Anyone use the onling reservation at 11 month window?

[cheezNE1]

Was wondering if anyone used the online reservation booking at the 11 month window or is it better to just call it in? Never used it, so not sure how reliable it is.

 

[beer dave]

I'm old school. I like the phone call because it has become part of my dis experience.

 

[joelp]

I just used it a month ago to book our 2013 "Jersey Week" vacation ... no problems at all ...

 

[BlazerFan]

I own at VGC and Aulani. I've used the online booking at 11 months 2 or 3 times for VGC. Once I get the initial reservation I will sometimes call to make changes but I've been pretty happy with it. It's great to use it to search for open dates even if you are going to call MS because it gives you an idea of what might be available.

 

[Starr W.]

I use online exclusively now. Never had a problem. Booked a VB Beach Cottage at 11 for spring break, SSR GV for Jersey week. Works well for 7 month window also.

 

[cheezNE1]

oh, so let me get this straigth. YOu can actually see the availabilty at time of booking and then choose the dates and rooms you want? I thought it's one of those you sent it thru in the system and then you get a response back letting you know if it's available.

 

[DebbieB]

oh, so let me get this straigth. YOu can actually see the availabilty at time of booking and then choose the dates and rooms you want? I thought it's one of those you sent it thru in the system and then you get a response back letting you know if it's available.

Yes, this is a true online booking system. Not the old e-mail system. I just booked VGC at 7 months for August. It showed availability, I booked it and got a confirmation immediately.

 

[cheezNE1]

Yes, this is a true online booking system. Not the old e-mail system. I just booked VGC at 7 months for August. It showed availability, I booked it and got a confirmation immediately.

Wow, thats great. Def gonna try it. Anyone experience a lag when everyone is online trying to book the high season dates?

 

[DisneyHeather]

I used it yesterday morning to book the start of my December trip and will just call MS to add the rest of the days I need past the first 7. It was super easy and took no time at all.

 

[bwang123]

i have only used online booking. recently, at 11 months, i even booked 3 AKL value rooms as soon as the window opened. I had 3 browser windows opened and booked all of them almost simultaneously.

 

[drusba]

Calling is fine for many things but be aware that for some reservations, like AKV concierge, the date that is exactly 11 months out can disappear before 9 a.m. eastern, when the phone lines open, because it is filled by those doing on-line booking starting at 8. That can also happen with AKV value or BWV standard or boardwalk view for some times of the year like right now when members are trying to get time during first week of Dec, the highest demand week of the year. For example, this morning, Jan 3, the AKV value studios and 2BRs for Dec 3, 2013 were filled by 8:05 a.m. eastern and the BWV boardwalk view studios and 2BRs were filled by 8:30. Though I do not own there I am guessing the same can happen with BLT standard view.

 

[sb127]

Just used the online booking for a Dec vacation. Did not work the first time but when I logged out and then tried again it was fine. I got all the way to the end and then received an error message when I tried to confirm. Thankfully it worked the second time without a problem. I would use it again in the future.

 

[sechelt]

I've used online booking anywhere from 11 months to 6 months out. I've even waitlisted using the online booking. My waitlist came through and my two reservations were linked, all without me having to call.

I'll echo PP that waiting until 9 a.m. to speak with MS can be too late for some resort categories. Getting VGC studios at 7 months can be tricky without the online booking.

About availibilty though, it doesn't give you a choice up front. You need to choose the resort and category you want and then it tells you if it's available and what alternatives you do or don't have.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Used it for last three reservations with no problems at all. It works very well.

 

[smjj]

We used it this past week to make our reservation at OKW. I want to say it was no big deal but since there were 10 of us(family vacation next Thanksgiving), it was a pain to have to enter each persons name, age and address even the minors but it worked and we got the grand villa we needed. I think having the 2 hour jump on the phone reservations and the fact that there are not that many GV's this gave us a leg up on others....smjj

 

[disneynutz]

I don't call MS unless I have to. Less errors and better service.

Bill

 

[cheezNE1]

does the system to know to borrow points when needed?

 

[erionm]

does the system to know to borrow points when needed?

Yes, you can borrow points if necessary to complete a reservation.

 

[cheezNE1]

Yes, you can borrow points if necessary to complete a reservation.

Thanks. What if we want to use that 1 day 24 point thing, does that mean we still have to speak to the MS?
Sorry for all the ques. Just want to prepare myself b4 i head for that 11 month window online booking.

 

[myxdvz]

I booked all our reservations in 2013 online. I wish I can stop calling MS but since I walked one of our ressies, I have to call to drop the dates and add the other days

At the 11 month window, online bookers have 1 hour advantage over those who call MS. And 1 hour can mean whether or not you get that Std/Concierge/Value views you want.

I will always do something online vs phone. But that's just me.