Stalking v. Waitlist ...

[kboo]

I feel like I should by a lottery ticket - my sister (not WDW or DVC-savvy at all) decided a few weeks ago that wanted to join us in August. At first I was going to get their family of 5 (2 babies) a room on Marriott points at the Dolphin since we were at BCV. Then waitlisted a BCV studio for 4 nights...

In the few days after VGF2 opened, I picked up 2 nights by stalking and 1 WL night filled without ever becoming available on the RAT (<-- IYKYK)
In the month since, I checked multiple times a day every day for the missing night (in the middle of the trip)... and magically got the email yesterday about an hour after my last stalking attempt. so we are 2 stalk v 2 WL.

Edited: I prefer stalking because it makes me think I have some control, but in reality both have worked for me.

 

[DebbieB]

One time I had to change a mid November trip due to a work conference. I was around September that I found out. I had BWV boardwalk view, I had to move it a week. I waitlisted Sunday-Thursday nights in pool/garden. I also backed it up with an AP discount room. Not long after, I saw Tuesday to Thursday nights on the website. I booked it and changed waitlist to Sunday-Monday. Then Monday showed up on the website. Booked it, changed waitlist to just Sunday. About a month out, Sunday came through on the waitlist and MS automatically combined the reservations.

 

[wnielsen1]

I feel like the waitlist process has improved significantly lately. Just a month ago, I was stalking to switch resorts and the dates I wanted became available and the waitlist (presumably) nabbed it before I could modify. 20 minutes later, I received the "we can't wait to welcome you home" email.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I’ve had success with both. Just managed to piece together 7 days at BCV over Christmas through a combination of both, so I’m thrilled right now.

I dropped 7 nights in a SV BWV studio over March break in one browser and quickly refreshed on another to see if it would show up or if WL would grab it. The RAT showed all nights available but once I clicked on it, two of the dates were already greyed out. Might be a stalker but it was truly almost instant.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I have been told in the past that the WL was a manual process (part of its flaw). It could be that the system flags releases and holds them until a supervisor runs the WL against them every day and then releases inventory not needed to fill existing WLs. That's sort of how it was explained to me combined with how I pieced together what they said. It sort of makes sense. They told me they do it twice a day most of the time.

Point being, I don't think it's dynamic and in realtime. At least it didn't used to be.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I usually live and die by the WL. I checked both because if it's something I really want, I will check by hand randomly to see if I see anything. I have only once ever used a WL for anything other than to replace an existing reservation so maybe I'm the exception to the rule most of the time. I already have something usually or am just trying to add a day to the beginning or the end of something that already exists, so a replacement is just a bonus of something I would have rather had, but not earth-shattering if I don't get it.

 

[DduzDis]

I think I have limited experience with these as I usually book a home resort at 11 mos and don't change (does that make me boring?). I do think I had a WL come through in the early days of our DVC, but I also know that if I had a gap I would be stalking incessantly. So I voted both, but stalking > WL because I am impatient and don't rely on others well.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

Definitely both!! I’d never put all my precious little DVC eggs into one basket

 

[keishashadow]

WL has been best for us over the years

however, not the last two by any means...

the next Star Wars release…RIse of the Stalkers

 

[Akck]

I wanted 2 nights at RIV in a std studio. Unfortunately, all that was available was 1 night std and the second night preferred, which I booked. So I put in a WL for a second night std studio. Stalking got me a first night preferred studio, so after I canceled my WL, I checked availability and the second night std studio appeared, which I grabbed. I assume my WL filled but was not processed. So I count this as a stalking and WL win.

 

[Disneykate605]

I voted both. I always make a wait list and stalk like crazy! Both have been successful. Stalking is fun and a great feeling when you are successful! Of course it's great to get the email that your wait-list filled too!

 

[jamesweikamp]

I have a WL for the first time right now, but am also stalking the dates. How often do you all check the availability? Once a day? Multiple times?

 

[CarolynFH]

I have a WL for the first time right now, but am also stalking the dates. How often do you all check the availability? Once a day? Multiple times?

When I stalk, I check whenever I have time. People drop reservations at all hours of the day and night, and you have to be quick to catch them!

 

[jamesweikamp]

When I stalk, I check whenever I have time. People drop reservations at all hours of the day and night, and you have to be quick to catch them!

Thanks! That is what I assumed, but wanted to confirm. I would hate to have been wasting time if the availability was only updated, as an example, once daily.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks! That is what I assumed, but wanted to confirm. I would hate to have been wasting time if the availability was only updated, as an example, once daily.

IME, availability changes minute to minute, so check as often as you can!

 

[kes601]

I have a WL for the first time right now, but am also stalking the dates. How often do you all check the availability? Once a day? Multiple times?

Constantly. Not too long ago we had a WL for a single night. I saw it pop up but by the time I actually clicked into it it was gone. My wife checked w/a CM on chat and it disappeared because our WL filled. Just sharing because had it been somebody else and they had been a few seconds quicker it likely would have been taken before the system grabbed it for the WL.

 

[Nursemanit]

If I need the day - stalking, If I settle on a second choice that is ok for me I will take the passive approach and WL my first choice. Like if I have P/G view BW I will always WL BW view.

 

[ehh]

I'm not sure we've ever had a waitlist come through but we've been very successful with stalking. But I also stalk the RAT pretty aggressively--multiple times per hour for most waking hours--when we really want something.

Stalking also has the advantage of flexibility as you can check for many things at once instead of just 2 specific waitlists.

 

[disneylover81]

I've been piecing some dates together and had gotten them all but one night. I set up a waitlist for 5/4/23 BLT Standard Studio, but also have been stalking like crazy. Well, yesterday my date finally came up available so I snagged it. Glad I stalked and didn't rely on the waitlist. Then I hopped right on the chat to request they merge my 3 reservations into one.

 

[Disneykate605]

I've been piecing some dates together and had gotten them all but one night. I set up a waitlist for 5/4/23 BLT Standard Studio, but also have been stalking like crazy. Well, yesterday my date finally came up available so I snagged it. Glad I stalked and didn't rely on the waitlist. Then I hopped right on the chat to request they merge my 3 reservations into one.

Awesome! Glad it worked out for you,!