On-Line Booking, 7 Months and Split Stay...Who has tried it yet?

[js]

Hi. Has anyone yet moved their 11 month ressie to a 7 month different location? If so, have you also had a split stay?
Did you have to use exciting points from a differnt U/Y you are currently in?

I am just wondering if anyone has used the system yet for reservations other than very basic.

I look forward to hearing how it went.

Good luck!

 

[princessfionasmom]

I was wondering the same thing, hope someone can chime in with their experience switiching at the 7 month mark. I'm going to try do this but it won't be until February.

 

[drusba]

The system is basically set up to do simple reservations using readily available points from a single use year that do not need to be banked, although you can borrow. Add any complications and it is best to call. For example:

To use same points when switching resorts at 7 months, you will need to cancel the one reservation first before being able to make the other and at this point there is no way to actually cancel a previously made trip on-line and thus you would have to call to cancel first and of course if you do you may as well do the reservation over the phone.

Likewise, if you need to bank points first, you have to do it before doing on-line booking and banking still requires sending an email or calling.

The system does not do split stays (different size rooms, different resorts) per se and you would just need to do two separate reservations. Moreover, you cannot use contracts from two separate use years on-line for same trip. You could make two separate reservations using points from one contract for some nights and points from other for other nights, but system does not have ability yet to link any reservations.

The system has no way for you to provide any non-guaranteed requests.

The system allows you to borrow points for a trip but you cannot buy the extra 24 from Disney doing a reservation on-line.

 

[mousefan1972]

This morning I was able to cancel an existing reservation online, and the points were immediately returned to my account. Then I booked a new reservation. This was for a stay at BLT at our 11 month window. If I was trying to change resorts at the 7 month mark, I'm not sure what I'd do. I guess I'd make sure what I want is available before cancelling the existing ressie, and hope/pray it doesn't disappear in the few seconds it would take to cancel the first ressie. It would be very risky, but waiting until 9 to call would all but ensure whatever you want would already be gone. That happened to me yesterday.... I called at 9 to book a 1 BR standard view villa at BLT for Dec. 19-26, and the night of the 19th wasn't available. The CM speculated that those who could book online starting at 8 snapped them all up. I didn't get the link to book online until mid-morning yesterday...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am afraid to do this online. I have a renter who wants a split stay at 7 mos mark. I'll be calling MS to do this.

 

[nolanboys]

I called today to modify a reservation at my home resort. I asked about the 7 month window and was told that you need to call to modify an existing reservation.

 

[discorsner]

This morning I was able to cancel an existing reservation online, and the points were immediately returned to my account. Then I booked a new reservation. This was for a stay at BLT at our 11 month window. If I was trying to change resorts at the 7 month mark, I'm not sure what I'd do. I guess I'd make sure what I want is available before cancelling the existing ressie, and hope/pray it doesn't disappear in the few seconds it would take to cancel the first ressie. It would be very risky, but waiting until 9 to call would all but ensure whatever you want would already be gone. That happened to me yesterday.... I called at 9 to book a 1 BR standard view villa at BLT for Dec. 19-26, and the night of the 19th wasn't available. The CM speculated that those who could book online starting at 8 snapped them all up. I didn't get the link to book online until mid-morning yesterday...

I'm new so it's very possible I could be missing something and not thinking of it correctly but your post got me wondering how this will change the strategies that most members seem to use to book at 11 and switch at 7. Might it just be better to wait and book at 7 months so you can do it at 8am and not have to cancel? I doubt I would be able to do it. I would want that back up of knowing I have my home resort booked.

Just wondering what changes this might end up making on member booking behavior.

 

[quinnc19]

How did you do this? I can't find anything that lets me cancel (I booked Thanksgiving with the wrong dates).

This morning I was able to cancel an existing reservation online, and the points were immediately returned to my account. ...

 

[drusba]

How did you do this? I can't find anything that let's me cancel (I booked Thanksgiving with the wrong dates

Go to the My Membership tab at top and scroll to and open Vacation Center, once there click on Upcoming Vacations and then for particular one you want to cancel, click on Travel Plan Details and you will then see place to cancel. The Vacation Center and things you can do there including order dining plan is new.

 

[quinnc19]

Thanks!

Go to the My Membership tab at top and scroll to and open Vacation Center, once there click on Upcoming Vacations and then for particular one you want to cancel, click on Travel Plan Details and you will then see place to cancel

 

[Sandisw]

I'm new so it's very possible I could be missing something and not thinking of it correctly but your post got me wondering how this will change the strategies that most members seem to use to book at 11 and switch at 7. Might it just be better to wait and book at 7 months so you can do it at 8am and not have to cancel? I doubt I would be able to do it. I would want that back up of knowing I have my home resort booked.

Just wondering what changes this might end up making on member booking behavior.

I doubt it will change someone not reserving in the home resort period. For those that have more points and can book the new reservation without having to cancel the old reservation first, then this might work.

It is also possible, that somewhere down the line, the system will include the option to change out at 7 months.

My guess is that this is not part of it yet because they want to see how it works for people who just want to book or cancel--not change.

They may be still working on a system that will hold the room, cancel the current reservation, so the points can be used to replace it--similar to the dining reservations where it says "You have a conflicting reservation. Do you want to replace what you have?" kind of situation.

 

[mousefan1972]

I'm new so it's very possible I could be missing something and not thinking of it correctly but your post got me wondering how this will change the strategies that most members seem to use to book at 11 and switch at 7. Might it just be better to wait and book at 7 months so you can do it at 8am and not have to cancel? I doubt I would be able to do it. I would want that back up of knowing I have my home resort booked.

Just wondering what changes this might end up making on member booking behavior.

Well, theoretically you could wait until 7 months to book so you won't have to wait until 9 a.m. to call in, but then what happens if nothing is availabe? Or, more likely, what you hoped to book isn't available, and what is left open is less desirable than your home resort would have been, but you didn't book it at 11 months when you could.

How did you do this? I can't find anything that lets me cancel (I booked Thanksgiving with the wrong dates).

I see you already got the answer...

I doubt it will change someone not reserving in the home resort period. For those that have more points and can book the new reservation without having to cancel the old reservation first, then this might work.

We have enough points that I could have booked the new reservation at 8 online, then called at 9 to cancel the other one. BUT, I had some banked points in the first ressie that I wanted to make sure got used in the new one. And although I was 99% sure MS would switch them out for me, it wasn't a chance I was willing to take. That would be my only issue with making a new ressie at 7 months, then cancelling the 11 month ressie. What if there were banked points involved? I really hope down the road there is an option to modify reservations online. If not, it becomes a question of fairness.... If those who have to wait till 9 to call to modify their ressie, lose out to those who booked online at 8, well, I would not want to be the MS CM taking that phone call!

 

[lilpooh108]

MS has the ability to modify the reservation you made at 11 months rather than to cancel it. I've had success with MS checking for availability and only changing my reservation if something I wanted was available at 7 months.

Since there is no way to modify a reservation online, I would not risk cancelling and re-booking at the 7 month mark. Just my 2 cents

 

[mousefan1972]

MS has the ability to modify the reservation you made at 11 months rather than to cancel it. I've had success with MS checking for availability and only changing my reservation if something I wanted was available at 7 months.

Since there is no way to modify a reservation online, I would not risk cancelling and re-booking at the 7 month mark. Just my 2 cents

That is correct. However, as a few of us have stated, in order for MS to modify the reservation one needs to call them. They open at 9 a.m. EST. Online bookings begin at 8 a.m. So if I wait until 9 to call so MS can modify my existing reservation, I could very well lose out on the room I want to those who booked online starting at 8. Hence, the dilemma.

 

[Sammie]

That is correct. However, as a few of us have stated, in order for MS to modify the reservation one needs to call them. They open at 9 a.m. EST. Online bookings begin at 8 a.m. So if I wait until 9 to call so MS can modify my existing reservation, I could very well lose out on the room I want to those who booked online starting at 8. Hence, the dilemma.

And yet if you contact them, they will tell you that letting online book at 8m versus 9am gives them no advantage.

 

[mousefan1972]

And yet if you contact them, they will tell you that letting online book at 8m versus 9am gives them no advantage.

Really? Hmm. Last week on Thursday, Jan. 19th, I called MS at 9 a.m. on the dot to book BLT Dec. 19-26, 1 BR standard view. That was the day online reservations began. I could not book my stay b/c the night of the 19th was not available.

The CM suggested that since online booking started that very day, other members likely booked up the available rooms starting at 8, thus shutting me out b/c I didn't have the link yet and had to call at 9. So how can they say it doesn't give an advantage when it was the CM who suggested I got shut out by those who beat me to the available rooms by booking them online before I could call?

(not trying to start an argument.. I'm really wondering about this! )

 

[js]

Really? Hmm. Last week on Thursday, Jan. 19th, I called MS at 9 a.m. on the dot to book BLT Dec. 19-26, 1 BR standard view. That was the day online reservations began. I could not book my stay b/c the night of the 19th was not available.

The CM suggested that since online booking started that very day, other members likely booked up the available rooms starting at 8, thus shutting me out b/c I didn't have the link yet and had to call at 9. So how can they say it doesn't give an advantage when it was the CM who suggested I got shut out by those who beat me to the available rooms by booking them online before I could call?

(not trying to start an argument.. I'm really wondering about this! )

Your story is exactly what I worry about for 7 month booking changes. I currently have SSR, my home resort, booked for an August/September trip.
My use year is Sept.
We stayed at SSR in a GV last year but for our upcoming trip end of August/beginning of September, wanted to do a split stay at BLT then to BWV. I am also traveling right at the end/beginning of my 2011/2012 U/Y so there is no way I can do this online. Not only am I switching resorts at 7 months, I am also traveling inbetween my current/new U/Y.

I can tell you that I would have been too nervous to try the online booking the first day but so far, with its basic simple things it can do right now, so far it looks good.

Good luck to all of us that have to call at 9:00 am

 

[mousefan1972]

Your story is exactly what I worry about for 7 month booking changes. I currently have SSR, my home resort, booked for an August/September trip.
My use year is Sept.
We stayed at SSR in a GV last year but for our upcoming trip end of August/beginning of September, wanted to do a split stay at BLT then to BWV. I am also traveling right at the end/beginning of my 2011/2012 U/Y so there is no way I can do this online. Not only am I switching resorts at 7 months, I am also traveling inbetween my current/new U/Y.

I can tell you that I would have been too nervous to try the online booking the first day but so far, with its basic simple things it can do right now, so far it looks good.

Good luck to all of us that have to call at 9:00 am

Honestly, it wasn't even that I was nervous to try online booking the first day; it was that I didn't have the link to book. Not all members had access immediately. I was on the phone with the CM while online at the same time and she told me what to look for, and I definitely didn't have the link to book. So even if I had wanted to, I couldn't.

Good luck to you... I hope you get what you want at 7 months!

 

[LisaS]

Really? Hmm. Last week on Thursday, Jan. 19th, I called MS at 9 a.m. on the dot to book BLT Dec. 19-26, 1 BR standard view. That was the day online reservations began. I could not book my stay b/c the night of the 19th was not available.

The CM suggested that since online booking started that very day, other members likely booked up the available rooms starting at 8, thus shutting me out b/c I didn't have the link yet and had to call at 9. So how can they say it doesn't give an advantage when it was the CM who suggested I got shut out by those who beat me to the available rooms by booking them online before I could call?

(not trying to start an argument.. I'm really wondering about this! )

I think it's more likely that people with earlier check-in dates than you got those rooms, especially since your stay begins mid week, or that people walking reservations have temporarily tied up those rooms. Yes online booking started on Jan 19th but based on reports here, not many people were able to access the system first thing that morning. What are the odds that those who did have online access at that time also wanted exactly the same resort, room type and dates that you did?

I agree that it's unfair to have the 11-month/7-month window begin at 8am for online booking and 9am for phone reservations. I suspect they did it so that MS is no longer inundated right at 9am since those with Internet access will opt to book online at 8am instead.

 

[mousefan1972]

I think it's more likely that people with earlier check-in dates than you got those rooms, especially since your stay begins mid week, or that people walking reservations have temporarily tied up those rooms. Yes online booking started on Jan 19th but based on reports here, not many people were able to access the system first thing that morning. What are the odds that those who did have online access at that time also wanted exactly the same resort, room type and dates that you did?

You know it's funny, I said the same exact thing to the CM. I just thought it was odd that she suggested I got shut out by the online system, and Sammie said other CMs claim there is no advantage. Weird.