How does MS fill waitlists?

[BEASLYBOO]

This is my 1st time waitlisting, and as I understood that the waitlist fulfillment happens automatically and we are not notified, I thought that by periodically checking my up-coming reservations on the DVC Member site I would know if they came in. I prefer this to spending huge amounts of time calling MS!

Does this make sense, or should I be doing something else?

 

[dairyqueenmom]

This is my 1st time waitlisting, and as I understood that the waitlist fulfillment happens automatically and we are not notified, I thought that by periodically checking my up-coming reservations on the DVC Member site I would know if they came in. I prefer this to spending huge amounts of time calling MS!

Does this make sense, or should I be doing something else?

That is the way I understood the waitlist procedure. I waitlisted just inside our 7 month window for BWV standard studio. I just checked the DVC website daily, I never called. It came through in about a week. I think people just call in hopes they might happen upon a room.

 

[zulaya]

I've been on the WL 3 times. Each time, I booked inside the 7 month window at OKW or SSR and WL for my home resort, BCV. Once was in early April and once in early June.

Both times, my WL came through for me, though the April WL didn't come through until 8 days before we left.

Now, I'm WL for Thanksgiving. I called 9 months out for a 2BR of any kind at BCV for Nov 21-28. I'm on the WL for 2 days smack in the middle of the vacation - Nov 25 and 26.

According to MS, there is nothing of any kind available at BCV for those 2 days.

I've never stayed over Thanksgiving so I've never really followed discussions on the WL. So I hope something comes through for me.

I asked MS what would be the best way to get those days filled. I really would prefer a dedicated room with 2Q. Just easier for everyone to have their own bed. But I understand that may not fill at all. So I'm WL for a 2BR lockoff for those 2 days as well.

No one seems to be willing to share how and when the WL is filled. I wish I knew. I just want to understand the process better so I can get a stronger feel for if I'm going to be able to have a home on those 2 days.

 

[tjkraz]

This is my 1st time waitlisting, and as I understood that the waitlist fulfillment happens automatically and we are not notified, I thought that by periodically checking my up-coming reservations on the DVC Member site I would know if they came in. I prefer this to spending huge amounts of time calling MS!

Does this make sense, or should I be doing something else?

That's correct--waitlist matches are automatically made and the reservation switched.

What nobody knows is exactly how the matching process works. What does NOT appear to happen is realtime matching where a room cancellation would immediately lead to a waitlist match. Instead It appears matches are made by running a batch program at some point during the business day.

This batch process leaves open the possibility that someone could grab a room before it gets to the waitlist. For instance, member "A" cancels at 9am. Member "B" has a waitlist request for the dates canceled. But before the waitlist match occurs, Member "C" happens to call and book the room.

If you look at this thread there are several examples of this happening. Numerous posters say that they called to check on their waitlist status and were instantly told a room was available. It appears the cancellation occurred earlier in the day and the member's phone call preceded the waitlist match.

What we really can't tell is how these situations impact the integrity of the waitlist process. Regardless of the impact, it's almost certainly been happening for the last 17-18 years.

 

[Debby7]

so... I wonder what time of day would be best to call to try to snag my own waitlist ?? Any experience or thoughts?

 

[zulaya]

so... I wonder what time of day would be best to call to try to snag my own waitlist ?? Any experience or thoughts?

I don't think there's really any way of knowing. How can you tell when someone who has the dates you need is going to call and cancel?

If you really want a complete stab in the dark here's my thoughts...

~ 9:30am-ish...after the first flood of calls to MS. Though I don't know how many people call first thing in the morning just to cancel. Unless they are trying to switch resorts.

~ Late lunch hour. People may take time to call then.

~ Last hour of the working day for MS. Maybe people will call right when they get home from work, before MS closes for the night.


But this is purely a guess. The person who has dates you need may live Colorado. If they call on their lunch hour, that's after 2pm Eastern.

I think it's just going to be luck of the draw. I called yesterday to talk about my WL options that I had for Thanksgiving. The advisor offered to check and see if there was availability...AFTER we talked about the WL I've had in place since Feb. So if the WL was automagic, why did she bother?

I think I have to just say that the WL works in a completely nebulous way. I just wish we knew how the rules were applied.