Have you ever booked day-by-day?

[BeccaG]

It appears there are new booking rules where you may book up to a seven day vacation 11 months from the day of check IN (as opposed to checking out). Have you ever booked day by day under the "old" booking rules? Why?

 

[Judy WI]

Have only been members for a few years and have done both. After reading these boards I learned about day by day booking when I wanted the first week of Dec. Other wise I can be flexable in our dates. Have also used the on-line booking request and had good luck with that. Doing the day by day I never got the sence MS didn't like it, in fact a few told me I was doing the right thing. I was the one who didn't like the calling each day.

Never used wait-list and to be honest never really took the time to learn how it really worked. I like the -get all the dates at one time- but sure can see where there might be problems.

 

[cmariew]

I just did this a couple of weeks ago to get a BW standard view room Jan-3-10th. Had to waitlist the 8th which has since come through.

 

[Starr W.]

When I book VB 2br as there are not that many(dedicated or lockoff) for Easter. Trust me I would rather make one phone call, but some of the more experienced DVC'ers said it's the best policy.

That method of booking for those types of units was confirmed by quite a few CM's at MS.

 

[magicmommy]

Only twice and only for AKV CL.

 

[Inkmahm]

Yes, I do day by day reservations at 11 months. We stay in early December at VWL and in Spring (where we like to do AKV concierge.) Now we are trying F&W festival in October, too (we own BWV.) I didn't do day by day for October as it was about the 8 month mark before we decided to go. I didn't get my normal boardwalk view since we booked late.

I always do day by day if I can to assure boardwalk view at BWV, savanna view or concierge at AKV, and just a room at VWL in early December.

 

[ead79]

I have done it once for AKV concierge. But since we typically like to go in early to middle December, I had planned to do day-by-day reservations every time. For less busy times of year DVC-wise, I would just make one call.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

Before we did an add-on at VWL I would book day by day at the 7 month mark for early Dec. there.

Now that we have 11 month advantage there...... well I still did that this year b/c it was Christmas week

Honestly, I've only done it with VWL, all the other resorts I just called once. (SSR, OKW, BCV).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have only booked day by day 3 times in 11 years. Once was for the millenium holiday period, once was for a GV starting with NYE, and once was for Concierge at AKV.

 

[cobbler]

I have once so I voted once, but I would do it again if I felt it was necessary or if it was something I really really wanted.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I book day-by-day most of the time, even for less busy times, as long as I know my likely dates (which isn't always). We have, however, always booked SV or BW view at BWV.

I find it LESS stressful to be able to just pick up the phone each day and make the reservation. Otherwise, I tend to waste a lot of brain cells wondering if my reservation is going to be available when I finally call.

With the new policy, I will undoubtedly stress about others booking before me and taking my dates. I see more stress in my future. -- Suzanne

 

[kgc07]

I called today for a day by day reservation for AKV concierge. I had planned to always call day by day for concierge. The way the booking is now I don't think I will ever see concierge again.

 

[JimC]

It is just a vacation and I have better things to do with my time then call day-by-day to make a reservation. Those who do call day-by-day have different priorities and if it works for them that is great.

 

[DebbieB]

I've done it many times for Boardwalk for early December. Never considered it much of a hassle, except for the time I had to call from a funeral home before my aunt's funeral!

 

[jarestel]

I never have in almost 30 reservations now. I do understand why others, especially those who read these boards a lot, might feel that they must do this though.

 

[tidefan]

It is just a vacation and I have better things to do with my time then call day-by-day to make a reservation. Those who do call day-by-day have different priorities and if it works for them that is great.

Ditto what Jim said...

 

[RobDoc]

I have called daily trying to get a GV at HH in July. We have gone at that for a number of years now.

Last August, when calling for this July, I already had 3 nights (of the 6 we wanted) and when I called - right at 9:00am - for the 4th night there was no availability already. I was successful for the next two nights and the missing date eventually came thru using the waitlist so we did not need to move. We had a family group of 11 and we consider getting to stay with our five grandchildren an important enough reason to make daily phone calls - even though it is just a vacation. There are only 5 GVs at the resort.

Under the new policy it's entirely possible that all 5 GVs could already be reserved before Day 1 of my reservation since those wanting to arrive a day or two earlier would have been able to reserve 7 nights ... or those with enough points could have made a 7 night reservation with the intention of cancelling the first 2 days at a later date.

 

[CarolMN]

I call day by day (at 11 months) to get a standard view at the BWV for early December. If I don't I have to use the waitlist. Early December days often fill by the end of the first day the window opens. Once I forgot until after lunch (2 pm Eastern). MS said I was lucky to get the very last SV room. Another time I forgot until the next day. Had to waitlist.

I did not call day by day for standard view (at 11 months) for my very late April/early May trip. Not necessary.

I did call day by day for my SV trips in October due to the popularity of Food & Wine. I do not have personal experience to say whether that was absolutely necessary or not.

I don't know how the change will impact me - I strongly suspect I will have to waitlist and I am NOT optimistic.

 

[brandylouwho]

I did book day by day for a Dec 08 value 1 bedroom at AKV, as I need to conserve points this year, there are a limited number of values and I did not want to change rooms during this vacation.

I thought it was a bit of a pain to make time to call every morning right away (as MS opens right when I am dropping my kids off at daycare and/or starting work). But this reservation & this room was important to me this year.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I usually don't call day by day during the 11 month booking window. I think this is because we own at SSR and there is really no need. Even for March spring break 2009, we need a GV. I called and booked it all at once.

At seven months, if I want to switch out, then I usually call day by day. We have BWV for last week of Food and Wine and I had to use waitlists to get that. No worries. Now, I don't need the Boardwalk View so maybe that is why it works for me ?

the other issue that I just thought of is the SSR has no booking categories and plenty of rooms, so day by day is definitely not necessary during the 11 month booking window. Maybe that is why my experience feels so much different that others who, for instance, want Boardwalk view of Hospitality House at OKW.