Is there a negative side to walking (or manipulating) a reservation?

[WsPrincess]

I am trying to figure something out. I have a 3 day weekend I need to get at 1 of 3 resorts. I have plenty of points right now because my banking deadline is still months away. To give myself a better shot I am thinking of book 7 nights (the last 3 being the nights I need) when my 7 month window opens and then later canceling the first 4 nights and keeping the 3 I need.

I think it should work but something just seems "wrong" or like there has to be a catch.

Thoughts?

 

[Sandisw]

If all 7 nights are available, then yes, you can book and later modify your reservation by canceling the beginning nights.

You will have to do any modifications by calling MS as that can not be done online.

 

[drusba]

Walking is something that on rare occassions may be needed at 11 months out, such as getting AKV concierge for Christmas week or some other busy times. It has much less effectiveness when using 7 month window since the likelihood of your being blocked out if you try to reserve exactly 7 months out is because those with the 11 month window already have booked the applicable time. You can try it but don't assume it adds any real advantage.

Also, what time period are you talking and what room categories and three resorts are you looking for? It may well be that you are talking about a time when it is usually easy to get what you want 7 months out.

 

[WsPrincess]

It is for the Princess Half Marathon weekend. They just announced the host resorts and the only 2 resorts that are NOT hosts are SSR and OKW so I have to move our 1-Bedroom to somewhere else. I really want to move to BLT, BCV or BW and I am just so worried since it is the end of President's Day week! I was all set with OKW since RunDisney said all resorts, I guess they meant all resorts but not necessarily all DVC resorts

 

[drusba]

You are very close to the 7 month window. My guess is that you will be able to get a 1BR at the 7 month mark at least for BLT lake view or BWV pool/garden view, and likely have a good chance at BCV, BLT theme park view, and BWV boardwalk view as long as you do the booking early on the day that your 7 month window opens. The one thing that seems uniform throughout the year is that 1BRs go last and are often available when nothing else is. Moroever, if you were booking today at the 7 month window for Feb 12 to 19 which includes Presidents' day (the 18th), you could easily get a 1BR at any of those, i.e., it looks like Presidents' week does not mean 1BRs will close out.

 

[BrerNashville]

What you are talking about doing isn't really walking, as such. You can make your 7 day reservation now, and be guaranteed you will get your last three days -- unlike true walking, when you are cancelling days on the front end and adding them on the back end over some period of time. In the latter case, as a PP mentioned, if you try that at 7 months, an 11 month priority person could come in and take the days on the back end of your targeted stay.

I would say, if you've got the points, go ahead and give yourself peace of mind by booking the seven nights and calling back in a few days to cancel the first few.

When availability is shown online, you don't know if it's one room or twenty, so I wouldn't risk it if you don't have to.

 

[3DisneyKids]

It is for the Princess Half Marathon weekend. They just announced the host resorts and the only 2 resorts that are NOT hosts are SSR and OKW so I have to move our 1-Bedroom to somewhere else. I really want to move to BLT, BCV or BW and I am just so worried since it is the end of President's Day week! I was all set with OKW since RunDisney said all resorts, I guess they meant all resorts but not necessarily all DVC resorts

Oh my! STAY STAY STAY at OKW! It's like a 5-10 minute walk to the corrals! It is shorter to walk from OKW to the corrals than it is from the parking lot to the corrals. Really. I've run every Princess since it started. And we stayed at OKW last year and there were lots of Princess runners walking. You already have the best of both worlds with your OKW reservation.

 

[Breyean]

Oh my! STAY STAY STAY at OKW! It's like a 5-10 minute walk to the corrals! It is shorter to walk from OKW to the corrals than it is from the parking lot to the corrals. Really. I've run every Princess since it started. And we stayed at OKW last year and there were lots of Princess runners walking. You already have the best of both worlds with your OKW reservation.

I've walked from OKW to the start of the marathon in January and agree. But with that race afterward I can just hop on a bus a get back w/o any worries.

How do you get back to OKW from a race like Princess if OKW isn't a designated resort for the race? Is there a bus afterward since it's so late at night?

 

[WsPrincess]

I've walked from OKW to the start of the marathon in January and agree. But with that race afterward I can just hop on a bus a get back w/o any worries.

How do you get back to OKW from a race like Princess if OKW isn't a designated resort for the race? Is there a bus afterward since it's so late at night?

I was worried about the same thing. Princess is actually a morning race like during Marathon weekend so I could always just get a regular bus back to OKW from the front of Epcot. DH purchased the Race Retreat for me though and I heard if you walked you were not in that same area? This is my first time running it so I am just worried.

Also to add to it, another member called DVC MS and was told ALL DVC properties will be hosts for the Princess but RunDisney specially lists every other property except OKW and SSR so I worry it is another issue where Disney CM may not have all the correct information. If I was not going to be alone in the AM to get to the race I would not worry at all and walk but I just worry about little things.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I was worried about the same thing. Princess is actually a morning race like during Marathon weekend so I could always just get a regular bus back to OKW from the front of Epcot. DH purchased the Race Retreat for me though and I heard if you walked you were not in that same area? This is my first time running it so I am just worried.

Also to add to it, another member called DVC MS and was told ALL DVC properties will be hosts for the Princess but RunDisney specially lists every other property except OKW and SSR so I worry it is another issue where Disney CM may not have all the correct information. If I was not going to be alone in the AM to get to the race I would not worry at all and walk but I just worry about little things.

I definitely wouldn't trust MS to know much about the race. You can call RunDisney directly. I don't have the number in front of me, but I know I found it pretty easily by just doing a quick search online.

If you are worried about walking to the corrals from OKW, you are certainly welcome to join us (Team Goddess). We are a group of 8 WISHers from here on the DIS and we would be happy to meet you at the HH and walk over with you. We've done the Princess each year and can answer any questions. (And FYI--if you walk over, you can sleep almost an entire HOUR later, which is HUGE considering how early we have to get up for that race!) Not having to deal with the traffic is such a blessing. You won't believe the traffic! And just because your are on a Disney bus, doesn't mean you won't be crawling along...and I hate that feeling. Looking at my watch every 30 seconds, wondering if we are going to miss the start, etc. (Don't worry...we usually leave 30-45 minutes later than what RunDisney suggests and we are still waiting in the corrals for half an hour. I am not trying to cause you more stress, I promise! But my point is, that by walking you feel like you have so much more control. There is nothing worse than being stuck in totally stopped traffic and not being able to do a thing about it!)

Also, if you haven't already, join the Princess thread over on the WISH/events board. There are TONS and TONS of people posting and planning and sharing rides (to or from) and helping each other out in a variety of ways. You are SO not alone! :good vibes Doing your first race is super exciting but can definitely be daunting and stressful also. The folks on the Princess thread will patiently answer ALL of your questions. And if you end up being active on that thread, there will be so many people you will want to meet before/during the race. The community of support that surrounds this race, in particular, is amazing. And everyone understands about "worrying about the little things" like you mentioned. We have all been there. There are several groups/teams that all stay together in 2-BR villas at the various DVC resorts, so wherever you choose, you won't be alone.

Please let me know if I can help at all.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Here's the link to the Official Princess Half Marathon thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2899357

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

I'm looking at the same issue! Coming down for Princess Half with my daughter, who really wants to stay at Beach Club. (If I was on my own, I'd definitely stay at OKW and walk). This is her birthday trip so I really want to make it work to stay at BCV.

Can you walk a reservation using the online booking tool? It sounds like from what is posted above you cannot. I only have enough points available (without borrowing) to book 5 nights at a time. We want a studio. Here is my choice:

1) Book online tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. for 5 nights at BCV which would guarantee our first two nights at least at BCV. Call Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and modify the reservation to cancel the first 3 nights and add on 2 more if available.

2) Wait until Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and try booking the entire 5 nights stay ... cross my fingers that it doesn't fill up before then.

Any thoughts?

 

[Sandisw]

I'm looking at the same issue! Coming down for Princess Half with my daughter, who really wants to stay at Beach Club. (If I was on my own, I'd definitely stay at OKW and walk). This is her birthday trip so I really want to make it work to stay at BCV.

Can you walk a reservation using the online booking tool? It sounds like from what is posted above you cannot. I only have enough points available (without borrowing) to book 5 nights at a time. We want a studio. Here is my choice:

1) Book online tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. for 5 nights at BCV which would guarantee our first two nights at least at BCV. Call Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and modify the reservation to cancel the first 3 nights and add on 2 more if available.

2) Wait until Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and try booking the entire 5 nights stay ... cross my fingers that it doesn't fill up before then.

Any thoughts?

How do you feel about a split stay? If you are good with it, then I say book so you have the two nights at least.

 

[WsPrincess]

How do you feel about a split stay? If you are good with it, then I say book so you have the two nights at least.

I agree, I think if you are willing to make a move, book the 2 nights, if not, wait and hope for the best. We got lucky since we just closed on our contract and have all our 2012 points and they don't need to be banked until December so I can book all 7 nights tomorrow. We are only staying 3 nights so we can't do a split stay.

Good luck. I think this has been so stressful. Usually when we go, we are not locked into dates like this so I could play and wait around but not with the race! I am so excited to run though!!!

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

How do you feel about a split stay? If you are good with it, then I say book so you have the two nights at least.

I agree, I think if you are willing to make a move, book the 2 nights, if not, wait and hope for the best. We got lucky since we just closed on our contract and have all our 2012 points and they don't need to be banked until December so I can book all 7 nights tomorrow. We are only staying 3 nights so we can't do a split stay.

Good luck. I think this has been so stressful. Usually when we go, we are not locked into dates like this so I could play and wait around but not with the race! I am so excited to run though!!!

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to try it. I don't mind a split stay and DD really wants to swim at Stormalong Bay. Five nights would be ideal, but two would be better than nothing.

Wish I had enough points to book seven nights out and then cancel the first 3 later... but I don't want to borrow points and get them stuck in my 2012 use year. The online reservation system is down for maintenance... I'll call at 9a.m. if it isn't up and running before then.

 

[WsPrincess]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to try it. I don't mind a split stay and DD really wants to swim at Stormalong Bay. Five nights would be ideal, but two would be better than nothing.

Wish I had enough points to book seven nights out and then cancel the first 3 later... but I don't want to borrow points and get them stuck in my 2012 use year. The online reservation system is down for maintenance... I'll call at 9a.m. if it isn't up and running before then.

I cannot believe it is down. I want to cry. I was all set to book this AM!! AHHHH, why today?

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

I cannot believe it is down. I want to cry. I was all set to book this AM!! AHHHH, why today?

I know... so frustrating!! At least no one else is booking now. I'm hoping it is just an online glitch and they can take phone reservations at 9.

 

[WsPrincess]

Just called and everything is down until about 11am

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

I got my first two nights at BCV at 11 when the system was back up! I think I'll wait until Saturday AM to try to change to add the next three days rather than calling to change it every day to add one more. Hope you were also successful, WsPrincess.

 

[WsPrincess]

I got my first two nights at BCV at 11 when the system was back up! I think I'll wait until Saturday AM to try to change to add the next three days rather than calling to change it every day to add one more. Hope you were also successful, WsPrincess.

I got my days! I have to call next week and drop the front nights off but I am excited I am set! Good luck Saturday and I hope you get all of them!