BWV Walking

[philbrody]

I've had contracts at BWV for 10+ years. I always understood (never quite agreed) the people walking reservation for popular times. Now it seems you cant get a standard view at any time without walking. Still pent up demand of all the points that were not used during the pandemic or do people think this is here to stay? was on at 8am today to get a 2 bedroom standard view and no availability as the clock hit 8am.

 

[Marionnette]

I've had contracts at BWV for 10+ years. I always understood (never quite agreed) the people walking reservation for popular times. Now it seems you cant get a standard view at any time without walking. Still pent up demand of all the points that were not used during the pandemic or do people think this is here to stay? was on at 8am today to get a 2 bedroom standard view and no availability as the clock hit 8am.

The problem at BWV is that all 2BR villas are lockoffs. So you're not only competing with others who want to book a 2BR, you're also competing with members who want a studio. There are a lot of people who purchased at BWV for the sole purpose of booking a studio... especially the standard studios. It has become more difficult over time as members sell off small contracts and buyers purchase just enough points to get a studio. It's not walking that causes the problem because if it were, you would be able to log on tomorrow or the next day and book that standard view 2BR when the walkers move past your first night.

 

[Skywalker3]

Yes, we've always had issues trying to get a 2 bedroom standard, and it's due to the studio part. If only they had some dedicated 2 bedrooms.......We've had to settle for garden/pool view a couple times. we actually did manage a 2 bed standard for this coming June.....and for the first time ever, walked a reservation to do it. I don't like it though.
Sorry about the no availability. I hope you get what you need. Maybe tomorrow the walkers will have dropped the day you want to start???

 

[drusba]

For many years, getting a standard studio, and thus also a 2BR since all are lock-offs, at BWV has had issues at 11-months out. Beginning five years ago, it gradually went from very difficult to nearly impossible, not because of walking, but because of the decision in 2016 to add a Murphy bed in the cabinet under the TV, thus allowing 5 rather than the previous 4 maximum occupancy. Since then BWV standard view studios have become a year-round 11-month problem, and walking itself can be difficult simply because it can be hard to find a date to begin a walk.

And as to 2BRs, DVC does not have available to it the option to hold back on some 2BR lock-offs just so they can be reserved as 2BRs. That is because all reservations are, under the POS, subject to a first come first serve rule, and thus the large number of those seeking studios can prevent the rooms from being reserved as 2BRs. It is noteworthy, that many times of year outside of the extremely high fall demand season, standard 1BRs can be open even at 7-months out, demonstrating that the overwhelming majority of all standard room reservations are for studios

 

[paults]

I had to walk my 3 (2 bedrooms BWview) for this Oct 2022.)

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Yeah I had to “break” someone’s walk in December 2022 to snag a SV studio week (exact day for 11 month mark was always unavailable but the next day + rest of week was generally open, that was a stressful 8am booking). Had to pick up the leftovers from walkers for January 2023.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I was able to get SV studio for three nights this December. Originally I had booked pool, but I did notice that standard came up over a few day period. I was going to have to move, but eventually I did get the 3 nights SV. I have friends staying for 5 nights, and I didn’t want to risk making them move. So, they will be in the pool view. I will be coming off a DCL cruise, so I don’t mind them being two days without me.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Semi new to DVC. What does “walking” mean?

 

[CarolynFH]

Semi new to DVC. What does “walking” mean?

Booking dates earlier than what you want, then modifying every few days until you get the dates you really want. For instance, say I want December 10-17. On January 1 I book December 1-8. On January 7 I modify it to December 7-14. On January 10 I modify to December 10-17.

 

[bnlbebes]

I've had contracts at BWV for 10+ years. I always understood (never quite agreed) the people walking reservation for popular times. Now it seems you cant get a standard view at any time without walking. Still pent up demand of all the points that were not used during the pandemic or do people think this is here to stay? was on at 8am today to get a 2 bedroom standard view and no availability as the clock hit 8am.

Long time BWV owner here too. We usually book studio standard/boardwalk view rooms. Rather than walk the reservations, I set a waitlist just after 11 months out and then check periodically to make the booking myself. Most times I find the reservation I’m looking for as others cancel before getting a waitlist notification.

 

[DVCjj]

Could someone answer a really dumb Walking question? I've NEVER walked.
Just say my 11th month window opens 9/10/2023 and I would like to try to get illusive Standard rooms.
11 month prior is 10/10/22.

How could someone Walk at all if you literally can't get in to reserve prior til 10/10/22?
How can Walkers begin early (as I keep reading) if they aren't allowed to start anything prior to the 11th month window opening? The same holds true in my brain for non owners trying to get a 7 month reservation? They can't begin earlier than exactly 7 month day also.

WHAT AM I MISSING? It's probably very obvious but I can't figure it out. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Sandisw]

Could someone answer a really dumb Walking question? I've NEVER walked.
Just say my 11th month window opens 9/10/2023 and I would like to try to get illusive Standard rooms.
11 month prior is 10/10/22.

How could someone Walk at all if you literally can't get in to reserve prior til 10/10/22?
How can Walkers begin early (as I keep reading) if they aren't allowed to start anything prior to the 11th month window opening? The same holds true in my brain for non owners trying to get a 7 month reservation? They can't begin earlier than exactly 7 month day also.

WHAT AM I MISSING? It's probably very obvious but I can't figure it out. Thanks for clarifying.

Using your example, the real trip is 9/10, and your real window is 10/10.

Walking is when you book a trip that starts earlier than your real trip and then modify and walk/move it forward.

So, what you would do is go in October 1st instead and book 9/1 to 9/8.

A few days later, you modify and move it to 9/5 to 9/12..you keep doing it until you get your real trip dates.

As long as you move it forward before the check out date you have booked, no one can get ahead of you.

So, no one is getting to book more than 11 months ahead because they are booking a trip 11 months out. However, because we are allowed to modify and change trips more than 31 days in advance without penalty, this strategy works.

The key is that you have to get it started I. Order it to work!!

 

[DVCjj]

Using your example, the real trip is 9/10, and your real window is 10/10.

Walking is when you book a trip that starts earlier than your real trip and then modify and walk/move it forward.

So, what you would do is go in October 1st instead and book 9/1 to 9/8.

A few days later, you modify and move it to 9/5 to 9/12..you keep doing it until you get your real trip dates.

As long as you move it forward before the check out date you have booked, no one can get ahead of you.

So, no one is getting to book more than 11 months ahead because they are booking a trip 11 months out. However, because we are allowed to modify and change trips more than 31 days in advance without penalty, this strategy works.

The key is that you have to get it started I. Order it to work!!

First, thank you for answering. Much appreciated.
My Question: How can I go in BEFORE my exact 11 month day? I can't get that through my thick skull.
I totally understand the modifying part etc., just the SUPER EARLY part when I'm not eligible to book anything prior to 11 months.
Again, thank you so much.

 

[npatellye]

First, thank you for answering. Much appreciated.
My Question: How can I go in BEFORE my exact 11 month day? I can't get that through my thick skull.
I totally understand the modifying part etc., just the SUPER EARLY part when I'm not eligible to book anything prior to 11 months.
Again, thank you so much.

You would make the first reservation on 10/1/22 and you would book it for 9/1/23 to 10/1/23. Then you would modify it until your first day eventually lined up with the actual first day of your trip (9/10/23).

You pretty much make an early reservation and then adjust it every few days until you are at the actual dates of your trip.

I haven’t done it so I can’t speak to how often people modify dates when walking. It may be daily.

 

[Sandisw]

First, thank you for answering. Much appreciated.
My Question: How can I go in BEFORE my exact 11 month day? I can't get that through my thick skull.
I totally understand the modifying part etc., just the SUPER EARLY part when I'm not eligible to book anything prior to 11 months.
Again, thank you so much.

Think if it this way. You are choosing a fake trip which gives you a different 11 month window.

Basically, you are pretending you are going earlier, and base the first reservation around that 11 month window

Another example..if my real trip is going to start in November then my 11 month window starts in December.

But I decide to pretend I am going in October..which I can book at 11 months starting in November.

Once I book that October trip, which isn’t my real one, then I move it forward.

 

[DVCjj]

Think if it this way. You are choosing a fake trip which gives you a different 11 month window.

Basically, you are pretending you are going earlier, and base the first reservation around that 11 month window

Another example..if my real trip is going to start in November then my 11 month window starts in December.

But I decide to pretend I am going in October..which I can book at 11 months starting in November.

Once I book that October trip, which isn’t my real one, then I move it forward.

I GETTTTTT IT!!!! How stupid can I be. It's actually making a FAKE trip and then move it around.
I'm so sorry I didn't get it sooner. Thank you for your patience.

 

[DVCjj]

You would make the first reservation on 10/1/22 and you would book it for 9/1/23 to 10/1/23. Then you would modify it until your first day eventually lined up with the actual first day of your trip (9/10/23).

You pretty much make an early reservation and then adjust it every few days until you are at the actual dates of your trip.

I haven’t done it so I can’t speak to how often people modify dates when walking. It may be daily.

Thank you so much for helping me. My dense old brain now understands the concept.
It means a lot to me that Dis-ers are willing to spend the time to give knowledge to those that are confused. What a lovely trait to have.

 

[AdamsMum]

Are Boardwalk View 2 bedrooms as hard to book at 11 months out? I hate spending points on preferred (actually pool or tree view), but I love the BW view. I don't often get two bedroom units, but there's a trip in my future I'm trying to plan.

 

[Pooh12863]

Are Boardwalk View 2 bedrooms as hard to book at 11 months out? I hate spending points on preferred (actually pool or tree view), but I love the BW view. I don't often get two bedroom units, but there's a trip in my future I'm trying to plan.

I don't think BW view studios go as quick as the standard view studios, I can usually pick one up if I'm not on right at 8 am. I'm sure things might be different during notoriously busy times.

 

[drusba]

Are Boardwalk View 2 bedrooms as hard to book at 11 months out? I hate spending points on preferred (actually pool or tree view), but I love the BW view. I don't often get two bedroom units, but there's a trip in my future I'm trying to plan.

Standard view studios, and thus also 2BRs, have the 11-month issue most of the year. For boardwalk view, it depends on time of year. If your desired time is during the high demand fall season (late Sep to marathon weekend in Jan) the boardwalk view studios and 2BRs also usually disappear very quickly at 8 a.m. at 11-months out. For stays during the rest of the year, those are usually open for more than enough time at 11-months out to reserve either a studio or 2BR online without difficulty.