Question from a short-term planner About This Page:

[Louisbuck]

We are seriously considering buying into DVC, but are rarely able to schedule vacations more than 3-4 months in advance. This is due to very unpredictable work schedules. In fact, we sometimes make plans with less than a month out. However, we prefer traveling during non-peak times and are not too picky about which resort to visit. Does this sound like a workable scenario for DVC ownership, or would it make more sense to pay oop and stay in the traditional resorts? Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

[piglet925]

A lot of our vacations have been booked within a month or so of traveling. If you don't mind where you stay and you don't go during the busy times, I think you would be ok. If we book within a month or so of traveling, we usually get Saratoga(our home) or OKW. You may also get AKL now that Kidani is open. Hopefully others will post and give you their experiences too. in your decision.

[Louisbuck]

Great stuff! And very encouraging, as we are thinking of pulling the trigger in the next few months. We will probably prefer studios--would this make things more, or less, difficult?

[tjkraz]

DVC could probably save you money in the long run but your options will be severely limited. I would only consider DVC if the following apply:

1. You don't care where you stay. On 3-4 months notice you will most often find Saratoga Springs and Old Key West available. Perhaps Animal Kingdom Villas at times. Other resorts will be very difficult to obtain on such short notice.

2. You are flexible in the size accommodation you are willing to book. Studios are reportedly the first size villa to fill with One Bedrooms being last. So your odds of getting a Studio would be lowest. Again if you are flexible and willing to take any size accommodation, you should find something.

A couple other thoughts:

* As long as you aren't borrowing points from another year, there really is no penalty for cancellations more than 30 days out. So one thing you could consider doing is booking a trip before your are certain you will be able to make it, and then cancel if things do not work out. As long as it's more than 30 days out, the points are simply returned to your account.

* Some non-peak times are very popular with DVC members so you can't really generalize and assume that you will be OK. The period from Thanksgiving to New Years (which includes about 3 weeks that are generally considered slow) is the busiest time of the year for DVC members. If you tried to book today--more than 8 months out--you'd be lucky to find anything. However other slow periods like late-August and September are not as popular and still quite easy to book on short notice.

Honestly unless you calculate that you stand to save a lot on your accommodations and/or have absolutely no preference in where you stay, I'm not sure it's worth the risk. If you think that you'll be able to consistently book the Beach Club or Bay Lake Tower on a month's notice as a DVC member, I think you would be in for a rude awakening.

That's my two cents.

[Louisbuck]

Thanks Tim! I think it's very important to assess this very thoroughly and your information is extremely helpful.

[spiceypj]

don't buy from DVC - go resale. get the cheapest resale you can find - it will be SSR or OKW probably. might suggest offsite at HH or VB - but their maintence fees are higher.

agree with what Tim says. but hey no reason not to try for BLT or BCV. you might get lucky,

you are taking a chance. so be prepared to call back often. too many members who can't make advantage reservations give up. Don't.

because of the 30 days cancelation rules - some nice resorts come up in the last 30 days. be prepared to take what is available.

so start calling at 32 days before you want to go and don't quite until 28/25 days.