Checking availability with MS?

[Brandis]

If I call MS and give them my stay dates, can they look up and tell me what's available or do I need to give them more details and they then can look up if that's available?

Example:

a) "I want to come to WDW from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, I need a 2-bedroom villa, which resorts do you have available?"

or

b) "I want to come to WDW from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, do you have a 2-bedroom, lake-view available at BLT?"

Can/will they answer to "a" or only to "b"?

Until now, I pretty much gave them all my details first and then they said if it's available or not. But when I used the online form they answered back that my requests where not available but they would have X, Y or Z.

That's why I thought it would be much easier just to tell them a date and the size of villa and they then can list all which is available.

 

[disneynutz]

If I call MS and give them my stay dates, can they look up and tell me what's available or do I need to give them more details and they then can look up if that's available?

Example:

a) "I want to come to WDW from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, I need a 2-bedroom villa, which resorts do you have available?"

or

b) "I want to come to WDW from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, do you have a 2-bedroom, lake-view available at BLT?"

Can/will they answer to "a" or only to "b"?

Until now, I pretty much gave them all my details first and then they said if it's available or not. But when I used the online form they answered back that my requests where not available but they would have X, Y or Z.

That's why I thought it would be much easier just to tell them a date and the size of villa and they then can list all which is available.

You can have them search either way. You can also give them your favorite resorts in order and they will search in sequence.

Bill

 

[Brandis]

Great! That makes it much easier for me when they tell me what's available and then I just pick whatever I like best from what's there.

 

[loveswdw]

I always tell them where I'd like to stay first then they tell me if its available. If I just ask what's available, they always seem to tell me SSR first then OKW. Of course, those are the largest. But other resorts have been available too. But for me at least, they always tell me those 2 first. Even if other resorts have been available.

 

[tjkraz]

Just realize that availability is a very fluid thing. Ideally you should be ready to book during that initial call.

If you simply gather info with the intention of calling back hours or days later after discussing options with family or friends, you may find a very different list of resort options by the time you place that follow-up call.

 

[Brandis]

Thanks Tim, I realize that the situation can change very fast and I usually just call if I'm ready to book.

However, recently it worked to my advantage when I called to ask if a Value Studio at AKV would be available. They told me only Standard View. Since I didn't have enough points for that I said I would call back later.

I discussed it with my friend and since it was weekend, I just did the online booking form giving them 3 preferred resorts and room type.

They wrote back on Tuesday that none of my choices were available, but a Value Studio at AKV would be. So I called them right away and took it. So in that case it was a good thing that I waited. Of course it probably would have worked the same if I would have let them put me on the waitlist for a value studio.