December Booking dilemma

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We are new resale owners, a tiny SSR contract. We are traveling to Disney the week before Christmas and currently are booked at Ft Wilderness but are anxious to test out some more resorts with our DVC membership. We were thinking about dropping 2 nights off our Ft. Wilderness reservation and using our DVC points somewhere. We stayed at SSR last trip so we are looking at the 7 month booking window. We really want to stay at the Poly but there are no standard view rooms available and with the 50% borrowing restriction, we are 1 point shy of 2 nights in a lake view. So it looks like we would have to call to buy a one-time use point. But with the phone lines opening an hour after online booking and December being such a popular time, could the rooms sell out in that hour?

Member services online chat suggested I just book SSR or book 1 night at the Poly and then call to see about adding a second night, but it's not worth it to me to end up with a 1 night reservation when I already have a cash stay elsewhere.

I am thinking about booking at AKL or OKW (resorts I've never stayed at and use less points than the Poly) right when the online 7 month window opens and then calling to buy the 1 point/see about modifying to the Poly once the phone lines open. Would this work? What would you do?

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Since you've never stayed at AKL, try for it. It's a gorgeous resort, and it has some of the best restaurants at WDW. If standard view is available, book it to save points. A lot of the standard view rooms at Jambo house (I recommend it over Kidani for the lobby and easy access to the restaurants) come with partial savanna views and they are pretty great rooms for seeing lots of animals. Just call or use Touring Plans to put in a room request for partial savanna view, and there's a good (though not completely guaranteed) chance you'll get it.

 

[Sandisw]

Another option is to book a fake reservation for one night in early December anywhere now and buy the OTU point.

Then cancel it. It will be in your account to use online for the real nights you want at Poly.

 

[DL1WDW2]

And don’t mention the part about booking & buying one point, to cancel , because technically they are not supposed to do this .
I think guest services said she “ didn’t hear me just say that… “
and explained it would not be fair to the member that might actually need that date .

 

[Sandisw]

And don’t mention the part about booking & buying one point, to cancel , because technically they are not supposed to do this .
I think guest services said she “ didn’t hear me just say that… “
and explained it would not be fair to the member that might actually need that date .

I have heard that CMs will do it in the same call because it’s not against any rules.

But, best to not mention so you don’t have to call back.

 

[Aela]

Yea, they did it for me in the same call.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

The new building at VGF will be open for booking on May 13 so that might be an option for you. Look at the points chart for VGF and look at “Resort Studios”

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

The new building at VGF will be open for booking on May 13 so that might be an option for you. Look at the points chart for VGF and look at “Resort Studios”

Good idea! Do you think I will need to reserve on May 13th and walk the reservation for a few days? I've never done that but I have heard people talk about it.

 

[CarolMN]

Good idea! Do you think I will need to reserve on May 13th and walk the reservation for a few days?

I would if it were me. Good luck!

 

[kboo]

Good idea! Do you think I will need to reserve on May 13th and walk the reservation for a few days? I've never done that but I have heard people talk about it.

That would be, but it would be a real hassle to walk for a 2-night reservation. Essentially you'd have to walk every day?
Good luck!