How does waitlist work again?

[Ducky4Disney]

I know this has been gone over before, I did a brief search and didn't see what I wanted.

I think you get a different answer depending on who you get at MS. I need a 2 bdrm for 4 nights, then a 1 bdrm for 3 nights. They didn't quite have this so I took a 1 bdrm for the 4 nights and then a studio (at least everyone will have a bed with this arrangement). I waitlisted for a 2 bdrm for those first 4 nights.

Now here's the thing - do you get your waitlist days as they come available or when the whole reservation comes up? I swear that last year they gave me the days as they became available, one here, one there. When my DH called MS back with some questions they said that a 2 bdrm was available for 3 of the 4 nights we wanted. So why didn't I get those and then only waitlist for the last night? MS told him that bacause we were checking out on the 20th, and that night wasn't available we wouldn't get it . Huh? So we can only upgrade if we get the whole reservation?

Does anyone know the "official" policy on how this works? I know that I am on the waitlist until 7 days prior to the days I want then I have to call in and check everyday.

D4D

 

[RobDoc]

There are two ways to use the waitlist. The first is to make your request and they will call you to confirm when all days become available at once. The problem with this method is that they will NOT save individual days as they become available - you will be called only when all of your dates open up at once.

The other way to use the waitlist is to have them automatically confirm each day as it becomes available. They don't need to call you to ask if you still want the dates and you will automatically add each date as it opens up. The problem with this method is that it's possible that one or more nights will not become available and you might need to move each of those nights.

I have always used the daily/auotcomfirm method and have always gotten the dates wanted.

If 3 of the nights were available when you called, you should have taken those and used the auto-waitlist for any remaining nights. Unless you specifically request that method, you will be using the "we'll call you" waitlist. I'd suggest calling back, accepting any available nights that fit your schedule and auto-confirm the remaining dates.

Good luck!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Thanks! We did call back and take the available days and so we are just waiting on one day. We have a 1 bdrm for that day so we have a backup plan. I just can't figure out why the daily/autoconfirm wasn't offered to me? The MS CM wasn't very cheery and had little advice for me.

Thanks again,
D4D

 

[PamOKW]

MS leaves it to you to make the decision on how to waitlist. You have to be aware of what you are doing because MS does not automatically cancel reservations to book the new one. If you tell them to auto-book a two-bedroom day by day -- that's what they do. They don't automatically cancel another reservation for that day to use those points. So, keep track of what's happening and be sure to cancel anything you won't use.