December Trip Planning Questions

[Corwin]

We just closed on our recent DVC purchase at VWL, and would like to book a trip there for the week between Christmas and New Year's. (Yes, I know this is the busiest week of the year.)

On the day that we were entered into the system, I called MS and was able to reserve the first night and the last three nights of our planned visit, including New Year's Eve (to my great surprise). There was no availability for three nights in the middle of the week, though. We are currently wait-listed for those three nights at VWL. What are the chances of our VWL wait-list coming through? (This is Plan A. )

We would not be averse to staying at a different resort if necessary for those three mid-week nights, (though the way that things are set up now, we'd have to move twice.) What are the chances of getting any other DVC resort for those three nights at the 7-month mark? (This is Plan B.)

As a place-holder, I actually did book a room-only reservation at a moderate resort for the three nights just in case nothing ever comes through, so currently we do have at least something booked for all 7 nights. (This is Plan C.)

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts or advice. Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

Sounds like a good plan. I think the fact that New Years Eve is a Friday night helped you get it since it's very high points (actually the highest possible for the year).

Your best chance might be at OKW or SSR.

 

[wildernessDad]

Did you WL for a studio at VWL? If so, it may be tough to get. Wait listing for a 1 bedroom may give you the best opportunity.

 

[thepops]

If you didn't already, you might want to book the moderate for your first night as well. This way if the waitlist doesn't come in, you can cancel the 1st night at VWL to avoid moving 3 times in one week.

 

[Corwin]

Sounds like a good plan. I think the fact that New Years Eve is a Friday night helped you get it since it's very high points (actually the highest possible for the year).

It sure is high points. That night is 35 points for a studio at VWL! The next night (Saturday, Jan 1st) goes into a different season and a different year, so is only 16 points.

...Your best chance might be at OKW or SSR.

That's what I figured, too. We'd be fine with either of those for the three nights as well. Any thoughts on availability for those resorts at 7-months out for that week?

Did you WL for a studio at VWL? If so, it may be tough to get. Wait listing for a 1 bedroom may give you the best opportunity.

Actually, 1-bedrooms were available for those nights. However, the number of points required is way more than I want to spend, and we'd still have to move twice. We'd have to borrow half of the following year's allocation, and since borrowing is a final transaction, we'd be making our trip all but uncancellable, which I'd rather not do at this time.

If you didn't already, you might want to book the moderate for your first night as well. This way if the waitlist doesn't come in, you can cancel the 1st night at VWL to avoid moving 3 times in one week.

Yes, I thought of that. I think my wife would cry if I gave up a night at VWL, though, even if we do have to move twice.

 

[Corwin]

Woo hoo! Our waitlist just came through! We got all of our requested nights at VWL!

Interestingly, I've been calling MS a few times a week for the last month to see if any individual nights were available, but they never were. Then yesterday, all three nights showed up on our account under "upcoming vacations."

Somebody must have switched to a different resort at the 7-month mark, which opened things up for us. I was planning on booking another resort myself today, but now I don't have to.

 

[Connears]

Woo hoo! Our waitlist just came through! We got all of our requested nights at VWL!

Interestingly, I've been calling MS a few times a week for the last month to see if any individual nights were available, but they never were. Then yesterday, all three nights showed up on our account under "upcoming vacations."

Somebody must have switched to a different resort at the 7-month mark, which opened things up for us. I was planning on booking another resort myself today, but now I don't have to.

Congrats! I just was able to switch to AKLV for my 12/26-12/30/2010 stay and its the first time we have been able to switch at 7 months for that week for 3 years. I think it is probably because we are not staying NYE this year.

Connears