Getting a WDW resort room just a week or so ahead of time???

[Boots]

DH and I are thinking about going to WDW in November, but we really won't know until just a week or so ahead of time. Have any of you ever called just a short time before leaving and managed to get a good room? We have stayed at WL three times, but each time I had our rooms over a year in advance. Also if you have do you reserve the rooms with a credit card or how? Thanks for any help.

 

[ducklite]

I've called as little as a day or two in advance and gotten a room. You can't be too choosy, especially if you are going during a busy season. I believe when you are reserving less than two weeks in advance you do need to guarantee with a credit card, but I'm not positive.

Anne

 

[chyam]

It is possible to get a room onsite a week ahead of time, but it does depend on when you want it, I have even gotten a room on the same day that I was there, and as I leave on many of my day trips there is a sign that says rooms available 1-407-WDISNEY so I know it happens quite a bit, although you may not get the exact resort that you want you most likely will get something. If you are talking Thanksgiving week I doubt it though. The only times I would not take a chance are during the summer, spring breaks, Easter, Christmas/New Years week and Thanks giving and perhaps on some weekends. Oh I hope I answered this right!

 

[Tina]

If you are not planning on going during the Thanksgiving Holiday, you should have good luck. We've booked on short notice twice. In 1996, we booked a package through Southwest Airlines. Upon arriving, we realized our off-site room was a real dump. We called the travel company and they told us they would refund the room portion if we wanted to find other accomodations. We called Disney (at 7pm in the evening) and booked a room at rack rate at Port Orleans. We were in the new room within an hour.

The second time was in 2001. Our friends used our house as a stopover as they drove down to WDW in early October. They convinced us to join them for the week. Not only were we able to get a room at All Star Movies on less than a day's notice, but we got the AP discount to boot!

Go ahead and try it and don't be afraid to ask about any current discounts being promoted (check www.mousesavers.com).

 

[newholiday]

Starting on the Fri after Thanksgiving until the following Sat there was availability at PO/FQ on only a 24hr notice. This was for a 8night stretch.
Other places were available but we would have had to hotel hop.