DECEMBER is Crazy!

[BLAZER742002]

Well I finally have my Membership number and am Finally part of this Amazing Club....I immediately Called Member Svcs. And They Told me that they are completely Sold out for Dec 7 - 11.

I wait listed myself at 4 different resorts for studio's, to where I would stay at 1 resort for 2 nights and another for the last 2 nights. But I am just crazied with the thought that I might not get my rooms.

Do you think the odds are more in my favor with staying at multiple DVC
versus trying to stay at only 1 hotel for the full 4 nights?

My other idea (all though more hectic) would be to wait list for a Studio at many hotels and I can just stay at different ones each night. (4 nites = 4 DVC)

Just curious at to what the Veteran DVC'ers Think.
Thanks

 

[DebbieB]

The first 2 weeks of December are always busy for DVC. I would waitlist at multiple DVC's. With the new waitlist rules, you can't waitlist day by day so it would only come through if all 4 nights became available.

Welcome Home!

 

[JimMIA]

First of all, you should know that the period from Thanksgiving to New Years is THE busiest season of the year for DVC -- cheap points costs, holiday decorations and events, membership association meetings, etc. You'll have much better success next year, when you can book 11 months out. And DO book at 11 months for that period to avoid getting shut out.

Second...be careful what you wish for with waitlisting. Waitlists are filled automatically, and you will not be notified at all.

If you have a whole bunch of pending waitlists at different resorts, for different days, etc, that could mean multiple waitlists being filled, a waitlist fulfillment canceling another existing ressie -- lots of bad things. If a bunch of waitlists get filled and you don't have enough points, they will borrow points from next year (which cannot be put back).

Be SURE you and MS understand exactly what you want. Then call back and ask another MS CM what they think your waitlists mean.

I can't give you any helpful advice in strategies for waitlisting, because I don't use waitlist for the above reasons.

The only suggestion I can really offer is not to depend on the automatic waitlist. Call back occasionally.

There have been WAY too many "Hold on, let me check...WOW! How about that -- your waitlist just came through!" stories posted here to ignore. Magic seems to happen sometimes.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'd say your chances are slim to none at this late date for that very popular time period. You might actually have a little bit of a chance if you change your request to a 1 bedroom at ANY of the on site DVCs, but don't hold your breath. Studios and 2 bedrooms will be more difficult.

 

[moredisneyplease]

i'm going to have to agree that you're better off aiming for next December because I know that the wait list is Loooong for all resorts at that time. Keep checking back, though, just in case something does go through.

 

[BLAZER742002]

Well thanks for you responses.
I will call back and keep checking.

Still slightly confused about the Negatives toward having multiple wait lists.
I was told on the phone that once you get one of the resorts
they will automatically cancel any other wait list for that date.

I will just have to call and confirm their policy and see what happens.

thanks again.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

. . . Still slightly confused about the Negatives toward having multiple wait lists.
I was told on the phone that once you get one of the resorts
they will automatically cancel any other wait list for that date.

I will just have to call and confirm their policy and see what happens.

thanks again.

I think the biggest negative is that it makes it more likely that you will end with involuntary split stays of one night each. Remember, the most likely scenario is that a single day will come available. It's kind of like rolling a die; each number is equally like on the first roll, but it is much less likely that you will get 2 in a row (much less 3 or 4 in a row).

Let's say you have the following waitlists:

Days 1-4 at SSR
Days 1-2 at BCV
Day 1 at BWV
Day 2 at VWL
Days 3-4 at BWV or OKW
Day 3 at AKV
Day 4 at BCV

If you get Day 2 at VWL, it will automatically cancel your WL for days 1-2 at BCV and your WL for Days 1-4 at SSR. You will then need to WL for Days 1-4 and Days 1-2 again, but you will lose your priority in line when you do so.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[XGrumpy1]

You could always call and get the cash discount price. You do get a DVC discount. You would have to pay for the trip now, but, you can save the points for a later trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Did you try to get the Saturday, December 6? There may be something available, and that would get you a foot in the door. I have had GOOD luck with waitlists...staying at VWL in 9 days, that stay was changed from SSR!

Pixie dust for you!

Bobbi

 

[tomandrobin]

You are still far enough out to have a waitlist come thru. It all depends on how many others are ahead of you on the waitlist.

I would call daily.

I would look into cash rate at a moderate resort. Even though DVC is busy that time of year, cash reservations are slow. Rent your points to cover the cost of your cash stay. Check all possible discounts too.

 

[rcgal2]

I wait listed at every resort for a 1 bedroom from 11/30-12/05 & it came through a couple of weeks ago. Once you get your wait list, they take you off any others you may have pending. Good luck

 

[BLAZER742002]

Well I called back - and I managed to get (1) nite out of my 4 at the Beach Club...

I'm Very Excited...This gives me a little bit of hope!
I have also adjusted my wait list and confirmed what happens with at least 2 CM's.

You guys are all great!

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

 

[GranddadTom]

I can't help you with the particulars of the waitlist but I'd like to send a bit of encouragement your way. I've been watching the Transportation Board and there appear to be many people who are waiting for airfares that they can live with and if those don't come through, they can't afford to visit WDW this year. Not wishing them any bad luck but in, your case, it's something to think about. The other good news is that from here on out you can use the 11 month window to get what you want and that is very comforting.

 

[disneynutz]

Well I finally have my Membership number and am Finally part of this Amazing Club....I immediately Called Member Svcs. And They Told me that they are completely Sold out for Dec 7 - 11.

I wait listed myself at 4 different resorts for studio's, to where I would stay at 1 resort for 2 nights and another for the last 2 nights. But I am just crazied with the thought that I might not get my rooms.

Do you think the odds are more in my favor with staying at multiple DVC
versus trying to stay at only 1 hotel for the full 4 nights?

My other idea (all though more hectic) would be to wait list for a Studio at many hotels and I can just stay at different ones each night. (4 nites = 4 DVC)

Just curious at to what the Veteran DVC'ers Think.
Thanks

Plan on going next year. I remember reading a very long wait list thread here on the DIS where members were posting their December wait list requests. The odds of yours coming through aren't good.

 

[Laneychris]

Good luck to you.

 

[Rowaena]

Second...be careful what you wish for with waitlisting. Waitlists are filled automatically, and you will not be notified at all.

Actually they DO send you a letter in the mail when your waitlist comes through. If that happens the smart thing to do is call and cancel the other waitlists, or find out for sure what will happen to the existing "good" reservation if the waitlisted resort you really want becomes available.

But you will recieve a letter, if you get a room after being waitlisted.

 

[BLAZER742002]

Well I have been calling every day for a week (Per Many of your Suggestions)
And It Paid off!

I called this AM right when MS opened. And I got my first 3 nights at Boardwalk!
Which is one of the places I wanted!
So Now I am only Wait Listing the last night!

I am So Excited - I can barely stand it..... This is AMAZING!

Thanks for all the advice... Calling Does Pay off!

Disney In December - Here I Come!

 

[Donald is #1]

Well I have been calling every day for a week (Per Many of your Suggestions)
And It Paid off!

I called this AM right when MS opened. And I got my first 3 nights at Boardwalk!
Which is one of the places I wanted!
So Now I am only Wait Listing the last night!

I am So Excited - I can barely stand it..... This is AMAZING!

Thanks for all the advice... Calling Does Pay off!

Disney In December - Here I Come!

Wow! Congratulations!

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Something to keep in mind since you do have 3 nights so far...I was able very last minute to go with my DH on business this last May, so we decided to use our DVC for a stay. When I called two weeks out, everything was booked (I had not realized we were going around Memorial weekend ). I went on the waitlist, but it is my understanding that a waitlist only stays in effect until 7 days prior to arrival (might be more, actually, but you can request to stay on it longer). We didn't get anything, but we were told by a very helpful CM to try calling within the 7 day mark b/c a lot of people cancel then. Sure enough, we had all kinds of choices at that point. Of course, you should have a backup plan for that last night you are waiting for, but this is a thought should you come down to the wire.

 

[emlutz23]

Well I have been calling every day for a week (Per Many of your Suggestions)
And It Paid off!

I called this AM right when MS opened. And I got my first 3 nights at Boardwalk!
Which is one of the places I wanted!
So Now I am only Wait Listing the last night!

I am So Excited - I can barely stand it..... This is AMAZING!

Thanks for all the advice... Calling Does Pay off!

Disney In December - Here I Come!

That's fantastic! I've never had to use the waitlist and have always heard how hard and impossible it can be to get what you want, but it sounds like there was some Disney magic working for you!