Anyone ever used the online reservation form?

[NARM Forever]

Another thread made me go and have a look at this. Once you have filled in the form do you get an instant answer or do they email you the next day. What's the procedure, how effective is it?

 

[vonpluto]

Another thread made me go and have a look at this. Once you have filled in the form do you get an instant answer or do they email you the next day. What's the procedure, how effective is it?

We've used it for the last two years. You get an almost instant response, but it is only "request received" email. It tells you that MS will respond within two days.

Both times we used the system, it took about ten days of back and forth emails until everything was firmed up. It works well for us, because we have a wide window (Oct - mid Dec) to work with. In both cases we got our second choice (SSR, home resort OKW), and both times I started the process three months out.

I like it because I can just sit at the computer in the evening and work things out.

 

[DMKEDM]

I have also used the online "request a reservation" form...I've used it twice...as the previous poster noted, both times I got an near-instant "we'll get back to you" message. On my first attempt, I messed up my dates and asked for a reservation at a resort that's not my home resort at 9 months out...about 3 days later a CM wrote me a very nice email telling me I couldn't do a non-home-resort ressie til 7 months out.

So, I went back to the form and resubmitted my request asking for my home resort, and got a response (about the ressie) back 5 days later confirming that I had a reservation just as I'd requested it. I zapped back a "thank you" email and the same CM responded that she'd been glad to help and wished me a magical day...

So, I deduce that once you get an email from a CM, that's the CM you keep dealing with if you have back-and-forth to do...

I love the online system...probably isn't good if you're trying to book for a time when "time is of the essence"...but works great for non-peak times between 11 and 7 months...

 

[CapeCodFam]

I prefer to talk to someone and book it all right away. It's hard enough for us to wait untl the next trip. Let alone, wait many days before our request is confirmed.

 

[nhdisnut]

We have used the on-line form for each of our ressies for 5 different DVC trips, each time with no problem. We had to wait anywhere from a few hours to two days for a response, but everytime we had success getting what we wanted (for various times of year: end of April, Christmas week, and early August).

I sometimes wish that the online form provided instant feedback about reservations (like making a cash reservation at a resort), but I do like the convenience of requesting a reservation at all hours - work better into my lifestyle, I guess.

 

[patsal]

I use it for all of my bookings except the "last minute" ones. I always go for two weeks in July either the first two or last two depending on when I bought my AP's. I make my home resort ones on the first possible day I can for the length of stay, and at the 7 month window for non home resorts the same way. I have never had a problem and usually have a confirmed reservation within 24 hours. FOr last minute I call so I can check on several resorts or be placed on a waiting list if necessary.

 

[tkd lisa]

I've used it twice. The first time was when the website was undergoing some changes. I got the email saying they'd get back to me, and didn't hear anything for a couple of days, so I just called and took care of it.

2nd time, I got an email back with my ressie within 2 days. I realized that I had added one too many days to the ressie, so I called them to fix it. If I had called for it to begin with I would have realized that I had the date wrong right away, but the email form works well when MS is closed.

 

[TinkGirl]

I just used the online booking system for the first time. I now have a school job where I have no time during the day to make any phone calls, so I thought I'd try it. I put in the request over the weekend and got a reply back Tuesday. The resort I requested was not available, so the CM listed all the resorts that had availability for the dates I requested. I sent a reply with first and second choices, and she was back to me with a reservation by the next day. I also requested to be added to several waitlists by e-mail, which was taken care of--seemed very easy. As someone already said, it would be great to be able to check availability online. Maybe someday that will be built into the system.

 

[disfountainofyouth]

I've used it for my last two reservations. I made my reservations at the
11 month window and received my confirmation in one or two business days.

 

[byoung]

I rather call MS.