Handling Peak Season Reservations

[rer1972]

We (Me, DW, DD5, & DD4) are planning a Thanksgiving vacation for 2018 with my DW's brother and his kids. We own at BRV & AKV so are planning a split stay; the plan is as follows (DW's brother will only be staying 6 nights):

BRV - Deluxe Studio - Check In Saturday,11/17/18 - Check Out Friday, 11/23/18 (Me, DW, & DDs)
BRV - Deluxe Studio - Check In Sunday, 11/18/18 - Check Out Friday, 11/23/18 (brother-in law)

AKV - Check In Friday 11/23/18 - Check Out Tuesday, 11/27/18 (Me, DW, & DDs)
AKV - Check In Friday 11/23/18 - Check Out Saturday 11/24/18 (brother-in law)

I didn't include what type of room for AKv because we are going to try and get a Club Studio for us 11/24/18-11/27/18 (three nights). I know the odds are slim, but that's what this post is about. I have several backup plans by trying for Club Studio first, then moving on to Value Studio, and then to Standard Studio.

How do you go into your 11 month window when making reservations for high demand rooms? I've previously done about 80% of my reservations online (seems easier) instead of the phone, but is it best to call in that morning to be able to quickly request my next choice if that is not available?

 

[CarolMN]

Online booking opens 1 hour earlier than MS. I'd do everything online rather than wait for MS to open. For that time of year, waiting could mean the difference between getting what you want and settling for a 3rd or 4th choice. Good luck!

FWIW, I don't think you will have an issue getting the BRV studios, but you very well may miss out on the Concierge and Value rooms even if you book online.

 

[rer1972]

Online booking opens 1 hour earlier than MS. I'd do everything online rather than wait for MS to open. For that time of year, waiting could mean the difference between getting what you want and settling for a 3rd or 4th choice. Good luck!

FWIW, I don't think you will have an issue getting the BRV studios, but you very well may miss out on the Concierge and Value rooms even if you book online.

I should have mentioned that we own at both resorts, so I do agree that BRV shouldn't be a problem 11 months out. Will just have to see what happens with the AKV reservations.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You may need to walk the Concierge studio reservation by a few days (even weeks).

 

[rer1972]

You may need to walk the Concierge studio reservation by a few days (even weeks).

I've thought about that (never done it before). I may just read through the "walking" thread, I think I saw one around here somewhere.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've thought about that (never done it before). I may just read through the "walking" thread, I think I saw one around here somewhere.

Watch the booking dates for that studio for a few weeks ahead of time. When you see an open date, book it for the number of days you plan to book it. Then call a few days later and drop the beginning nights and add the same number of nights. When you get to your desired nights, stop walking.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We (Me, DW, DD5, & DD4) are planning a Thanksgiving vacation for 2018 with my DW's brother and his kids. We own at BRV & AKV so are planning a split stay; the plan is as follows (DW's brother will only be staying 6 nights):

BRV - Deluxe Studio - Check In Saturday,11/17/18 - Check Out Friday, 11/23/18 (Me, DW, & DDs)
BRV - Deluxe Studio - Check In Sunday, 11/18/18 - Check Out Friday, 11/23/18 (brother-in law)

AKV - Check In Friday 11/23/18 - Check Out Tuesday, 11/27/18 (Me, DW, & DDs)
AKV - Check In Friday 11/23/18 - Check Out Saturday 11/24/18 (brother-in law)

I didn't include what type of room for AKv because we are going to try and get a Club Studio for us 11/24/18-11/27/18 (three nights). I know the odds are slim, but that's what this post is about. I have several backup plans by trying for Club Studio first, then moving on to Value Studio, and then to Standard Studio.

How do you go into your 11 month window when making reservations for high demand rooms? I've previously done about 80% of my reservations online (seems easier) instead of the phone, but is it best to call in that morning to be able to quickly request my next choice if that is not available?

You absolutely want to book online as otherwise you would be waiting an hour after everyone else started booking to call MS. When you select your room it will return your first selection and then 3 other selections so you could immediately move on to one of those. At AKV that tends to be Savannah views and Standard views so you likely will have to start a new search for the value studio if the Concierge were gone.

 

[rer1972]

Thank you all for the input. I think I am going to keep an eye on availability a week or so out from our 11 months at AKV, and see what happens. If we don't get CL it's not a huge deal, just though we would try this one time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you all for the input. I think I am going to keep an eye on availability a week or so out from our 11 months at AKV, and see what happens. If we don't get CL it's not a huge deal, just though we would try this one time.

Someone will get it, it's just a tough time for you to depend on getting it.