Complicated planning question...

[Steamboat Girlie]

OK, so it's complicated to me because I am new to all of this. I am planning a trip for next year. From August 26-Sept 6 2009. From August 26-29, I would like to stay at Vero Beach. So, using my 7 month window, I can call on January 26, 2009 to reserve this, right? But from August 30-Sept. 6 I want to stay at AKV, so using my 11 month window, I can reserve this on September 30, 2008, right? Am OK so far? OK, the confusing part to me is this, what happens when I call to reserve VB and there is no availability? Do I go on a waiting list? Then what happens if May comes along (when I have to bank my points by). Do I take my chances that VB will open up?

 

[CDNTech]

This is what we did...

Jan 27 - Feb 4 at AKV
Feb 4 - Feb 11 at BCV

AKV is our home resort. We booked the entire stay (Jan 27 - Feb 11) at AKV at our 11 month window as two separate ressies. First week is a 2br and second week is a studio.

At the 7 month window we called and switched the Feb 4 - 11 to BCV. If there had not been availability, we would have waitlisted the Feb 4 - 11. If it didn't come through, we still had a place to stay at AKV for the entire vacation.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

This is what we did...

Jan 27 - Feb 4 at AKV
Feb 4 - Feb 11 at BCV

AKV is our home resort. We booked the entire stay (Jan 27 - Feb 11) at AKV at our 11 month window as two separate ressies. First week is a 2br and second week is a studio.

At the 7 month window we called and switched the Feb 4 - 11 to BCV. If there had not been availability, we would have waitlisted the Feb 4 - 11. If it didn't come through, we still had a place to stay at AKV for the entire vacation.

Thanks for that. But I don't think we want to be at WDW for the entire trip. We really want to go to the beach for a few days. If Vero Beach didn't open up for the days we wanted, we will probably just pay cash to stay somewhere at the beach. My concern is about waitlisting, and then it not opening up and then losing the ability to bank the points that we would be putting aside to stay at VB if it never becomes available.

 

[Chuck S]

If there is no availability for VB when you call at 7 months out, go on the waitlist. If the waitlist isn't filled before you reach your banking window, cancel the waitlist , bank the points, and pay cash somewhere. In fact, you may want to book a cash reservation somewhere as a backup, as long as you can cancel if your waitlist does come through by May.