1st Time Using Points at Home Resort - Waitlist/Booking Question?

[kelby86]

This is our first time using our points at our home resort. Our first trip was to Aulani for our honeymoon.

We are currently booked at our home resort - AKL Jambo in a Savannah View for 9/12-9/17. With club level for that time frame wait listed (7 days before).

We need to extend our stay 1 night - 9/17, no availability in Savannah View (Jambo). There is availability for that night in Jambo Standard view.

What is the best option?

First - if I change my waitlist for club level to add the night my previous waitlist will be cancelled, is that correct? And my wait list will go to the "bottom" of the list? Should I add 9/12-9/18 club level waitlist as a second?

What is the likelyhood I will get my waitlist with 7 day window as opposed to 31?

If I book the standard view night seperately and the savannah view does become available how will that affect my points? If at all?

If I book standard view and nothing else every becomes available - can you ask when checking in to alter? Is that allowed? Or ever possible?

I saw some posts referring to dedicated or ____ waitlisting? Not sure what that means...

Sorry for so many questions... still learning the rules and what the best ways to go about things are.

Thank you!!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

This is our first time using our points at our home resort. Our first trip was to Aulani for our honeymoon.

We are currently booked at our home resort - AKL Jambo in a Savannah View for 9/12-9/17. With club level for that time frame wait listed (7 days before).

We need to extend our stay 1 night - 9/17, no availability in Savannah View (Jambo). There is availability for that night in Jambo Standard view.

What is the best option?

First - if I change my waitlist for club level to add the night my previous waitlist will be cancelled, is that correct? And my wait list will go to the "bottom" of the list? Should I add 9/12-9/18 club level waitlist as a second?

Yes, you will move yourself to the bottom if you change your waitlist. As for a second wait list, how would you feel about moving to CL only gor your last day (if it became available)? If you're okay with that, you could just wait list the extra day as your second.

What is the likelyhood I will get my waitlist with 7 day window as opposed to 31?

You are dependent upon the actions of others. Not sure anyone can really tell you the likelihood, I know I can't.

If I book the standard view night seperately and the savannah view does become available how will that affect my points? If at all?

You have to look at the points required and see how they vary.

If I book standard view and nothing else every becomes available - can you ask when checking in to alter? Is that allowed? Or ever possible?

You can always ask. Remember though, hotel inventory and DVC inventory are not the same thing. And if they can shuffle you, MS will have to assist with adjusting your points accordingly. At least that's what happened with us.

I saw some posts referring to dedicated or ____ waitlisting? Not sure what that means...

Sorry for so many questions... still learning the rules and what the best ways to go about things are.

Thank you!!!

Not sure what you are asking about here. Sorry.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[kelby86]

Thank you SO much for the info and opinion! I would be excited to move to club level the last day if that came through. I just want to ensure we are staying in Jambo house for that day since that is where the rest of our party will be. Trying to figure out the best method to ensure that happens.

I think I was referring to "holding points" by how it might affect our points - not sure I understand that process. Correct me if I am wrong but that only happens if your original reservation is more points and then you stay on a reservation (a waitlist maybe) that is less points?

I saw some posts regarding DVC referring to dedicated vs "non-dedicated?" Was wondering what that means? I think they meant dedicated waitlisting?

Thank you again!!!
~K

 

[chalee94]

I saw some posts regarding DVC referring to dedicated vs "non-dedicated?" Was wondering what that means?

a "dedicated" 2BR is a 2BR that can only be booked as a 2BR. it has one entrance and often has 2 queen beds and no kitchenette in the 2nd BR.

a "lockoff" 2BR is a studio and a 1BR with the door between them unlocked. 2 entrances (studio and 1BR).

 

[chalee94]

I think I was referring to "holding points" by how it might affect our points - not sure I understand that process. Correct me if I am wrong but that only happens if your original reservation is more points and then you stay on a reservation (a waitlist maybe) that is less points?

Holding pts are only an issue if you cancel within a month of your reservation (including a waitlist coming through within a month of your reservation.)

Holding pts can only be used for reservations 60 days out or less...which means they might go to waste.

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you SO much for the info and opinion! I would be excited to move to club level the last day if that came through. I just want to ensure we are staying in Jambo house for that day since that is where the rest of our party will be. Trying to figure out the best method to ensure that happens.

I think I was referring to "holding points" by how it might affect our points - not sure I understand that process. Correct me if I am wrong but that only happens if your original reservation is more points and then you stay on a reservation (a waitlist maybe) that is less points?

I saw some posts regarding DVC referring to dedicated vs "non-dedicated?" Was wondering what that means? I think they meant dedicated waitlisting?

Thank you again!!!
~K

If you have a standard studio booked and waitlist for a savannah view, you would not end up with holding points since the room you want is more than what you have booked, so keeping it in place until the 7 day mark is fine.

You are correct that you end up with holding if you change a reservation within 30 days of arrival and it is less than what you had--whether you do this on your own or via a wait list. That is why one of the options is 31 days for wait lists--it prevents automatic holding.

Sometime, it might be worth it--I am trying for a room to match two nights I have in August for my DD's so if I can get it, even thought it will involve about 3 points into holding, I am willing to do it so the girls don't have to move...its not crucial, since I have a 1 bedroom also booked, but worth it for me to keep trying.

 

[jillmc40]

Just curious as I am new here as well. How is MS(that is who you call correct) with helping with planning a trip? Can you call an get good advice from them or are they more just interested in booking what you tell them and that is it? I know there can be good and not so good cm's with info, but in general are they there to help with decision making or just to book stuff?