a potentially stupid question about 11 month booking

[pixiechick]

I am booking 11 months out for next July 4th week. Today, I booked the first night, June 29 (departing the 30th). I had planned on booking day by day because of the holiday week. I didn't think about the difference in the number of days in June vs July and now don't know how to book. When do I book the night of June 30th? Do I not call tomorrow and then call on August 1? Of course, I realized this after member services had closed for the night. I figured someone here has experienced this before.

 

[Caskbill]

You would book your June 30th night (check-out on July 1st) on this July 31st. You do not have to wait until Aug 1st.

From the Member's Guidebook (older book, I can't find it in the new book) it states:

The 'corresponding date' is the date of check out for the desired reservation; if check out is to occur on June 25th, then the corresponding date is the 25th. If there are no dates that correspond directly to the reservation check out date, then the last day of the month is when reservations may be requested. For example, a Member who wishes to check out on January 31, ... may request that reservation on February 28....

Hope this helps.

 

[pixiechick]

Thanks! I guess at some point this week I will have to "skip" a day of booking. I'll call tomorrow either way and find out for sure. Thanks again!

 

[mouseclick1]

I just called and tried to book June 30th, and was told that I had to call back tomorrow. The CM said that the computer wouldn't accept the date, and verified with her supervisor that I couldn't make that reservation today. Did you have any luck booking today?

 

[Doctor P]

Yes, that is correct. You can't book June 30th until tomorrow. If you read the quote in Caskbill's quote, the situation you have is not one that is covered by the exception, because August 1 exists and is 11 months from July 1.

 

[pixiechick]

Now I'm really confused!! I called MS this morning and they DID let me book it. I asked if I would have to skip a day, to make up for the difference in days, and she told me no! I'll be calling tomorrow either way--especially to see if my reservation actually exists!

 

[Towncrier]

Let's see if an example would help:

Checkin / Checkout / 11 month window
June 29, 2003 / June 30, 2003 / July 30, 2002
June 30, 2003 / July 1, 2003 / August 1, 2002
July 1, 2003 / July 2, 2003 / August 2, 2002
July 2, 2003 / July 3, 2003 / August 5, 2002 (MS closed on weekend)
July 3, 2003 / July 4, 2003 / August 5, 2002 (ditto)
July 4, 2003 / July 5, 2003 / August 5, 2002

So there you have it. And example of what Doctor P was talking about would be:

Checkin / Checkout / 11 month window
August 29, 2003 / August 30, 2003 / September 30, 2002
August 30, 2003 / August 31, 2003 / September 30, 2002
August 31, 2003 / September 1, 2003 / October 1, 2002

Of course this is a horrible example because MS is closed on 9/30 and 10/1 this year, but you get the idea. The craziest month to reserve using the 11 month window is January because February is so short. You can reserve a rooms with a checkout date of January 28, 29, 30, and 31st on February 28th. That is unless there is a February 29th that year. If you think this is confusing, think of the poor programmer who had to program the reservation system to handle this rule.

I have no clue as to why you were able to book the room today. Yet another example of Disney Magic I guess.

 

[beattyfamily]

Could someone look over my example (of my next vacation/first visit home to BWV) of when to call for my 11 month window and tell me if I'm correct, please? I'm so confused...never done it before.

I'd be interested in a 1 bedroom standard view and I know how hard they are to get!

Anyway, here it is:

Checkin / Checkout / 11 month window
November 30, 2003 / December 1, 2003 / January 2, 2003 (MS closed on the holiday
December 1, 2003 / December 2, 2003 / January 2, 2003
December 2, 2003 / December 3, 2003 / January 3, 2003
December 3, 2003 / December 4, 2003 / January 6, 2003 (MS closed on weekend)
December 4, 2003 / December 5, 2003 / January 6, 2003 (ditto)

Please let me know if I'm missing something.

Thanks so much!

 

[Towncrier]

That looks right to me. Of course, it's a good idea to let MS know that you are going to be calling day-by-day in order to extend your reservation. That way you won't get a ton of confirmation letters in the mail. And you can always ask to make sure that you can't book your requested days on Friday instead of waiting for Monday. All they can do is say no. Good luck with your reservation adventure.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks so much for the info. I was a bit confused.

I will let them know that I'm doing day-by-day.

Is that what most people do for fear of not getting their week? Is it really necessary at 11 months? I'm assuming yes.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
Thanks so much for the info. I was a bit confused.

I will let them know that I'm doing day-by-day.

Is that what most people do for fear of not getting their week? Is it really necessary at 11 months? I'm assuming yes.

If you are really planning on a standard view room at the BWV for the time in your example (first week of December), the YES, it is absolutely necessary to call day by day. IMHO, this is one of the hardest DVC reservations to book. My advice is to not only call day by day, but also to call as soon as MS opens each day. I'll be calling for the same time frame and that is what I will be doing. Good luck to both of us!