How realistic is this?

[Christine & family]

Am I completely out of my mind to be doing this or is there a chance this could come through. We were trying to move our two bedroom Saratoga Springs reservation over to the Beach Club to be near my parents who are staying at that hotel. They love that hotel and like being able to walk into the parks. I can't blame them as it is a great feature seeing that we will be traveling with 3 kids. So I've taken a risk and called every day at the 7 month mark at 9:00 a.m. and here's where I'm at right now. I've asked for automatic confirmations and each waitlist is for an individual day so that I stand the best chance of getting it (I think).

December 3 - 4: Confirmed BCV.
December 4 - 5: Wait listed at BCV. Still confirmed at SS.
December 5 - 6: Confirmed at BCV.
December 6 - 7: Wait listed at BCV. Still confirmed at SS.
December 7 - 8: Wait listed at BCV. Still confirmed at SS.
December 8 - 9: Wait listed at BCV. Still confirmed at SS.
December 9 - 10: Confirmed at BCV.
December 10 - 11: Confirmed at BCV.

I know there are no guarantees, but what do you think?

 

[CarolMN]

I agree that you have done what you can do to get the best chance of the waitlist coming through. I would still advise you to wait a couple of days and then call MS back to make sure you are on the waitlist exactly the way you think you are - there have been reports of some problems in this area. Those are probaly due to an inexperienced CM and not common, but it doesn't hurt to check, IMHO. Try to call later in the afternoon, when MS won't be so busy and you are more likley to get a CM who isn't feeling rushed.

I think it is going to be nerve-wracking to wait, but since you called day by day as soon as the 7 month window opened, you do have a chance. IMHO, it's about 50/50 to get all the days and higher than that to get most of them (maybe only move back and forth once)? I'm encouraged that you already got the night of the 5th - it wasn't too long ago that someone reported that 12/4 & 12/5 were completely sold out for all the WDW DVC properties.

I've assumed that you don't have enough points to hold the SSR reservation until you get the complete BCV reservation. If you do (and still have the SSR reservation), it will be a lot easier on your nerves.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how it's going. I love to hear waitlist success stories - especially those for the first week of December!

Best wishes -

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I don't have any advice for you, but I wanted to tell you that I am in the process of doing just what you're doing too!

We have a 2bdrm reserved at SSR but our parents are staying at FW campgrounds, so we would like to stay at VWL so it's only a walk away.

I decided to do the waitlist for the whole stay versus partial days. I don't know if we will get it and I didn't want to take the chance of having to move resorts during the trip if we didn't get every night. AGH.. I would HATE to have to switch resorts with our 4 kids!! We love SSR, so if we don't get it we will be super happy still, just farther away.

I started off as an automatic ressie, but called and changed it to the one where they call you. They told me that your chances are the same either way, unless you don't call back in the 24 hours in which you lose it.

I am too anxious about getting VWL so I know that I would go crazy watching the mail box for something to just appear!! I would rather them call me and tell me it's available so I will know.

Pixie Dust to you on your remaining days!!!

 

[sheryl0521]

Could you pay cash for the nights that you are waitlisted at BCV?

For our October vacation 10-7 - 10/14, the Sunday night 10/9 was not available for points. We are on the waitlist, but we have also secured the night for cash so we don't have to change rooms/resorts.

Also - if not before, the 30 day mark is going to be the best chance of your waitlists to come through.

Just an option I would throw out there...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have no idea, but here's some Pixie Dust, for both. You WILL let us know if/when those waitlists come through, won't you?

Bobbi

 

[Beca]

I know it is really stressful!! But, I personally think you will be fine, since you got on right at the first moment you could. Those days are really popular, so a lot of people book them early, if if their plans are "subject to change".

I agree that you should call back and make SURE you are on the waitlist like you think you are. If so, RELAX and try not to think about it for a few months.

I really think you will get it.



Beca

 

[J and R's mom]

This will be our first trip as DVC members (11/27-12/02) and we're taking my parents and our two little girls (ages 2.5 and 1). We've booked a 2 bedroom at our home resort--SSR--but have waitlisted for BCV and BWV. I decided to waitlist for length-of-stay instead of day-by-day because I don't want to switch resorts.

I'm not sure that this was the wisest decision, though, because the CM told me that all but 11/27 and 11/28 of our trip had availability at BVC (our preference of the two). I just wasn't brave enough to chance it with day-by-day. We'll see what happens.

Here's wishing all of us luck,

 

[Christine & family]

Hi Sheryl0521,

You said: Could you pay cash for the nights that you are waitlisted at BCV?

For our October vacation 10-7 - 10/14, the Sunday night 10/9 was not available for points. We are on the waitlist, but we have also secured the night for cash so we don't have to change rooms/resorts.

How does that work? Do they have two bedroom villas available for people paying cash that aren't available with points? If so, that would definitely be an option we'd consider. Thanks for helping me understand all the alternatives.

I'll definitely keep you all posted on our progress. Thank you for the good wishes!!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

For our stay I did ask about paying cash via the DVC discount, but was told that there wasn't any availability for the days we needed, but that I could call regular reservations and see about regular prices.

She told me that they keep 2% off all "stock" ie rooms for cash. So they can fill up to 98% with points. I am totally new to this, so I don't know if that is all accurate.

 

[rinkwide]

...I still say buy-where-you-want-to-stay is overrated.

 

[CarolMN]

...I still say buy-where-you-want-to-stay is overrated.

And this is the perfect thread to say it in!

OTOH, lots of people like to gamble - the thrill of not knowing where you will sleep can be a real high for an adrenalin junkie - at least for those whose significant others won't let them sky dive, mountain climb or bungee jump!

Best wishes-

 

[sheryl0521]

Hi Sheryl0521,
How does that work? Do they have two bedroom villas available for people paying cash that aren't available with points? If so, that would definitely be an option we'd consider. Thanks for helping me understand all the alternatives.
I'll definitely keep you all posted on our progress. Thank you for the good wishes!!

Based on availablity, MS can reserve the room for the rack rate cash, or the member discount of 25% off. A 2-bedroom is at least $750 a night rack rate, so it could get pricey for you. But they can link the ressies together and you will not have to check out or move rooms like may happen with CRO.

For our October situation, I am currently paying $450 for that Sunday night in a 1-bedroom and plan on checking in with MS to see if the member discount becomes available. I am guessing it will not seeing it is the start of the F&WF in Epcot, and it is a holiday weekend.

 

[sheryl0521]

...I still say buy-where-you-want-to-stay is overrated.

I agree, I fear this is only the beginning of these types of threads...

 

[Good Ol Gal]

...I still say buy-where-you-want-to-stay is overrated.

We own at SSR and we LOVE it! We just figured that since it's G&G's first trip to WDW that it would be nice for them and the grandkids to be closer to each other.

Owning at your favorite place is the best option and I'm glad that we do!

Lots of Pixie Dust to all of us the waitlists!

 

[J and R's mom]

WOW! I called MS after I wrote the last message on this thread and they informed me that my waitlist request at BWV came through for all of my nights. She researched when they called to notify me since I told her that I hadn't yet been called. She confirmed that they hadn't called me. She seemed a bit surprised by this.

This leads me to wonder what would have happened if I hadn't called them today. I wonder if they would have gotten around to calling me?

Anyway, our waitlist came through and that's what's important in the end.

As to "own-where-you-want-to-stay," I want to stay at WDW, so any of the resorts are fine. It doesn't matter where we own, we'll always want to try different resorts from time-to-time. Not just the one we purchased at. Plus, I'll have 12 extra years by purchasing at SSR (even if I have to spend each visit at SSR in those last 12 yrs...which I doubt).

 

[Christine & family]

I am so happy for you that your wait list came through! I agree with you. We bought at Saratoga Springs because we loved it there and had a wonderful time last Thanksgiving when we stayed for a week. But it is nice to experience the magic of the other resorts sometimes and if the kids can be near their Grammy & Grampy on this trip, that would be great! My sister and her neice will be with me and my two children on this trip. (First trip without the husband's who didn't get the Disney gene like we did). She said to me that even if we have to move every night, who cares, we are at Disney! I love her attitude. We'll hope for the best and we decided it is worth the risk of having to move, but we'll just be happy to be there. You guys have been great with your notes of support. Thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good for you, J and R's Mom!

Bobbi

 

[Good Ol Gal]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I am so happy that it came through for you and so fast!!

WDW here you come!!

 

[sheryl0521]

WOW! I called MS after I wrote the last message on this thread and they informed me that my waitlist request at BWV came through for all of my nights.

Congrats on your waitlist coming through! I love to hear successful waitlist stories.

...12 extra years by purchasing at SSR (even if I have to spend each visit at SSR in those last 12 yrs...which I doubt).

DH & I were just discussing this topic last night. Wonder what will happen between 2042 & 2054.
...That is the subject of another thread!

 

[sheryl0521]

You guys have been great with your notes of support. Thank you!

Let us know how it all wraps up!