disneyland Hotel and the Polynesian that have proportionately fewer One Bedroom Villas.

One Bedroom Villa at BoardWalk Villas

Preferred Views

Following a similar logic to booking One Bedroom Villas, booking the preferred views or locations that cost more points can sometimes make it easier to find availability.  For example, at the BoardWalk the Standard View villas are lower in point cost, which makes them very popular.  If instead you look at a Garden/Pool View villa, you are more likely to find a room.  

Book Split Stays

Availability is usually tighter at the 7-month booking window compared to the 11-month booking window.  At the 7- month mark, you may only find a night or two at the non-home resort that you were hoping for.  In this case, if you’re booking a vacation at Disney World where most DVC resorts are located, it can help to book split stays–vacations where you stay at more than one resort.  For instance, you can do part of your trip at your home resort and add a couple of days at another resort.  

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