Please explain the 7 day waitlist

[Mom+4]

When I made our original reservation for Christmas week, I booked SSR because I could not get 4 days anywhere else. Then I decided a split stay would not be too bad, and was able to get AKV for the first 2 nights. Of course staying in one place would be best, so I currently have a waitlist for 12/21-23. When I have talked to member services, they always ask if I want a 30 day wait list or 7 day, which makes me wonder:

What is so bad about the 7 day waitlist?

Is there a penalty of some sort on the 7 day waitlist?

Is there more likelihood of getting my wanted room after the 30 day mark? In otherwords, do people really cancel after 30 days out?

Is there some advantage to giving up at 30 days?

And lastly, is there really any hope of getting 2 days at AKV or elsewhere that close to Christmas?

We will be happy regardless, but I'd like to understand the system. Thanks for your response.

 

[lingber]

Mom+4. I wonder many of the same things. I am not sure why you wouldn't want to stay on the waitlist until 7 days out? Thanks for asking what I was thinking! Looking forward to the answer!

 

[dcfromva]

Mom+4,
If you are already protected by a reservation and are wait listing that reservation, then about the only downside I can think of is if the new reservation takes fewer points. At the 30-7 day mark those left over points will be holding points.
Yes, people do cancel at less than 30 days out. Last year, we made a last minute reservation for BWV in early Dec. We were able to reserve one night and the second night came in at the 7 day prior time frame. We called each day after that (no waiting list at less than 7 days ) and were able to add the 3rd night in.
So, even at less than 7 days, you can still call if you are still interested in trying.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

wondering the same thing too - we're on a 7 day wait list for a last minute trip we booked after getting an amazing price on airfare (thanks Southwest!!) Looking for a studio anywhere for Dec 13 to 16 but not too hopeful about getting it that close to Christmas! We did manage to snag POR but it's $500 I would rather not have to spend!!
Don't understand the difference between the 30 day and 7 day.

 

[lingber]

Mom+4,
If you are already protected by a reservation and are wait listing that reservation, then about the only downside I can think of is if the new reservation takes fewer points. At the 30-7 day mark those left over points will be holding points.
Yes, people do cancel at less than 30 days out. Last year, we made a last minute reservation for BWV in early Dec. We were able to reserve one night and the second night came in at the 7 day prior time frame. We called each day after that (no waiting list at less than 7 days ) and were able to add the 3rd night in.
So, even at less than 7 days, you can still call if you are still interested in trying.

Thanks! Let's see if I got this right.......

So if we had a reservation for a two-bedroom, but were waitlisted for a one bedroom and the waitlist came through less than 30 days prior to arrival, the point difference would go into holding?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks! Let's see if I got this right.......

So if we had a reservation for a two-bedroom, but were waitlisted for a one bedroom and the waitlist came through less than 30 days prior to arrival, the point difference would go into holding?

Yes - that's correct and that is what can be the "problem" with a 7 day waitlist. If it's equal or more points then there really isn't any reason to not do it.

 

[Claire L]

From spekaing to MS yesterday when 7 days or less from the waitlist date you need to call each day there is no automatic checking at this late stage.

Claire