Wondering about wait lists....

[tc0706]

As a new member I'm quickly learning, like I'm sure everyone else has, the value of making reservatios as early as possible. My family was planning a trip for early Dec 2008 and waited exactly for the 7 month window to book an epcot resort. AK is my home resort. Much to my suprise no availability anywhere except SS where we now have a reservation. I have asked to be put on the wait list for my preferred resort. My question, if anyone can answer, is it worth while to call MS to check for cancellations/availability, or will the database/computer system automatically change my reservation if anything comes up. Any advise would be appreciated!!!!!!


Tony, Connecticut...

[administrator]

As a new member I'm quickly learning, like I'm sure everyone else has, the value of making reservatios as early as possible. My family was planning a trip for early Dec 2008 and waited exactly for the 7 month window to book an epcot resort. AK is my home resort. Much to my suprise no availability anywhere except SS where we now have a reservation. I have asked to be put on the wait list for my preferred resort. My question, if anyone can answer, is it worth while to call MS to check for cancellations/availability, or will the database/computer system automatically change my reservation if anything comes up. Any advise would be appreciated!!!!!!


Tony, Connecticut...

It automatically changes it.

Check out THIS LINK. (http://www.mouseowners.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=212&Itemid=287)

[tomandrobin]

As a new member I'm quickly learning, like I'm sure everyone else has, the value of making reservatios as early as possible. My family was planning a trip for early Dec 2008 and waited exactly for the 7 month window to book an epcot resort. AK is my home resort. Much to my suprise no availability anywhere except SS where we now have a reservation. I have asked to be put on the wait list for my preferred resort. My question, if anyone can answer, is it worth while to call MS to check for cancellations/availability, or will the database/computer system automatically change my reservation if anything comes up. Any advise would be appreciated!!!!!!


Tony, Connecticut...

Welcome to MouseOwners!!!!

Peak DVC times are tough to book at the 7 month mark for certain resorts. I would wait list the resort you want. There is a long time between now and early December.

[robinb]

If you put yourself on the waitlist exactly at 7 months you have a very good chance of coming off the waitlist, IMO. Just be aware that the first week of December is a very popular time at DVC resorts with the combination of low Adventure Season point values and Holiday decorations. Be thankful that you have something because even SSR will be sold out shortly!

[Mary]

I thought you might want to consider a few resorts for your wait list. If you absolutely don't want the one that you have, list a few for the wait list. Whichever one comes through first, you will get it. This will greatly increase your chances to change the resort. I have never had a problem with a wait list from a 7 month window, though. Good luck and welcome! Mary

[greenban]

As a new member I'm quickly learning, like I'm sure everyone else has, the value of making reservatios as early as possible. My family was planning a trip for early Dec 2008 and waited exactly for the 7 month window to book an epcot resort. AK is my home resort. Much to my suprise no availability anywhere except SS where we now have a reservation. I have asked to be put on the wait list for my preferred resort. My question, if anyone can answer, is it worth while to call MS to check for cancellations/availability, or will the database/computer system automatically change my reservation if anything comes up. Any advise would be appreciated!!!!!!


Tony, Connecticut...

Yo Tony!!!

Welcome to MOs.

All of the advice you have received is correct. Before the automatic waitliat went into effect, yes calling day-by-day to check was a way to 'game' the system. You could get a cancellation before it went to the waitlist. But that no longer works. I point this out, because plently of older threads suggest doing that, but, alas, it no longer works.

Another 'technique' that worked very well, was to waitlist each day seperately, because individual dates usually become available before blocks of dates do. However, I am not sure if you can still do this. I did this for last December, under the new waitlist rules, but have not tried it since.

The advantage, much more likely to match individual days than an entire week in one sitting. The disadvantage, if you don't get *ALL* of your dates, you'll have to switch resorts (possibly more than once) during your stay.

Also, while I agree you have a very good chance for BWV and a good chance for BCV, if you absolutely, positively want to go there, consider waitlisting for a 1 bedroom, and be sure to check out if member cash nights are available. Most MS-Advisors do not check for member cash nights if you don't specifically ask!

Best of luck, and again welcome, December is my family's favorite time to visit the world, I find it extra magical!

-Tony

[pboyle002]

We own at SSR and did day-by-day reservations for a 2-bedroom villa at AKV at the 7-month window for a November vacation. Initially, we only were able to book 4 of the 7 days, and waitlisted individually for the other 3 days. We cleared the waitlist 2 days later for one of the days, and 2 weeks later for the 2nd waitlisted day. We're still waitlisted for the first day of our trip, but booked 2 studios at AKV as a backup.

People do change their plans and a lot of people who have waitlisted have been successful. You have a much better chance of clearing the waitlist if you waitlist separately for each day of your vacation as we did, however, as someone else mentioned, you run the risk of having to switch resorts, which is NOT pleasant. If you have enough points, the optimal approach is to keep your SSR ressie as a backup, and then do a day-by-day waitlist at your preferred resort (obviously, not everyone has the luxury of having enough points to be able to do this).

Good luck!