Should I walk the reservation for BLT?

[jlovesee]

Usually my husband and I go down to Disney the last week of January for our anniversary, we have done this for the last 8 years. Next year, because of my school I am looking at MLK week, as I would only miss 1 day of class, that would be Jan 16 (Sun) thru Jan 23 (Sun). I have only been during this week once, several years ago, and the crowds weren't too bad, but I am worried about my reservation that I am planning on for BLT.

We are planning on staying 7 nights in a BLT MK view studio. I have read that these are VERY popular, and while I will have the 11 month window to book, I really don't want to miss out. So here is the question, should I go through the trouble of walking the reservation? I don't think I have to worry about the end of the week, but the Sunday and Monday I am worried about, as it comes at the END of the long weekend.

So without starting an argument on whether walking is ethical or not (DVC allows it, and while I may not agree with it 100% this is a reservation I REALLY REALLY want), what would you do?

I am assuming this means for a check in on Jan 16th I would start calling on Feb 10th and do Jan 10-16th correct?

Thanks for your help!

Jennifer

 

[MK032197]

what is "walking a reservation"?

 

[CarolMN]

IMO, walking that reservation is not necessary. One call when your 11 month window opens should do it.

I've not heard of anyone having trouble getting reservations for that weekend 11 months prior to arrival for any resort or any booking category. So even though you want the MK view studio, I just don't think it's necessary.

If you absolutely can't stand the stress, just start it on Saturday (the 15th) and walk it one day.

 

[Halle]

If you are going to be stressed walk the reservation. Only you knows how important it is for you to get that reservation.

 

[Daddio]

I agree with CarolMN. You shouldn't need to go through the trouble of walking this reservation. There is nothing going on that will fill the MK views right at the 11 month mark + a few days.


David

 

[88golf88]

If you have the time to call each day, there is no reason that you shouldnt walk the reservation. The only thing that it is going to cost you is time. Whether or not you agree with walking, it isnt going to matter to you next January while you are staring at the Castle from your balcony!!!

Until they say that we cant walk reservations, there is no reason not to do it, especially if it gives you a better chance at getting the room you want!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also agree that there shouldn't be a need to walk the reservation.

 

[Crystal_27]

If walking it would give you peace of mind, I say do it. I recently walked my BLT reservation for December 18-January 1. I made about 20 calls, but it was worth it to ensure that I got the accommodation that I wanted (and that I had enough points for - LOL). Happy planning!

 

[dvcdisney]

January is considered low season, so personally, I wouldn't. But it's up to you.

 

[jlovesee]

Thanks for everyone's response, I didn't know if it would be a lot busier/harder to book because of the holiday or not, I probably will just wait for the 11th month window.

Thanks again!

Jennifer

 

[SuzanneSLO]

While I have no problem with walking a reservation, I do see one potential down side to walking. Everytime MS pulls up your reservation and especially when they make a change, there is the potential for them to do something wrong: cancel the wrong date, add the wrong unit size, etc.

It probably rarely hapens, but for those periods when walking is really needed, it could be a big problem because the room they accidentally cancelled might no longer be available for booking when the mistake is discovered. MS can put you at the top of the WL to correct their mistake, but they cannot take away another member's reservation.

So I wouldn't walk a reservation without a compelling need to do so. -- Suzanne

 

[Daddio]

While I have no problem with walking a reservation, I do see one potential down side to walking. Everytime MS pulls up your reservation and especially when they make a change, there is the potential for them to do something wrong: cancel the wrong date, add the wrong unit size, etc.

It probably rarely hapens, but for those periods when walking is really needed, it could be a big problem because the room they accidentally cancelled might no longer be available for booking when the mistake is discovered. MS can put you at the top of the WL to correct their mistake, but they cannot take away another member's reservation.

So I wouldn't walk a reservation without a compelling need to do so. -- Suzanne

This is SO true.

I made a reservation for a MK View studio arriving December 27 of this year. I had to call back daily to add a day because I wanted to stay fo 12 days. On my third call, once the CM recapped the points, it was less than the previous day's total. Why? Because she accidently moved me from a MK View into a Lake View. Can you imagine if I had not caught that before ending the call?

David

 

[Nancy F]

Newbie here. What's that term mean???
Nancy

 

[CarolMN]

If you have the time to call each day, there is no reason that you shouldnt walk the reservation. The only thing that it is going to cost you is time. Whether or not you agree with walking, it isnt going to matter to you next January while you are staring at the Castle from your balcony!!!

Until they say that we cant walk reservations, there is no reason not to do it, especially if it gives you a better chance at getting the room you want!!!

IMO, we should not encourage walking unless it is absolutely necessary to get the reservation. There are very few reservations for which that is true.

If members start doing it unnecessarily, then pretty soon more and more people will believe it is necessary. It will feed upon itself.

Eventually, DVC will see it as a problem - unnecessary calls, more staff needed, busy signals and member complaints. Any "fix" DVC comes up with will have negative impacts on some members. Think change/cancellation fees, no adding or dropping days - you'd have to cancel and rebook and perhaps lose the reservation to a waitlist, minimum stays, etc.

So please, let's only suggest walking for the units very limited in number and for the busiest times of the year.

Thanks - from one who is afraid any cure will be worse than the disease!


P.S. MS has a conflict of interest here - they see those calls as job security and not as an expense. So just because they suggest it, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

 

[Sandisw]

I also do not feel that you will need to walk this reservation. It seems to me that I really didn't hear much about it except in the past few weeks in terms of trying to be sure to secure NYE.

All other times, for the most part, if you call right at your 11 month window, you should be able to get what you want.

Good luck!