Please help! Arriving w/no ressie.

[ascardino]

My DH and I were trying to get our act together about what to do June thru August for a family vacation. So, after tossing it around, the best time for him would be the end of June since he teaches at a college in July and August so our dates would be limited.

Anyway, long story short, I booked the air for 6/23 - 6/26 (we are then going to southern FL for another week). I called on Sunday and asked for a 1 bedroom anywhere and was told that there was none available (or studio) for the three nights at any one resort . Now I know it is getting close but with not being picky, I am really surprised that there is nothing at all. I wound up waitlisting for two nights at OKW (reserved 6/25). I also waitlisted for AKL because we have five and they officially accept 5. I am really concerned that I won't get the three nights at one resort since we are now limited to two waitlists. I called again today to ask if there was a 1 bedroom anywhere and again - no .

Any advice increasing the possibility of successfully being able to book the three nights at one resort on points to accomodate the five of us would be really appreciated. Not sure what to do....change my waitlists, try for two studio rooms, etc. I am open to anything.

 

[hakepb]

I think a WL is auto cancelled 30 days out (or is that 7) so then you have to call day-by-day.

You may want to try calling about a 2BR. (OKW is of course, fewer points..) A dedicated 2br may still be available even if there are no 1BR's.

It's also possible a GV is available for one or more nights

And, of course, since you have a flight and need a room, you may want to consider a cash room as backup (if booked through MS they can be linked to your points, but it may be pricey)

 

[gamomof2]

WL cancel at 7 days before the date. But still call every so often and get them to do a manual check.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Though MS is reporting more cancellations that usual, and your WL may come through, I would still book myself into a hotel ASAP, just to have something since your flights are already booked.

 

[christa112]

I would definately keep calling. Persistance usually pays off.

I cannot believe that they do not have one room available. Like you said it is last minute but that is ridiculous. You know there are cash rooms not booked yet and they could easily let you stay in one of those.

I will keep my finger crossed for you and here is some Pixie Dust as well!!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Folks have been posting for several months that June seems to be totally sold out everywhere. Did you consider trying the moderates? They are more points, but POFQ is a good choice for 5...good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

I would definately keep calling. Persistance usually pays off.

I cannot believe that they do not have one room available. Like you said it is last minute but that is ridiculous. You know there are cash rooms not booked yet and they could easily let you stay in one of those.

I will keep my finger crossed for you and here is some Pixie Dust as well!!!

It depends upon the source of those cash rooms. Unless they were turned over to CRO as part of breakage inventoey, they normally can not be reclaimed by DVC.

 

[ascardino]

Called twice again this morning. The first time, the person I spoke with checked all resorts for any type of room including two bedrooms and GVs and there is nothing for those three nights at any one resort. I could get two nights for 92 pts at the Contemporary but not even the third night .

I called back and had someone check Vero and they only had one night available . She double checked OKW and SSR again just for the heck of it and still nothing.

I was thinking that maybe I should change my one waitlist from AKL to SSR based on size but am afraid that might move me down the WL at SSR. Does it start over if you change?

Anyway, I am really starting to panic as I really did not want to lay out more $$$ than I already have and have my points go unused .

I guess I really need to come up with a back up plan - QUICK !

Just wondering how we know that MS is reporting higher than normal cancellations??

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Just wondering how we know that MS is reporting higher than normal cancellations??

I made several changes to my existing reservations for June in May with friends coming and then not, using borrowed points etc. I had to WL 3 times to finish my summer plans so that I would not loose any points, UY ends July 31st and each time I called and waitlisted MS told me they were having above normal cancellations at 31 days. I received my waitlist at the BWV after just 10 days and same w/ OKW (3 days) for August and Vero in July (1 week, I wanted Ocean View. The flu has also had an affect on people's plans, several schools in NY have closed for a week, there will be make up days.

With that said, it is short notice so I would still book a hotel! Good Luck!

 

[jmurphy625]

MS told me they were having above normal cancellations at 31 days.

Good to know...I added a night onto our June stay (6/25) and all that was available at AKV was a studio, so I grabbed it and wait listed for a one bedroom. I actually tried to book two studios but it was the last one. I'll try to call closer to 31 days to see if anything at all is available!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... I cannot believe that they do not have one room available. Like you said it is last minute but that is ridiculous. You know there are cash rooms not booked yet and they could easily let you stay in one of those. ...

The only way to get one of those rooms is to book with cash through DRC. Those are never available for points because either they (1) never belonged to DVC points inventory or (2) they have already been booked on points and traded out for a non-DVC Disney vacation. To book those on points would be booking them twice on points and that is not allowed. Those villas will stay empty before they allow someone to book them on points if they are not points inventory.

 

[castleri]

You might have better luck getting a one night waitlist if you can book the other 2 nights now. I don't know if you could Wl for the one night at a resort you can get two nights at and also waitlist for the 3 nights at any resort as your second waitlist. It might be worth a try.

 

[ascardino]

My nerves couldn't stand it so I called this afternoon and booked adjoining rooms at the Swan. Since my DH is a teacher we were able to get a king for $149 with a connecting room with two queens for $99 (so why do I have all these points anyway )

Later, I called and was able to book 6/23 at OKW. So, now I have 6/23 and 6/25 but not 6/24.

What would you do? Do I cancel both ressies if 6/24 doesn't come through by Friday (31 day window) and try waitlisting for the three days all over? Take the chance and keep it?

I still plan on calling tomorrow and Thursday just to see if anything else opens up anywhere for the 3 nights in a row.

 

[ascardino]

For anyone who might be following: Here's the latest update.

I called yesterday and today and still no luck with anything opening up for those three nights.

When I called yesterday, it dawned on me to ask for 6/24 for a cash ressie so that I would at least have 3 nights in a row at one place which they had no problem doing. So, for $333 + tax for one night, I am good at OKW.

But, the more I think about this whole experience the more I really question if having as many points as I do is in my best interest. For less than what it is costing me for one night at OKW, I could have two rooms that would comfortably sleep the 5 of us instead of "making it work" in a one bedroom. The only thing I would not have is the laundry facilities which really does not make up for it in my mind. I even started to look off property but within 5 - 10 mins of driving and could find 2 bedroom villas that were brand new with many amenities for less than $180 per night and I am now just about at the 31 day window. I have read many posts where others feel the same as I do in that the accomodations labled "deluxe" really do not compare to other deluxe hotels.

Sorry for the rant....but wonder if there are others giving the whole process a second thought.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you can't make a reservation any more than 40-45 days out, DVC may not be for you.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I have read many posts where others feel the same as I do in that the accomodations labled "deluxe" really do not compare to other deluxe hotels.:

I purchased DVC to stay mainly in a 2br, we seldom stay in studios. We like the comfort of speading out, every one has his/her own bed. We have the kitchen/laundry accomodations, a home away from home. Unlike many, we utilize the kitchen, I can't eat Disney morning, noon and night. We no longer vacation commando style, been to Disney 50+ times. Now our vacations are more about spending quality time with family and friends rather than doing the parks and the resort/villa plays a big part in that. We've done 3 family reunions in the GV's at OKW, which I could only have afforded through DVC.

If what I truly wanted was to have deluxe hotel accomodations I would never have purchased a timeshare (DVC), I'd stay at the Marriott/Hilton in a Deluxe Suite, and get fresh towels daily and my bed made w/ a mint left on my pillow every morning. DVC is not Deluxe Hotel Accomodations, it's a timeshare, 2 very different things.

 

[ascardino]

If you can't make a reservation any more than 40-45 days out, DVC may not be for you.

I do not usually make reservations so close to when I travel. However, since I do have to fly to FL, I am somewhat at the mercy of airfare pricing. So, if an opportunity presents itself it is nice to know that I could take advantage of it.

I just would think that with the amount of rooms available in six resorts and my flexibility to take "anything", that I would have been able to book something at six weeks in advance considering that it is not spring break or the week in between Christmas and New Years.

The other thing is comparing value. That is what really has me rethinking more than how far out I can book. So many posts as well as my own experience are voicing their concern or dislike over what the dining plan has done to the quality, variety, and availability of dining in Disney. The buses and boats are crowded with many stops which makes the value of renting a car desirable. And, the rooms themselves (with the exception of new or newly renovated) rooms are in need of update and lack comforts of other deluxe hotels/time shares.

All that said, I (and my family) LOVE Disney vacations. We come every year and usually more than once. I do love being on property as it does add "magic" to the whole experience and certain conveniences of location and things to do. In trying to make that affordable, we purchased 160 points and then added 120. I do not think that if I had it to do over that I would add the 120 especially with the cost per point being devalued on the rent/trade boards. As DVC grows and these trends I am mentioning become more established as well as resales grow, it might be good if DVC somehow offset this in someway to keep current DVC people happy and long term customers.

Gina

 

[ascardino]

If what I truly wanted was to have deluxe hotel accomodations I would never have purchased a timeshare (DVC), I'd stay at the Marriott/Hilton in a Deluxe Suite, and get fresh towels daily and my bed made w/ a mint left on my pillow every morning. DVC is not Deluxe Hotel Accomodations, it's a timeshare, 2 very different things.

I do agree with you and we also have changed the way we are vacationing at Disney in the same way. In fact, when we were there in April we did not enter one park and still had a fantastic time. I didn't mention the towels or turn down service as I am not even taking that into consideration. What I am speaking about are: stains on furniture and rugs, subpar bedding, fixtures not working etc. I have family with a timeshare close by as well as friends with one at Sheraton Vistana that do not have the issues for the cost that we do.

Gina

 

[Deb & Bill]

... As DVC grows and these trends I am mentioning become more established as well as resales grow, it might be good if DVC somehow offset this in someway to keep current DVC people happy and long term customers.

Gina

What do you propose DVC do? They are in the business of selling points. I personally liked it better when there were only a few DVC resorts - OKW and BWV at WDW.

 

[ascardino]

I am not sure what they could do and I also agree with you that back when it was smaller it probably was better. We looked at OKW back in the 90s and it was attractive back then.

I don't think that I would give up all of my points, but I think less is more at this point.