Options if waitlist doesn't come through? Cash Ressie?

[nuzmom]

We currently have 12/5, and 12/7 through 12/16 at SSR for 2 bdr (we're a party of 5)

Waitlisted since early June for 12/4 and 12/6 at SSR for 2 bdr.
Also waitlisted at OKW and BWV for 12/2 to 12/15 (not day by day).

We have plane tickets for 12/4. We're borrowing points for trip. (WHEN the 4th or 6th comes open, we replace the 16th and borrow the rest)

Question is:
Is there something I should do now for the 4th and 6th? Should I make cash ressie at SSR? Do they take the money up front? Can I cancel without putting out any money?

If the waitlist doesn't come through I would be interested in using points for POR for the 4th - 6th. Can this be done at the last minute? I doubt that we would end up with paying cash for SSR.

I would like to start watching for some good fares for return flight. We're planning on our vacation being 12/4 to 12/15. If the waitlist doesn't come through and I already have return tickets for the 15th, then I need to be able to use my points from the 16th for somewhere - that's why I'm thinking about POR. Because we've borrowed some points, I can't just bank those points.

Oh, should I be calling every day to check on waitlist? I feel sort of strange doing so, but if it might help, I will. If I should be calling, what do I say? Just checking whether waitlist came through?

Any help is appreciated. This is really driving me crazy. I plan way ahead, but no one would commit this year until June and this is the result!!!

 

[disneystick]

You can make cash res. at any DVC resort and they do not take money up front if you are a DVC member. Make sure and ask for DVC member discount...sometimes they offer it. And I would go ahead and make cash res. just in case waitlist did not come thru.

 

[jdvm]

Well, first of all, wait list for each day you need separately. Then call Member Services a couple of times a week and see if they have any of the days you need. About 2 months out, book cash reservations (with Member discount if possible) for the missing nights as insurance and keep working with Member Services. I do this all the time...you'll get there.
John

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, too, that if you make a reservation for POR with your points and your waitlist comes through at the last minute, you won't be able to use the points you used at POR for the waitlisted DVC nights. Once you use points to make a reservation at a non-DVC resort, they become reservation points and cannot be used at a DVC resort. And they expire at the end of your use year.

 

[nuzmom]

thanks for the help. Seems like I should call MS about 2x per week and just hang in there for now. I can make cash reservations, with member discount if available, "just in case". It wouldn't cost me anything right now, so might as well do that.

I have the 4th and 6th waitlisted "day by day", but did not do that for the other options because my DM and DH do NOT want to risk changing resorts during stay at all.

If the other waitlists come through, awesome, but if not, no big deal. I don't think it hurts my chances of getting the 4th and 6th by having them, so I just kept them. Do you think I should just cancel them?