How to wait list a reservation when only one night is not available?

[DVCSunDevil]

We are looking to book a reservation and one of the four nights is not available (which is the third night). In this situation, do you wait list the entire four night reservation or do you book the other three nights and just wait list the one night that isn't available?

 

[Marionnette]

I book nights #1&#2, and night #4. Then I waitlist night #3. If I have enough points, I also book nights #3&#4 at another resort if there's availability elsewhere and set the waitlist up to replace that alternate reservation if it comes through.

Then I stalk the website multiple times per day for that missing day until such time as the waitlist fills or I find the night on my own.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I book nights #1&#2, and night #4. Then I waitlist night #3. If I have enough points, I also book nights #3&#4 at another resort if there's availability elsewhere and set the waitlist up to replace that alternate reservation if it comes through.

Then I stalk the website multiple times per day for that missing day until such time as the waitlist fills or I find the night on my own.

Great, thank you! We do already have a reservation at our home resort (BCV) that we booked at 11 months. Up until last week, there was availability for all four nights and just two days ago that 3rd night became unavailable. Argh!!!! Whatever though, these things happen

Another question for you...do you have to call MS to wait list? Or can you do it on the website?

 

[Marionnette]

Great, thank you! We do already have a reservation at our home resort (BCV) that we booked at 11 months. Up until last week, there was availability for all four nights and just two days ago that 3rd night became unavailable. Argh!!!! Whatever though, these things happen

Another question for you...do you have to call MS to wait list? Or can you do it on the website?

Waitlists can be created online.

 

[CarolMN]

Agree with @Marionnette unless you are trying to make the reservation exactly at 7 months. In that case, you would not be able to book the 4th night until the 7 month window opens for that night. I'd book nights 1 & 2 and waitlist the entire reservation. When the window opens for the 4th night, I'd book it if still available, cancel the 4 night waitlist and waitlist the single missing night. Then I'd proceed as @Marionnette suggests.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Agree with @Marionnette unless you are trying to make the reservation exactly at 7 months. In that case, you would not be able to book the 4th night until the 7 month window opens for that night. I'd book nights 1 & 2 and waitlist the entire reservation. When the window opens for the 4th night, I'd book it if still available, cancel the 4 night waitlist and waitlist the single missing night. Then I'd proceed as @Marionnette suggests.

That is EXACTLY what we are trying to do. The 7 month mark is next Thursday the 22nd. You comment is really helpful, especially since I have obviously not done a waitlist before. Thank you!

 

[Happy2BMommy0812]

So, since you are trying to make a reservation at the 7 month mark, I’d suggest a different strategy.

Log in on Thursday the 22nd and book your arrival day and day 2 (is still available at your 7 month mark). Once booked and confirmed, go back in and waitlist the entire 4 day stay. Check back multiple times per day on the 22nd and 23rd to see if your dates have opened, and if they have modify your reservation and cancel the waitlist. If they do not open, log in right away on Saturday the 24th and waitlist just the 3rd night. Log in right away on the 25th and book your 4th night if still available. If it is, cancel the 4 day waitlist and keep the waitlist for your 3rd night. If it is not available, cancel your 4 night waitlist and waitlist the 4th night separate from the 3rd night, but keep check the website a few times a day for availability.

That being said, this strategy is a ton of steps and work and availability may change between now and Thursday. Long story short, I find it best to reserve any nights I can when I can, and waitlist nights I can’t find individually.