What do you do when you can't get the view you want at exactly 11 months out?

[TLinden16]

I’m just curious what others would do in this situation. My home resort is the Boardwalk, and I have always been able to get Boardwalk view studios for December. I have traditionally started my stays in the middle of a week.

Well, I called today, and tried to get the Boardwalk view studio, and there was not one available for the night I would like to start my trip. Since my stay is starting on a Tuesday, I’m not really surprised that it wasn’t available, but it is disappointing to be the first caller to a member services rep on the day exactly 11 months out and not be able to get the view that I would like.

I wound up booking the preferred view room for a seven night stay, and went on a waitlist for the Boardwalk view, hoping that there are walkers out there, and that waitlist will come through.

Now, I’m wondering if I’m better off booking a one night stay, and trying for the Boardwalk view again tomorrow, and continuing to try to get that Boardwalk view reservation until I get it (which I’m guessing would happen at least by the Friday of my stay, if not sooner). I do not think I’d have a problem adding on the preferred view studio night by night at exactly 11 months out.

Do we know exactly how the waitlist works? Let’s say a walker called and cancelled a Boardwalk room right after I made my reservation. Does the waitlist automatically pick up on that and give that room to the next person on the waitlist? Or does it check at certain points of the day, so that potentially someone who called right after the walker cancelled can book that room even though there are people waiting for that room?

Ideally, I want the Boardwalk view for the entire stay, but I don’t mind switching rooms once during the stay if I have to.

Logically, my brain is telling me to make it a one night reservation, and trying to get the Boardwalk view room each morning until I can get it, and adding on the next night at the preferred view if I don’t get it.

So what would you do (of have you done) if you were in this situation?

 

[KellyDVC]

Sounds like you're dealing with the impact of the change in reserving 11 months out. I believe you can now book up to 14 days out from the start date of your reservation, meaning I could book today 1/7, a reservation for 12/7-21st. So people have been booking "your" vacation dates for two weeks now, not just two days ago. Next year I would book your dates as soon as that 14 day window has your dates in it and then cancel the earlier dates later - yes, its gaming the system but I also say play...or cry foul, but I prefer the tearless option.

I would think the waitlist will come through, although that first two weeks is the most popular time for us DVCers - with the low crowds, holiday decorations, and the annual meetings.

Good Luck.

Brian

 

[Disneycouple99]

The waitlist needs to have all the days available, so I would try tomorrow for the rest ot your vacation of BW view then just waitlist for the one day.

 

[work2play]

Sounds like you're dealing with the impact of the change in reserving 11 months out. I believe you can now book up to 14 days out from the start date of your reservation, meaning I could book today 1/7, a reservation for 12/7-21st. So people have been booking "your" vacation dates for two weeks now, not just two days ago. Next year I would book your dates as soon as that 14 day window has your dates in it and then cancel the earlier dates later - yes, its gaming the system but I also say play...or cry foul, but I prefer the tearless option.

I would think the waitlist will come through, although that first two weeks is the most popular time for us DVCers - with the low crowds, holiday decorations, and the annual meetings.

Good Luck.

Brian

Wow is that how it works now? I must have missed the move to 14 days. Looks like that is the best option to make sure you get the dates you want. I have a similar situation where I want to arrive on a Monday and do not want to move rooms, so I am going to use the advise of booking as early as the 14 day window opens that cover the dates I want.

 

[Disneycouple99]

Wow is that how it works now? I must have missed the move to 14 days. Looks like that is the best option to make sure you get the dates you want. I have a similar situation where I want to arrive on a Monday and do not want to move rooms, so I am going to use the advise of booking as early as the 14 day window opens that cover the dates I want.

I still think you can only book up to 7 days at 11 month window.

 

[dparksfan]

I held my breath booking BLT at 11 mos. exactly, and since I'm on the west coast I had to book at 6am...I got the view I wanted but with very few rooms, it could have easily been your situation. You have to think some are going to switch resorts at the 7 mos mark, so that's hopeful. On a related subject, just booked our flights using miles, at 330 days out (when they are released), and United makes you wait until your return day to book your round trip. So every day I checked our outgoing flight choices, waiting for my end date to be released, and every day flights disappeared, by the time I could book our flights, everything was gone except getting in very late to MCO or the red eye the night before. I booked the red eye Very disappointed that at such a far out booking, I had very little choice...

 

[eliza61]

the Boardwalk view again tomorrow, and continuing to try to get that Boardwalk view reservation until I get it (which I’m guessing would happen at least by the Friday of my stay, if not sooner). I do not think I’d have a problem adding on the preferred view studio night by night at exactly 11 months out.

So what would you do (of have you done) if you were in this situation?

I probably book my entire vacation at the preferred view. Is it a horrible view?

 

[TLinden16]

Sounds like you're dealing with the impact of the change in reserving 11 months out. I believe you can now book up to 14 days out from the start date of your reservation, meaning I could book today 1/7, a reservation for 12/7-21st. So people have been booking "your" vacation dates for two weeks now, not just two days ago. Next year I would book your dates as soon as that 14 day window has your dates in it and then cancel the earlier dates later - yes, its gaming the system but I also say play...or cry foul, but I prefer the tearless option.

I would think the waitlist will come through, although that first two weeks is the most popular time for us DVCers - with the low crowds, holiday decorations, and the annual meetings.

Good Luck.

Brian

It up to 14 days? I must have missed that.

The thing that stinks about having to book earlier out is just playing around with points. I don't have enough BW points to book two full weeks without borrowing, so I have to figure out how many nights I can book based on current use year.

I'm guessing that I will most likely be able to get a Boardwalk view at some point, and it's going to be easier to get it on a shorter reservation than a longer one.

Karen

 

[TLinden16]

I probably book my entire vacation at the preferred view. Is it a horrible view?

It's not a horrible view. I just prefer a Boardwalk view room.

 

[crisi]

We'd just book preferred view. I'm not messing with a waitlist or frequent phone calls for a view. Not worth it to me.

 

[work2play]

I checked on the 14 days, here is the latest:

"From eleven (11) months through and including eight (8) months in advance of their desired check in day, plus up to seven (7) consecutive days after the desired check in day, Club Members have exclusive access to reservations at their Home Resort. During the Home Resort Priority Period, only Club Members who have Ownership Interests at the Home Resort and who are using Home Resort Vacation Points will be able to request reservations at their Home Resort."

If you are going for less than 7 days, then you can can book at the 7 days in advance and drop the days you do not need later. I guess the strategy changes based on how popular the days are before you plan to arrive. I think that Sunday arrivals are the most popular for DVC since the points required drop, so my guess would be that you should always start with the Sunday before you plan to arrive and add on the days you need when you can....

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm another one who just can't be bothered trying to 'work' the system in order to get a particular view. I do know that I never had any trouble getting a boardwalk view studio before the new booking criteria went into effect. Now, it would seem that there are a lot of people who are booking stays as early as humanly possible so as to get the exact view they want....then, they start dropping days that they don't need. This does make it harder for those of us who just want their 5 nights in the area they want. Now, we have to be dependent on the waitlist system...and that drives me nuts.
So...tomorrow, when I call MS, right on the day I should be calling, I'll probably not be able to get either a standard or boardwalk view...those being my two favorite areas. But, I'll be fine with the preferred view in any case.
I sometimes wonder if this would continue to be an issue if Disney changed the points for a boardwalk view. Maybe it's time to make them a point or two more expensive..yeah, I know. Be careful what I wish for. But something needs to change. People booking dates they have no intention of using and taking those views out of the sytem until they drop them, is just causing issues for others.
I know that when guests make ADRs that they have no intention of keeping, but since they aren't really sure where they'll be, they make several for the same day, but in diferent parks...well, everyone got in a big ole brouhaha.

 

[DebbieB]

Did you ask if standard view was available? That would be my second choice. I'd rather save the points than get a preferred pool/garden. If standard was not available, then I'd book preferred and waitlist.

I've been lucky under this new system and never had that happen. I think it's because my stays always start on Saturday.

 

[TLinden16]

Did you ask if standard view was available? That would be my second choice. I'd rather save the points than get a preferred pool/garden. If standard was not available, then I'd book preferred and waitlist.

I've been lucky under this new system and never had that happen. I think it's because my stays always start on Saturday.

When I called, I was told they only had preferred view available.

I was chatting with Goofy4Tink about this on the phone a little while ago, and agree with a lot of what she says.

I have to admit I do like being able to make one call to get a seven night stay, but it is disappointing to not be able to get exactly what I want under this system the day my 11 month window opens when I was always able to get it under the old system.

I had a similar situation last year. I was booking a Sunday to Sunday stay. I didn't call right at 9:00 the first day, so I didn't get the BW view. I booked a preferred, and was able to get a BW view for the rest of my stay. Within a week, the waitlist had come through on the first night.

Ultimately, I do think I'll end up with a BW view for my trip (at least part of it), it's just trying to decide the best way to try to get it.

 

[TLinden16]

Sounds like you're dealing with the impact of the change in reserving 11 months out. I believe you can now book up to 14 days out from the start date of your reservation, meaning I could book today 1/7, a reservation for 12/7-21st. So people have been booking "your" vacation dates for two weeks now, not just two days ago. Next year I would book your dates as soon as that 14 day window has your dates in it and then cancel the earlier dates later - yes, its gaming the system but I also say play...or cry foul, but I prefer the tearless option.

I jsut got off the phone with member services, and they told me that it is still 7 nights from your check-in date.

Also, I wound up switching to a one night reservation, and will try again tomorrow. The cast member I spoke with double checked, and she got excited because there was a BW view studio available for every night but the 7th, but then she realized (as I already knew) that the system wouldn't let her book it because I didn't have a BW view studio for the night of the 7th.

So, I'll be on the phone at 9:00 tomorrow to try again.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ahhh, so we'll both be on the phone at 9 tomorrow. Let the battle begin. Then again, I don't care as much as you do!!! Of course that means I'll get the boardwalk view and you won't!!! Kidding.

 

[TLinden16]

Ahhh, so we'll both be on the phone at 9 tomorrow. Let the battle begin. Then again, I don't care as much as you do!!! Of course that means I'll get the boardwalk view and you won't!!! Kidding.

If that happens, I'll smack you silly, my friend

 

[goofy4tink]

Ooooh...I'm feeling the love, just feeling the love!!

 

[kimberh]

Well you all scared me off this computer and onto the phone. I just booked my Dec trip. I needed a two bedroom at VWL and I got it!!! I was so relieved, my grandchildren are counting on me. Now, I just hope I have booked the right dates with my daughter.

 

[LisaS]

People booking dates they have no intention of using and taking those views out of the system until they drop them, is just causing issues for others.

I agree Diane. Walking a reservation bothers me for the reason you mention -- it ties up inventory, making things difficult for other members and forcing them to make multiple calls and use the waitlist. I hope you and Karen will keep us posted on how things turn out.