How does it work making a reservation 7 monthts out?

[disfanforlife]

Is it 7 months from date of check in? We have a reservation at AK for November, but are thinking of changing to BLT (if possible at 7 months). MIL is going with us and it will be her first Disney visit and we know she would absolutely love being near MK. So, how does it work when I call? Do I automatically give up my AK reservation before being able to book BLT? Or do they check availability and book it and then cancel the first reservation? I don't want to risk losing what we have and ending up with nothing. BTW, it is not peak time - we will be checking in on November 7th for one week. Thanks!

 

[jarestel]

Yes, it's 7 months from the checkin date. They'll check availability before they cancel and rebook for you.

Good luck!

 

[disfanforlife]

Yes, it's 7 months from the checkin date. They'll check availability before they cancel and rebook for you.

Good luck!

Thanks!

 

[RLRDA]

Is it 7 months from date of check in? We have a reservation at AK for November, but are thinking of changing to BLT (if possible at 7 months). MIL is going with us and it will be her first Disney visit and we know she would absolutely love being near MK. So, how does it work when I call? Do I automatically give up my AK reservation before being able to book BLT? Or do they check availability and book it and then cancel the first reservation? I don't want to risk losing what we have and ending up with nothing. BTW, it is not peak time - we will be checking in on November 7th for one week. Thanks!

They will check the availability first but I'll tell you my scenario and see if it applies to you.

I called yesterday to try to switch my BCV reservation to BLT for this coming August. There was availability for my dates but the CM reminded me that she would have to cancel my BCV res. (to free up those points) before she could book the BLT reservation. In the few minutes that it would take to do that there was the possibility that another CM would be booking those BLT dates for another member and I might not get the reservation. They cannot put a "hold" on dates while they do this. Fortunately, I was able to switch it to BLT. I've read posts in the past where members try to switch and end up losing the original reservation they had and the one they thought they could make.

If you happen to have enough points to book the BLT stay without cancelling your original reservation first, it might be worth doing that then cancelling AKV. November's a busy time - hopefully the CMs are all trained to go over this process, if not I would ask first so that you don't lose your AKV res.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[disfanforlife]

They will check the availability first but I'll tell you my scenario and see if it applies to you.

I called yesterday to try to switch my BCV reservation to BLT for this coming August. There was availability for my dates but the CM reminded me that she would have to cancel my BCV res. (to free up those points) before she could book the BLT reservation. In the few minutes that it would take to do that there was the possibility that another CM would be booking those BLT dates for another member and I might not get the reservation. They cannot put a "hold" on dates while they do this. Fortunately, I was able to switch it to BLT. I've read posts in the past where members try to switch and end up losing the original reservation they had and the one they thought they could make.

If you happen to have enough points to book the BLT stay without cancelling your original reservation first, it might be worth doing that then cancelling AKV. November's a busy time - hopefully the CMs are all trained to go over this process, if not I would ask first so that you don't lose your AKV res.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

Eeeks, that is what I was afraid of. I don't want to take a chance and lose my ressie. I would not have enough points to book the BLT stay without borrowing. I don't want to do that because once you borrow you can't put back in that same year. I would have enough points to book part of the trip, maybe I could do that - then cancel a few days then book the rest. Sounds complicated though. Will have to think about it. Here is my scenario with the points - have 200 banked points from 2008 using them plus 27 from 2009 for the week at AKV. So, I would have 173 current (2009) points that I could use to make the reservation, but I would need to switch some of them back assuming I get BLT I don't need an additional 173 for the 200 points from 2008. I am figuring either 283 for standard view or 313 for lake view, not even contemplating MV.

 

[RLRDA]

Eeeks, that is what I was afraid of. I don't want to take a chance and lose my ressie. I would not have enough points to book the BLT stay without borrowing. I don't want to do that because once you borrow you can't put back in that same year. I would have enough points to book part of the trip, maybe I could do that - then cancel a few days then book the rest. Sounds complicated though. Will have to think about it. Here is my scenario with the points - have 200 banked points from 2008 using them plus 27 from 2009 for the week at AKV. So, I would have 173 current (2009) points that I could use to make the reservation, but I would need to switch some of them back assuming I get BLT I don't need an additional 173 for the 200 points from 2008. I am figuring either 283 for standard view or 313 for lake view, not even contemplating MV.

It's something to consider and mull over. The CM seemed to be informing me as a disclaimer...."Just so that you're aware..." type of thing. I don't know if they are all trained to tell members this or if she was being thorough and covering herself. It was a crazy morning yesterday with all of the non-BLT and non-SSR members descending on Member Services. That might be why she made a point of stressing this point to me. If you are calling in April for your November reservation the number of members vying for your same reservation will probably be much lower than the number of callers yesterday.

 

[disfanforlife]

It's something to consider and mull over. The CM seemed to be informing me as a disclaimer...."Just so that you're aware..." type of thing. I don't know if they are all trained to tell members this or if she was being thorough and covering herself. It was a crazy morning yesterday with all of the non-BLT and non-SSR members descending on Member Services. That might be why she made a point of stressing this point to me. If you are calling in April for your November reservation the number of members vying for your same reservation will probably be much lower than the number of callers yesterday.

Thanks for the input, I think you are right there probably won't be as many callers on that day. I don't think it is one of the busiest weeks either as it is after Jersey week and Wine & Food, but long before Thanksgiving. Still the only way to be sure I get a reservation will be playing around with the points (I think) by using the current ones available and not borrowing any. We only go once a year, so I need to use the banked points first.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am someone who lost a reservation while trying to get a reservation that was available when we began the booking process. It was not at a particularly poplular time, June...we had BWV standard view for 5 or 6 nights, and we wanted VB stuido, or OV or GV inn room...we wanted the last 3 nights at VB. The 3 nights at VB were gone by the time they cancelled our last 3 nights BWV....the only thing they had to offer us was SSR studio for those last 3 nights. This was about 3 months before the reservation. 2 DAYS before we left for WDW, they did find us an OVIR at VB. Whew....now before I change...and I hardly ever change, I always ask not only if there is A room, but how "open" does it look.

Bobbi

 

[dgaston]

Today I switched from a 1 br at SSR to a 1br at BLT. The CM checked availability and let me know there were a few SV 1brs available as well as LV. We cancelled the SSR (returning the points) and then booked BLT (with those SSR points and borrowing a few more points). This is a surprise (at least until they get the confirmation) for my adult kids.

Older adults will be at Kidani in a dedicated 2 br.

It's gonna be a great 62nd and 60th birthday party, and pre-retirement bash.

 

[disfanforlife]

I am someone who lost a reservation while trying to get a reservation that was available when we began the booking process. It was not at a particularly poplular time, June...we had BWV standard view for 5 or 6 nights, and we wanted VB stuido, or OV or GV inn room...we wanted the last 3 nights at VB. The 3 nights at VB were gone by the time they cancelled our last 3 nights BWV....the only thing they had to offer us was SSR studio for those last 3 nights. This was about 3 months before the reservation. 2 DAYS before we left for WDW, they did find us an OVIR at VB. Whew....now before I change...and I hardly ever change, I always ask not only if there is A room, but how "open" does it look.

Bobbi

Thanks for the advice. I would call exactly at the 7 month mark and I will ask how "open" it looks too. Still being new to DVC - our first trip was to SSR in 11/08, I am nervous to make any changes. I am happy that we bought at AKV, but look forward to trying all of the DVC resorts. I wanted to go to AKV first, but we think Grandma will really love being next to MK and this will be her first and maybe only trip with us - she is not much of a traveler!

 

[disfanforlife]

Today I switched from a 1 br at SSR to a 1br at BLT. The CM checked availability and let me know there were a few SV 1brs available as well as LV. We cancelled the SSR (returning the points) and then booked BLT (with those SSR points and borrowing a few more points). This is a surprise (at least until they get the confirmation) for my adult kids.

Older adults will be at Kidani in a dedicated 2 br.

It's gonna be a great 62nd and 60th birthday party, and pre-retirement bash.

Glad it worked out for you. Sounds like it will be a great celebration!