Fantasy vs Reality, Booking Reservation Questions

[Rileygirl]

Help! a total DVC newbie here, and I have some questions about the reservation system and how it actually works.

Background - DH and I are planning to purchase into the DVC. We are currently looking at Resell through a broker, because we want Beachclub or Boardwalk Villas. We may either buy one largish contract (270) or two smaller contracts.

Here are my questions, I hope you experts out there can help me figure this out.

1. I have a fantasy of doing a big trip at NYE in Dec of 09/Jan 10. Is it realistic to consider that I can easily book at my home resort a 2 bdr and a 1 bdr at exactly the 11 month window? (BTW- THANKYOU CASKBILL for that amazing program DVCplanner!!) I would plan on banking & borrowing to do this. However, with this new way the reservation system works, would it be basically impossible, because the way the dates fall, I would start on Tuesday of the immensly popular Christmas week?

Or, to ask another way, how do you DVC Vets book your rooms during peak season, to stack the cards in your favor to get what you want? Is it harder now then with the old system? Are there some tips on getting the booking you want???

I started to read the thread on the 'new' reservation system, but 3000+ posts was a bit daunting. So I read the first few pages, and the last few pages, and understand that many DVCers dont like this new system, so I hope some one can explain why to a newbie.

The reason why I am asking this is because, if it looks like it would be very tough to get what you want at your home resort if you call on the first day you were allowed to, during XMAS week, then I think I may lean towards two smaller contracts at the two different resorts with the same use year. I wont plan on doing a bid xmas trip every couple of years - instead do maybe a yearly at alternate resorts during the summer.

So, I guess, a primer on Reservations using the current system for a Newbie would be so appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!!!!!

~A

 

[ITGirl50]

You can get your home resort for that week if you book at the 11-month window. If you want standard or BW view, just book the first day of the window. The window starts 11-months prior to the first day of your planned stay, not the last day of your planned stay. Boardwalk has a lot of rooms.

I like the new reservations system. One call and it was done. I had to call day to day for my Christmas reservation and that was a BIG pain. The new system allowed me to book AKV concierge for July 4th week with no problems and only one call.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The biggest problem with that time frame hasn't been challenged yet. With the new booking policy, you book up to seven days at 11 months out from the first day of your stay instead of the last day of your stay. So the rooms you want for NYE 09 could be booked right out from under you by others booking for seven days from NYE. Unless you walk that reservation for a few nights to get all the days you need. And you still may need to be on the phone when MS opens each and every day.

 

[Rileygirl]

Thanks!

I suspected that it would be very difficult even calling at opening time on the day I was allowed to, because I want to come in on the 30th, so I imagine most people will have booked those days already at the tail end of their vacation.

Is the July 4th weekend as busy at Easter or Christmas? (its good to know that you had no probles with that ressie, crbruce us!! Gives me hope for Christmas!)

Did anyone have problems booking midweek during Easter time with this new reservation system, or was it even in place at that time?

Unless you walk that reservation for a few nights to get all the days you need.

I am unfamiliar with that term, 'walk'. Can you elaborate? Being on the phone everyday with MS is not a deterent for me, I can handle that. I just wanted to get people's opinions if what I hoped for was 'unrealistic' or just plain crazy.

Thanks again for the help and comments!!

 

[DebbieB]

I am unfamiliar with that term, 'walk'. Can you elaborate? Being on the phone everyday with MS is not a deterent for me, I can handle that. I just wanted to get people's opinions if what I hoped for was 'unrealistic' or just plain crazy.

Thanks again for the help and comments!!

If you want to arrive on 12/30, you would call on 1/24 and book the nights of 12/24 to 12/30. Then on 1/25, add 12/31 and cancel 12/24. Then on 1/26, add 1/1 and cancel 12/25. And so on until you get what you want. You would have to have enough points to cover the original dates, they would be in the highest season.

 

[ITGirl50]

IMO, unless you want a room that has a VERY limited number of rooms (like AKV concierge, Grand Villas or beach cottages) then walking is probably not necessary.

Walking means to book a few days or even a week before you are actually going to check in and then call the next day to walk the reservation forward by cancelling the first day and adding another day on the end. I think just walking the weekend nights at the beginning of the reservation will give you a better chance at those VERY hard to get rooms. People can't afford those nights. There is a new thread that talks about what people got or didn't get with the new system and the majority of people are very surprised they aren't being shut out.

Of course, we haven't encountered NYE week yet, but there are a lot of rooms at BWV. Not everyone is going NYE week and you will have the 11-month advantage. Just be sure to use it for that very busy week.

 

[Rileygirl]

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer, and your quick replies!

I guess its one of those things where if you are organized, and know what you are doing, chances are fair that you can do it.

I have months to learn all the ropes as far as reservations go, so there is hope for me yet!

TA

~A