Again the caveat is that IF they get the initial reservation. Booking less than 7 days initially reduces the chances of getting the reservation initially. The only reason not to book a full 7 days and drop later is if one doesn't have sufficient points to do so.
If the initial date for beginning the walk is available for 7 nights then it is available for less that 7 nights. OP will just have to make more calls to walk it.
They do if they book 7 nights earlier. I think you're assuming starting at the same time but I'm assuming you start earlier if booking 7 nights compared to less.
But the less than 7 nights would have been available earlier. 2 days earlier if only booking 5 nights. For someone one truly needs to walk, this could be critical.
In your scenario why would someone start the booking 2 days later just because they only are booking 5 nights?
Because it improves the chances of getting the 5 nights desired.
Nope.
Starting later might mean it lessens the chance of getting the 5 nights. (Might not too depending on what one is trying to get but if starting later improves the chance then the person booking with 7 nights would should also start later)
We'll have to disagree. If you and I want the same 5 nights and I start 2 days earlier than you, I have a better chance of getting it, if for no other reason, I have 2 chances to start.
It does. Remember the reason to walk is that it is difficult to get or at least you think it might be.
But I am not stupid enough to start 2 days later than you. I will start on the same day you start and I will only book 5 nights because I don't have enough points to book 7. But I will be sure to call and walk my reservation so that I keep adding days until I get to the dates I need. I'll have to make more calls than you, but I'll still get the nights I need.
That is the basis for my answer. Booking less than 7 days is inherently starting later than one could and it gives others the chance of shutting you out. Once you get the first night you should be set assuming you call before the next day opens up but your chances of getting the first night are less booking less than 7 nights out than a full 7 nights. Whether it matters for a given reservation depends on how early one starts and the relative demand of the reservation in question.
I understand the point, but IMO it's inherently later. In addition it also adds more phone calls if one walks for any length of time even if one gets it. But if one doesn't have the points to use that might be all one can do.
Oh I absolutely agree with you it is silly to only walk 5 days instead of 7 if you have the points avail and it would result in more phone calls/work for both the dvc member and member services . I was just commenting on that booking 5 vs 7 didn't matter to a "dedicated" walker and could accomplish the same objective.
My view is you're always 2 days later than you could be no matter how early you start, we're just looking at it from opposite ends. I'd agree is we start the same and and get the reservation, it's just more phone calls. I'd still suggest that no matter when you start, someone else could have booked those 5 days 2 days earlier than you started thus the chances of getting the first reservation is inherently less.
Nope.
So you would't agree that if you had called today at 8 am for 5 nights, those 5 nights could have been booked at 8 am Sunday as part of a 7 day booking? And had enough people done that such that there were no rooms available, you wouldn't be shut out to start today?
