2 wait list limitation - has it helped?

[Peggy Sue]

Hi,

I called MS recently to inquire about the possiblity to switching resorts for our confirmed BWV and SS reservations in December. I knew the possiblity was slim given the time of year, but thought it was worth a shot. As expected, nothing available, so I requested a wait list. I knew there was now a limitation of 2 waitlists, however I was surprised that the limitation was per use year and not per reservation. Not a biggie, I made our 2 requests and we'll see if anything happens.

Question .. now that this limitation has been in place for awhile for those of you who frequently place wait list requests are you finding you're wait lists are being granted more frequently, or do you believe the system is about the same as it was before this change?

I wonder if MS has any statistics about number of wait lists granted before and after this change. I would think this limitation would provide a better ability to meet wait list requests.

Thanks,
Peggy

 

[wdwfan1]

I do not think things are better. For the second year in a row I cant get a villa at my home resort. I have waitlisted 9 months before, not 7.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It kept members from waitlisting separate days that are usually easier to get than a full week or multiple days.

 

[rellabee]

I have several rooms and categories that are acceptable to me. Had to waitlist for 8 nights and with only being able to pick 2 categories it means that my waitlist never came through and really had no possibility to come through.

As a result, I have to call daily to see if something has opened up, and had to incremental change my reservation over the past months to make it better as I was able to.

And yes, I did book and plan early. Unfortunately, the people that were going with us had to cancel, so I had to cancel a grand villa and get something smaller 3 months before our vacation started. When all you can get then is a split stay reservation and you need to work on piecing it into one whole 8 night stay at one place, this waitlist process is a time-consuming pain in the neck.

Not allowing people to waitlist for what they want just means they spend hours on the phone with MS trying to make it work.

 

[Judique]

I have several rooms and categories that are acceptable to me. Had to waitlist for 8 nights and with only being able to pick 2 categories it means that my waitlist never came through and really had no possibility to come through.

As a result, I have to call daily to see if something has opened up, and had to incremental change my reservation over the past months to make it better as I was able to.

And yes, I did book and plan early. Unfortunately, the people that were going with us had to cancel, so I had to cancel a grand villa and get something smaller 3 months before our vacation started. When all you can get then is a split stay reservation and you need to work on piecing it into one whole 8 night stay at one place, this waitlist process is a time-consuming pain in the neck.

Not allowing people to waitlist for what they want just means they spend hours on the phone with MS trying to make it work.

Agree.

And there are times when I might be willing to take 'any' room that came up - anywhere. That's a lot of combos. But I can only choose two - so if I choose 1 bedroom or studio at OKW, and SSR comes up - I don't get a room. Is that fair? Not talking about waitlisting individual days one by one - but a whole vacation. At the very least I would like to see us have the ability to ask for '3 nights in a studio or one bedroom at BWV, SSR, OKW or AKW'. Gives a range of options to get something so you are not shut out by the guy who decides 3 months after you that he wants a room and happens to pick the choice that you couldn't add.

 

[TisBit]

Hi,

I called MS recently to inquire about the possiblity to switching resorts for our confirmed BWV and SS reservations in December. I knew the possiblity was slim given the time of year, but thought it was worth a shot. As expected, nothing available, so I requested a wait list. I knew there was now a limitation of 2 waitlists, however I was surprised that the limitation was per use year and not per reservation. Not a biggie, I made our 2 requests and we'll see if anything happens.

Question .. now that this limitation has been in place for awhile for those of you who frequently place wait list requests are you finding you're wait lists are being granted more frequently, or do you believe the system is about the same as it was before this change?

I wonder if MS has any statistics about number of wait lists granted before and after this change. I would think this limitation would provide a better ability to meet wait list requests.

Thanks,
Peggy

It really depends on what you are trying to do. If you are at OKW or SSR and just really don't want to stay there and would want to move to ANY resort but that one, you are less likely to get a different resort because you could only waitlist two.

If you wanted a specific resort it is probably slightly easier, depending on the resort, because people can't just waitlist everywhere. If everyone is listing BCV as one of their request, well it won't matter. But if someone is choosing between BCV, VWL and BLT.....obviously there will be one less waitlist at one of those resorts and could help another member.

My understanding of this change, is that it was less about making more successful waitlist vs MS efficiency. It took a long time for MS to input those waitlist, than they clogged the system as well. Often times, someone would move from say SSR to AKV after waitlisting all resorts...than they would call back and waitlist again for everything but SSR and AKV in the hopes of getting BCV or VWL.

I do not think things are better. For the second year in a row I cant get a villa at my home resort. I have waitlisted 9 months before, not 7.

The two resort limit would not have helped you at the 9 months anyway, because you can only waitlist your home resort. Don't think that reflects on this policy change.