Going on a waitlist...? HELP!

[Disneymoon0909]

Hi everyone,

I am brand new to DVC, my husband and I just bought in a couple of weeks ago at BLT We are partaking in the Jan 6, 2011 Panama Canal cruise that lands us over in California. Since we have never been west we decided to stay a few extra days and called to book the Grand Californian. We were told they had no availability and offered the other 2 hotels but they used more points Then they said we could go on a wait list...what are the odds that we will actually get the room for 4 nights? (We are looking for just a studio btw) Thanks for the help, I am a little overwhelmed with all the procedures!

Holly

 

[wbl2745]

Asking about the odds of something happening always seems to me to be a little misleading. Say the odds of getting the 4 days is 50%, you may still not get what you want. I think that the general approach to wait lists is to go ahead and make a reservation (perhaps cash instead of DVC) and put yourself on the wait list. Then be sure to call member services very often, daily is good, to check to see if any part of your wait list comes through.

At 7 months out I tried to make reservations at AKV from 12/1 through 12/7. Turns out this is really popular, so all I was able to get was 12/1 through 12/4. Since then I've called almost daily and have been able to add nights so at this point all I'm missing is 12/5. I've also got wait lists for going for the same period, but for the most part I'm putting this together by calling. As a backup we have a hotel reservation for 12/5.

Regarding cash vs. DVC points for the DLH or PPH, I'd pay cash. Consider how much you're paying for the points and the cost of the hotel rooms and I think you'll see that the points are a lot more expensive for the hotels than just paying cash.

Aside from the inconvenience of switching hotels, I'd get the VGC rooms that are available, if any, and make hotel reservations for the other days. Bell services will move your luggage.

Good luck!

 

[TisBit]

I am not sure how the grand californian will work out, it is unique because it is the only resort at DL. Typically, you will have a pretty good chance of waitlists coming through with the more time involved. Since this is several months away, you might be ok. Wish I could help more....