Hello Diane!
Welcome to planDisney! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas is also my family’s first Home Resort! We have been Members for more than a decade and while we never get tired of Animal Kingdom Villas, we do enjoy staying at other
Disney Vacation Club Resorts. For us, that was one of the reasons we felt comfortable becoming Members. We knew, that while it would depend on availability, we would have the opportunity to stay at the other resorts. During our time as Members, we have stayed at almost every other DVC resort!
Diane, Disney Vacation Club Members may make reservations at their non-Home Resorts 7 months before check-in. For July dates, you would be looking at December. If you were wanting to check in on July 1, 2022, you would be able to book on December 1, 2021, for example. If you were wanting to check in on July 15, you would book on December 15, and so forth. If you ever need help knowing when you can book, you can sign into your online Disney Vacation Club Account, and under My DVC, select My Dashboard. Your Dashboard will show you your current and upcoming Vacation Points, any reservations you have booked, and below that there is a handy Booking Window Calculator. (Look next to the icon of the alarm clock!) Enter the date you wish to book into the calculator and it will tell you which date you can book both your Home Resort and any non-Home Resorts!
Diane, a few booking tips. First, know that July at
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will be popular, especially around the Independence Day holiday. If you can, be flexible on dates, and room type. Typically the 3 Bedroom Beach Cottages book quickly, especially by Members who have Disney’s Vero Beach Resort as their Home Resort, so it can be tough to book summer dates. Right now, while the Beach Cottages are booked for some nights, I still see good availability for other room types! Next, I would recommend you plan to book online, right at 8 AM Eastern, when the window opens. If you wait to call Member Services at 9 AM, the room you want may have already been booked by another Member using the online method. I also would not wait till later in the day for the same reason. Be signed in to your Disney Vacation Club account, have your dates and room type entered, and right at 8 AM you’ll want to hit the search button.
I hope this is helpful, Diane! I love helping my fellow Disney Vacation Club Members, so please feel free to send me any additional questions about your Membership or about planning your trip.
My family truly enjoyed Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and I hope you will too. PRO TIP: Pack bug spray, the no-see-um’s are wicked at sunset and sunrise!
Wishing you
Membership Magic!- Kate