Does Waiting List Really work?

[bradradice]

Wondering if the 'waiting list' works or if there's a better wait to beat the system. I'm home based at Saratoga Springs...love it! However, would love to try Boardwalk...but can never get in.

Any pointers on getting reservations??????????

 

[fers31]

Sure, be flexible with your dates, choose an off-peak season, and if you have to waitlist, make sure you choose "Preferred View" as that's your most likely chance of getting the room.

 

[MikeyNS]

My home resort is SSR and I've never had a problem getting into the Boardwalk (even got a standard view once!).. definitely depends on the time of year. We got our standard view at the end of March at 3-4 months out.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

When have you tried to go?

We have been successful transferring over to BWV at 7 months, once in Sept and once in Oct. I called exactly on the 7th month mark.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The fewer days you need, the better. If you need a week or more, it will be harder to get those days.

Get on the Waitlist at 7 months out, if the other resort is not available at 7 months out.

I think lots of people had a better chance in the past when they waitlisted for multiple requests (now you can only have two waitlist requests per UY per contract) and waitlisted days at a time instead of one longer period.

 

[tink4ever]

Well I hate sounding like such a downer but we have been on the waitlist for BCV in July for 5very long months!!We only have 3 weeks left and it doesn't look as though it will happen.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was on the waitlist for SSR a few years ago for about four months and my two bedroom villa never came through. We made do with a one bedroom (we only had four people, but we wanted the extra room).

 

[cbeehler3]

We are on the WL for BLT for the end of Oct. I am crossing my fingers, but I don't have high hopes. You never know, though.
We have a studio, savannah view in Jambo house booked, so I am thinking that will be lovely.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

On a WL for VWL 2brm for first week of December...probably won't come through..but that doesn't stop me from looking on the member site EVERYDAY!! Oh well looks like we may have to "Make do" with our dedicated 2brm Savannah view a Kindani Village for that week

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We have had great success with the waitlists! We own at SSR but take our fall vacation to enjoy F&W. In many trips we have always managed to get space at the BWV's, even in the very busy Jersey week.

I think the key is getting on the list early, right at 7 months. Then, since you can only have two active waitlists, be somewhat strategic in your requests. For our vacation this fall, I kept calling each day and slowly filled in individual days. Very quickly I had only a few days left. I took a few days at BCV's to fill out the week in the area. Eventually I managed to put together all five days. (we have three at BLT). You have to take the chance that not everything may come in and you may have to move. We are willing to take the risk as it has worked so many times before. If we have to move this year, so be it.

We have also used waitlists in January and March for BWV and VWL. The only one that didn't come through was one for AKV. In all of these cases we didn't actually try to get reservations until a few months ahead of the vacation.

Will this get more difficult in the future as more resorts open? Many say it will and I tend to agree. BWV and BCV will always be in high demand during F&W. We'll see. If we add on....that doesn't feel too bad! Could always use more points, just have to watch the bank account !!

 

[disneyfan97]

Our home resort is SSR.

We have waitlisted for three different trips (two for BWV and one for VWL) and all three have gone through. I think it really depends on what time of year, and what size room you are looking for. We don't have school-aged children, so we are definitely not going at the most crowded times of the year. But, we have been during F&W without any trouble (didn't even have to waitlist for BCV for that one), and Labor Day weekend (no waitlist - BWV).

Our most recent waitlist - I really thought was a long shot. I waitlisted last week (at exactly 7 months out) for a Standard View 1-Bedroom at BWV for 2010 Marathon weekend. I really didn't think it would come through - but low and behold, less than a week later I had my confirmation in hand!!

So, there is hope, but definitely be flexible on room type/location and dates if you have your heart set on a resort.

Good luck!

 

[TosaTrio]

We have had some waitlists come through (VWL during 1st week of December- very busy) and others not (SSR in October timeframe). To me the key is to call right at the 7 month mark and put your name on the list.

Good Luck!

 

[Anal Annie]

We own at SSR and I called at exactly 7 months for a studio at BCV for a week this August. There was 1 day not available so we booked BWV as our 2nd choice instead and waitlisted BCV. It came thru within just a day or two. But we were able to book either resort. I suppose it depends on what size unit you want and what time of year you want to go. But yes, waitlists can work if you're not trying to book something that's hard to get even at 11 months (like NYE)!! I would always try RIGHT EXACTLY AT the 7 month mark too if trying to go somewhere else. Good luck!

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi bradradice,
As you may have noticed you will probably receive a lot of different responses as a lot of factors have to be considered.

I have always has great success with waitlists. I am usually only trying to get one night at a time though. I have been on a waitlist for off season and busy season. I have be waitlisted for weekdays and weekends.

The only resort I have yet to be able to have a waitlist come through for is Beach Club, even for one night.

I am sorry to say I do not have any other tricks to suggest! I normally suggest the waitlist based on my success and what others have told me about it working well.

Good Luck!
________
Glass Pipe

 

[acder12]

My wife and I have used the waitlist option more times than I can count and have had very good success. A few suggestions for you to consider:
* absolutely get on the wait list as far in advance as possible.
* in your request, make sure it is stated that you will take one night at a time. Otherwise, the request will not clear unless someone cancels a ressie that provides 100% of your requested days at the same time. In other words, if a cancellation comes through for 3 of your 4 nights, DVC will not secure your three days and keep waiting for the 4th unless you set it up that way.
* Call. For what ever reason it seems like when I call and get a ressie agent on the phone they are able to work it out for me. I know that is not required but several different times I have called for something else and asked them to check my waitlist and miraculously it is available.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
* in your request, make sure it is stated that you will take one night at a time. Otherwise, the request will not clear unless someone cancels a ressie that provides 100% of your requested days at the same time. In other words, if a cancellation comes through for 3 of your 4 nights, DVC will not secure your three days and keep waiting for the 4th unless you set it up that way....

I don't think you can do that anymore. It's either all or none now.

 

[Bracho]

It worked for us bigtime last year but this year I think my odds are slim to none but that's okay

 

[bobbiwoz]

Most of my waitlists have been for a day before/after a stay and most of them have come through. I'm waiting on my first 5 night waitlist. Who knows, I went on it at 7 months, it would save us some points, it's for a BLT stay, and it would be great if we got it!

Bobbi

 

[lsutigerita]

Our home resorts are BWV and SSR. We are leaving next week on the 20th for our trip. I had originally booked BWV with a waitlist for BCV. I happened to check about 3 weeks ago online and saw that my waitlist came thru. So wait listing does really work imo. It just depends on your length of stay and what type of room you are requesting.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

On a WL for VWL 2brm for the first week of December...probably won't come through..but that doesn't stop me from looking on the member site EVERYDAY!! Oh well looks like we may have to "Make do" with our dedicated 2brm Savannah view a Kindani Village for that week

Thats crazy! We have a 2 bedroom at Wilderness Lodge for December 5th to the 11th and would rather have Kidani instead. Maybe we should switch!