Last Minute Reservations

[WolfpackFan]

I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit, but I'd like to hear from some first hand reports. Have you ever been able to call on the day or day before and get a last minute DVC reservation using points?

DW and myself live in central NC (Cary) and as we travel around whenever we cross I-95, I tell DW why don't I just take a right and we can be at WDW in 10 hrs. . We never do it of course, but I've told her one of these days, I'm just going wake up in the morning tell her to pack a bag and we're going to head south and call to get a reservation on the way. If we can't get into a DVC resort on points, we'll try cash at Pop Century or an All-Star. If nothing, else, we'll just find a cheap motel offsite.

Has anyone ever done this before? I'd love to hear any stories you have. Being retired, we have the freedom to take off like this and one of these days, we're going to do it.

PS - We are right in the middle of heavy rain and there are tornado warnings and watches in place because of Fay this morning. We can use the rain, but not the tornados.

 

[mikesmom]

We've done it twice. On one trip we were already at BWV with extended family and on the the last day I felt that I hadn't had enough vacation. Frankly I was exhausted - DH's 2 grown kids were into commando touring The youngest was a DVC vet with us and is more laid back about vacation. We called MS and got a 2 bdrm at OKW for 3 more nights. We had to move, but no big deal!

The 2nd time we were in Orlando for a meeting DH had to attend. We actually stayed at WVL for a couple of days and then moved to hubby's conference hotel. While there we realized there was a trade show that we REALLY wanted to attend that started the day after hubby's meeting was over. By then I'd had enough of plain old hotels, so I put in a call to MS. Got 1 bdrm at SSR for 3 nights and was able to go to the trade show with a comfortable place to come back to each night. Thank goodness we had Owner's Locker so there were extra clothes and toiletries for the unexpected extra nights.

So, it is quite possible. That being said, BOTH times were at relatively quiet periods for DVC (one in early June and one in February), so I wouldn't absolutely depend on it. Always worth a try, though.

 

[CarolA]

Done it several times.

Once I found a weekend getaway on Delta and called FROM the airport.

Now there are tricks

1. Flexible!!! Rarely will you get BWV/BCV or VWL. More often SSR or OKW (lately I have been getting SSR when I book late)

2. Room size. IMHO 1 bedrooms are easier to get then studios. Do I NEED a 1 BR? No, but I have enough points that it doesn't kill me to waste a few.

3. Weekend vs. Weekday. Actually weekends are easier! Guess most folks don't want to "waste" points on weekends)

I have done it at both slow and heavy use periods. Prior to the $95 fee I was also willing to let them book me at CBR using points. Now if I can't get a DVC resort I just stay offsite and earn Marriott rewards!

 

[kikiq]

ohhh, can't tell my husband this. Ever since we've returned from SSR, he's been talking about when he retires. We could take a right turn to WDW also, but it would take us more than 10 hours from the west coast....of course, we take a right turn now and we're 20 minutes from DLR. So we're adding on VGC points.

BUT if he knew he was only 10 hours driving from WDW...I'm thinking you need to take that last minute trip and tell us about it.

 

[conandrob240]

I called 1 week before, on Friday for a ressie for this weekend (Labor Day weekend) and got a 1 bedroom at BCV.

 

[minnierealtor]

We did this coming home from WDW and wanted to make a stop over at HH. We called when we were on I95 and called member services right before they closed. We then called the next day because we stayed a day longer.

 

[carol1231]

As a matter of fact - I just did it a week and a half ago. Must be a North Carolina thing.

But, I couldn't get a room anywhere on property! Not on points, not cash, Pop, or anywhere. I ended up at Bonnet Creek, which was not Disney, but I must say the rooms are very nice and was very affordable. I left two days before Fay arrived there.

 

[Claudia1]

We always get SSR when we do a last minute trip.

 

[jrl5k]

I did it today!! Booked OKW for Sat night. They had both SSR and OKW available for Friday and Saturday night, even on a holiday weekend!!