Anyone a homeowner for AKV & BWV?

[PianoWithSam]

BW view and P/G (Preferred) view are the same number of points, for historical reasons.

My theory is that the sooner the request is made, the better the chance of having it granted. But actually, it comes down to how many of the rooms that fit your request are being vacated the day you check in. So the larger the number of rooms that fit, the better your chances of receiving your request.

Okay, thank you!
Is there anything one can do to increase their chances?

 

[CarolynFH]

Okay, thank you!
Is there anything one can do to increase their chances?

Nothing that will guarantee success. I try to keep my requests to something that can be filled by a number of rooms - for instance, requesting Kudu trail if booking a standard view studio at Jambo. Also, if I have more than one request, I prioritize them clearly, because the more restrictive the requests are, the less likely any will be granted.

 

[sndral]

Thank you! This is good to know.

Is there any advantage getting a booking in early when it comes to putting in a reservation or is it completely random? As in, is one more likely to have a reservation request granted if they book the room at 11 months out rather than 7?

I may be misunderstanding your question, if you are asking about location requests, I don’t think it makes any difference when you make your location request to member services, as long as it’s noted/on record before the villas are assigned by the room assigner. I usually email my requests to member services a couple of months before my trips. & I’ve seen no evidence that renters/owners requests are treated differently.

 

[CarolynFH]

Would it be sensible to have BWV standard as plan A, preferred view as plan B and BCV as plan C, considering the latter two are the same number?

Assuming you’re wanting to book a studio, here are the stats: at BWV there are 52 standard view studios and 29 BW view but 164 P/G (Preferred) view. BCV has 110 studios. That’s why the standard view and BW view studios are so difficult to book and book up in seconds after 8:00 AM. So you can hope to rent a standard view or BW view, if you find an owner here on DISboards who’s willing to try for you, but it’s unlikely to find an owner through a broker who will try. So realistically you’re better off expecting to book a P/G view at BWV or a BCV studio.

 

[Sandisw]

Okay, thank you!
Is there anything one can do to increase their chances?

Just to clarify, DVC does not prioritize requests based on when an owner makes them. Putting in a request a month out has just as much of a chance to be gratned as one being put in 11 months in advance.

While I don't do requests anymore because I always want first available room that is ready in the category I reserved, the times when I did get my requests, they were times when they were last minute vs months out.

Just don't want you to get your hopes up...especially if what you are requesting is the same request that others would be putting in. If they do take the request at AKV standard for "partial savanannah" view, its probably one that many do which decreases the odds of getting it when there are not enough rooms to go around that match the request.

 

[DanCali]

Value studio at AKV is no joke when people say impossible.

It's hard, but at least there are 18 of them. So not as hard as the club level studios, of which there are only 5.

We've gotten both multiple times, so it's not impossible but it takes planning, determination, patience, and luck...

 

[robinb]

It's hard, but at least there are 18 of them. So not as hard as the club level studios, of which there are only 5.

We've gotten both multiple times, so it's not impossible but it takes planning, determination, patience, and luck...

Which, an owner is unlikely willing to do for a cheap price. OP, you may pay less for a Standard View at a lower price per point than a Value studio at a higher price per point. If you book a standard view at Jambo, you will be guaranteed a partial savannah view or pool view.

The BWV standard studio is easier, but like others have said you still need to find an owner to be willing to put the time into it for you.

 

[DanCali]

Which, an owner is unlikely willing to do for a cheap price. OP, you may pay less for a Standard View at a lower price per point than a Value studio at a higher price per point. If you book a standard view at Jambo, you will be guaranteed a partial savannah view or pool view.

AKV has 7 travel periods. In 5 of them Standard is about 50% more expensive than Value (and about 25% more expensive in the other two travel periods, the two most expensive ones). So someone renting Value at $25 from an owner is likely still paying less than someone renting Standard from an owner for $20, outside the two expensive travel periods.

IIRC about half of the Value studios have a (non-partial) savanna view? They just have smaller square footage (315 sq ft vs 365 sq ft).

 

[robinb]

AKV has 7 travel periods. In 5 of them Standard is about 50% more expensive than Value (and about 25% more expensive in the other two travel periods, the two most expensive ones). So someone renting Value at $25 from an owner is likely still paying less than someone renting Standard from an owner for $20, outside the two expensive travel periods.

Even using your numbers, the additional price is between $120 and $300 more per week for a standard view. What happens when the OP negotiates the $25 price but the owner can't get the value villa? Now he's stuck paying more for the standard view.

IIRC about half of the Value studios have a (non-partial) savanna view? They just have smaller square footage (315 sq ft vs 365 sq ft).

The Value studios are the ones at the front of the resort near the entrance. There are 8 pool views (Giraffe Trail), 8 Sunset savannah views (Ostrich Trail) and 2 parking lot views. The standard view studios are the other non-Giraffe Trail ones around the pool.

 

[DanCali]

Even using your numbers, the additional price is between $120 and $300 more per week for a standard view. What happens when the OP negotiates the $25 price but the owner can't get the value villa? Now he's stuck paying more for the standard view.

Renting a Value villa is only realistic via confirmed reservation or if someone is willing to walk a reservation for a renter (and able/lucky to grab it). I've seen owners on FB promise renters they can secure an Aulani hotel room or a AKV value room a few months into the future and those promises should definitely be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism...

 

[robinb]

Renting a Value villa is only realistic via confirmed reservation or if someone is willing to walk a reservation for a renter (and able/lucky to grab it). I've seen owners on FB promise renters they can secure an Aulani hotel room or a AKV value room a few months into the future and those promises should definitely be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism...

Yes. That’s one of the reasons why I suggested a standard view instead. Getting a value studio is very difficult, even with walking. It’s hard to get a toe into the calendar to start the walk. I am worried that the OP will pay someone a premium to try to get a value, fail and end up paying too much for a standard view.

 

[skier_pete]

Even using your numbers, the additional price is between $120 and $300 more per week for a standard view. What happens when the OP negotiates the $25 price but the owner can't get the value villa? Now he's stuck paying more for the standard view.



The Value studios are the ones at the front of the resort near the entrance. There are 8 pool views (Giraffe Trail), 8 Sunset savannah views (Ostrich Trail) and 2 parking lot views. The standard view studios are the other non-Giraffe Trail ones around the pool.

View attachment 882034

This statement is incorrect. When originally opened there were much fewer standard views at AK, but several rooms were reclassified a while ago because of complaints, and now there are more "Standard" views that have a partial/total savannah view. See below photo for a rough diagram of where the views are. Some of them in theory are full view of savannah but are either far away or partially block.

 

[robinb]

This statement is incorrect. When originally opened there were much fewer standard views at AK, but several rooms were reclassified a while ago because of complaints, and now there are more "Standard" views that have a partial/total savannah view. See below photo for a rough diagram of where the views are. Some of them in theory are full view of savannah but are either far away or partially block.

View attachment 882119

Whoops! You’re right. I was hurrying out the door. I was only focused on the pool view and not the partial savanna views. I’ve been a AKV member since the very start. I remember when people were peeved with spending savanna view points on “people pen” views and they changed things around.

 

[Mle8308]

Hope this all works out for you! It may have been mentioned, I didn't read every response too closely. When renting points, you have to be sure of your dates and that you will be travelling because the cost is not refundable. A few of the rental sites will give you a credit for a future stay, but you will not get any of your money back. Most owners require the entire amount at the time of booking if doing a private rental. If you go through Facebook, absolutely do your research, there are some horrible stories of people paying for their trip and then checking in only to discover they have no reservation. The renters here on this board are more reliable. One other thing to remember is if you book using DVC points, you do not get daily housekeeping. It is every 4th day. For most, that is not a bad tradeoff for the money spent/saved. It's more popular than ever to rent points, with many bloggers talking about it, it's still a good savings, but sometimes you can get a room through Disney with a discount that is almost the same price. And that way, you do get a cancellation policy and don't have to pay for it all up front. Keep your options open!

 

[PianoWithSam]

Thank you everybody for your help. It really is appreciated.

Even using your numbers, the additional price is between $120 and $300 more per week for a standard view. What happens when the OP negotiates the $25 price but the owner can't get the value villa? Now he's stuck paying more for the standard view.



The Value studios are the ones at the front of the resort near the entrance. There are 8 pool views (Giraffe Trail), 8 Sunset savannah views (Ostrich Trail) and 2 parking lot views. The standard view studios are the other non-Giraffe Trail ones around the pool.

View attachment 882034

If staying in a value studio, is the ostrich trail side of the resort a request one can put in? I remember a previous commenter saying that a savannah view is pot luck.

 

[PianoWithSam]

BCV only has one view category. Even though BWV have alot more studios than BCV, the amount of standard and BW view studios is lower than how BCV studios are available. I think that helps make BC a little easier at 11 months.
Number of studios:
BCV - 110
BWV - 246, but 165 of those are Pool/garden, then there 29 BW view and 52 standard.

An extra complication is some of these are part of 2BR lockoff unit, here’s a full breakdown:
https://www.dvchelp.com/page/all-resorts-overview

We prefer Jambo too! Kidani was fine but we try for Jambo first because everything feels more convenient.

Value is basically impossible. Very popular for owners to try, but even rare for them. This room is #1 target for people renting confirmed reservations due to highest profit per point (BW std studio is #2). These prolific renters have advantages of experience, methods and tools of the trade that typical owners stand little chance unfortunately.


Renting from 2 owners is fine. There’s not much difference if you rent from one or two owners. The 11 month window will happen on 2 different dates, so even one owner of both resorts can get in 8am for both bookings.

Would you mind clarifying what you mean when you say the 11 month window happens on 2 different dates? I thought it was the same for all the home owners at that resort.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

Thank you everybody for your help. It really is appreciated.




If staying in a value studio, is the ostrich trail side of the resort a request one can put in? I remember a previous commenter saying that a savannah view is pot luck.

IIRC you cannot make room requests for value rooms.

 

[drusba]

Thank you everybody for your help. It really is appreciated.




If staying in a value studio, is the ostrich trail side of the resort a request one can put in? I remember a previous commenter saying that a savannah view is pot luck.

MS does not take location requests for value rooms. For a studio, you can request a dedicated studio (one not connected to a 1BR). If granted, that would assure you do not get the parking lot view.

 

[CarolynFH]

Would you mind clarifying what you mean when you say the 11 month window happens on 2 different dates? I thought it was the same for all the home owners at that resort.

They were talking about what would happen if you ended up needing to contract with two different owners, one to book the first seven days and a different owner to book the last seven days of your 14 day stay. In that case the 11 month window for the first week would open on one date, and the 11 month window for the second week would open on a different date.

Having to book with two separate owners is a very real possibility for a 14 day stay, because relatively few owners have enough points to book 14 nights. Some do, but again it is relatively few.

 

[sndral]

Would you mind clarifying what you mean when you say the 11 month window happens on 2 different dates? I thought it was the same for all the home owners at that resort.

If you are staying at 2 different resorts - what we typically call a split stay, you will have 2 different reservations. You can book your first resort at exactly 11 months w/ home resort points (up to a max of 7 nights.) Then you wait to exactly 11 months out from the start of your stay at your second resort to book w/ home resort points for that resort.
In your scenario, for example, an owner of AKV points could book today for the AKV stay checking in 7/7/25 & checking out 7/14, but you’d have to wait until 8/14/24 for a BWV owner to book the second part of your stay checking in to Boardwalk 7/14/25 & checking out 7/21/25.