Having a booking panic attack

[Maddysdaddy]

Talk me off the ledge please...

Tomorrow is the beginning of the 7-month window for booking a March vacation for which I've already purchased plane tickets.

Looking to book 10 nights, but if I understand how the system works correctly, I can only book the first 7 nights tomorrow, and then for the last 3 days, I need to call into MS each morning to have them add a day at a time.

If I have that correct, my concern is that those whose vacations start a day/two days/three days after mine will beat me to those last three nights, as they can book their vacations online, whereas I have to wait an extra two hours to call into MS. Given that those last three nights are the Easter weekend, I'm panicking.

Am I missing something here?

 

[supersnoop]

Talk me off the ledge please...

Tomorrow is the beginning of the 7-month window for booking a March vacation for which I've already purchased plane tickets.

Looking to book 10 nights, but if I understand how the system works correctly, I can only book the first 7 nights tomorrow, and then for the last 3 days, I need to call into MS each morning to have them add a day at a time.

If I have that correct, my concern is that those whose vacations start a day/two days/three days after mine will beat me to those last three nights, as they can book their vacations online, whereas I have to wait an extra two hours to call into MS. Given that those last three nights are the Easter weekend, I'm panicking.

Am I missing something here?

You are correct, but, if your days are still available the next morning, you can book the 8 days online, and cancel the original reservation, and then do the same think the next day and the next.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

You are correct, but, if your days are still available the next morning, you can book the 8 days online, and cancel the original reservation, and then do the same think the next day and the next.

Would I not need to have 19 nights worth of points in my account (the original 7 nights plus the new 8 nights - 8 + 9 for day two - 9 + 10 for day three) to do this?

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Aaargh. Just spoke with MS, who gave me the "sorry, you can't modify a reservation online" speech. Given that my last 3 nights are the Easter weekend, I'm so screwed...

 

[wdrl]

Talk me off the ledge please...

Tomorrow is the beginning of the 7-month window for booking a March vacation for which I've already purchased plane tickets.

Looking to book 10 nights, but if I understand how the system works correctly, I can only book the first 7 nights tomorrow, and then for the last 3 days, I need to call into MS each morning to have them add a day at a time.

If I have that correct, my concern is that those whose vacations start a day/two days/three days after mine will beat me to those last three nights, as they can book their vacations online, whereas I have to wait an extra two hours to call into MS. Given that those last three nights are the Easter weekend, I'm panicking.

Am I missing something here?

There is some good news and bad news about your situation. The GOOD news is that once you book the first 7 nights (March 26 - April 1), you won't have to worry about other Members who, like you, had to wait until the 7-month window opened before they could book. If I wanted to book a trip starting April 1, my 7-month window won't open until September 1st. By that date, you will have already had a chance to add April 2, 3, and 4 to your reservation. So you don't have to worry about me taking your last three days.

The BAD news is that you are at the mercy of any Member who owns at that resort. Resort Owners can use their Home Resort advantage and book all the villas for April 2-4 right now, effectively shutting you out of the last three days of your trip. Hopefully, that won't happen.

If you are really worried about losing the last three nights, I suggest you book the last three nights at your Home Resort right now. Tomorrow, you can do the Online check-in at the other resort and (hopefully) book the first 7 nights. Then, day after tomorrow, call Member Services and see if Day #8 is available at the other resort. If it is, then book it and cancel that night at your Home Resort. Repeat the steps to get Days #9 and #10. If you can't get days 8-10 at the non home resort, then at least you'll have your Home Resort as a fall-back option.

Good Luck!

 

[supersnoop]

Would I not need to have 19 nights worth of points in my account (the original 7 nights plus the new 8 nights - 8 + 9 for day two - 9 + 10 for day three) to do this?

Using two devices (or two different browsers), you can start the process of booking the 8, 9, or 10 day trip, and, at the same time, cancel the 7, 8, and 9 day trips. Just get the new reservation to the point where it says you've got it held for 20 minutes, then cancel using the other device. Then, click the button to borrow points, but then cancel out of that window. That action should refresh your point balance so you can continue with the booking.

 

[DebbieB]

Aaargh. Just spoke with MS, who gave me the "sorry, you can't modify a reservation online" speech. Given that my last 3 nights are the Easter weekend, I'm so screwed...

I don't know, Easter weekend is so many points, many members avoid it. Which resort do you want?

You only have one extra hour to call MS, not two.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I don't know, Easter weekend is so many points, many members avoid it. Which resort do you want? You only have one extra hour to call MS, not two.

We've never tried BCV, so that was our hope. Given how crazy the parks are going to be, I think there may be more pool time than park time this trip, and Stormalong looks great.

 

[Msmithmd]

Using two devices (or two different browsers), you can start the process of booking the 8, 9, or 10 day trip, and, at the same time, cancel the 7, 8, and 9 day trips. Just get the new reservation to the point where it says you've got it held for 20 minutes, then cancel using the other device. Then, click the button to borrow points, but then cancel out of that window. That action should refresh your point balance so you can continue with the booking.

Nifty workaround. I've wondered before if this would be possible. Thanks for posting.

Some day, maybe MS IT department will fix the online booking engine to allow you to cancel a reservation and reallocate the points to something new inside of the screen process to book that new accommodation. It can't be that hard; it's frustrating they don't just fix it.

Until then, I'm glad you've shared a trick to avoid the "losing your original reservation and also your seven month switch" paradox.

 

[Sandisw]

Another option is to book only the first 3 nights when your 7 month window opens. This way, the morning of night 4 (which will include those Easter weekend days), you can go online and book the rest of the trip--the last 7 days.

Then, you can call MS and have them combine it into a continuous 10 day reservation.

Basically, instead of doing 7 days and then 3, you are reversing it.

Good luck!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Another option is to book only the first 3 nights when your 7 month window opens. This way, the morning of night 4 (which will include those Easter weekend days), you can go online and book the rest of the trip--the last 7 days.

Then, you can call MS and have them combine it into a continuous 10 day reservation.

Basically, instead of doing 7 days and then 3, you are reversing it.

Good luck!

Read this post at 5:45 this morning, waiting to log on to book my reservation at 6, so was still too foggy headed to wrap my head around what you were trying to suggest (so ended up just booking the 7 nights at BCV, and will cross my fingers that I can get the next 3 nights).

For the benefit of others who may be reading this thread, perhaps I could impose upon you to expend upon your post, as even with 4 cups of coffee now in me, I'm having trouble seeing the upside of your suggestion.

Are you saying that there is an upside to only booking 3 nights and then holding out hope for availability for the next 7 on day 4, as opposed to guaranteeing 7 nights and then trying to get an extra night on day 2, 3 and 4?

I value your insight and experience, so I think that I'm the one who just isn't getting it.

 

[supersnoop]

Read this post at 5:45 this morning, waiting to log on to book my reservation at 6, so was still too foggy headed to wrap my head around what you were trying to suggest (so ended up just booking the 7 nights at BCV, and will cross my fingers that I can get the next 3 nights).

For the benefit of others who may be reading this thread, perhaps I could impose upon you to expend upon your post, as even with 4 cups of coffee now in me, I'm having trouble seeing the upside of your suggestion.

Are you saying that there is an upside to only booking 3 nights and then holding out hope for availability for the next 7 on day 4, as opposed to guaranteeing 7 nights and then trying to get an extra night on day 2, 3 and 4?

I value your insight and experience, so I think that I'm the one who just isn't getting it.

The upside to that poster's suggestion is that you 1) don't need extra points and 2) don't have to cancel anything to free up your points.

The most difficult part of booking at the threshold is getting that first night. If the first night isn't available, you can't book any of the next seven. If, however, you can grab that first night, the changes of the additional nights being available is very high.

 

[Sandisw]

Read this post at 5:45 this morning, waiting to log on to book my reservation at 6, so was still too foggy headed to wrap my head around what you were trying to suggest (so ended up just booking the 7 nights at BCV, and will cross my fingers that I can get the next 3 nights).

For the benefit of others who may be reading this thread, perhaps I could impose upon you to expend upon your post, as even with 4 cups of coffee now in me, I'm having trouble seeing the upside of your suggestion.

Are you saying that there is an upside to only booking 3 nights and then holding out hope for availability for the next 7 on day 4, as opposed to guaranteeing 7 nights and then trying to get an extra night on day 2, 3 and 4?

I value your insight and experience, so I think that I'm the one who just isn't getting it.

The upside is that you would be getting those last 3 nights a little bit ahead of time since you'd actually be booking when the 7 month window opens up for night 4, instead of night 8. Since those sounded like the ones that would be harder to get vs. the ones in the middle, it may have helped a little bit in terms of getting those nights.

It's really simply reversing the process...booking 3 and then 7 instead of 7 and then 3...given that the 3 nights you were worried about were at the end, it might have increased your odds just a little bit...

But, since you have nights 1 - 7 booked, now you can either start calling MS tomorrow and add one night at a time...or, just wait and go online and book all 3 when the window opens...

Good luck!

 

[fromscratchmom]

I just wanted to say I really appreciate this question and all those who have responded! I've been stalking these DVC boards trying to wrap my head around every aspect of how DVC works. And this really gave me some in sight that I did not have previously!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

The upside is that you would be getting those last 3 nights a little bit ahead of time since you'd actually be booking when the 7 month window opens up for night 4, instead of night 8. Since those sounded like the ones that would be harder to get vs. the ones in the middle, it may have helped a little bit in terms of getting those nights.

It's really simply reversing the process...booking 3 and then 7 instead of 7 and then 3...given that the 3 nights you were worried about were at the end, it might have increased your odds just a little bit...

But, since you have nights 1 - 7 booked, now you can either start calling MS tomorrow and add one night at a time...or, just wait and go online and book all 3 when the window opens...

Good luck!

Hi Sandi.

Happy to report that 'so far, so good', and I have been able to get nights 8 and 9 by calling in right when MS opens. But to come back to your point above - even though I thought I was a reasonably intelligent and logical individual, I'm still not "getting it". Think this proves that just because you have a lot of letters after your name, doesn't mean that you are necessarily all that bright.

By my booking method, I was able to book Nights 1-7 on Day 1, Night 8 on Day 2 and Night 9 on Day 3 (and hopefully I can get Night 10 on day 4).

If I'm reading your proposed method, I would only be able to book Nights 1-3 on Day 1 and then hang tight for 3 days and hope to get Nights 4-10 on Day 4?

By booking the way I did, did I not guarantee myself 4 additional nights on my initial booking, and also give myself the ability to try to reserve Nights 8 and 9 - 2 and 1 day(s) - earlier than by using your method? I do acknowledge that by doing it my way, I lose the 1 hour advantage on Day 4 to try to book the last night.

Just not able to wrap my head around this, and I know that I must be missing something here. Sorry to keep bothering you with this.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi Sandi.

Happy to report that 'so far, so good', and I have been able to get nights 8 and 9 by calling in right when MS opens. But to come back to your point above - even though I thought I was a reasonably intelligent and logical individual, I'm still not "getting it". Think this proves that just because you have a lot of letters after your name, doesn't mean that you are necessarily all that bright.

By my booking method, I was able to book Nights 1-7 on Day 1, Night 8 on Day 2 and Night 9 on Day 3 (and hopefully I can get Night 10 on day 4).

If I'm reading your proposed method, I would only be able to book Nights 1-3 on Day 1 and then hang tight for 3 days and hope to get Nights 4-10 on Day 4?

By booking the way I did, did I not guarantee myself 4 additional nights on my initial booking, and also give myself the ability to try to reserve Nights 8 and 9 - 2 and 1 day(s) - earlier than by using your method? I do acknowledge that by doing it my way, I lose the 1 hour advantage on Day 4 to try to book the last night.

Just not able to wrap my head around this, and I know that I must be missing something here. Sorry to keep bothering you with this.

Essentially the difference would be that you could book online and as you mentioned get that one hour advantage AND only have to do a single phone call to combine the reservations vs. calling 3 days. Overall I think the difference between those two options is minimal.

 

[Halle]

IMHO it is always advantageous to book as many nights as you can on the first day of your stay.

 

[cruiseletters]

I to have been in that situation i personally like to get the first seven nights and then add day by day. I'm so glad your completing your reservation

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Just as an FYI - I was able to book the three additional nights by calling MS right at opening each of the three days. Hopefully Stormalong Bay is worth the hassle of trying to get into BCV (with insane Easter crowds - I figure we'll need to escape the parks by noon every day, so wanted to stay at, what I've been told, is the best pool at WDW).

 

[disneynutz]

We never call.

Book everything online and send MS an email via the contact form on the member website instructing them to merge the separate reservations to the first.

You get the hour booking advantage and a email response from MS when they have completed the merge.

Bill