How early should you look for points to rent?

[DSNY4ever]

If you want the best chance to get your first choice resort how early do you start looking for points to rent? I know when it is someone's home resort they can book 11 months out- so should I start looking a little before then so that I have someone ready to try to book for me (a few weeks, days?), or do you have to wait till you are in that window to start looking for points? When you guys are trying to get your own reservations do you usually call on the 11 month mark exactly?

I just want to make sure I don't miss that window since we haven't even picked dates for out trip yet. I know with point rentals I can't be too resort picky, but I at least want to give it a good chance.

Thanks!

[gripp35]

I would probably try to find someone a few days before to see if they are willing to check availability right at the 11-month window. Once you find someone with the correct home resort and willing to book, just make sure they have all of the necessary information. If you start looking too early (few weeks/months), they might not be willing to commit because it would tie up points that someone else might want to rent from them, which is why I think a couple of days lead-time would be great!

Of course I have only been the person getting points from a member, I've never been the member myself...

[disneynutz]

There are a few variables like where and when you are trying to book, that makes a big difference.

Bill

[lions1995]

I would say, if you are really hoping to get a specific room type / resort, it would be best to start looking about 1 month prior to the 11 month mark. It is not always nessassary to book that early, but certain room types can go fast (examples AKL concierge, AKL Value) and some time preiods go fast. Fully booked DVC times are certainly at peak times (like Holidays) but since lower crowd periods also cost less points, that can mae DVC busy (example, first week of December).

If you are felxible, you could probably wait until the 11 month mark are longer, but if you are dead set on a given resort / room type, start looking a month early. It also means you will need to find some one with that specific home resort, which may take some looking.

[DSNY4ever]

Originally Posted by gripp35

IIf you start looking too early (few weeks/months), they might not be willing to commit because it would tie up points that someone else might want to rent from them, which is why I think a couple of days lead-time would be great!

Good point. Thanks guys. I think the two times of year and the resort I want are both popular from everything I have been reading on here so I will try to start eyeing things out early.

[DougEMG]

I would look as early as possible. The only downside to remember is that most owners won't give you a refund if your plans change and the further out you book the more chance of your plans changing.

[DSNY4ever]

Originally Posted by DougEMG

I would look as early as possible. The only downside to remember is that most owners won't give you a refund if your plans change and the further out you book the more chance of your plans changing.

Also true. (Knock on wood) I think once we pick our dates things will be pretty set in stone, unless something really unexpected happens! I am thinking in our case we might want to try David's vacation rentals or something for a better chance of getting exactly what we want, but I'll have to read up some more- thanks guys!

[chalee94]

here is one set of guidelines:

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

[DSNY4ever]

Originally Posted by chalee94

here is one set of guidelines:

http://www.dvcrequest.com/how_soon_should_i_reserve.htm

Thank you! That is exactly what I needed. And sure enough our first choice is listed under booking 11 months out- I had a feeling!