I am a Eternal Optimist..but sheesh..

[DisneyDebRob]

Hello everyone!

First let me say that my wife Debra and I(Robert) have been long time readers of the boards and have enjoyed so many articles and helpful tidbits over the last couple months and recently,started posting.We are also proud home owners in SSR and AKL.That being said...what am I doing wrong?

Let me explain..we became owners after my wifes first trip to disney in 2002.I have been enjoying WDW since the mid 70's.She loves it,and how could she not,so we made our best investment ever into DVC.We bought into SSR sight unseen,from just what we read and other peoples views. Stayed there for the first time in 2003 and we love it.

We looked at belonging to DVC as a chance to stay in what ever hotel we wanted and could enjoy what every place had to offer.We were like 2 children the second year looking at all the candy and trying to decide which one was overflowing with more good stuff then the others.Well at the 11 month mark we made our ressies for SSR.At the 7 month mark sharp,we called to see what else we could stay at. Nothing was available so we went on this thing called the "waitlist".No problem,we will wait and get something. Well nothing came thru so we stayed at SSR for another great year. The following year we tried it again.Changed the month we went and length of stay.The good ole wait list again. No problem,we will surely get something this year.Nope.We went to disney 2 times the following year.Both times wait list. Both times nothing opened. We then opened up our whol thought process to not only studio,lets try 1 bedroom aslso,maybe then we will get something. Nothing again.It has been 6 going on 7 years now and not once has a wait list opened up for us. This year we are going for our longest stay,2 weeks,end of november into december.Guess what?Wait list.

Figured the only way to try another property is by buying into another one!lol So we did and thats how we became AKL owners. We have enjoyed the last 2 years there and at SSR. It will become very expensive to buy into all the properties just to stay there.I know with more properties opening up,there will be more room. I also know that with more family members joining DVC,it will be tougher.I am just so glad we love our home resort so much that when we get down there,we don't think about it to much.

So in closing,what I am asking is this. Is there a trick that I'm not doing? Is it just bad luck? We have tried almost every month so far except for the summer months and january because of my job. Is anyone else in a funk like this? In fairness,there has been 2 nights available here or 3 nights there but we are not ones to bounce around a few times during one week. Thanks for all your help!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Hmmmm...I'm not really sure what to tell you. It seems like you're doing everything right, calling at the 7-month mark and all.

I will say that in 12 years as DVC members we've never had any trouble getting the resort we wanted right at the 7-month mark. We've stayed at all of the WDW DVC resorts and were even able to get BLT for Thanksgiving weekend. We have had difficulties getting our first choice of resort when we book on short notice, but there's always been something for us somewhere. It seems odd to me that absolutely nothing has been available to you at that 7-month mark. We've also had great success with the waitlist. I don't say these things to gloat in our successes, but rather to let you know that what you're hoping for is possible.

Are you being restrictive in your request? I'd make sure to waitlist for any available studio (or 1br, 2br, etc.) at the resort you want. Also, keep in mind that smaller resorts (BCV, WLV) will be more difficult to get. Larger resorts will give you a better chance.

I"m sorry you've had such trouble. I'll keep my fingers crossed for future success!

 

[jekjones1558]

The fact that you own at 2 resorts that are large and easier to book and are trying to get into smaller, harder-to-book resorts at 7 months is definitely working against you. I am not surprised that you are waitlisted for your Nov./Dec. reservation, since that has become one of the most popular DVC times. I am surprised that you have had trouble with every other month if you have had some flexibility in unit size and resort. For example, I would expect that most resorts would have availability in 1 bedrooms and maybe studios for September. While standard and BW view rooms go quickly at BWV, there is often availability for preferred view at 7 months for less popular times. Without knowing your exact waitlist dates from the past, it is hard to speculate. But let me add some pixiedust that your luck changes soon!

 

[starbox]

We've traveled in April, May, June, July, and January and have gotten every request at 7 months. We do call the day the 7-month window opens, maybe that makes a difference.

We own at SSR/AKV and have stayed at SSR 3X, AKV 6X, BCV 2X, OKW2X, VWL 1X, BWV 2X, HHI 2X, VB 6X

 

[gkrykewy]

Tough gig, OP - I'll be curious to see what suggestions others make. We bought in in 2007, and haven't really tried to book elsewhere at 7 months yet. My parents on the other hand have tried and (so far) failed twice to get BWV at 7 months... although the first try was during food & wine, and the second time (current) is a try for the beginning of December. I understand that these are the two toughest times to get a 7 month reservation at.

 

[Disneypirate85]

Well shoot...I dunno what to tell ya either? Sounds like your doing it all right.
We have had waitlists, and SO FAR, only 1 time did nothing come thru (12/18-12/24 last year to be honest we didn't expect it too tho)
We have found if we make our requests at the 7 month mark we have been able to find availability
Sorry to hear bout your bad luck with waitlists....Shawn

 

[CarolMN]

Are you calling 7 months exactly before your check in date as soon as MS opens (at 9 am Eastern)? That is very important if you want something during a popular time.

As noted above, late November/early December is a very popular time for DVC members to visit. What resorts and room type are you trying to get? OKW, Pool/Garden rooms at the BWV and Lake View rooms are the easiest of the smaller resorts to get at 7 months. 1 bedroom units are easier to get than studios.

The longer your length of stay, the less likely it is that a waitlist will work for you. If you have a longer stay, consider breaking it up between two resorts. Of course, not everyone is willing to move in the middle of their stay. I know I'm not unless it is absolutely necessary - and even then......

Waitlists are more difficult to get now that you are limited to two waitlists at any time. If you are trying to get a studio with a Boardwalk View or a studio at VWL for early December, the odds are definitely not in your favor.

Good luck!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I was originally an OKW owner who wanted to stay at BWV, any villa type, first week in December. After a few years of waitlists never coming through, guess what?!? I am also a BWV owner!!!!! LOL!

So, "buy where you want to stay" becomes even more important as time goes on, it seems...

 

[boettj]

When I called recently, I asked them to give me a list of the DVC resorts with a 1 bedroom for the time frame we were looking at. The CS then not only provided me with a list of the resorts, but also the point differences. Now if you are trying to get into BCV I can understand and maybe BWV with boardwalk view, then I can understand why you have been put on the waiting list.

For us, OKW, BWV, WLV, BLT were all open for this November in a one-bedroom. Again, I like others are not trying to brag. Just trying to provide examples/advice to help you in your future requets.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I understand not wanting to hop around. Waitlisting for 2 weeks is prob. not going to happen. Ever. The way the system works the exact two weeks would have to clear up when you're #1 on the list. If the unlikely event that 13 consecutive days of the 14 days clear up 50 times between now and Nov. and you're up on the list, those days will go to people who waitlisted after you. They won't hold them for you till they get the other day. When you could break the waitlist up into individual days you would have had a chance.

In the future if you want to try somewhere else for a week, book the two or three days they do have at the 7 month mark and waitlist for the other days. If it's two before and two after, it's even better. If you do that at the 7 month mark, and it's not for Christmas week or Easter or New Years, there's a much better than average chance you could get the rest of the week to come up. There is the risk of bouncing around, but it's minimal.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I wonder if longer stays are harder to get, we have been able to book a studio at the 7month mark twice for Sept. and Oct. at BWV but they were only for 4 night stays Sun-Thurs.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

For all your replies,thank you! The pixie dust should help!

What I have learned so far is,I think,maybe change the times we go. We have been there 2 times in april,once in may,3 times in october, 3 in november and 2 times in december.Maybe febr.or march might work.The summer,like I said is bad because of my job. As for the 2 weeks in nov. and dec. this year,I had told them to do whatever combination they could for any 2 resorts..2 nights one place,12 another,couldn't get that either.We do call right at the 7 month mark,but maybe sometimes its after a few hours they are open. so thanks for the advice on calling exactly when they open. That probably will help a bit to.After reading your replies,I do feel much better about the whole wait thing. I know we will get it at some point and I once again thank you for the help!

 

[disneynutz]

For all your replies,thank you! The pixie dust should help!

What I have learned so far is,I think,maybe change the times we go. We have been there 2 times in april,once in may,3 times in october, 3 in november and 2 times in december.Maybe febr.or march might work.The summer,like I said is bad because of my job. As for the 2 weeks in nov. and dec. this year,I had told them to do whatever combination they could for any 2 resorts..2 nights one place,12 another,couldn't get that either.We do call right at the 7 month mark,but maybe sometimes its after a few hours they are open. so thanks for the advice on calling exactly when they open. That probably will help a bit to.After reading your replies,I do feel much better about the whole wait thing. I know we will get it at some point and I once again thank you for the help!

Wait-lists are even harder to get with the new two active restriction that DVC put on us. Also, most members don't know about the different room types and that each one requires a separate wait-list.

Lets say that you want to wait-list at a VWL studio. You need to wait-list for both the dedicated and non-dedicated. That's 2 wait-lists, your maximum.

The 11 month booking advantage booking advantage is important and will become even more so as time goes on. There are now 400,000 DVC members, up from 300,000 18 months ago. Disney does a great job making all year a busy time of year.

 

[HayGan]

Wait-lists are even harder to get with the new two active restriction that DVC put on us. Also, most members don't know about the different room types and that each one requires a separate wait-list.

Lets say that you want to wait-list at a VWL studio. You need to wait-list for both the dedicated and non-dedicated. That's 2 wait-lists, your maximum.

The 11 month booking advantage booking advantage is important and will become even more so as time goes on. There are now 400,000 DVC members, up from 300,000 18 months ago. Disney does a great job making all year a busy time of year.

Wait - I thought in a case of dedicated vs. non-dedicated that you could just do an ANY studio request? I know that a standard vs. savannah or std. vs preferred would be seperate waitlists but why wouldn't a ANY VWL studio request work as one request?

 

[Dean]

IMO, things are getting more difficult to book in general. However, I think most people who are doing it the way you are doing it are being successful if they use the WL properly. You mentioned 14 days, were you trying to book all 14 days at one resort and WL for the entire time? I think overall the times you mentioned you were trying far are easier than many others. The new WL will limit your choices but may actually increase your chances of success IF you were using the WL for all or nothing for a longer stay. Again I say that most people doing it the way you were doing have been successful in the past. Make sure you call day 1 when they open at 7 months out. Try to avoid the most difficult of options as your 2 choices like MK BLT or concierge at AKV (as examples). Good and wine will make the EPCOT resorts an issue and Xmas will make VWL more difficult.

 

[CarolMN]

For all your replies,thank you! The pixie dust should help!

What I have learned so far is,I think,maybe change the times we go. We have been there 2 times in april,once in may,3 times in october, 3 in november and 2 times in december.Maybe febr.or march might work.The summer,like I said is bad because of my job. As for the 2 weeks in nov. and dec. this year,I had told them to do whatever combination they could for any 2 resorts..2 nights one place,12 another,couldn't get that either.We do call right at the 7 month mark,but maybe sometimes its after a few hours they are open. so thanks for the advice on calling exactly when they open. That probably will help a bit to.After reading your replies,I do feel much better about the whole wait thing. I know we will get it at some point and I once again thank you for the help!

The easiest times to book the smaller DVC resorts at 7 months are:

Mid-January through mid-February,
May and
September.

Again, the specialty room categories are always tough. Those include (at WDW DVC Resorts): concierge and value at AKV, dedicated 2 bedroom villas with 2 Queen beds in the second bedroom at BCV, SV & Boardwalk view at BWV, Grand Villas/Beach Cottages anywhere, THV at SSR (maybe), Near HH at OKW (maybe) and MK & SV at BLT. There may be a few more, but those are the most frequently cited.

Sounds like the most important thing for you to change is to call as soon as MS opens. Good luck!


HTH.

 

[lisareniff]

Wait - I thought in a case of dedicated vs. non-dedicated that you could just do an ANY studio request? I know that a standard vs. savannah or std. vs preferred would be seperate waitlists but why wouldn't a ANY VWL studio request work as one request?

My understanding (which could be wrong) is that there are not different catagories for dedicated and lock-off studios except for AKV-Jambo. At least when this rule first came out they had dedicated and lock-off sudios as separate categories and therefore separate waitlists. I hope they saw that is division was unnecessary and have since changed it, but knowing Disney they probably haven't.

 

[lisareniff]

What I have learned so far is,I think,maybe change the times we go. We have been there 2 times in april,once in may,3 times in october, 3 in november and 2 times in december.Maybe febr.or march might work.The summer,like I said is bad because of my job. As for the 2 weeks in nov. and dec. this year,I had told them to do whatever combination they could for any 2 resorts..2 nights one place,12 another,couldn't get that either.We do call right at the 7 month mark,but maybe sometimes its after a few hours they are open. so thanks for the advice on calling exactly when they open. That probably will help a bit to.....

Wow, You have had a bit of bad luck.

 

[DVC Mike]

It will become very expensive to buy into all the properties just to stay there.

That's my approach, and it works!

 

[disneynutz]

My understanding (which could be wrong) is that there are not different catagories for dedicated and lock-off studios except for AKV-Jambo. At least when this rule first came out they had dedicated and lock-off sudios as separate categories and therefore separate waitlists. I hope they saw that is division was unnecessary and have since changed it, but knowing Disney they probably haven't.

I had this discussion with several DVC managers about a month ago. They admitted that they don't advertise the wait-list short comings, but at that time, each room type was separate.

We wanted a wait-list for a two bedroom at BCV. We had to select 2 from the 3 possibilities. Dedicated, lock-off, or two beds in the second bedroom.