Never stayed Christmas week before.. do I need to walk?

[DVC Jen]

Ok -please please please please please do not turn this into a bashing me thread for even thinking of walking a ressie.

We have been members since 2001 and have ONLY used our points for June stays. However both of our DDs are in college now and have long breaks around Christmas. We have always wanted to go to WDW during Christmas week and know if we don't do it soon before our DDs are out and on their own, we may not get a chance to do this again - as a family. Therefore it is REALLY important and special to us to get this ressie.

We want to stay for a week at our home resort VWL with a check in of Dec 22nd - in a studio.

Do I need to work the system (legally because this is allowed yet - remember that for those who want to bash me) to ensure I will be able to get this week?

So - if this was you - and getting this week was as important to you as it is to me.. what would you do?

 

[CarolMN]

Since your check in date is a Saturday, you probably don't need to walk.

If you decide to walk, start the reservation with an arrival on Friday (12/21). Most DVC members still arrive on a Sunday.

Good luck!

 

[DVC Jen]

Since your check in date is a Saturday, you probably don't need to walk.

If you decide to walk, start the reservation with an arrival on Friday (12/21). Most DVC members still arrive on a Sunday.

Good luck!

I goofed - double checked and it would be Sunday the 23rd not Saturday the 22nd. I wish we could check in on Friday or Saturday but cant - it would conflict with the time DH has off from work


Sorry.

So.. lol does that change your advice?

 

[CarolMN]

I goofed - double checked and it would be Sunday the 23rd not Saturday the 22nd. I wish we could check in on Friday or Saturday but cant - it would conflict with the time DH has off from work


Sorry.

So.. lol does that change your advice?

Yes, but I'm too lazy to edit my post.

(As you've already figured out, all you have to do is ignore my first sentence and you are good to go. But make sure you are the phone at 9 am SHARP EST on 1/21/2012).

 

[Splashboat]

DVC Jen - all I can say is, I hope you get it - you've certainly put your time in!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You definitely need to walk it. Already many were gone the first day of the 11 month mark for the first week of December. All standard and value Studio rooms gone.

 

[goofy4mykids]

I would walk...you are allowed to do it. I was extremely nervous about walking a reservation and spoke to a few CMs about it. I did walk my first reservation recently, for a special Thanksgiving week vacation. Even though you walk you may not get all your days and I didnt exhale till my reservation was complete. The CMs taking my reservation daily new what I was doing and even called it walking....In no way was I made to feel like I was doing something wrong they wished me luck and put down that I was to be adding days to my reservation. I hope this helps !

 

[DVC Jen]

Thanks everyone. It won't be the end of the world if I don't get it. I will be really disappointed - but life is full of disappointments. I will deal.

If it is meant to be - it will happen. If not.. then we revert to plan B which may be DL or Hawaii the following summer.

 

[lovin'fl]

We did OKW, our home resort, this Dec 20-26. We booked in late Jan or Early Feb and did not need to walk. SIL booked at the same time for SSR. I know both of these resorts have way more rooms than VWL though. We actually initially booked the 21-26 and then added the 20th months later...like in June or July when airfare was way cheaper on the 20th than on the 21st.

 

[DVC Jen]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate you feedback.

 

[MinnieGi]

I actually had my waitlist come through for BLT during Christmas week!!

Booked my home resort at 11 months out checking in a few days before Christmas and stayed through to NYE. At 7 months waitlisted for BLT and it came through! We noticed a huge difference in the amount of people coming in Christmas eve and the day after Christmas. I think if you check in before Christmas you will not have a problem getting a reservation at 11 months out.

 

[DVC Jen]

I actually had my waitlist come through for BLT during Christmas week!!

Booked my home resort at 11 months out checking in a few days before Christmas and stayed through to NYE. At 7 months waitlisted for BLT and it came through! We noticed a huge difference in the amount of people coming in Christmas eve and the day after Christmas. I think if you check in before Christmas you will not have a problem getting a reservation at 11 months out.

Thanks

 

[mrstomrice]

I am new to DVC...is "walking" booking a few days before your trip to secure your week then dropping the unneeded early days? Thanks !

 

[lcsmom]

Wondering about "walking",also.
A few years ago, I was able to get a 2 bedroom and a studio at BCV from Dec. 23-29 at the 9 month mark. However, the 23rd was not a Sunday. There may be more people looking for a Sunday to Sunday stay.