Newbie question about booking

[lts862]

Hi!
I just called Member Services about booking at SSR in January 2005. While waiting to speak with someone, the menu indicated that you can email your request to Member services. does this mean that I can email my reservation request? Does anyone do this? I would think that speaking with someone is more immediate than waiting for someone to read the email and book your requests.

Any thoughts or did I completely misunderstand the prompt? Thanks-
Lynn

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Yes, you can fill out a reservation request on the DVC member website. You should hear something by email in 2 to 3 days. Good Luck!!!!

Allison an associate

 

[lts862]

I have another question, also. We want to stay from 1/23-1/29, 2005. I was told that I would have to wait until 11 months out from my last vacation day to book that date. I was told that you want to book as soon as possible, though, to get the dates that I want. I asked her if I needed to call daily to reserve each day and she said that I could do that to be sure that I get all of my days. So, I have to to call everyday from now until the 29th to insure that I get my request? That is a bit frustrating and disturbing!! Is it only because I want 6 nights in stead of a full week? I am confused!!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by lts862
I have another question, also. We want to stay from 1/23-1/29, 2005. I was told that I would have to wait until 11 months out from my last vacation day to book that date. I was told that you want to book as soon as possible, though, to get the dates that I want. I asked her if I needed to call daily to reserve each day and she said that I could do that to be sure that I get all of my days. So, I have to to call everyday from now until the 29th to insure that I get my request? That is a bit frustrating and disturbing!! Is it only because I want 6 nights in stead of a full week? I am confused!!

Some members call each day to be absolutely sure of getting what they want. It is only necessary to do that for those times of the year that are popular/tough to get or if you want a grand villa at any resort or a standard view/boardwalk view (at the BWV) for any time.

The January dates you have chosen do not fall into any of those cartegories. You should not have a problem if you call on March 1 (2/29/04 is a Sunday and MS is not open) to book your entire reservation.

Best wishes -

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by lts862
So, I have to to call everyday from now until the 29th to insure that I get my request? That is a bit frustrating and disturbing!!

I don't really know how to characterize that comment.

Carol's advise is correct. For the time of year you are looking at there really is no need to call day-by-day. But speaking in general terms, we DVC members are all competing (so to speak) for the same number of rooms. 300 families wanting to travel with 250 rooms available means that someone will be disappointed. It's always first-come, first-served. People can and do choose to call day-by-day for reservations to have that comfort level of knowing they will get the room and dates they want.

Personally I think people here do tend to be a little overboard about booking day-by-day at certain times of year. And DVC does nothing to alleviate that fear. Honestly it is comforting to know that they are understanding of the members who choose to call daily. And I certainly wouldn't want to be the CM telling someone that they couldn't get their entire booking if they waited until the end of the week.

There are certain room types and/or dates that can be hard to get. They include:

BWV Standard View Room
OKW Grand Villa
Anything between Christmas and New Year's
Anything between 12/1 and 12/14

If you want to book any of these, I'd recommend doing it as close as possible to the 11 month window. Other than that, you probably don't need to overreact--at least not until you can't get the room that you want on shorter notice.

 

[rocketriter]

Remember that DVC is in the business of giving you rooms, not withholding them from you. The advice they give you (call daily) is the most conservative and the most likely to succeed. The advice you get on this board (call daily for reservations during the most competitive weeks or for the most competed-for rooms) is quite practical.

Also keep in mind the fact that each resort has a limited number of points that can be "out there" at one time. When you're booking your own home resort at the 11 month window, you're not competing with the ever-larger group of DVC owners, only with the finite group of people who own at your own home resort. So over the years the competition is not likely to get worse.

 

[lts862]

Thank you for your responses. I understand the process and will manage my reservations accordingly.
Lynn