3am phone call to MS??

[MissMet]

Hopefully there is a completely logical way of fixing my problem & I'm just being dramatic & not thinking clearly.

In two weeks I'm headed to HI for a two week vacation, I know poor me. While on this wonderful vacation my 11 month window opens up for AKL. I'm trying to score a concierge room for 10 days, Sept 30 - October 9, 2009. Will I have to get up at 3am HI time to call MS at opening to be able to at least try for a concierge room or could I call at say 3pm(EST) & still have the possibility to get concierge?

Also, in planning for HI, I have lost all my DIS time, I know shocking...I'm ashamed. So how do I book 10 days. Just book the week, then call day-to-day for the additional days?

I'm hoping at the 7 month window to switch to ANY type of a BWV room...I know another long shot, but I can dream. AKL concierge is the fallback plan, if I can even get that.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Blahnde]

Hopefully there is a completely logical way of fixing my problem & I'm just being dramatic & not thinking clearly.

In two weeks I'm headed to HI for a two week vacation, I know poor me. While on this wonderful vacation my 11 month window opens up for AKL. I'm trying to score a concierge room for 10 days, Sept 30 - October 9, 2009. Will I have to get up at 3am HI time to call MS at opening to be able to at least try for a concierge room or could I call at say 3pm(EST) & still have the possibility to get concierge?

Welcome to my world! For those of us on the left coast (and points farther West!), those DVC Member Services hours are a flippin' pain in the tookus! However, I would check because I think Hawaii is 5 time zones from EST, not 6.

I do not know that anyone can truly answer your question, but AKL club/concierge level rooms are incredibly scarce. You did not list what size room you are trying to book, but there are literally only 5 studios and 5 one-bedrooms in that class. While you are not looking for a peak period, if you really want club/concierge I would not wait until mid-day to call.

Also, in planning for HI, I have lost all my DIS time, I know shocking...I'm ashamed. So how do I book 10 days. Just book the week, then call day-to-day for the additional days?

Yes, you will call to get the first 7 days and then call day-by-day for the additional three nights.

I'm hoping at the 7 month window to switch to ANY type of a BWV room...I know another long shot, but I can dream. AKL concierge is the fallback plan, if I can even get that.

Thanks for your help guys.

So this is a first for me ... I've never seen someone who sees AKV club/concierge as a "fallback." Most would be blissful to get club/concierge as their first choice and would see something like Savannah or Standard view as a "fallback." And to be 100% honest, if I were you I would realize that NEITHER AKV club/concierge nor BWV may happen. Better to be happily surprised than shocked by disappointment!

Blahnde

 

[lapeter]

I live on Maui about seven months of the year. When it is daylight savings time on the mainland, it is six hours earlier that east cost and when it is not daylight saving time, it is 5 hours. Either way it is early.

 

[MissMet]

Welcome to my world! For those of us on the left coast (and points farther West!), those DVC Member Services hours are a flippin' pain in the tookus! However, I would check because I think Hawaii is 5 time zones from EST, not 6.

I do not know that anyone can truly answer your question, but AKL club/concierge level rooms are incredibly scarce. You did not list what size room you are trying to book, but there are literally only 5 studios and 5 one-bedrooms in that class. While you are not looking for a peak period, if you really want club/concierge I would not wait until mid-day to call.

Yes, you will call to get the first 7 days and then call day-by-day for the additional three nights.

So this is a first for me ... I've never seen someone who sees AKV club/concierge as a "fallback." Most would be blissful to get club/concierge as their first choice and would see something like Savannah or Standard view as a "fallback." And to be 100% honest, if I were you I would realize that NEITHER AKV club/concierge nor BWV may happen. Better to be happily surprised than shocked by disappointment!

Blahnde

Yeah, we will be in HI during the daylight savings time switch, so that'll make it even more confusing! One week it will be a 5 hour difference for me & then another week a 6 hour difference.

The reason AKV is a "fallback plan" is because, I own there, the last time my parents went with me, that's where they stayed & they're not huge fans of it, BWV is a favorite of my families & it's F&WF! I know exactly how scarce concierge rooms are, I own there. I would be blissful to get a concierge room & in no way would I be disappointed. I don't have my hopes up for it, I would just like to try for it, since I am possibly staying there. If I don't get concierge, I'm planning on a value, then standard & then lastly savannah view. So whatever room I get in AKV, I won't be shocked or disappointed.

I am fully aware that the odds are stacked against me for both. I'm really hoping for BWV, but I know it's a long shot. I haven't stayed there in so long & the last time I did, it was a split stay. There's no way I'm not booking at one of my home resorts, knowing that I have to have a fallback plan due to the likelihood of getting a BWV room.

I'm hoping with the opening of the new AKV building that spring & BLT the same time we'll be there, people will flock to those.

I'm planning to get on the waitlist at 7 months out for both BCV & BWV & then forget about it & plan for AKV.

I guess I'll just have to set my alarm clock really early & try for concierge.

 

[Blahnde]

The reason AKV is a "fallback plan" is because, I own there, the last time my parents went with me, that's where they stayed & they're not huge fans of it, BWV is a favorite of my families & it's F&WF! I know exactly how scarce concierge rooms are, I own there. I would be blissful to get a concierge room & in no way would I be disappointed. I don't have my hopes up for it, I would just like to try for it, since I am possibly staying there. If I don't get concierge, I'm planning on a value, then standard & then lastly savannah view.

So whatever room I get in AKV, I won't be shocked or disappointed.

I am fully aware that the odds are stacked against me for both. I guess I'll just have to set my alarm clock really early & try for concierge.

I'm not trying to be argumentative or snotty, but if you, "know exactly how scarce concierge rooms are" then why did you ask??? Did you just want sympathy for having to get up early on your Hawaiian vacation to make yet another vacation reservation??? I guess that backfired.

I was trying to give you more information (thinking that since you asked you did not know) to not only clarify why you would probably want to call early, but also to prepare you for the possible outcomes. I was not trying to make you feel bad about having AKV as a back-up, but club/concierge is not generally considered a back-up; it is generally the ultimate goal. That it is not your ultimate goal is clear, but I just wanted to note that your position is unusual.

I hope you get what you want!

Blahnde

 

[JW2]

Hopefully there is a completely logical way of fixing my problem & I'm just being dramatic & not thinking clearly.

In two weeks I'm headed to HI for a two week vacation, I know poor me. While on this wonderful vacation my 11 month window opens up for AKL. I'm trying to score a concierge room for 10 days, Sept 30 - October 9, 2009. Will I have to get up at 3am HI time to call MS at opening to be able to at least try for a concierge room or could I call at say 3pm(EST) & still have the possibility to get concierge?

Also, in planning for HI, I have lost all my DIS time, I know shocking...I'm ashamed. So how do I book 10 days. Just book the week, then call day-to-day for the additional days?

I'm hoping at the 7 month window to switch to ANY type of a BWV room...I know another long shot, but I can dream. AKL concierge is the fallback plan, if I can even get that.

Thanks for your help guys.

Perhaps due to my inexperience I don't know all the ins and outs yet, but this year we got a 1 BR at BWV in the 7 month window. It's only 6 days preceded by 1 day at OKW - but we are looking forward to seeing two resorts! So I don't think it's impossible at all - we are at the tail end of F&W.

 

[MissMet]

I'm not trying to be argumentative or snotty, but if you, "know exactly how scarce concierge rooms are" then why did you ask??? Did you just want sympathy for having to get up early on your Hawaiian vacation to make yet another vacation reservation??? I guess that backfired.

I was trying to give you more information (thinking that since you asked you did not know) to not only clarify why you would probably want to call early, but also to prepare you for the possible outcomes. I was not trying to make you feel bad about having AKV as a back-up, but club/concierge is not generally considered a back-up; it is generally the ultimate goal. That it is not your ultimate goal is clear, but I just wanted to note that your position is unusual.

I hope you get what you want!

Blahnde

Yes, I spend my time on DIS just to get "sympathy" from complete strangers because poor me is going to be in Hi & I'm gonna have to get up early. Wow, do you even know what you sound like?

You not trying to be argumentative & snotty is what I think is backfiring.

I was just simply trying to get information from people who live in a totally different time zone, how they deal with calling MS at opening. I still can't believe that DVC members who live in HI, have to get up so early in hopes to get their dream room. Maybe I was hoping for an answer to something I had not previously thought about.

Just please tell me, if my questions have bothered you so much, from the start, why did you respond. You could have just past over my post.

Personally, I don't come on DIS to berate people, for asking questions, regardless of what I may think their true motive is and I certanly do not nag people about their hotel preferences. To each there own. I'm sorry you find it shocking that I would rather be at an Epcot resort during F&WF & to me concierge would be second best, FOR THAT VACATION, under all the circumstances I had previously listed.

 

[MissMet]

Perhaps due to my inexperience I don't know all the ins and outs yet, but this year we got a 1 BR at BWV in the 7 month window. It's only 6 days preceded by 1 day at OKW - but we are looking forward to seeing two resorts! So I don't think it's impossible at all - we are at the tail end of F&W.

The problem I'm facing with trying to get a BWV room at 7 months out is that I'm trying to get it at it's busiest time & it's a very small resort compared to say OKW. Plus I want 10 days at BWV.

It's certainly not impossible, it will just be very difficult. I've gotten one before at the 7 month window during F&WF, but I'm just trying to not get my hopes up.

 

[Tamar]

Have you thought about renting BWV points? If you rented BWV points from another member, you could then rent your AKV points out to recoup the expense. Just a thought...one I'd prefer to getting up at 3am while I'm on vacation!

(by the way, we own at BWV, and offered a premium to have someone who owns at AKV book us a concierge room for next May. If you want something badly enought there's usually a way to get it).

 

[MissMet]

Have you thought about renting BWV points? If you rented BWV points from another member, you could then rent your AKV points out to recoup the expense. Just a thought...one I'd prefer to getting up at 3am while I'm on vacation!

(by the way, we own at BWV, and offered a premium to have someone who owns at AKV book us a concierge room for next May. If you want something badly enought there's usually a way to get it).

Thanks for the tip. I have never seriously considered point renting, but maybe I'll look into that avenue. I have always been paranoid with the idea of renting, because of being cheated, etc, but that's how we got our hotel for HI. I rented a one bedroom timeshare & saved a TON!

Thanks!

 

[JW2]

The problem I'm facing with trying to get a BWV room at 7 months out is that I'm trying to get it at it's busiest time & it's a very small resort compared to say OKW. Plus I want 10 days at BWV.

It's certainly not impossible, it will just be very difficult. I've gotten one before at the 7 month window during F&WF, but I'm just trying to not get my hopes up.

Ahh, got it - good luck - hope you can get the 10 days - as the other DISer suggested, maybe renting will help!!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

. . .
I was just simply trying to get information from people who live in a totally different time zone, how they deal with calling MS at opening. I still can't believe that DVC members who live in HI, have to get up so early in hopes to get their dream room. Maybe I was hoping for an answer to something I had not previously thought about.

You can book before you leave and "walk" your vacation forward. For example, you are heading to HI on 10/27 and want to book 9/30-Oct 9. On Oct 26, book Sept 26 - Oct 2. Then on Nov 2, call from HI, at any time when MS is still open, and add Oct 3 - 8 (you can also cancel Sept 26-29 at this time). Except as discussed below, no one else can book an Oct 3 reservation for the room you have for the night of Oct 2 until Nov 3, so you are getting a one day jump on them. Then call back anytime prior to Nov 8, at any time of the day when MS is open, and book your last night of Oct 9.

The only risk with this strategy is that concierge has so few rooms that the room size you block in your first call may disappear because it converts to another size room. By that I mean that your studio or 1BR converts to part of a 2BR or your 2BR gets broken up into a studio and 1BR.

This is one instance where being able to walk a reservation forward under the new rules might really make booking more convenient. Best of luck and enjoy your stay in HI -- Suzanne

 

[Blahnde]

Just please tell me, if my questions have bothered you so much, from the start, why did you respond. You could have just past over my post.

Personally, I don't come on DIS to berate people, for asking questions, regardless of what I may think their true motive is and I certanly do not nag people about their hotel preferences. To each there own. I'm sorry you find it shocking that I would rather be at an Epcot resort during F&WF & to me concierge would be second best, FOR THAT VACATION, under all the circumstances I had previously listed.

Since you asked, the reason I responded was because I did not think you were aware how scarce AKV Club/Concierge rooms are AND I thought you might have had the wrong time zone information. Crazy me for trying to help someone who already knew all the answers! If you were already so aware, why would you even ask the question?

I truly do not care where the heck you stay or what you consider a good reservation, but I do not appreciate wasting my time trying to help someone who then responds to my help with a snotty, "I know that, I own there." I don't come here to berate people; I try to help those with real questions. Clearly you do not need anyone's help and I'll stop wasting my time.

Blahnde

 

[MissMet]

You can book before you leave and "walk" your vacation forward. For example, you are heading to HI on 10/27 and want to book 9/30-Oct 9. On Oct 26, book Sept 26 - Oct 2. Then on Nov 2, call from HI, at any time when MS is still open, and add Oct 3 - 8 (you can also cancel Sept 26-29 at this time). Except as discussed below, no one else can book an Oct 3 reservation for the room you have for the night of Oct 2 until Nov 3, so you are getting a one day jump on them. Then call back anytime prior to Nov 8, at any time of the day when MS is open, and book your last night of Oct 9.

The only risk with this strategy is that concierge has so few rooms that the room size you block in your first call may disappear because it converts to another size room. By that I mean that your studio or 1BR converts to part of a 2BR or your 2BR gets broken up into a studio and 1BR.

This is one instance where being able to walk a reservation forward under the new rules might really make booking more convenient. Best of luck and enjoy your stay in HI -- Suzanne

This is interesting. I had heard about "Walking" a reservation but I didn't quite understand how it worked. The only thing I'm worried about with "walking" it is if DVC is "on to me". I've heard they're supposedly "monitering very closely" how reservations are being made. I would hate to be on any type of "naughty list" with them.

Well, thank you guys for all the info. I have now learned of two ways of going about getting my resi without waking up at the crack of dawn, renting or walking.

I'm gonna weigh the two options & figure which I feel more comfortable with.

Thanks again!

 

[Caskbill]

Have you been to Hawaii before? If not, be aware the jet-lag is pretty intensive. It'll take you several days to get use to Hawaii time anyway.

If you'll be calling during the first couple of days you're there, you'll probably find yourself waking up by 3:00 am anyway.

 

[MissMet]

Have you been to Hawaii before? If not, be aware the jet-lag is pretty intensive. It'll take you several days to get use to Hawaii time anyway.

If you'll be calling during the first couple of days you're there, you'll probably find yourself waking up by 3:00 am anyway.

No, I haven't been yet. That's the exact reason we decided two weeks instead of one. The second week is a cruise & we thought it would be best to go a day or two early just to adjust to the jet-lag, but then we saw all the stuff to do on Oahu alone, so we made it a week before, with the first day being a "do nothing day" for jet-lag adjusting & the second day just Pearl Harbor & relaxing .