Can someone explain the waitlist to me?

[disprincess2213]

I have read so much about waitlists. How do they work? Do you book a room at another resort until (or if!) the desired room/property becomes available? Do you do this through a CM over the phone or online?

 

[erionm]

From DVCMember.com (under 'Vacation Planning' > 'How to Book' > 'Wait List a Resort'):

Wait Listing a Resort

If a Disney Vacation Club Resort is not available that matches your specifications, you can request to be placed on the wait list for that Resort.

Submitting a Wait List Request

You can easily wait list a Resort via the online booking system. Just search for the Resort you want and specify your desired dates, room type and the number in your party. If the Resort with all the specifications you requested is not available, simply choose "Wait List This Entire Stay."

Wait list requests can be submitted up to 7 days before your check-in date, although it is advisable that you do so far in advance. There is no guarantee, however, that your wait list request will become available. So you may want to book alternate accommodations by altering your check-in or check-out dates or searching for accommodations at a different Disney Vacation Club Resort.

Wait list requests are active up to 7 days prior to your check-in date. Once you're within that 7-day window, the wait list is not available.

If your wait listed Resort becomes available, your wait list request will be confirmed automatically and a confirmation will be sent to you.

Helpful Hints About the Wait List:

• During the Home Resort Priority period, you can only wait list at your Home Resort.
• You can have up to two active wait list requests per Membership per Use Year.
• Wait list requests for consecutive nights cannot be split into separate night-by-night requests.
• Your request will remain on the wait list for up to 31 days before your requested check-in date. If you would like to keep your name on the wait list beyond that time, visit the wait list manager or contact Member Services at least 32 days prior to your requested check-in date.
• There is no need to contact Member Services once your request has been placed on the wait list.
• If a wait list request is confirmed and you cancel the accommodation 30 days or less prior to check-in, then the vacation points used to book the accommodation will be placed in a Holding Account.
• All other wait list requests or previously confirmed reservations for comparable dates will be cancelled when a wait list request is confirmed.
• You can view, modify or cancel your request at any time in the Vacation Center.
• As a courtesy to other Members, visit the wait list manager or contact Member Services to cancel your request online if you no longer wish to be on the wait list.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

I have read so much about waitlists. How do they work? Do you book a room at another resort until (or if!) the desired room/property becomes available? Do you do this through a CM over the phone or online?

You can do it on-line or over the phone. You can book another room until the desired room becomes available if you want. In general, if you know you are going for sure no matter if the desired room becomes available, then you would book a room to be sure you have something. If you are basing your decision on going based on whether you get your desired room, then no need to book anything else. You can have 2 waitlists at any one time.