Hi there, Zachary! Welcome to planDisney - it's a pleasure to welcome a fellow
Disney Vacation Club Member! As someone who loves planning our family vacations well in advance, I definitely relate to your question and appreciate wanting to get your (Donald) ducks in a row. I'm happy to offer my best tips for locking down your preferred accommodations for 2028!
As a nurse, I always have to think far ahead for our travel plans. DVC works really well for us since we can start making reservations 11 months out for our Home Resort! When it gets to the 7-month mark when you can start booking at any DVC resort, availability can be trickier. Be sure to double-check when that 7-month window opens so you can be ready to book. Since you're trying to reserve multiple cabins, I recommend calling
Member Services to assist.
January is typically a slower month at
Walt Disney World after the holidays wrap up, although you can expect large crowds for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. The 2028 race weekend dates haven't been released yet, but keep an eye on the
runDisney calendar as that will definitely affect your chances of booking the accommodations you want. If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, that will also increase your options.
It's also wise to stay open to other resorts beyond
The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Larger resorts like
Old Key West and
Saratoga Springs often have availability at the 7-month mark, with a range of room options from Deluxe Studios to 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.
One other option is exchanging your
Vacation Points for Reservation Points to stay at a
Disney Collection hotel. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities, as you can use your points for any of the Walt Disney World hotels that have availability for your travel dates. Check out the
Points Charts to get an idea of how many points you would need. If you have your heart set on those Fort Wilderness vibes, this might make a stay at the
Fort Wilderness campsites or
Disney's Wilderness Lodge a possibility. Keep in mind that a points exchange must be completed by Member Services and carries a one-time, non-refundable fee (currently $95, subject to change).
Zachary, I'll be wishing on the Evening Star that you can snag those reservations for your trip! Thanks so much for visiting planDisney, and please come back again if we can help with any other questions for your 2028 travels or any of the ins and outs of DVC Membership.
Welcome Home!
Susan