Last-minute Waitlist chance and stalking question

[PlutoNotPlanet]

I understand waitlist chance varies by resort and by season. So, specifically, what is the chance of waitlisting for a July 4th studio at SSR or a crescent lake resort (or maybe a monorail resort could also work )? I need that night to make it a complete trip. Any success stories?

Then, general questions:
1. What is the mechanism of waitlisting? I understand the waitlist requests is like a queue and it needs to match full availability. Does the system search for availability periodically (more like every other hour, or twice a day or less)? Cause if it scans very frequently, then it would make stalking a lot harder and less meaningful.
2. For stalking, what is a reasonable pace to update/refresh? I find it logs you out after a short time.
3. When you refresh while stalking, how are the resorts ordered? Will the available resort-room be popped to the top, or shall I scroll the bottom every time?
Thanks in advance!

 

[sethschroeder]

I would bet money on it if you keep stalking the site.

If all you need is July 4th itself I think you will get it. If you want a bunch of nights together then it might be more questionable.

Always a chance though it doesn't come through. Your best chance is going to be over the next 20ish days before we get within 30 days and people will have points go in to holding if they cancel.

Waitlists: I would do SSR and AKK as that is the most likely because of the size of the resorts.

 

[Sandisw]

One night waitlists are much easier to fill than longer ones.

We don’t know how often the system runs but that is why stalking is a good idea.

I got my waitlisted room the other day by stalking. And it hadn’t yet matched because once I took the one showing, none were left and when I canceled my waitlist, none came back.

I do stalk about 4 to 5 times a day when I want something, especially when it doesn’t matter which resort I get!!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I stalk way too much. If you stalk enough you will likely see it come up. It's shocking how often people cancel things even under 30 days. I keep the dvc site open in the background and toggle back to refresh whenever I remember. But usually 4-5 times an hour or more. It will log you out but if you hit refresh it takes you to login and doesnt require you to rechoose dates etc which is nice.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

I would bet money on it if you keep stalking the site.

One night waitlists are much easier to fill than longer ones.

Glad to hear that! Thanks for giving me hope! I guess the worst case would be a split stay for one day

Waitlists: I would do SSR and AKK as that is the most likely because of the size of the resorts.

I haven't seen many incidences that the whole WDW is booked out other than NYE. Probably because I am too new to DVC. I was so surprised to see studios in SSR, OKW, Poly, AKK all booked for just 7/4.

I do stalk about 4 to 5 times a day

Cool! I think I can do that. I am so thankful it would not be like refreshing for an LL or VQ haha

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

It will log you out but if you hit refresh it takes you to login and doesnt require you to rechoose dates etc which is nice.

Thanks! Good to know that refresh is better than Update. I sometimes see the dates etc in the URL but most of the time not. I will probably figure the pattern and bookmark it

 

[sethschroeder]

I haven't seen many incidences that the whole WDW is booked out other than NYE. Probably because I am too new to DVC. I was so surprised to see studios in SSR, OKW, Poly, AKK all booked for just 7/4.

Take a look at:
https://www.dvchelp.com/page/how-do-the-charts-work

They and some other places have historical availability charts to give you an idea of what is booked up when. Waitlist and stalking though can get you rooms especially in the summer though.

 

[kgou]

I would bet money on it if you keep stalking the site.

One night waitlists are much easier to fill than longer ones.

If you stalk enough you will likely see it come up.

Agreed 100% with all of the above. Keep stalking in addition to your waitlist and I think you have a really high chance of success. Keep us posted as to how you make out!

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Oh my, it's so magically! I snagged one night at VGF and started to dream about another so that we wouldn't feel bittersweet just sleeping there and check out early the next day. So, I waitlisted and tried to stalk the night before. Nothing found in a few days even though I check it whenever I can (like dozens of times). Not even in other resorts. Then, this evening I received a cancellation notification. I was anxious if I messed something up, just to realize the waitlist went through! There must be someone did me a favor, and I am so grateful!

Now, I can answer some of my own questions for potential newcomers:

1. What is the mechanism of waitlisting? I understand the waitlist requests is like a queue and it needs to match full availability. Does the system search for availability periodically

Both waitlisting and stalking works though the exact mechanism remains unknown.
Since waitlist looks for the first in queue with complete match, either waitlist one day or the entire (rest of) your stay as each membership can only waitlist two at a time.
Maybe (myth) choose the room type with more inventory, and/or the resorts with many room types (that not many people waitlist the same room type as you do).

2. For stalking, what is a reasonable pace to update/refresh? I find it logs you out after a short time.

A couple times a day would be fine unless you hate the uncertainty even more. It's alright to check every half an hour. But definitely not like how you refresh for LL or VQ...
You do need to login a lot of times... But you can save time by bookmarking so that you don't need to select date and resort every time.
It should be something like
booking/search/?pagePath=&checkInDate=<two-digit month>%2F<two-digit day>%2F2025&checkOutDate=<two-digit month>%2F<two-digit day>%2F2025&resorts=<resort codes separated by comma>&roomType=deluxe-studio&accessible=off&selectedMembershipId=<your_memberid>
You can figure out by trying. Resort codes can be "all" or "BLT,VWL,CLUB,POLYV,VWL,WCC,SSR,VGF,BCV,AKV,AKV2,BWALK,CLUB" (CLUB is OKW)

3. When you refresh while stalking, how are the resorts ordered?

Most of time, your home resort then the resorts with most nights available. So, if you see "No Rooms Are Available for Your Selected Dates", then you don't have to scroll to the bottom.

Wish you luck if you are stalking or waitlisting!

 

[muppets3d]

I often find rooms in the 45-31 day mark before arrival. Folks cancel before their points go into holding. These rooms go quickly so check often. Especially in the mornings as folks start cancelling rooms to free up points for 7- and 11- month bookings. Good luck!

 

[kgou]

I snagged one night at VGF and started to dream about another so that we wouldn't feel bittersweet just sleeping there and check out early the next day. So, I waitlisted and tried to stalk the night before. Nothing found in a few days even though I check it whenever I can (like dozens of times). Not even in other resorts. Then, this evening I received a cancellation notification. I was anxious if I messed something up, just to realize the waitlist went through!

yay!! congrats!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I often find rooms in the 45-31 day mark before arrival. Folks cancel before their points go into holding. These rooms go quickly so check often. Especially in the mornings as folks start cancelling rooms to free up points for 7- and 11- month bookings. Good luck!

Yes, that's exactly what the CM who called to tell me my waitlist had come thru at exactly 31 days said. People who know that they're going to cancel their trip at 5 months out tend not to get around to it-that is, until the day they wake up and suddenly realize that their points are about to go into holding unless they cancel NOW.