Questions on switching resorts 5/1

[Muhlenberg]

We are currently booked in a 2 BR and a Studio at Kidani for 6 nights, 12/1 to 12/7. We REALLY want to try to get a GV at SSR. We have to use some '13 points, all of our '14 points, some transferred points plus one time use points. I have to call MS for at least 1 night because of using the transferred points, and the OTUP.

I'm trying to weigh the risk factor vs availability, and giving myself a headache. I could try canceling what I have now (at 8 am on 5/1) and booking 5 nights in a GV (and adding the 6th night by calling MS), assuming there's availability for all 6 nights at that time. In the 8 am to 9 am timeframe, if that 6th night becomes unavailable, can I book a 2 BR and a 1 BR at SSR for that 6th night? Or would I have to wait until 5/6 to do that?

We'd really like to switch to SSR (well, BLT, too, but that probably wouldn't be available). Would it be better if I switched to a 2 BR (6 nights) + 1 BR (4 nights) online at 8 AM and then call MS at 9 am to either add the last 2 nights, or switch to a GV (or w/l)? What's the risk of those 2 rooms being unavailable at 9 am? I'm assuming there's little risk of those being unavailable at 8 am.

Or am I overthinking and making this unduly complicated? And yes, I've looked at the December Time 7 Months thread from last year.

 

[CarolMN]

I hesitate to answer this because YOU will be the one stuck with any consequences, so I'm reminding you that this is JUST my opinion.

I do not think you will have trouble booking a 2 bedroom and a studio at SSR for your entire trip at 7 months if you don't get the GV, so if that would be OK (instead of the Kidani reservation), then there isn't a lot of risk to cancelling Kidani reservations before your 7 month window opens.

FWIW, I think there will be many who currently have SSR booked that will move elsewhere at 7 months if they can. So I recommend you cancel the Kidani reservations before 8 am on the day your window opens. You can get an idea of what is available before 8 am by trying to book 7 nights beginning 11/30. That will show you the status of the 6 nights you really want.

Assuming you get the GV booked online for the first 5 nights and do not get the last night when you call, you WILL have to wait until the 7 month window opens to book the back up reservations for the 6th night. You can only book up to 7 nights from arrival if all the nights are for the exact same thing.

Remember that you cannot waitlist if you need one time points to complete the reservation. If you find that the 6th night is not available when you book the first 5 nights, make a plan to book something else that will use the transferred points and one time points that you will need for the 6th night. Then ask MS to waitlist the 6th GV night and cancel the "pretend" reservation when it comes through. You may have to call MS back and get another CM to waitlist the 6th GV night. I'm not sure how the CMs react to strategies to get around the rule that says you can't waitlist if you will have to buy the one time point to complete the reservation if the waitlist works.

FWIW, I think that GV Friday night at SSR will be still be available when you call MS.

Good luck!

 

[Muhlenberg]

Thanks! That was very helpful!

I did know some of it. I suspected I'd have to wait til 12/6 to book a different room type if needed, but didn't know that for a fact. I've been tracking things for various room types up until this week. We have a Dec. Use Year, so I ran into a brick wall at 11/30. I do have a friend who's been looking at the week I want, as they own at SSR.

And yep...anything I do is my fault...good or bad. I figured the risk at SSR was lower with doing a cancel/book for 8 am. I kept doing "what if's" and I'm not a "what if" person! lol

 

[Muhlenberg]

Got it!!! With NO trouble! We are soooooooo excited. We'll have our 3 grown children, two granddaughters and my 89 yo mother, Lord willing.

 

[Kidanifan08]

That's awesome! Sounds like a wonderful family holiday gathering. Enjoy!

 

[CarolMN]

Got it!!! With NO trouble! We are soooooooo excited. We'll have our 3 grown children, two granddaughters and my 89 yo mother, Lord willing.

Delighted to hear it! Thanks for letting us know how it turned out.

Have a wonderful time!