Changing ressie at 7 months...day by day??

[KathyRN137]

I'm a DVC member for 2 years, but this is the first time I'm trying this so I am asking questions like a newbie!!

Background : Our family wants to try a new DVC resort each year. Unfortunately, the week in November that works out the best for us just overlaps with the last week of the EPCOT F&WF, so it is difficult to book at the 7 month window for BCV or BWV!

I have already made a ressie for a 2 BR at my home resort, SSR. Six nights points; one night cash, so I've got my "bird in the hand", so to speak.

We stayed there on our first DVC vacation, but before we go back again, everyone wants to try "something new"! Last year, it was OKW.

In three weeks, we hit the 7 month mark. I will call to try to change our ressie to either BCV, BWV, or VWL, since we have yet to stay at any of these.

Question: Do I need to wait until 7 months from my checkout date to try to change the entire ressie? Or, can I try to change day by day?

I really don't want to lose out on the chance for a different resort, but, I also don't want to risk getting "stuck" with a split stay if I can't book my entire stay at the same resort.

Should I just bite the bullet and wait to try to change all the dates at once, and if nothing is available, then waitlist??

Thanks in advance for any advice...and please, no SSR bashers, okay?

Kathy

 

[keishashadow]

Not sure where you sit on point availability; but I just kept the 1st ressie I had booked @ 11 month window; then booked the new one day-by-day @ 7 month.

I was trying to secure F&W @ BC; had to waitlist one day for months; but it finally came through; then i cancelled the 1st ressie.

There are those here who frown upon this practice though. MS verified that it's perfectly kosher.

good luck.

 

[KathyRN137]

Thanks for your advice, but the current ressie uses up all my points for 2007.

Does it make any sense to borrow points from 2008 to make alternate ressie day by day? I don't think so because what if I can't get all my days and need to fall back on my original ressie?

I'd have to re-book with my 2008 points and then bank my 2007 points, right?? Is that even possible??

Kathy

 

[dis-happy]

It will be harder to book BCV and BWV during F&W. Your best bet to avoid a split stay is to try VWL (one of my family's favorite resorts BTW). If you are adamant about not wanting a possible split stay then wait and try to book (or w/l) the whole week at once.

 

[DebbieB]

I would call the day before you can start switching the reservation and ask what availability looks like. If they say there are already dates soldout, I would wait until the 7 month point of your final check-out and get on the waitlist.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Kathy

I just went though this and here is how I did it.

I own at Saratoga Springs

We wanted to stay at BCV or BWV

Check in 10/10/07 Checkout 10/20/07 these dates are during the F&WF

I called the day before my 7-month window to find out availability.

Beach Club was missing 1 day the 16th

Boardwalk was missing 3 days but the 16th was available.

No Brainer, Beach club, less missing days

When making reservations you have to wait to your 7-month window from
Check out not check in.

If a reservation day lands on a Sunday you can make a two-day reservation
On the following Monday

I live in California so we are three hours earlier than guest relations.

At exactly 6:00 am I would call guest services to make a 1-day reservation.

Did this everyday except for Saturday when they are open at 10:00 am
Pacific time.

After making your initial reservation all you need to do is tell guest services that you want to add to an existing reservation.

On the 17th I requested the BWV for the 16th my missing day Remember you can only make your reservation 7 months from check out not check in. I also requested to be put on the wait list for the 16th (this was a new reservation)

After making my reservations I was missing only 1 day the 16th

I was on the wait list for less than a week, I checked the members web site this morning and my waitlisted day came though yesterday.

This is the third year in a row we have stayed at either the BCV or the BWV

We have been waitlisted every year and got our dates.

This is my thinking

99 % of the folks who own at either BBV or BCV have already made their reservations at the eleven-month window

You are mostly competing against those of us who don’t own there and must wait for the 7 month window

Here is my advice

Call the day before your 7-month window to find out availability.

Don't borrow from 2008 I don’t believe the points can go back in 08 if you cancel. I might be wrong.

Call when guest services open, (not 5 minutes after they open) exactly 7 months from checkout, be there first caller.

Use the points from the already booked SSR as each day comes up.

Good Luck
Searl Proudbottom

 

[DrShifty]

I'm with DebbieB on this one. I'm a day by day guy when it comes to high season, GV booking, etc at 11 mos but the strategy totally changes at 7 mos. I've used the strategy she outlined and usually it has worked. If it doesn't, you still have a ressie and either way, you have no worries about borrowing etc.