Grand Villa at 11 mos?

[leanne2255]

First time renting a GV and wondering if anyone has experience with availability at the 11 mo window? Looking to make a reservation for 11/2010 (not Thanksgiving) at BWV.

I know there are only 7 GV at this resort and hoping they are not too hard to get.

Thanks!

 

[wdwfan1]

I was able to book one at OKW for Nov/Dec this year. We wanted OKW for the extra room and the lower points.

GL!

 

[laurenspop]

Just back from the world. We had 6 nights GV at SSR and 2 nights GV at AKV Jambo - both booked at the 11 month mark with no problems

 

[drusba]

Key is to call exactly 11 months out for GV and to be safe do so at 9 a.m. eastern. Even then, possibility of not getting it for certain times of year particularly Christmas week if your arrival date is late in that week because those calling with arrival dates earlier in the week will be locking up New Years Eve.

 

[42trvl]

We booked a GV at Boardwalk over the Labor Day weekend at a little under the 7 month mark - as soon as we decided to go. So, I think you should be okay if are able to call at exactly 11 months.

 

[leanne2255]

Thanks, everyone! I plan to call EXACTLY at the 11 month window at 9am Eastern, so keeping fingers crossed.

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Calling at 11 months, 9am EST is the best that we can do to try to get any reservation correct?

 

[Starr W.]

Thanks, everyone! I plan to call EXACTLY at the 11 month window at 9am Eastern, so keeping fingers crossed.

Called right at 9am 11 months and I got a SSR GV for 11/20/09-11/27/09.

No problem.

 

[drusba]

Calling at 11 months, 9am EST is the best that we can do to try to get any reservation correct?

Not exactly. There is a trick called "walking the reservation." Officially you can call 11 months from date of arrival and reserve 7 nights. What some have done is call earlier and start a reservation and then change it daily until they get days they want. Example: suppose you wanted Dec 25 to Jan 1; the 11 month date for calling is Jan 25. What some are doing is calling Jan 19 and reserving Dec 19 through 26 and thus they get night of Dec 25. On Jan 20, they call and cancel the 19th while adding the the night of the 26th, on Jan 21 they call and cancel the 20th and add the night of the 27th, etc. on a daily basis until they have their Dec 25 to Jan 1 vacation time.

Is "walking" needed? Highly unlikely for just about anything anytime of year. The exception however could be for particular rooms in low numbers during the Christmas season such as GVs or AKV concierge; another possible time to consider it is for a BLT GV MK view when you want July 4.

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Not exactly. There is a trick called "walking the reservation." Officially you can call 11 months from date of arrival and reserve 7 nights. What some have done is call earlier and start a reservation and then change it daily until they get days they want. Example: suppose you wanted Dec 25 to Jan 1; the 11 month date for calling is Jan 25. What some are doing is calling Jan 19 and reserving Dec 19 through 26 and thus they get night of Dec 25. On Jan 20, they call and cancel the 19th while adding the the night of the 26th, on Jan 21 they call and cancel the 20th and add the night of the 27th, etc. on a daily basis until they have their Dec 25 to Jan 1 vacation time.

Is "walking" needed? Highly unlikely for just about anything anytime of year. The exception however could be for particular rooms in low numbers during the Christmas season such as GVs or AKV concierge; another possible time to consider it is for a BLT GV MK view when you want July 4.

Wow, thank you for this info, I had no idea! You explained it really well. I wonder if MS will catch on eventually or if they don't care.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Wow, thank you for this info, I had no idea! You explained it really well. I wonder if MS will catch on eventually or if they don't care.

Oh, I believe MS HAS caught on. I imagine they will "wait and see" how much the practice is abused. It gives those with lots of points an unfair advantage. If it becomes a problem? I bet they'll find a way to curtail it.