Newby question on calling at the 7 month window

[sista]

We are currently waitlisted for December 5-11 at VWL for a 2 bedroom. When I did a search here for "waitlist" - I read a lot of advice on calling daily to see if anything has opened up. But in an email from DVC - they state if anything opens up, we will automatically confirm the ressie. So should I call everyday instead? We really would love to stay here and I know it may be tough since it is such a popular time of year there. And if we waitlist, can we have a backup ressie at another DCV so we don't lose our points?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When you wait list, you should almost always have a reservation in hand (if you can). Then wait list and if it comes through, drop the other reservation. You can have one reservation and a wait list at all of the other resorts. You don't have to just wait list at one resort.

You shouldn't call them every day but there is nothing wrong with checking in once every week or even every other week to see how things look. Sometimes things happen when you are talking to a person instead of depending on the computers.

Remember that the wait list expires at the 30 day mark, so you will need to call then and keep it going. Then it expires again at 7 days.

Good luck,

HBC

 

[CRobin]

As HBC points out, calling daily is probably not necessary to get an update on your waitlist status.

Much of what you read on this board about calling daily refers to people booking a "hot" time day by day precisely at the 11 month (or 7 month) window.

 

[Dean]

Just remember the wait list is wiped out at 30 days and a new one started. The at 7 days, no more wait list to calling day by day is best.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Also, be aware that there are 2 types of waitlists. You can either have "auto-confirm", which gives you whatever your waitlisted for automatically, and you may first find out you got it when the new confirmation comes in the mail. You can also do the other type where they call you. Then if you don't call back to accept the reservation within 24 hours, you lose it. I've always auto-confirmed. With my luck, I'd miss their phone call, and the answering machine would pick that one time to malfunction. Also, it's really kind of exciting to get that little "surprise, we got it!" in the mail. That's what I'm waiting for right now.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
Also, be aware that there are 2 types of waitlists. You can either have "auto-confirm", which gives you whatever your waitlisted for automatically, and you may first find out you got it when the new confirmation comes in the mail. You can also do the other type where they call you. Then if you don't call back to accept the reservation within 24 hours, you lose it. I've always auto-confirmed. With my luck, I'd miss their phone call, and the answering machine would pick that one time to malfunction. Also, it's really kind of exciting to get that little "surprise, we got it!" in the mail. That's what I'm waiting for right now.

Actually there are more variables than that. You can auto confirm or have them call you. You can also wait list for each day separately or for the entire stay at one. If you do the entire stay and only part comes available, they will skip over you and give it to someone else.