DVC Experts - Strategy Question

[MJS]

We are thinking about going in April 2004 and staying at our home resort, the BCV. We want to go after Easter (4/11), arriving the following weekend. What is the best day of the week to check in to try to get a room request? We thought about arriving on Friday, but Member Services said that the greatest days for checkouts are Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday are Premier Season (runs from 4/4 - 4/17), with the remainder of the trip 4/18 (Sunday)+ being Magic Season. Ignoring the point cost and focusing on room request availability, what day would you check in? Friday, Saturday or Sunday? Is it safe to assume that Premiere Season = full resort? Thanks!

PS. I know that requests are just that - requests. Seems to me that the more guests checking out, the better the odds of getting a request granted! Thanks!

 

[cheyita]

I sure don't know for sure, but I'm giving my opinion based on our own preferences. I think Saturday would be a reasonable day to try, because you would still be getting that extra day on your trip (opposed to checking in Sunday), but a lot of the previous week's guests will probably check out on Saturday rather than Friday. That still gives them a "free day" on Sunday before going back to the grind on Monday.

Just my guess.

 

[MJS]

We usually leave on Saturday for the same reason - to get a little at home down time before returning to work. Thanks for the help!

 

[MJS]

Anyone else have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[kda]

We've checked into OKW and VWL on a Friday, with reservations made just 2-3 weeks before, and gotten very good to excellent locations. My theory is that there are some good rooms available because people check out on Friday to avoid using w/e points.

We've also checked in on Sunday twice and gotten excellent locations. I've been told that Sunday is the busiest day, so a lot of rooms are turning over.

I'd think that Saturday would be a good choice, too.

 

[Pa@okw95]

If you use your 11 month window and make a request or two you should have a good chance of getting it. Sunday is the major check in day, my guess is Sunday because it will empty out creating more choices.

 

[tvwalsh]

I asked MS whether a reservation made earlier was more likely get its reqests honored than one made later, and the answer was an emphatic NO! "That is the way we used to do it, but not anymore. The earlier you check in the better chance you have of getting your requests." Just to be sure I asked to check with this person's superviser - Same answer.

 

[DebbieB]

I checked into OKW last Friday evening. I had made requests with my reservation at 7 months: non-smoking, first floor (not handicapped), water view, Turtle Pond Road. I sent a fax the Monday before confirming it. When we checked in, I asked if our room was preassigned and the cm said yes. We got all of our requests - room 4311 (1 bedroom).

 

[MJS]

Thanks for the responses. I guess the key is room availability. I would think it is tougher to pick the best check in day when the resort is full? Also, I bet our room reqests might be different from others.

Thanks!

 

[kda]

Hey, DebbieB, our first stay was in Building 43, 2nd floor, and we loved the location! Very close to the pool and bus stop and quiet. I'm homesick. Sigh..........