Searching For Flexible Resort/Room Availability?

[canadawithboys]

If a person has flexible dates for their DW vacation, is there any way to search for a certain number of nights in a particular type of resort/room instead of searching by specific dates? I've found that it takes a huge amount of time to try to work and rework dates in hopes that I'll stumble across a time period where there is availability. I absolutely love the detective-work side of the search process, but unfortunately (like almost all of us) I don't have unlimited time to do it. Our travel dates are extremely flexible so I thought it would be SO nice if there is some way where a person could just type in a specific range of nights to look for and preferable resorts or resort types, and it would bring up several booking options. For example, I'm hoping to find room in a Value resort (preferably Art of Animation) near the end of November-beginning of December and everything is coming up as full (which it very well might be, but when I had a similar issue in searching for September-October dates I eventually found availability by just shifting dates nonstop until I found something that worked.) Anyone know if this is possible?

 

[Shanti]

If a person has flexible dates for their DW vacation, is there any way to search for a certain number of nights in a particular type of resort/room instead of searching by specific dates? I've found that it takes a huge amount of time to try to work and rework dates in hopes that I'll stumble across a time period where there is availability. I absolutely love the detective-work side of the search process, but unfortunately (like almost all of us) I don't have unlimited time to do it. Our travel dates are extremely flexible so I thought it would be SO nice if there is some way where a person could just type in a specific range of nights to look for and preferable resorts or resort types, and it would bring up several booking options. For example, I'm hoping to find room in a Value resort (preferably Art of Animation) near the end of November-beginning of December and everything is coming up as full (which it very well might be, but when I had a similar issue in searching for September-October dates I eventually found availability by just shifting dates nonstop until I found something that worked.) Anyone know if this is possible?

No, using the Disney website you have to put in specific dates and see what the availability is. If you find this frustrating, call Disney reservations and have them do the work for you.

Alternatively, some 3rd party websites might offer this function. Or you could use a travel agent.

 

[canadawithboys]

Shanti, thanks for your reply!

 

[Nancyg56]

I called and the CM did the searching for me. She was very patient and found the number of nights that I wanted with the day of the week I needed to keep clear.

 

[canadawithboys]

I called and the CM did the searching for me. She was very patient and found the number of nights that I wanted with the day of the week I needed to keep clear.

Thanks for the reply, that's great she was able to find it for you!

Does anyone know... for those who want to try on their own a little bit longer... do unavailable rooms/resorts ever become available if you just keep trying daily, a few times per week, etc? (Due to cancellations or holds, etc?) I feel weird asking for someone's time on the other end if I'm not 100% sure that the vacation is going to happen.

 

[Shanti]

Thanks for the reply, that's great she was able to find it for you!

Does anyone know... for those who want to try on their own a little bit longer... do unavailable rooms/resorts ever become available if you just keep trying daily, a few times per week, etc? (Due to cancellations or holds, etc?) I feel weird asking for someone's time on the other end if I'm not 100% sure that the vacation is going to happen.

Availability can pop up, but don't count on it. I really wouldn't feel bad about calling- the phone CMs likely get paid by the hour. And if people didn't call, they wouldn't have a job.

I never feel bad about changing or canceling my Disney plans, because the trips are so expensive. The Mouse always comes out way ahead. I therefore expect their customer service to be very accommodating.

 

[writerguyfl]

Does anyone know... for those who want to try on their own a little bit longer... do unavailable rooms/resorts ever become available if you just keep trying daily, a few times per week, etc? (Due to cancellations or holds, etc?)

I spent over a decade working in hotels, including Reservations. I also spent several years working at the Disney Reservations Center as a Reservations Sales Agent and Trainer.

There are lots of different factors that will determine if a canceled room will return to inventory. Hotels routinely overbook and then allow cancelations to occur in order to get to 100% occupancy. In that scenario, a canceled room would not become available.

Hotels also sometimes have blocks of rooms that are held for groups. If the group doesn't use all their rooms, the extra ones may become available for sale. Unfortunately, group room blocks are not public information, so it's impossible to know if that issue is one affecting your trip.

Basically, without access to proprietary information, there's no way to know if continuing to search will result in success. I understand that is a bit frustrating. But, it is what it is.

I feel weird asking for someone's time on the other end if I'm not 100% sure that the vacation is going to happen.

As Shanti writes, you shouldn't feel badly about calling the Reservations Center and asking a Cast Member to search for availability. That's exactly what their job entails. That said, some Cast Members will be better than others with an open-ended date search, mostly due to personality type. So, it's a bit of luck involved. Hopefully, you'll find a great one like Nancyg56 did when she called.

As someone who took those calls, I have some suggestions:

• Checking multiple dates can take time. Be patient will the Cast Member works.
• Some Cast Members like to chat while they work; some don't. If you encounter uncomfortable silence, proactively offer to be placed on hold. Something like: "I appreciate you doing this for me. I don't mind being placed on hold while you check."
• Avoid calling right before the Center closes. (I think that's 11pm Eastern time, but I'm not 100% certain.) It can be frustrating for a Cast Member to get a call that will take 30+ minutes right before closing. They are required to complete the call and will get paid overtime, if appropriate. But, it can be frustrating at the end of a long shift.
• Book something! Cast Members must meet sales goals. Nothing is worse than spending lots of time with a guest who says they will book it online or give the information to their travel agent.
• Caveat: Only make a reservation that you may possibly use. For example in your case, don't book a Moderate if you know you'll never stay there just to be nice to the Cast Member. But, if she or he finds a Value room that might work, make the reservation while you are on the phone. Don't hang up and book online.

I hope some of that information helps.