Help a newbie with some waitlist questions (Hilton Head)

[ElizabethCB]

Our resale contract just went through, and I logged on to my DVC account today for the first time! Super exciting!

We have 50 points that must be used by August, and I had been stalking Hilton Head for Easter weekend. There was availability on the public site, so I assumed that I'd be able to book with my points. Not so, unfortunately.

I went on the waitlist for 4 nights over Easter weekend (April 13-17) for a studio. I'd be thrilled to get 3, but 4 would be the icing on the cake.

2 questions.

1. Do you think I have any chance at getting the studio that weekend if there's no availability now?

2. There is a 2br villa available for Friday night only. If I book that, do I increase my chances of getting a waitlisted studio the other nights?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kristenrice]

Unfortunately, I think your chances are very slim. There are only 21 studios at HHI. The reason there is 2BR availability (even only for the one night) is because there are 76 dedicated 2BR's. If you want to book at HHI over Easter, you must be ready to book at exactly 7 months out, especially if you want a studio, 1BR or GV, as those have the smallest inventory. We bought a 50 point contract at HHI just for this reason. We try to go every third year during the first week of April (always our kids' spring break) and we stay in a 1BR for 5 nights.

The reason there is availability for cash customers is because somewhere down the line, a HHI owner used their points for a cruise, ABD or other Disney Collection exchange. Those points are then used by DVC and "rented out" by CRO (Disney Central Reservations Office) in the form of a cash reservation and used to "pay" for the member's exchange.

You can always try the waitlist, but I think you will have to get incredibly lucky at this point.

 

[ElizabethCB]

Unfortunately, I think your chances are very slim. There are only 21 studios at HHI. The reason there is 2BR availability (even only for the one night) is because there are 76 dedicated 2BR's. If you want to book at HHI over Easter, you must be ready to book at exactly 7 months out, especially if you want a studio, 1BR or GV, as those have the smallest inventory. We bought a 50 point contract at HHI just for this reason. We try to go every third year during the first week of April (always our kids' spring break) and we stay in a 1BR for 5 nights.

The reason there is availability for cash customers is because somewhere down the line, a HHI owner used their points for a cruise, ABD or other Disney Collection exchange. Those points are then used by DVC and "rented out" by CRO (Disney Central Reservations Office) in the form of a cash reservation and used to "pay" for the member's exchange.

You can always try the waitlist, but I think you will have to get incredibly lucky at this point.

Rats! Ok, thank you so much for the info. I wonder if I'll have a better chance by booking the 2br for a night....worth a try.

 

[William Ades]

1. The chances are slim, but there is still a chance. You should definitely create a Wait List request. You never know...

2. No, you will not increase your chances by booking the 2BR for one night. If your Wait List request goes through, it will automatically replace any existing booking you have for the same nights/days. So having a reservation for the one night will not increase nor decrease your chances of getting a studio for all 3 nights, nor for just the remaining 2 nights.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Easter weekend tends to be a very busy time at HHI- we were lucky enough to be there once. Surprisingly, the small # of studios isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes the 2 BRs go more quickly. I was at the front desk once when a couple wanted to extend their stay. They were told that there were no more 2 BRs (which they'd been in), but there were 1 BRs and studios. Fortunately, the rest of their family was leaving, so they were fine. But the front desk explained that the resort attracts so many large family groups, you never know.

 

[ElizabethCB]

Thanks as always for the great advice.

I put in a waitlist request for a studio for 3 nights.

There was a 2br available for Friday night, so I booked that. I could do one other night, either Thursday or Saturday. How can I submit this as a waitlist request, since I xan only have 2? Should I submit a request for the 3 nights, even though I already have Friday, then take whatever comes up and cancel what I don't need?

 

[ElizabethCB]

The reason there is availability for cash customers is because somewhere down the line, a HHI owner used their points for a cruise, ABD or other Disney Collection exchange. Those points are then used by DVC and "rented out" by CRO (Disney Central Reservations Office) in the form of a cash reservation and used to "pay" for the member's exchange.

You can always try the waitlist, but I think you will have to get incredibly lucky at this point.

Another question. If this cash studio goes unsold, would they eventually release it to the waitlist?

 

[kristenrice]

Another question. If this cash studio goes unsold, would they eventually release it to the waitlist?

I'm not sure how breakage works with the waitlist. I know that at 60 days out, unreserved POINTS rooms get sent to CRO for cash rentals. Sometimes, within that 60-day window, they can pull a points reservation out of the breakage inventory, but I don't think it applies to a waitlist.

 

[William Ades]

Thanks as always for the great advice.

I put in a waitlist request for a studio for 3 nights.

There was a 2br available for Friday night, so I booked that. I could do one other night, either Thursday or Saturday. How can I submit this as a waitlist request, since I xan only have 2? Should I submit a request for the 3 nights, even though I already have Friday, then take whatever comes up and cancel what I don't need?

If I understand you correctly, you want 3 nights. Either Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday. You already have a Wait List for one of those, yes? I'd Put in a request for the other. If either of them goes through, you won't have to cancel anything. It will automatically replace your existing reservation for the 2BR.

 

[ElizabethCB]

If I understand you correctly, you want 3 nights. Either Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday. You already have a Wait List for one of those, yes? I'd Put in a request for the other. If either of them goes through, you won't have to cancel anything. It will automatically replace your existing reservation for the 2BR.

Ideally, I want 3 nights in the studio. If I can't get that, then I can do 2 nights in the 2br. I have it booked for Friday, and could add on either Thursday or Saturday. So, should my second waitlist be for a 2br, Thursday-Saturday?

 

[William Ades]

Ahhh....now I see what you mean. Yeah, having a Wait List for 2 different room types might increase your chances for at least getting a room for the multiple nights yes. That would be a good idea.