Can Someone explain WAITLIST to me? THANKS!

[shari2shop]

We have not been to Disney in years! Kids school just released their calendar and we have a week off for Thanksgiving! WooHoo!

I checked on the Disney website and nothing has full availability for Nov 19 - 26, 2016.

I clicked on the WAITLIST bottom. I read everything there but honestly I'm confused! LOL

I have 350 pts (250 current and 125 I can borrow from 2017).

Should I book a room and wait list the few days that are missing?

or Should I waitlist the whole week?

Honestly it will be the 4 of us so I would take ANY size room at ANY resort... can I just waitlist a set of dates and take whatever comes available, whatever size/resort?

Any tips I need to know about for a better chance to get a room? I know Thanksgiving night is going to be tough!!!

Appreciate your help!

 

[sleepydog25]

Personally, I'd book what I could at whatever resort you want then put as my first waitlist the remaining days at that resort. For my second waitlist (you can have two), I'd have those remaining days at a resort where waitlists might come in more quickly, say SSR or OKW. Vacationers' plans change, so I wouldn't lose hope. If it all seems really confusing, call member services and get them to help.

 

[shari2shop]

Okay! Thank you!! Glad to know that I can have 2 waitlists. That gives me a little bit of an option!

Does anyone know what type of rooms seem to come open more? Since we just have 4 people would our chances be better waitlisting for a studies or 1 bedroom?

I'm trying to read and figure this all out! A lot has changed since our last trip!

Thanks again!

 

[sleepydog25]

Generally speaking, studios are the easiest rooms to get since there are more of them. We like the 1BRs better (even though there is only two of us) since we have a kitchen we can use, washer/dryer in the room, and can spread out. However, those are tougher to get in most situations, especially around the holidays. If you truly don't care what sort of room you get, then I'd stick with studios to improve your odds. If you want more room, then look at 1BRs, just be aware those are tough to string together (even 2BRs can be easier due to their high point costs). Good luck!

 

[chalee94]

Generally, studios are more popular than 1BRs since they are cheaper. 1BRs are usually the last room type left available.

But since everything is booked for the holiday week, you never know what will open up.

Book whatever you can now. Waitlist what you want most. "Stalk" the website on a regular basis to see if you get lucky and something opens up.

 

[shari2shop]

Thanks for your replies!

After thinking about it, I think we are going to just do a trip the first week of summer 2017. I don't think we will be able to get a day on Thanksgiving. We thought about paying cash for a night but the thought of switching rooms really puts a damper on the whole vacation idea! LOL

It looks like I can book at my home resort now and then at 7 months I can try to switch over. So, now I have 11 months to figure out all the WDW changes since our last trip in 2009!