Making an online reservation...

[CustardTart]

I just wanted to say how incredibly easy making my June 2010 BLT reservation via the online request form proved to be. :thumbsup2

As I wasn't going to be around during the day my 7 month window opened, I originally submitted an online request out of necessity. I took care to include in the 'more info' box exactly how I wanted my points to be used and then timed it so the request would arrive the night before my booking window opened but whilst MS were closed so they would open it 1st thing...

By the time I returned from my day out, I had received an email confirming my 1st choice of accommodation for 7 nights BUT also telling me that they hadn't been able to complete my final 2 nights of the 9 requested. I was advised to phone MS to add the final two nights to the booking a couple of days later...

However, as this date coincided with the general opening of booking for DCL's Dream, I decided to submit another online ressie form. This time I included my original confirmation no. in the 'more info' box and later that evening received another confirmation email - we were all set!!! I know this isn't peak season but I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and over the moon to get BLT at 7 months...

Also I wanted to post to see if I could get rid of the ad that's annoyingly popped up on the DVC UK page... ;)

[wickesy]

10 out of 10 for Member Services :thumbsup2


Also I wanted to post to see if I could get rid of the ad that's annoyingly popped up on the DVC UK page... ;)

10 out of 10 for you too. :thumbsup2

[Hilary]

That's really interesting :thumbsup2

I have to admit that I've shied away from trying the online request form as I'd assumed that the emails would take second place to someone phoning in person, and that emails may get opened only when there was a lull in the phone calls coming in to MS.

Your experience has certainly made it sound a more promising option than I imagined it to be.

[CustardTart]

That's really interesting :thumbsup2

I have to admit that I've shied away from trying the online request form as I'd assumed that the emails would take second place to someone phoning in person, and that emails may get opened only when there was a lull in the phone calls coming in to MS.

Your experience has certainly made it sound a more promising option than I imagined it to be.

I've done it before, Hilary - at my 11th month window for VWL in May 2008 and when we booked the Disneyland Hotel on points. It's been a 100% success for me... I shall even give it a go for my next booking - Christmas/NY week at VWL!!! Now that'll be a real test!!!

I'll keep you updated as to how I get on... :thumbsup2

[wideeyes]

I use online booking too, also for altering bookings and changing information etc and found it very good.

[Claire L]

Just got an email reply to my online request from yesterday that my first choice is booked :)

So have a savanna view studio in Kidani Village from Oct 10th to 22nd, now to find who to go with :teeth:

It was a very simple process and would do it again for a non peak time.

Claire ;)

[CustardTart]

Cool!!! I'm glad it worked for you too, Claire... :thumbsup2 Hope to be trying it again soon...

Looks I might be there at the same time as you - my DH's getting cold feet about going for Christmas/New Year and has suggested October half term as an alternative... :goodvibes

[Claire L]

Cool!!! I'm glad it worked for you too, Claire... :thumbsup2 Hope to be trying it again soon...

Looks I might be there at the same time as you - my DH's getting cold feet about going for Christmas/New Year and has suggested October half term as an alternative... :goodvibes

If I keep those dates will be coming home just before half term, to miss the increased airfare! But would be great to meet some Dissers again :)

Claire ;)

[CustardTart]

If I keep those dates will be coming home just before half term, to miss the increased airfare! But would be great to meet some Dissers again :)

Claire ;)

My DS gets two weeks in October so we're looking at October 17th - 27th 2010... :flower3:

[Claire L]

My DS gets two weeks in October so we're looking at October 17th - 27th 2010... :flower3:

Oh sounds like there could be a Dis meet in the planning then :)

Claire ;)

[CustardTart]

Oh sounds like there could be a Dis meet in the planning then :)

Claire ;)

Cool! Just trying to pin my DH down with dates now... :rolleyes: :headache: ;)

[arielrocks]

Oh sounds like there could be a Dis meet in the planning then :)

Claire ;)


We have just booked 11th - 22nd october:cool1::cool1::cool1:

[saratogagirl]

We were in Cuba when our eleven month window opened, I dreaded the cost of how much a telephone call from Cuba to member services would be. Instead I got a ten peso internet card and made use of the hotels internet service. It was so easy requested what I wanted and like Karen gave details in the special request box. The next day I used the card again and the four of us had a huge celebration when we discovered we had a Treehouse Villa for the seven nights I requested. I had to log on again at the end of the trip to request the last four nights, when I got home and checked my e-mail we had got those to. October 24th for eleven nights watch out Treehouses the Smiths and Williams are coming!!!

[TheBlundells]

We have also used the online reservation system and were very pleased with the turn-around.

[Brandis]

Looks like Animal Kingdom Villas are in high demand for October. I hope to get a 2-BR at Kidani with Savannah view as a honeymoon gift for our friends (we are going with them tough, so it is not all that unselfish) for Oct. 2-9.

As our home resort is Bay Lake Tower, I just did a reservation there to have something for sure. 2-BR standard view are all gone already, so I had to settle for lake view, with standard view waitlisted.

Once the 7-month window opens, I'll try the reservation form as well to get Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Villas as second choice.

[CustardTart]

Looks like Animal Kingdom Villas are in high demand for October. I hope to get a 2-BR at Kidani with Savannah view as a honeymoon gift for our friends (we are going with them tough, so it is not all that unselfish) for Oct. 2-9.

As our home resort is Bay Lake Tower, I just did a reservation there to have something for sure. 2-BR standard view are all gone already, so I had to settle for lake view, with standard view waitlisted.

Once the 7-month window opens, I'll try the reservation form as well to get Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Villas as second choice.

Good luck!!! :thumbsup2

Next time I plan to use the reservation form will be on May 21st when I hope to secure 6 nights in a studio at Villas at Grand Californian for Easter 2011... :goodvibes

[Brandis]

Used the online reservation as well for a "whim of the moment" booking in May. I found some good airfares and decided I could use our membership already before the october trip. Since I can only book the flight once my credit card bill has been paid off in the next couple of days, I thought since I'm not so much in a hurry to book at DVC, I could use the online form as well.

1st choice: Standard view studio at AKL (still called before and checked availability and Value studios were fully booked).

2nd choice: Standard view studio at BWV

3rd choice: Standard view studio at VWL (there is only fields for 1st and 2nd choice, so I just put in the 3rd choice in the comment field)

If that still doesn't work out, I still can try OKW or SSR, I'm pretty sure I will get something eventually.

[Brandis]

Got an email back yesterday evening and even though all 3 of my choices were booked it still worked for me, since they added in the mail that the only (and very limited availability) they still had on Studios in my time frame were:

- Value studio at Animal Kingdom, Kidani House
- Studio at Old Key West
- Studio at Saratoga Springs

So I called them right away and got the value studio. After that I also did my dining reservations and pretty much got everything I wanted:

1. Day: Late dinner at Boma, since we will be tired from the flight and it's not too far to the room after dinner.

2. Day: Dinner at California Grill, timed just right so we can watch Wishes from the Verandah before having dinner.

3. Day: Dinner at Rose & Crown Pub, timed just right to watch Illuminations after dinner, either from the pub's verandah or if seated inside we won't have to walk far to see it.

4. Day: Pretty early dinner (4:45 PM) at 50's Prime Time Cafe. Would have preferred 6ish but the only later time slot would have been 7:50. This would have been too late since we want to see Fantasmic.

[CustardTart]

Got an email back yesterday evening and even though all 3 of my choices were booked it still worked for me, since they added in the mail that the only (and very limited availability) they still had on Studios in my time frame were:

- Value studio at Animal Kingdom, Kidani House
- Studio at Old Key West
- Studio at Saratoga Springs
That's very useful to know! :thumbsup2

So I called them right away and got the value studio. After that I also did my dining reservations and pretty much got everything I wanted:

1. Day: Late dinner at Boma, since we will be tired from the flight and it's not too far to the room after dinner.

2. Day: Dinner at California Grill, timed just right so we can watch Wishes from the Verandah before having dinner.

3. Day: Dinner at Rose & Crown Pub, timed just right to watch Illuminations after dinner, either from the pub's verandah or if seated inside we won't have to walk far to see it.

4. Day: Pretty early dinner (4:45 PM) at 50's Prime Time Cafe. Would have preferred 6ish but the only later time slot would have been 7:50. This would have been too late since we want to see Fantasmic.

Great result and cool ADRs - have a fab trip... :goodvibes

[CustardTart]

Just submitted an online request for next January. My DD and I are booked on the Inaugural Dream cruise so I'm hoping to get a 2 bed at VWL for the 4 nights preceding it... :goodvibes

[Brandis]

Good luck!

Besides the trip described above, I am also booked for 7 days at BLT in October, though at the 7 month deadline I will try to get either AKL or VWL but for that I will call to make sure I get through as early as possible.

[CustardTart]

Good luck!

Besides the trip described above, I am also booked for 7 days at BLT in October, though at the 7 month deadline I will try to get either AKL or VWL but for that I will call to make sure I get through as early as possible.

Thanks! :thumbsup2 We are all set!!! :cool1:

I submitted the request on the morning of our 11 month window so it arrived before DVC Member Services opened. It took a little longer to receive confirmation than I've experienced before - had to try really hard not to bite my fingernails for 24 hours!!! :laughing:

Hope you get what you want once the 7 month window rolls around.. We're thinking we'll try and switch our reservation to BWV but TBH 4 nights in VWL is no hardship!!! :goodvibes

[LORNA ANN]

We are currently booked in 2 bedroom at SSR but are hoping at our 7 mth window to be able to change to BLT standard view (Dont have enough points for lake view unless we pay for some nights) for last 2 wks of October not feeling very positive reading this think standard views go quickly. We need it for 2wks dont want to move might be difficult getting all 14 nights is it easier to get into BC or BWV?

[Brandis]

Lorna,

I wanted to book 2BR standard view at BLT for the first week of October but they were fully booked, so I had to book a 2BR lake view but am waitlisted for standard view. However, I will try to get something else anyway as soon as the 7 months deadline comes up.

[LORNA ANN]

I thought it wouldbe difficult what with it being halloween & the food &wine festival but was keeping everything crossed now might have to think of somewhere else we are taking my DM with us her first time to WDW & first time on a plane for 25 yrs should be fun !! So looking for the perfect resort, I know no matter what she will be impressed just liked the idea of BLT.Maybe need some pixie dust or a gallon of the stuff lol !!