11-month Booking Strategy

[DaveNan]

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!

Within the last few months some have made this statement on the boards... and as fast as the availability disappears, I tend to believe them. Searches done right at 8AM show availability, but it is gone by the time I expand the month and hit continue. Searches done 1-2 seconds after 8AM show no availability. I find it hard to believe that someone has the search process and load, they expand the month, hit the continue button and it processes on Disney's end to show the availability is gone all within a second or two.

 

[CarolMN]

Within the last few months some have made this statement on the boards... and as fast as the availability disappears, I tend to believe them. Searches done right at 8AM show availability, but it is gone by the time I expand the month and hit continue. Searches done 1-2 seconds after 8AM show no availability. I find it hard to believe that someone has the search process and load, they expand the month, hit the continue button and it processes on Disney's end to show the availability is gone all within a second or two.

It is believable if there is only one or two rooms available. When people are walking, that is often the case. Remember that if only one room is available, the system still shows the room as available.

 

[Pooh12863]

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?

That's the message you get when you aren't one of the lucky few. You can test that by trying to book a Savanna right at 8 am, that will go through because there are hundreds of rooms available. You're just getting beat to the draw or other owners internet is faster than yours on the sought after rooms. Keep trying you might get lucky.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

That's the message you get when you aren't one of the lucky few. You can test that by trying to book a Savanna right at 8 am, that will go through because there are hundreds of rooms available. You're just getting beat to the draw or other owners internet is faster than yours on the sought after rooms. Keep trying you might get lucky.

Actually, the message I’m getting when I search before 8 AM, but then wait until after to select “Continue” refers to the booking window not being open yet even though it’s definitely after 8 AM EST.

 

[Pooh12863]

Actually, the message I’m getting when I search before 8 AM, but then wait until after to select “Continue” refers to the booking window not being open yet even though it’s definitely after 8 AM EST.

It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the message you get when all the rooms are already gone.

 

[jekjones1558]

I had the same experience as you when trying to book at exactly 11 months. I think walking is having an impact on this. I ended up just stalking for a couple of weeks and eventually got 7 days, then called MS to have all of the one day reservations merged. I did try waitlist but in every case I was able to book rooms by stalking that I had already waitlisted. I don't really know how the waitlist matching process works but I wouldn't rely totally on that. Also, on a couple of occasions I was missing a day in the middle of a reservation. I waitlisted and it didn't get filled but when I called, the MS agent said she would check and she found a room (so maybe the waitlist matched but the process wasn't completed until i called).
Good luck!! Every year reservations, even at 11 months, seem harder to get.

 

[Sandisw]

I had the same experience as you when trying to book at exactly 11 months. I think walking is having an impact on this. I ended up just stalking for a couple of weeks and eventually got 7 days, then called MS to have all of the one day reservations merged. I did try waitlist but in every case I was able to book rooms by stalking that I had already waitlisted. I don't really know how the waitlist matching process works but I wouldn't rely totally on that. Also, on a couple of occasions I was missing a day in the middle of a reservation. I waitlisted and it didn't get filled but when I called, the MS agent said she would check and she found a room (so maybe the waitlist matched but the process wasn't completed until i called).
Good luck!! Every year reservations, even at 11 months, seem harder to get.

if a waitlist matched, it has to be processed by.a CM. There is no indication on the website that you have it waiting for thst step.

It shows the same way regardless. It’s why people can sometimes snag rooms and think the waitlist didn’t match. It may have but just was in the que to be booked. It’s happened to me many times. Snag the last room stalking and then release the waitlist and another shows up!

If you are grabbing rooms right around that 11 month mark, it’s a good chance that the system has not had time to grab it or some did fill and they are just sitting there

It’s why I love we can stalk since I too leave nothing to chance!!

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I managed to get a value studio and value two bedroom for a week this upcoming July. I started a few weeks before and eventually I got lucky. One tip I have is to use a device that you can eliminate scrolling on (like a computer versus a phone). Zoom way out. (Ctrl -) Then practice once, figure out where all the buttons are on the screens and put little postits on the screen where the buttons will show up. You can move your mouse into position before the button loads. Use a mouse, not a touchpad.

 

[JCW]

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.

Is 2024 a typo? Asking because that booking window isn't open yet.

 

[Sandisw]

Is 2024 a typo? Asking because that booking window isn't open yet.

My guess is they are starting it now so that if they can snag it, they can walk it until the dates they want.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

Is 2024 a typo? Asking because that booking window isn't open yet.

@Sandisw is correct.

 

[EatMoreVeg]

It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the message you get when all the rooms are already gone.

They are actually different error messages. One is very clearly a “the booking window hasn’t opened yet” and the other (when the room is no longer available) is a “something went wrong” message. Not sure of the exact wording on each but I do know they are different!

The fact that the booking window error message shows up when I am in fact within the booking window was the reason why I posted! Seems to be consistent with other’s experiences which is helpful to know, so it gives me some ideas on how else to approach getting those hard to get rooms. I think there’s a couple factors to snagging these rooms: process, luck and persistence. You probably need a combo of all 3 to be successful!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

You have to walk the reservation. Any time I’ve tried the 8 am hard to get booking, even if I have it in my “cart,” I get dwarves when I try to complete it. Of course when I try again— reservation is gone.

 

[Canadian Tom]

I know this is a dumb question, but you do have points(home resort) that you're trying to book?

 

[Cody2020]

As of today using Chrome should you click check availability or continue right at 8am?