Ressie Scerario and Need Advice***UPDATE****

[4fordisneyworld]

Talk about changing things up! So glad we can do this online now because I truly would not want to mess with calling in every time I have made a change. A very appreciative DVC member for that aspect

So now here is the plan....as of today anyway!

ARRIVE DEC 2 @ SSR for 4nights, move to AKV, now in std studio at Kidani for 2 nights, and then end the vacation the way I wanted at VGF for 5 nights!!
I am still trying to avoid the moving twice but if that is what it takes to not spend OOP when I have avail points then we will do without complaint

I was really surprised to see the four nights for the 1BR open at SSR this morning. I have been checking 3 times a day at every single resort for most room types and this is the first I have seen that many consecutive days...so I took it. Not our fav resort (only because so spread out and I am alone with mg girls), but have to say my girls absolutely love Ms. Sundee when we go to borrow movies and do crafts. She remembers my girls every trip and showers them with Disney love and magic! So that is totally worth it.


Here is the scenario:

We originally book from Dec 1-11 at AKV for 1BR Std View. I was short within that ressie the 5th, 7th, and 9th. I was able to snag VGF 1BR from Dec 8-13. So obviously I cx the days we didn't need from original ressie.

Problem is, I still have no room for the 5th and 7th. There is nothing anywhere!! We will probably change arrival to 3rd or 4th depending on if I can add a night to VGF tomorrow. (kicking myself for just not adding more nights when I was able to grab the five that I did) I know we are still a little ways out, however with not finding any rooms, of any kind available those nights, I am not holding out much hope. We don't want to change rooms more than once, and we really want to end our trip being at VGF.

Any suggestions?? Not sure there really is anything, but in case I am missing something. One thought was to use pts at CBR, but I really hate giving up that amount of pts for not staying DVC. Do you think the chances of my waitlist for my two nights will come through??

Thanks!!

 

[Sandisw]

Very busy time and to be honest, I think its though, especially standard view. However, the good news is that they are for 1 night each. I would stalk the website constantly and hope you can snag it that way. I might also call and see if you could book with cash through MS so you don't have to move.

Good luck!

 

[4fordisneyworld]

Thank you Sandi for the input! I have been checking the website every time I can sit down at my computer! lol My girl's think I am a little obsessed at this point What we go through huh? I know better and should have locked up the dates at my 11 month mark, but our dates were so unsure this year. Lesson learned: BOOK SOMETHING ANYWAY and then change it!

Well, I will keep looking and call tomorrow to see what the off chance will be of booking on cash.

 

[taaren]

With those dates I'd probably keep the AKV from Dec 1-5, then go off-site from the 5th-7th, maybe do Universal or Sea World or Legoland, or something else that's fabulous in Orlando, then keep your VGF from the 8th through 13th ... but I don't mind moving if I can stay 3+ nights in one location, then see another resort/park.

 

[LSchrow]

Well, I will keep looking and call tomorrow to see what the off chance will be of booking on cash.

we've found significantly better availability for cash rooms (through both DVC & DRC) when villas weren't available on points (as of a couple of weeks ago, both EPCOT DVCs had cash rate availability during the F&WF!).

i would definitely try for a cash reservation for those nights (if the villa you need is available thru MS, they can link ressie so you won't have to move). btw, you can keep your WL, with directions to cancel the MS cash room if the WL comes thru.
good luck!

 

[4fordisneyworld]

Do I call MS for cash reservations so I can get the DVC discount? Also what is the discount?

Thank you!!

I was slow on the draw this morning, or the system beat me I should say. I was in at 6 this morning and was about to snag two more nights at VGF, so beautiful when they show up available, and then when I clicked select it kicked me out saying my nights were no longer available. Very frustrating. Oh well, not gonna complain since we have the five nights there already!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Are you looking to go to Universal at all? If so, I would think about switching out to a Universal Hotel for the 5-7. Can't beat the unlimited Express Pass you get if staying onsite.

 

[LSchrow]

Do I call MS for cash reservations so I can get the DVC discount? Also what is the discount?

yes, call MS for reservation. it is 25% off rack if available. i had a bit of sticker shock when i booked a BWV studio; points are more valuable than i thought
thankfully, our WL came thru, and the MS cash room auto-cancelled (i double-checked tho).
if the DVC rate is not available & you have an AP, call DRC to see if they have a discounted villa for those nights (usually about 30% - disadvantage is that DVC and DRC ressies cannot be linked. you can ask upon check-in to stay in same room, but might have to move. either way may require a check-in, check-out).
also to note: not all villas are available for cash (i know that BWV BW view can only be booked on points, not sure if there are others).
good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[csharpwv]

As a PP said, book the nights on a DVC cash reservation through MS, create a waitlist with instructions to cancel the cash reservation if the WL comes through - that's your best bet on getting what you want.

In June I did a split stay - REALLY split stay...

Sat-Mon: SSR
Mon - Thur: Grand Floridian
Thur-Fri: BCV
Friday-Sun: SSR

I had never stayed at BCV, there was only one night available - I was there alone - DW never wants to do a split stay, which I totally understand. So since I was there, the night was available - I did it on my own!

If you REALLY want something for those two night and don't mind changing ( I know you said you really only want to change once... but..) I would wait list SSR - it is the largest resort and you are most likely to get SOMETHING.

I wish there was a way to search ALL resorts at WDW at the same time for situations like this - if they can search 4 resorts at a time, you know they could do a search all feature!

 

[4fordisneyworld]

I really agree with this! It would be so much easier and time saving if we could see more than one at a time.
If my girls were a little older and I wasn't doing this by myself with them, changing rooms multiply times might not be as stressful. We have two Owner's Lockers and trying to go through and get out what we need and the unpacking and repacking is too much, plus the luggage. My youngest deals with sensory issues and OCD. She is very smart but has to know the plans down to the last detail or she gets very anxious. I could see moving around that much causing her to be one unhappy mouseketeer!!

Thank you for your input and suggestions

I called and no std view rooms avail for cash discount. I could have SV for $467!!!!! No thank you Makes me really, really, really appreciate our points and their value!

My next option is to add five nights on at the end to AKV. So far it is available. Messes up all of our dining and I had already pd for MVMCP tickets on the 5th. (not smart, i know) So pretty sure I would get burned on the cash I already put out for those.

We are not planning anything at Universal. My girls thus far are not interested in anything over there so we stick to Disney. We have done Sea World and love it, but just did that in April so probably will stay around property this trip.

 

[4fordisneyworld]

And the rate for the fall discount is $585!!!!! Okay.....new plan of attack

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about an adventure at POR or one of the other moderates (or even a value)? Just for a change in the middle of the trip?

 

[4fordisneyworld]

bumping....i updated