Another waitlist advice question

[Donald is #1]

OK, so a couple of weeks ago, I made my first reservation during a peak DVC time. Since joining last May, my other reservations have been made for October, May, and November. All of these reservations were fairly easy. Well, I am planning a trip for that overlaps the first 2 weeks of December. Now, I have read all the posts for day by day reservations, but I figured since I was planning on a AKV Savannah View studio that I sould probably wait until 11 months from the end of the trip to book. Well I called at 11 months - 2 days and there is actually one night where there are no studio or 1 bedroom AKV rooms available. I am waitlisted but after more AKV rooms were released, I am still waitlisted. The other piece is that I am thinking about changing at least part of my reservation at 7 months to either BCV or BWV so that I could try them out.

So for all of you DVC vets, what would you do about the 1 night with no reservation (it is in the middle of course ):
1) Just be patient and wait for the waitlist
2) Try booking a cash DVC room and then cancel when the waitlist comes through
3) Wait until 7 months and then if nothing is available book a cash room.
4) Book a non-DVC resort room for the night and cancel when the waitlist comes through
5) Other

Thanks everyone

 

[CarolMN]

Since you only need one night and you have at least 10 months until arrival, definitely keep on the waitlist. There are still studios left to declare so that's in your favor as well.

IMHO, you have a much better chance of that one night coming through at AKV than you do of changing to either BCV or BWV at 7 months. Besides,do you really want to put yourself through the day by day calling and the busy phones you would encounter at that time? (If you think the complaints were bad for the 11 month window, just imagine what will happen when all those 7 month people start trying to get reservations or change around)! I'd save trying out the smaller resorts for a less popular time. But that's JMHO. YMMV.

You can certainly get a cash reservation as a back up if you are nervous, but I think you can wait to do that (Except for the DVC cash reservations booked through MS, you'd have to send in a deposit and that seems like a bit of a hassle to me).

Anyway, sorry you didn't get your night, but I really do think the waitlist is going to work for you relatively soon.

Good luck!

 

[Claire L]

What night do you need? I am waitlisted for 4 nights out of 11 and am thinking chances of getting them are quite high

Claire

 

[Donald is #1]

What night do you need? I am waitlisted for 4 nights out of 11 and am thinking chances of getting them are quite high

Claire

12/7 -> I agree, I figure that the waitlist will come true. However, I am thinking about hedging my bets, especially when I found out that all of the 1 bedrooms were also taken.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If there's a DVC discount on a room that can be linked to what you have, I would grab it but stay on the waitlist.

Bobbi

 

[Donald is #1]

Since you only need one night and you have at least 10 months until arrival, definitely keep on the waitlist. There are still studios left to declare so that's in your favor as well.

IMHO, you have a much better chance of that one night coming through at AKV than you do of changing to either BCV or BWV at 7 months. Besides,do you really want to put yourself through the day by day calling and the busy phones you would encounter at that time? (If you think the complaints were bad for the 11 month window, just imagine what will happen when all those 7 month people start trying to get reservations or change around)! I'd save trying out the smaller resorts for a less popular time. But that's JMHO. YMMV.

You can certainly get a cash reservation as a back up if you are nervous, but I think you can wait to do that (Except for the DVC cash reservations booked through MS, you'd have to send in a deposit and that seems like a bit of a hassle to me).

Anyway, sorry you didn't get your night, but I really do think the waitlist is going to work for you relatively soon.

Good luck!

Excellent points! I was planning on just waiting at least until the 7 month mark but when I called this weekend after the next block of rooms was released and found that all of the studios and 1 bedrooms were gone, I started to think about hedging my bets. It was the 1 bedrooms being all gone that took me by surprise.

On BCV & BWV at 7 months, hmmm so you think that it will be difficult to change? I really don't want to do a day by day. I was hoping to call 1/2 through and see if I could get the first half moved and then later after the end for the 2nd half. But if they are all booked, then I will be perfectly happy at AKV and I will try them out some other time.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

If there's a DVC discount on a room that can be linked to what you have, I would grab it but stay on the waitlist.

Bobbi

Yep.... I chose door #2

 

[Claire L]

12/7 -> I agree, I figure that the waitlist will come true. However, I am thinking about hedging my bets, especially when I found out that all of the 1 bedrooms were also taken.

12/7 is one of my nights too!

Claire

 

[Donald is #1]

12/7 is one of my nights too!

Claire

It is curious as to why 12/7 is so popular. When I booked that was the only night not available. I would have expected either a day or two before/after it to also be booked unless there are a lot of people who travel home on Mondays.

The interesting thing is that when I called 12/10 was also booked but by the time MS booked the first part (up to 12/7) a room had opened for 12/10. Just to confuse matters, some of my reservation is for a dedicated studio and some is for a lock off (all due to availability). So I actually have 3 reservations to cover 12/4-12/14 not including something for 12/7.

 

[Claire L]

It is curious as to why 12/7 is so popular. When I booked that was the only night not available. I would have expected either a day or two before/after it to also be booked unless there are a lot of people who travel home on Mondays.

The interesting thing is that when I called 12/10 was also booked but by the time MS booked the first part (up to 12/7) a room had opened for 12/10. Just to confuse matters, some of my reservation is for a dedicated studio and some is for a lock off (all due to availability). So I actually have 3 reservations to cover 12/4-12/14 not including something for 12/7.

Not too sure 12/10 was ok but 12/8 and 12/9 are also waitlisted! My ressies are all for a dedicated so far.

Claire

 

[JPS439]

I'm on the waitlist for 12/7 through 12/12. Studio or one bedroom- any view. I just want to goto disney!

I figured I'd try for OKW or SSR at 7months so I can go, I think those reservations (if i can get them) would be automatically canceled should the waitlist come through- do I got that right?