I'm going to WDW! What are my wait list chances?

[Divamomto3]

Well my husband told me this morning that he has to go away for business for most of the kids' February vacation week. He travels a few times a month, but the thought of being holed up here with 3 kids, a load of snow, sub zero temperatures, and daily woes about who's turn is it for the Playstation, what to make for dinner, who's coming over to play, what to clean next, etc...I decided to take the kids on a surprise 4 night trip to the World!!!!!!!!!! I just booked everything! I got a PHENOMENAL rate on orbitz for independence air...the 4 of us are flying from Hartford to Orlando with one stop in DC for $716 total! The flight home is a great time for us, but the flight down is a late afternoon one with an early evening arrival...but that's OK..we wake up in the World. The bummer is that there isn't ONE STUDIO available for Feb 20-24th. That doesn't surprise me, but I was hoping for a miracle...just one tiny studio in OKW. I'm on the waiting list and I don't have any hopes, so I am also booked a cash reservation at Port Orleans Riverside (GASP..the HORROR of a moderate with no kitchenette!) The airline deal was so great, I'm tempted to see what the rate is at the Contemporary, but I know in my heart I need to keep this as affordable as possible since I'm cramming it in so unexpectedly. I feel so DARING...I've never travelled with my 3 kids on a plane without my DH...hey, I'm woman hear me roar! LOL
Do you think a waitlist from an emergency cancellation could ever come through?

 

[spiceycat]

you never know....cancelations do happen all the time.

I would still call at least every other day. Sometimes you can find a studio before the wait list does.

I think I would go with Pop Century - no slide - and no refrigerator (you do know that all deluxes and moderates now have a refrigerator)

but I think your kids would enjoy it - besides it is cheaper.

You can go around and say "I remember that, etc" to all the icons, signs, items, etc around this place.

 

[Divamomto3]

you never know....cancelations do happen all the time.

I would still call at least every other day. Sometimes you can find a studio before the wait list does.

I think I would go with Pop Century - no slide - and no refrigerator (you do know that all deluxes and moderates now have a refrigerator)

but I think your kids would enjoy it - besides it is cheaper.

You can go around and say "I remember that, etc" to all the icons, signs, items, etc around this place.

I thought about Pop Century. I've never stayed in a value. I sound like a snob now, don't I? YIKES.
I just want a studio!
Now, I've also booked on the AP rate, but I don't have it activated yet...just will be getting the voucher. How can I check in to the resort at 9pm with a voucher? Where can I activate it?

 

[spiceycat]

you can check in the voucher - sometimes the hotel requires you to come back with the annual pass are you have valided it - but not always.

the International Gateway over in the BW area is definitely a good place - also I had no problem in the ticket line at Epcot. He had just opened and no one was in line - so I decided to try him instead of guest services - which had 10 people in line. He say no problem and did it.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Definately waitlist everywhere! Remember, the old waitlist disappeared at the 30 day mark, and this one will go away at 7 days out, so with some luck you could be first on the waitlist for everything. I would hold out most hope for the largest resorts: for now OKW, BWV, SSR. And if you go day-by-day and don't mind moving (I won't move more than once in a trip) you may very well get something.

Back in November I snagged a BWV studio for 2/22-25 (3 nights) for some friends, waitlisted for BCV and got that in late December. According to MS, the Sunday night of that week (2/20) is the toughest and the Monday holiday is only a little better. Then availability opens up a bit more
Good luck to you!

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Dont give up hope, i've waitlisted quite a bit and have been very
fortunate that it has always come thru.

I'm a snob too, Hard for me to swallows since just three years ago i was vacationing quite happily in a tent with dh and three sons. I thing a value Pop or all star is okay for one nite, but i wouldn't stay there for more nites than that, i'd go for a moderate hotel, with your ap discount there usually a pretty good deal and yu can cancel up to 5 days before your arrival date without penaty. I'd check every once and a while on the waitlist also

Have fun. Do the kids know or is it a surprise??
deb

 

[Divamomto3]

Have fun. Do the kids know or is it a surprise??
deb

It's a surpise...if I can keep it that way! I don't want to tell them until the day we are going!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for a studio on the wait list. I am not loving the whole uncertainty about checking in with the AP confirmation voucher and not the actual AP in hand at 9pm at night with 3 kids.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

<snip>I am not loving the whole uncertainty about checking in with the AP confirmation voucher and not the actual AP in hand at 9pm at night with 3 kids.

There will be no problem. As another person said all you need is the voucher for check in. I have checked in two different times having only the voucher and it's never been a problem. I was never asked to come back with the actual AP's but that could happen. Don't lose any sleep over it, it will be fine.

Lots of luck and a bunch of pixie dust getting the accomodations you want. Let us know if the waitlist comes through for you!

 

[JustLoveDisney]

Awww give the value resorts a little props! That is all I have ever stayed in. We always had an awesome time. They are fun and encourage silly walking, funny faces and a bit of crazy behavior. Don't count them out if you don't get the studio... of course I haven't had the pleasure of staying in an actual DVC

Green with envy
Debi

 

[jekjones1558]

I am not loving the whole uncertainty about checking in with the AP confirmation voucher and not the actual AP in hand at 9pm at night with 3 kids.

I have never even been asked for my AP when I've booked an AP rate! Don't worry! Besides, here comes a whole load of pixie dust from me to you that will almost guarantee that studio!

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Awww give the value resorts a little props! That is all I have ever stayed in. We always had an awesome time. They are fun and encourage silly walking, funny faces and a bit of crazy behavior. Don't count them out if you don't get the studio... of course I haven't had the pleasure of staying in an actual DVC

Green with envy
Debi

Agreed Debi, nothing wrong with the value resorts. I've stayed at every level there is, from camping at FW to the (imho) over priced and over rated GF. Pop Century and All Star music were just as clean and the cms just as friendly as any other WDW resort.

But I do have to admit now that I have joined DVC I am a spoiled brat. I can't imagine staying in a "regular" room for more than a day or so, even one at a Deluxe resort. Once you stay in a 1BR (or larger) and have a kitchen and washer/dryer right in the room it's hard to go back.

Have you ever rented points from a DVC member for a stay in a DVC resort? You'd be surprised how reasonable it can be to do so. The only trouble is if you're like me (and many others on this board) you won't be able to resist buying in once you've experienced how nice DVC is. They do offer financing, so maybe you don't have to remain green with envy. Maybe you can become one of us! Almost everyone here wishes they bought in sooner. There aer a number of benefits (ie $100 off AP, dining discounts, pool hopping privileges) besides the luxury of a villa. And if finances don't allow it now, don't count it out for the future.

Good Luck whatever you decide. And if value resorts are the way you choose I'm sure you'll continue to have a wonderful experiences. After all it's still DISNEY!!

 

[Divamomto3]

Thanks for all of the pixie dust!! You guys are great! I love the DIS. And don't worry...if the studio comes through, I'll be here doing a very big happy dance and letting you all know!

 

[Dancind]

Did you happen to check on an AP rate for OKW studio? Sometimes they have cash reservations available when there aren't any point reservations left. If it isn't a lot more, I'd take it, and stay on a day by day waitlist for OKW. That way if any nights come open, you can stay those on points, link the reservation and not have to move (hopefully). Did that make sense?

 

[Divamomto3]

Did you happen to check on an AP rate for OKW studio? Sometimes they have cash reservations available when there aren't any point reservations left. If it isn't a lot more, I'd take it, and stay on a day by day waitlist for OKW. That way if any nights come open, you can stay those on points, link the reservation and not have to move (hopefully). Did that make sense?

It did make sense! MS said no studios were available on a cash ressie with the 25% DVC discount and on WDW website, there is no availability at all for OKW for my dates. I haven't tried calling CRO directly though. I'm happy to stay at the Wilderness Lodge on the AP rate, but would love to save the $700 by getting a studio. I'll keep checking MS. You never know.