Switching DVC Resorts at 7 Months

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Fri, 10/14/2011 - 15:01

Kristen K.

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Switching DVC Resorts at 7 Months

I booked at AKL Jambo House for my best friend's wedding 6/19/2012 for 5 nights at 11 months out because it's our home resort. Honestly though, my kids are clamoring to stay someplace else, anyplace else really. They love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but would like to experience a different resort on this trip. So I've been toying around with the idea of switching my reservation next month when we hit the 7 month mark.

Has anyone done this before? I've never tried, and my one attempt at booking at a non-home resort, just put us back at our other home resort. What has your experience with switching resorts at 7 months been? Ideally I would like to get us into a Villa at Beach Club, Bay Lake, or perhaps Boardwalk. I've also never traveled in June before, and though I know points are more expensive, I'm not sure how that will effect switching my reservation.

Chime in DVCers, do you think I'll be able to switch?

Fri, 10/14/2011 - 15:33

Poppet

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Boardwalk's pool looks like an old wooden roller coaster. Carnival like feel there, kids would love the midway games too. The BEST pool though is Storm Along Bay at Beach Club. Your kids will go nuts over it! Sand bottom and that pirate ship slide where you go down the mast is amazing!

Fri, 10/14/2011 - 18:05

Vettelover

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I have switched resorts at 7 months out after booking at SSR 11 months out probably 5 or 6 times and I have only had a problem once and that was while trying to get BW villas. They had all the days needed except for 2 days in the middle of the week. I went on the waiting list, so I stayed with my original booking at SSR and was perfectly happy with it, it's not like youre loosing the whole thing, other than that once I have swapped from SSR to AKL, OKW, BW (that's another time I tried a swap and it worked), WL villas, and Vero Beach. Of course a lot of it depends on the time of year and the accomodations that you want. I always go in the off peak season and since there is only 2 of us we are very happy and satisfied in a studio.

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Sat, 10/15/2011 - 19:08

Bella

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I can't comment on the DVC part since I'm not an owner but we've done June before. It's great but it can get HOT...take lots of breaks during the day and enjoy the pools! Which resort are you thinking of switching too?

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Bella

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:44

Kristen K.

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I would really like to switch to Beach Club or Bay Lake.

I'm sure those are probably the hardest Resorts to switch to, but it can't hurt to try, right?

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 15:53

Vettelover

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Kristen K. wrote:

I'm sure those are probably the hardest Resorts to switch to, but it can't hurt to try, right?

That is absolutely correct,AND you will NEVER be able to switch if you don't try.
And another thing to remember is that the shorter your vacation length is, the easier it is to switch at 7 months out.

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Tue, 11/15/2011 - 16:04

RobOnDisney

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I switch at the seven month window all the time and have never had trouble getting what I want. You might have to waitlist, but if you call right when the window opens you should be good-to-go. Remember, just like you others will book at 11 months and then try to switch out of their resorts, so inventory should be OK.

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Tue, 11/15/2011 - 16:24

Kristen K.

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Fantastic! I get to call Saturday to give it a try, so we'll see how it goes!

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 18:59

Melissa285

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We have been DVC members for 4 years now. We are going in January .. which will be the 3rd time we have used our vacation club points to go .. and we have never stayed at our home resort! When you hit the 7 month mark, make sure u call the exact day AS SOON AS they open!! I have done this 3 times now and the first time we went down i actually got a Grand Villa at Bay Lake 2 month after it opened, I got a 1 bedroom at Boardwalk, and this time i managed to get a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake! I have had awesome luck with it. If you call up before hand and tell them the day you want to check-in, they can actually tell you exactly which date to call. Good luck!!!!

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 20:50

Poppet

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I would choose BEACH CLUB over BAY LAKE. Storm Along Bay pool alone is worth staying there for! Cape May Cafe has a character breakfast buffet and awesome clambake buffet at night. It is just all around AWESOME!!!!!!

Wed, 11/16/2011 - 13:41

Kristen K.

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We're going to try and get Beach Club first because we'll be down there for my BFF's wedding and she would like to have us at Beach Club to ease logistics. I absolutely love the Top of the World Lounge though, the atmosphere without a doubt makes it my favorite lounge on property, and you just can't beat the view of Wishes. I think I'd be there much more than I'll use Storm Along Bay. Just a couple more days until I can call!

Wed, 11/16/2011 - 21:30

Vettelover

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Be sure to let us know how you make out. I don't think you will have any problems.

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Sat, 11/19/2011 - 15:06

Kristen K.

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Today was my 7 month mark!

I forgot to call right when they opened, and was about 30 minutes late. By the time that I called there was no room for me at Beach Club Villas in a 2Bdr.

So we're staying at Bay Lake Tower!!

The kids are bummed that we won't be able to use Stormalong Bay, but I am overjoyed that we'll have the Top of the World Lounge!!! Cocktails and Fireworks every night for me!!! Whooo hooo! Not to mention, Bridal Party on the monorail *hehehe* we'll look so awesome.

Sat, 11/19/2011 - 15:44

MrHub

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I'm sorry Kristen, you sound so depressed about it. Having to get thoughts cocktails and see those fireworks will be heartbreaking!

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Sat, 11/19/2011 - 22:03

UnbalancedLibra

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BLT is our home resort

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Sat, 11/19/2011 - 23:02

Kristen K.

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

BLT is our home resort

I've been to the Top of the World twice now and it is my absolute favorite lounge on property. I haven't stayed at BLT yet, I'm really excited about it! We have a Lake View and I requested a higher floor. So... it did cost me an extra 71 points that I had to borrow from next year, but I think it will be totally worth it!

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 04:31

Jess

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I thought as long as you were a DVC member you could still go to Stormalong bay

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Mon, 11/21/2011 - 06:46

Melissa285

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Kristen K. wrote:

Today was my 7 month mark!

I forgot to call right when they opened, and was about 30 minutes late. By the time that I called there was no room for me at Beach Club Villas in a 2Bdr.

So we're staying at Bay Lake Tower!!

The kids are bummed that we won't be able to use Stormalong Bay, but I am overjoyed that we'll have the Top of the World Lounge!!! Cocktails and Fireworks every night for me!!! Whooo hooo! Not to mention, Bridal Party on the monorail *hehehe* we'll look so awesome.

Congrats!! Bay Lake is AMAZING!!! Your kids will be happy to know though that since you are staying at a Vacation Club Resort you are allowed to use the pool at any of the Disney Resorts!!!! Have an awesome trip!

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:30

MrHub

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Jess wrote:

I thought as long as you were a DVC member you could still go to Stormalong bay

Nope, you have to staying at either Yacht or Beach Club resorts, thats it.

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Mon, 11/21/2011 - 13:34

Kristen K.

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Jess wrote:

I thought as long as you were a DVC member you could still go to Stormalong bay

Nope, there's no pool hopping allowed to Stormalong Bay or AKL's Uzima Springs.

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Switching DVC Resorts at 7 Months