Switching Resorts at the 7 month mark

[TunaJr]

We bought this year in February of 2007 and our first two trips are at our home resort.....last week in June and the week of Thanksgiving Our next trip after that would be in June of 2008........The question is if we book the June 2008 trip at the 11th month booking window and at the 7 month mark would love to try to switch to OKW for example how does the booking work. Does MS look to see what's available and if something available cancel the current ressie (SSR) and then book OKW......or do they put a hold on the room at OKW and then cancel the current ressie (SSR) and book OKW...or do they book OKW first (thus two current ressie) then cancel SSR. How does it work?

What has been your experience (positive or negative) about trying to switch resorts at the 7 month mark? or is it anything I should know about trying to switch resorts at the 7 month mark from time to time......Thanks

 

[Granny]

Does MS look to see what's available and if something available cancel the current ressie (SSR) and then book OKW......

This is the correct description.


They can't book the second room while you still have a valid reservation since your points are tied up with the first reservation. My guess is they do have some way to put the second resort room "on hold" during the call while they cancel the first reservation and re-assign the points. Otherwise, we'd probably hear about people losing their 11 month reservation and somehow ending up with no reservation as someone else grabs the second resort room during the phone conversation.

I only remember hearing once on these boards about someone losing their room completely and that's when someone at MS messed up. Considering the thousands of reservations made every month, I think it's safe to say they have a pretty good system to make sure it doesn't often happen.

 

[Dean]

There are several ways to do this. In part what's best depends on how many points you have. For this item I'd likely call at 7 months from check out and just change it over using the points from the existing reservation. But there are other ways to do it, esp if you can't get all the days and need to work the wait list.

 

[Snookies]

...The question is if we book the June 2008 trip at the 11th month booking window and at the 7 month mark would love to try to switch to OKW for example how does the booking work...

What has been your experience (positive or negative) about trying to switch resorts at the 7 month mark? or is it anything I should know about trying to switch resorts at the 7 month mark from time to time......Thanks

If my experience is typical, you're unlikely to have difficulty switching your reservation to OKW from SSR at 7 months or less in 1 call for a June 2008 trip. The last time I booked a 1-bdr at OKW I did it at around 4 months for a late October trip. The same cannot probably be said for booking BCV or VWL and perhaps even BWV Preferred View for a June trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This is the correct description.


They can't book the second room while you still have a valid reservation since your points are tied up with the first reservation. My guess is they do have some way to put the second resort room "on hold" during the call while they cancel the first reservation and re-assign the points. Otherwise, we'd probably hear about people losing their 11 month reservation and somehow ending up with no reservation as someone else grabs the second resort room during the phone conversation.

I only remember hearing once on these boards about someone losing their room completely and that's when someone at MS messed up. Considering the thousands of reservations made every month, I think it's safe to say they have a pretty good system to make sure it doesn't often happen.

This is what happened to me. I've written a letter to MS on April 3rd and haven't heard back. At 11 months out, we booked a BWV SV studio vacation for June, and eventually, changed the first 2 nights to BCV, to enjoy SAB. Our March VB vacation was marred by heavy winds and rains, so on April 2nd, I called to change 2 BWV night to VB, a Garden View was available(?!), but in the time it took to whatever, both were gone! I waited on hold for quite awhile while I was "given" to a supervisor who basically said...tough, I will book you in a studio for OKW for those 2 nights, and I will give you "priority place" in the waitlist for the studio at BWV for the two nights. Well, when I went on line the next day (April 3rd), I have nothing for the two nights, so yes, I am annoyed, and send the letter. I had to call to book a room! Then after 3 weeks I gave upon the waitlist.... I now have booked the 3 nights at SSR, the extra points won't kill me(39 vs 33), but...they must hold a room for the people who waitlist and ask to be notified. Aren't you given some time in which to decide?

DVC has given me and my family more pleasure than problems...but this is a flaw!

Bobbi

 

[CarolAnnC]

I do not think you would have trouble booking OKW at the 7 month mark for June, unless of course you are looking for a Grand Villa. Those are a bit more difficult...