No availability the first 2 weeks in Feb. Trying not to panic...

[Megsmachine]

I called to make a reservation for full hook up preferred site. NO AVAILABILTY. The only thing they had available was for a tent or pop up. I do realize we are 5 months away but do you think there will be anything available? Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Pray deeply for a cancellation.
2) This is a popular time for vacationers and Snow Birds.
3) Plus, you are leading up to President's Week (3rd busiest week at WDW).

 

[bama_ed]

Those WDW guys are gettin' kinda stupid.

You have to know how to use the reservations system.

I checked dates arriving 2/2/14 Sunday and out 2/8/14 Saturday and as you said, only Tent sites.

I check dates arriving 2/2/14 Sunday and out 3/1/14 Saturday and got availability in all 4 site types.

So book a longer reservation than what you want, then call back a few days later and drop the unwanted days. The system has been this way for years but usually only around popular/holiday times and not early Feb which is NOT that busy. As Scupper says, it IS popular with snow birds etc but it is nowhere near full. You might ask, how do I know that? DUH! if it was nearly full it would be a higher rate period.

Be aware rates jack up sky high around Valentines Day. Or use a travel agent who can see availability that we don't with the stupid system (at no cost to you of course). After Valentines you start getting into various spring break times for schools systems all over the East coast (like mine) which means more visitors.

When will these silly stupid folks learn? All these sites will be going empty and then they'll get zero revenue or dump them on Expedia or Orbitz (something they haven't done yet). Or use dynamic pricing.

Sometimes the big Disney corporate types are stupid. What can I say? They'd rather have a high marginal rate for the few folks who are booked rather than filling the campground up every night (actually leave one site empty right? any MBA types know why?) and maximize total revenue and contribution. That tells me how they are measured, paid, and rewarded. When will they wake up and take the money and profit instead?

Bama Ed

 

[Megsmachine]

Those WDW guys are gettin' kinda stupid.

You have to know how to use the reservations system.

I checked dates arriving 2/2/14 Sunday and out 2/8/14 Saturday and as you said, only Tent sites.

I check dates arriving 2/2/14 Sunday and out 3/1/14 Saturday and got availability in all 4 site types.

So book a longer reservation than what you want, then call back a few days later and drop the unwanted days. The system has been this way for years but usually only around popular/holiday times and not early Feb which is NOT that busy. As Scupper says, it IS popular with snow birds etc but it is nowhere near full. You might ask, how do I know that? DUH! if it was nearly full it would be a higher rate period.

Be aware rates jack up sky high around Valentines Day. Or use a travel agent who can see availability that we don't with the stupid system (at no cost to you of course). After Valentines you start getting into various spring break times for schools systems all over the East coast (like mine) which means more visitors.

When will these silly stupid folks learn? All these sites will be going empty and then they'll get zero revenue or dump them on Expedia or Orbitz (something they haven't done yet). Or use dynamic pricing.

Sometimes the big Disney corporate types are stupid. What can I say? They'd rather have a high marginal rate for the few folks who are booked rather than filling the campground up every night (actually leave one site empty right? any MBA types know why?) and maximize total revenue and contribution. That tells me how they are measured, paid, and rewarded. When will they wake up and take the money and profit instead?

Bama Ed

Here's my dilemma. My 2 year old turns 3 on Feb. 2nd. We need to book the first day Feb 1 or before to avoid having to pay for him as a 3 year old. To some people having to pay for another person is no biggie. We are trying to do this trip as inexpensively as possible. (we have 5 kids) Should I book from the 2nd on and then try to add on days at the beginning later?

 

[bama_ed]

Here's my dilemma. My 2 year old turns 3 on Feb. 2nd. We need to book the first day Feb 1 or before to avoid having to pay for him as a 3 year old. To some people having to pay for another person is no biggie. We are trying to do this trip as inexpensively as possible. (we have 5 kids) Should I book from the 2nd on and then try to add on days at the beginning later?

I completely understand, Meg.

I put in dates for 2/1/14 to 2/28/14 into the WDW online ressie system and got all 4 site levels still. So go get it (dump the unwanted days later) and have a party someplace for your 3yo. Give him a cake to face plant into and I'll even pay for it. (PM me but I will want a frosting covered face picture LOL)

You're only 3 years old once, right?

Bama Ed

 

[Megsmachine]

I completely understand, Meg.

I put in dates for 2/1/14 to 2/28/14 into the WDW online ressie system and got all 4 site levels still. So go get it (dump the unwanted days later) and have a party someplace for your 3yo. Give him a cake to face plant into and I'll even pay for it. (PM me but I will want a frosting covered face picture LOL)

You're only 3 years old once, right?

Bama Ed

Thank you so much! I did it! So cool. I was hoping some smart person on the dis would be able to help me. This will be the 2 year olds first visit and our youngest, whose name is Eddie , his first visit as well. We are excited! Thanks again for your help.

 

[bama_ed]

Thank you so much! I did it! So cool. I was hoping some smart person on the dis would be able to help me. This will be the 2 year olds first visit and our youngest, whose name is Eddie , his first visit as well. We are excited! Thanks again for your help.

You were hoping for a smart DIS person? Sorry my dear, all you got was me.

But my first name is (as my signature indicates) is Ed. And only my parents and grandparents (those whom remain living) call me Eddie. Anyone else who does (or will) get no response from me.

But your kids should enjoy a trip to the Fort and thanks for taking them camping.

Bama Ed

 

[Megsmachine]

You were hoping for a smart DIS person? Sorry my dear, all you got was me.

But my first name is (as my signature indicates) is Ed. And only my parents and grandparents (those whom remain living) call me Eddie. Anyone else who does (or will) get no response from me.

But your kids should enjoy a trip to the Fort and thanks for taking them camping.

Bama Ed

HA! Well since he's 1 he doesn't mind Eddie. Someday I'm sure he won't like it anymore..

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . So book a longer reservation than what you want, then call back a few days later and drop the unwanted days . . .

1) I tend not to give advice on how to "game" the system.
2) There might be someone else trying for a ressie on those dates.
3) If dates are taken by a bogus ressie date, they could be out of luck. *
4) By the time the bogus dates are canceled, the other person is out of luck.
5) Fair is fair.

* To me, this is even worse than people making extra ADR's as a "just in case".

 

[2goofycampers]

It's too bad WDW sets up the system where you have to game it. Heck, once you have your reservation in the same phone call or if online you can call and immediately cancel those days.

 

[bama_ed]

It's too bad WDW sets up the system where you have to game it. Heck, once you have your reservation in the same phone call or if online you can call and immediately cancel those days.

I agree which is why we here on the board have advised calling back in a few days to drop the unwanted nights from the reservation and not hold or block others from getting them. That would be essentially no different than those folks who reserve a site for its on-site guests benefits but actually sleep off-site in cheaper digs.

If those two weeks in Feb were available (as they ultimately were) then they should have shown up when Meg put in her dates. Period.

Bama Ed

 

[happycamper47]

I read a lot and post a little.

As Ricky Ricardo use to say, "Can someone splain sonthin to me".

Why do so many of you have a "hissy fit" over reservations. We all know that the online system is terrible. This site is owned by a Travel Agency, Travel Agents can work wonders, at no additional cost to you/me. They get you the dates you want and they find the discounts. Why not use them?????

Works great for me, when the time comes I hook-up the truck to the trailer and head to the FORT for a relaxing time.

TRY IT!

 

[bama_ed]

I read a lot and post a little.

Post more. You give good advice.

Bama ed

 

[Megsmachine]

1) I tend not to give advice on how to "game" the system.
2) There might be someone else trying for a ressie on those dates.
3) If dates are taken by a bogus ressie date, they could be out of luck. *
4) By the time the bogus dates are canceled, the other person is out of luck.
5) Fair is fair.

* To me, this is even worse than people making extra ADR's as a "just in case".

This is silly. I already dropped the unwanted days. It was less then 24 hours that I had the extra days on my reservation. All is well. I appreciate the help I have gotten because had I not known, it would have caused undue anxiety when we are just trying to book a family vacation to surprise the kids and make memories.