7 month question

[tmk0730]

I have a few questions about the 7 month window. We are planning on going Dec 6 - 13 and would really like to try a new resort. VWL is our first choice, BWV would be our second. (We are trying to try all the resorts so we know where we want to do our add on. At this point we've done OKW & SSR)

Anyway if we are checking in on Dec 6 when can we start calling? May 6? We plan on calling day by day to up our chances. If a day is unavailable do you recommend waitlisting that day and continue with the day by day calling? Or should we then try for a different resort? Any tips or advice on the best way to do this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you check in on Dec 6, you can start calling May 7 (or the day you would be checking out for that first day). Good luck on getting VWL and BWV. Both are going to be tough.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

If a day is unavailable do you recommend waitlisting that day and continue with the day by day calling? Or should we then try for a different resort? Any tips or advice on the best way to do this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

This is really a matter of personal preference. Which is more important to you: not having to move mid-stay, or getting to try a different resort?

If you're going to try day-by-day bookings, you do run the chance that you're going to hit a day or two that isn't available. Then you're faced with the possibility that the days you've already changed are no longer available at the original resort. Day-by-day gives you a better chance of getting what you want, but opens you to the possibility of having to switch resorts mid-stay (or even multiple times in a stay).

If the prospect of having to pack up bags and change rooms or resorts isn't an issue, than I'd say go for the day-by-day and waitlist the days you can't get. (You need to judge the inconvenience of how many moves you'd have to make in the worst case if none of your waitlist requests come through.)

If one move doesn't sound bad, but you don't want to make multiple moves, call day by day until you hit a day that isn't available. Then, instead of booking day by day from that point on, alter your waitlist request day by day instead. So, for example, if you call for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and are able to successfully get the new resort, but then Thursday isn't available, go on the waitlist for Thursday. On the next day, call back and add Friday to your waitlist request (even if Friday is available to be booked). Do the same for Saturday. This may make it a little less likely that those last days will come through on the waitlist, but ensures that you don't have to change resorts for one night, then move back again the next day.

If you only want to unpack your bags once for the trip and not move at all, a day-by-day booking may not be the thing for you. Give the waiting list a shot with an all-or-nothing request and simply enjoy your home resort if it doesn't come through.