11-month Booking Strategy

[EatMoreVeg]

I've been trying for several weeks to snag a value room at AKV. In the past, I've had good luck booking hard to get rooms (AKV CL, BWV Standard Studios) right at the 11 month window using the time.gov website as a countdown to the 8 AM EST booking window opening. Recently, when I've tried it, I'm constantly getting the error message that the booking window isn't open yet. By the time I refresh, I can sometimes still see the room available, but by the time I scroll down to select 'Book', the room is gone. Usually, what I do, is set up the search so I can see the availability come up, and then select 'Book' right when the clock hits 8 AM. I've even tried waiting 1-2 seconds afterwards to see if I'm somehow clicking it too soon, but alas, I've been blocked out every time.

I'm wondering if I can't even do the initial search first anymore? Does that all have to be done right at 8 AM to get the room availability to be active, and then it's a race to who can book the room first?

Anyone have any insights, tips or tricks to share?

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

There may be a trick to it but I've never seen someone share it.

 

[disfanforlife]

The same thing happened to me when I was trying to book BWV recently at the 11 month window. I just kept trying for a few days and got lucky getting a standard studio. I just figured my timing was off, but who knows luckily, my dates were fLexible. I wasn’t trying to walk the reservation but just looking to get a Week and started with the earliest date I wanted to go and ended up getting a couple days after it.
good luck to you!

 

[DaveNan]

I've been trying for several weeks to snag a value room at AKV. In the past, I've had good luck booking hard to get rooms (AKV CL, BWV Standard Studios) right at the 11 month window using the time.gov website as a countdown to the 8 AM EST booking window opening. Recently, when I've tried it, I'm constantly getting the error message that the booking window isn't open yet. By the time I refresh, I can sometimes still see the room available, but by the time I scroll down to select 'Book', the room is gone. Usually, what I do, is set up the search so I can see the availability come up, and then select 'Book' right when the clock hits 8 AM. I've even tried waiting 1-2 seconds afterwards to see if I'm somehow clicking it too soon, but alas, I've been blocked out every time.

I'm wondering if I can't even do the initial search first anymore? Does that all have to be done right at 8 AM to get the room availability to be active, and then it's a race to who can book the room first?

Anyone have any insights, tips or tricks to share?

You gut is likely right. A couple of years ago I think they made an "upgrade". I used to be able to search before 8AM and at 8AM I could "continue". Now, I can't search until 8AM sharp. Based on some folks comments they can still search before 8AM..... It may have something to do with browser settings, privacy settings, cache settings.... but I have not been able to find the magic combination to allow me to search prior to 8AM. Best of luck to you......

 

[iheartglaciers]

I’ve been running into the same problem. I used to use the same strategy as you with pretty good results. But now I’ve resorted to just pressing search at 8am and then trying to go through the rest as fast as possible. I’ve had mixed results.

 

[ak517]

I once walked a value studio for weeks because I just accidentally got it at 8AM when I was practicing. Although still requires some luck and I can’t for the life of me remember if I was able to search before 8AM or not, I would recommend starting to attempt to make a reservation weeks before you need it because you’re bound to get it at one point.

I also have had luck with waitlists opening up a few weeks after the 11-month window. I just put them in as soon as I know my dates and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

There may be a trick to it but I've never seen someone share it.

Lol fair enough. I just thought we were all friends here

 

[EatMoreVeg]

The same thing happened to me when I was trying to book BWV recently at the 11 month window. I just kept trying for a few days and got lucky getting a standard studio. I just figured my timing was off, but who knows luckily, my dates were fLexible. I wasn’t trying to walk the reservation but just looking to get a Week and started with the earliest date I wanted to go and ended up getting a couple days after it.
good luck to you!

Nice! Hopefully the stars align for me at some point before my trip dates. I have a little flexibility too so I’ll try and see what I can get. I have a plan B in mind but it’s just a bummer to plan this far in advance and still have to compromise! I’m glad to hear you got what you wanted! It gives me hope.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

I’ve been running into the same problem. I used to use the same strategy as you with pretty good results. But now I’ve resorted to just pressing search at 8am and then trying to go through the rest as fast as possible. I’ve had mixed results.

Lol better than my results so far which are all losing. I’ll keep at it though and keep my fingers crossed. If you’d like to sacrifice a goat or something for me, that’d be much appreciated.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

You gut is likely right. A couple of years ago I think they made an "upgrade". I used to be able to search before 8AM and at 8AM I could "continue". Now, I can't search until 8AM sharp. Based on some folks comments they can still search before 8AM..... It may have something to do with browser settings, privacy settings, cache settings.... but I have not been able to find the magic combination to allow me to search prior to 8AM. Best of luck to you......

Hmmm I seem to be able to search availability no problem after 12 AM EST. That’s how I know whether or not it’ll be worth waking up at 6 AM local time to try and get the room. But let me tell you, it’s getting old real fast lol! Appreciate any good mojo you wanna send my way!

 

[EatMoreVeg]

I once walked a value studio for weeks because I just accidentally got it at 8AM when I was practicing. Although still requires some luck and I can’t for the life of me remember if I was able to search before 8AM or not, I would recommend starting to attempt to make a reservation weeks before you need it because you’re bound to get it at one point.

I also have had luck with waitlists opening up a few weeks after the 11-month window. I just put them in as soon as I know my dates and keep my fingers crossed.

Ugh, that’s exactly what I’m hoping to not have to do but will do if I have to. I’m probably gunning for the hardest combination of rooms too: a 2 BR club level and a value studio at AKV for a big family trip in early 2024. So I’ll definitely keep trying and hope for the best!

Although I once managed to get a studio club level and value studio for one trip…so that’s probably propping up my expectations some what! My back up will be a grand villa so it’s not exactly a bad alternative either, just much more point heavy then I’d like to be. I will definitely be trying the waitlist strategy but it’s hard since I’m trying to get 2 rooms for the same trip dates.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Ugh, that’s exactly what I’m hoping to not have to do but will do if I have to. I’m probably gunning for the hardest combination of rooms too: a 2 BR club level and a value studio at AKV for a big family trip in early 2024. So I’ll definitely keep trying and hope for the best!

Although I once managed to get a studio club level and value studio for one trip…so that’s probably propping up my expectations some what! My back up will be a grand villa so it’s not exactly a bad alternative either, just much more point heavy then I’d like to be. I will definitely be trying the waitlist strategy but it’s hard since I’m trying to get 2 rooms for the same trip dates.

Anything is possible! I got three value studios for Thanksgiving 2019. I walked all three. No other strategies to share. Just wanted to wish you luck!

 

[gavvy]

It's worth doing another search 5-10 min after 8 to see if any walkers have moved on, and again later, sometimes after they have moved on you are able to get the first day, then add additional days thereafter

 

[DaveNan]

Hmmm I seem to be able to search availability no problem after 12 AM EST. That’s how I know whether or not it’ll be worth waking up at 6 AM local time to try and get the room. But let me tell you, it’s getting old real fast lol! Appreciate any good mojo you wanna send my way!

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I can search after midnight. I can see there is availability. But if I hit "check availability" before 8AM, it does not matter when I hit "continue" (before or after 8AM), I get the "booking window not open" error when I hit it. I need to hit "check availability" after (or at) 8AM sharp, then expand the calendar and hit "continue". As I said early, some members still imply they hit "check availability" and expand the calendar before 8AM. They only have to wait to 8AM to hit "continue". Obviously, I will never beat those members to get an available room. Like I mentioned before, my PC/phone store the time I searched and compare that to the 8AM clock rather than the time I hit "continue". I have tried different things and not been able to find the recipe. 3 years ago I was able to book club level and value rooms...... in the last 2 years, I have only been able to piece together a value 1BR stay by picking up the walker droppings, no studio or club level luck. I ran an experiment where I ran the search at 7:59, waited till 8:01 to hit continue on a STD view room, got the "booking window not open" error. There was still availability on those rooms. I am very confident my set-up uses my "check availability" time, not my "continue" time, to allow me to book a room.

 

[disfanforlife]

Nice! Hopefully the stars align for me at some point before my trip dates. I have a little flexibility too so I’ll try and see what I can get. I have a plan B in mind but it’s just a bummer to plan this far in advance and still have to compromise! I’m glad to hear you got what you wanted! It gives me hope.

I hope that you are able to get the rooms you want!

 

[EatMoreVeg]

Anything is possible! I got three value studios for Thanksgiving 2019. I walked all three. No other strategies to share. Just wanted to wish you luck!

Thank you! I will take all the luck I can get!

 

[EatMoreVeg]

It's worth doing another search 5-10 min after 8 to see if any walkers have moved on, and again later, sometimes after they have moved on you are able to get the first day, then add additional days thereafter

Ohhhh that's a good thought. I know they say to do that with dining reservations. I hadn't thought of trying that with room reservations. That will probably be my last resort once I'm finally within my trip dates and haven't been able to get anything booked prior to that. Thanks!

 

[EatMoreVeg]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I can search after midnight. I can see there is availability. But if I hit "check availability" before 8AM, it does not matter when I hit "continue" (before or after 8AM), I get the "booking window not open" error when I hit it. I need to hit "check availability" after (or at) 8AM sharp, then expand the calendar and hit "continue". As I said early, some members still imply they hit "check availability" and expand the calendar before 8AM. They only have to wait to 8AM to hit "continue". Obviously, I will never beat those members to get an available room. Like I mentioned before, my PC/phone store the time I searched and compare that to the 8AM clock rather than the time I hit "continue". I have tried different things and not been able to find the recipe. 3 years ago I was able to book club level and value rooms...... in the last 2 years, I have only been able to piece together a value 1BR stay by picking up the walker droppings, no studio or club level luck. I ran an experiment where I ran the search at 7:59, waited till 8:01 to hit continue on a STD view room, got the "booking window not open" error. There was still availability on those rooms. I am very confident my set-up uses my "check availability" time, not my "continue" time, to allow me to book a room.

Ohhhh yes, that makes sense. I think that's what I've been experiencing too. The next time I have the opportunity to try and book, I'm going to try and hold off until 8 AM sharp to hit "check availability" and hope that works out better. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[Ariel620]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I can search after midnight. I can see there is availability. But if I hit "check availability" before 8AM, it does not matter when I hit "continue" (before or after 8AM), I get the "booking window not open" error when I hit it. I need to hit "check availability" after (or at) 8AM sharp, then expand the calendar and hit "continue". As I said early, some members still imply they hit "check availability" and expand the calendar before 8AM. They only have to wait to 8AM to hit "continue". Obviously, I will never beat those members to get an available room. Like I mentioned before, my PC/phone store the time I searched and compare that to the 8AM clock rather than the time I hit "continue". I have tried different things and not been able to find the recipe. 3 years ago I was able to book club level and value rooms...... in the last 2 years, I have only been able to piece together a value 1BR stay by picking up the walker droppings, no studio or club level luck. I ran an experiment where I ran the search at 7:59, waited till 8:01 to hit continue on a STD view room, got the "booking window not open" error. There was still availability on those rooms. I am very confident my set-up uses my "check availability" time, not my "continue" time, to allow me to book a room.

Wow, this could explain some problems I've been having. I never thought to try holding off on going as far as I could before 8:00:00 (using time.gov)

 

[iheartglaciers]

As I said early, some members still imply they hit "check availability" and expand the calendar before 8AM. They only have to wait to 8AM to hit "continue". Obviously, I will never beat those members to get an available room.

I wonder if they’ve been able to do that recently though. It seems like something changed in the last year. I thought maybe it was just me until @EatMoreVeg started this post!