I've used it like previous post said, when it was not a particularly busy time or resort. We did make out xmas week @ OKW at 10 months online for 2 bdroom 12/23-12/28/06 and we were confirmed the next day by email and received the confirmation letter in 6 days. We have done June at OKW at 8 months (then we changed to BCV at 7 months via phone) with no problem also.
It will not be helpful for a day-by-day reservation (I have never done this via phone ,even at 7 months for HHI in summer or BCV in June and I have gotten what I wanted). Or any high demand time or resort e.g. trying to get VWL at 7 months over xmas week on-line would probably not be efficient or successful.
Connears