Poly/GF availability. Should I keep my hopes down?

[Torsie24]

Not booking for a couple of years but now planning a big trip.

We’d like to have 1 night (arrival) at either the Poly or GF in a studio.

But am I ok to have that as a loose plan or do they disappear at 11 months as soon as they’re released?

(I’d be using either DVC request or renting points from someone so can’t know if I’d be able to get it as a home resort.)

[murdi]

Just a thought but first night is always a tired one, for us certainly and a bit of a wash out. A lovely hotel would be wasted but maybe that's just us.

[YorkshireT]

Poly is available at 7 months 'off season' basically Jan to beginning of September. It will likely not be available other times at 7 months. But assume you will line up an owner by contacting Davids early- if you are booking any time 10-11 months out you will be OK.
VGF you have to be lucky for a studio at 7 months off season- but you can land them in summer if you are lucky (summer seems to be quietest DVC time nowadays).
VGF 1 beds can be booked in off season no problem at 7 months.
Again though if you line up an owner to book around the 11 month mark, they will not likely go at 8am ET 11 months out- it will take a few weeks even at peak times.

[Guest]

I’d be less worried about one night. It depends on the time of year though. We’ve booked two trips around Run Disney events and the nights just never come back. We got 4 nights in May at VGF in 2016 booking around 6 months out.

[LISAM]

We got 8 night at the start of June in a studio at the Poly last year 7 months out. Loved it

[BarryandCaron]

I’ve managed to book two studios at the Poly for five nights, mid September. I booked them bang on 7 months though.

[Torsie24]

Really helpful - thanks so much everyone.

I think maybe one night Poly will be the perfect way to introduce our little girl to WDW.

Then looking likely that we'll move to POR/FQ for a fortnight.

[Moogles Smith]

We have just returned from 11 nights at the GF booked at 7 months, 22nd May - 2nd June.

We have visited the GF loads over the years for a walkaround, food, drink, watching the fireworks from the boat dock etc but to stay there is a total different experience and probably the best on site stay we have ever had, loved it.