Thanksgiving Nov 24-27

[alady89]

Hi Everyone,

Just a general question, if anyone could reply based on past experience.

Do last minute cancellations for Studios ever occur for Thanksgiving?

Due to some issues with my husband's planning, our original plans for Nov 24-27 fell through but we already have flights to Orlando before we board our cruise on Magic on the 27th.

I called DVC and much as I feared, all reservations for this period are full. They could find a 1BR at SSR for 26th was all. However, I would need to borrow points to secure this night and did not want to do for one night.

I am not sure what our other options might be. We don't have AP since we planned to go to Disneyland or Alaska next year.

I am thinking if it is unlikely just to do SeaWorld and Aquatica since it's only a few days and I can grab a free hotel on Marriott points.

As to Universal, there customer service sucks and due to a glitch they are holding us to we are NOT going there.

Thanks for any advice. Is there a best time to check for cancellations?

Still smiling becuase we have never taken 7 day cruise and our DS is looking foward to it so much!

 

[Rob S.]

Is there a best time to check for cancellations

Why not just add your name to the wait list? This way you won't have to call and check. Anything's possible and I would bet that once you get to the 30 day mark, something will free up. Whatever does free up will go to the folks that have already been on the wait list for several months. The sooner you get added to a wait list the better.

 

[alady89]

Unfortunately, we would have to borrow points and then if wait list does not come through we would be stuck with points in this year. We are have Feb month and would not be able to use points if wait list did not come through.

Thus, I think all I can do is to keep checking

 

[wildernessDad]

Unfortunately, we would have to borrow points and then if wait list does not come through we would be stuck with points in this year. We are have Feb month and would not be able to use points if wait list did not come through.

Thus, I think all I can do is to keep checking

The points aren't borrowed until the actual reservation is made.

 

[ccgirl]

Can you just pay cash for one night at a value resort?

 

[alady89]

Yes, we could and that is last option. $150 night for values is kind of high for values and of course, all the "free" options don't exist for that week.

As to points not being used until your waitlist comes through, the CM i spoke with said the points needed to be available or they could not wait list for us.

If this is not true, would their be a best resort to try for? Maybe SSR or OKW. We own at Kidani but in last two years of owning their have not been able to stay there due to no availability.

Last Novemeber, we had to stay at BCV because only it and SSR had availabilty.

I think I am learning I may need my 11 month advantage to ever get anythigng at Kidani.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, we could and that is last option. $150 night for values is kind of high for values and of course, all the "free" options don't exist for that week.

As to points not being used until your waitlist comes through, the CM i spoke with said the points needed to be available or they could not wait list for us.

If this is not true, would their be a best resort to try for? Maybe SSR or OKW. We own at Kidani but in last two years of owning their have not been able to stay there due to no availability.

Last Novemeber, we had to stay at BCV because only it and SSR had availabilty.

I think I am learning I may need my 11 month advantage to ever get anythigng at Kidani.

Don't book, but go on the waitlist for all of the nights you want and they will make a note to borrow the points if the waitlist becomes available. Why don't you book something maybe with the Marriott or Value resort something that you can cancel without penalty. Given the time of year, I would want to be on site. I would waitlist for SSR and OKW, whatever sort of villa you want.

Bobbi

 

[alady89]

Ok,

I will ck w/ CM Monday about that. Good idea about back up plan. I have never made room only reservation on site. Always booked packages prior to DVC.

Can you make cash reservation and cancel? Do you pay up front or just make normal hotel reservation?


Thank you for your help!

 

[bobbiwoz]

MS is opened on weekends, I would call tomorrow. I think that you can cancel a cash reservation at Disney 5 days before arriving with no penalty. Get something and here's some for your waitlist! DH has cancelled Marriott reservations on points. DH says any Marriott penalty could depend on the hotel, and how far in advance. He's never encountered a penalty.

Bobbi

 

[MinnieGi]

I vote for Sea World/Aquatica! We did three days there last summer after a cruise and had a wonderful time!! It was something different and my kids loved both!!

I'll tell ya T-week is hard to get your waitlist and I know this from experience. We've been several T-weeks and tried to waitlist for another resort just for variety but nothing opened up.

 

[alady89]

Thanks for the suggestions.

We did end up waitlist but at Kidani and OKW. And I must have misunderstood CM, because they will not borrow until something comes through.

After much debate, we waitlisted for 24th and 25th. Thinking we would rent a car Friday and drive down to port so we can board early on Magic since we leave Nove 27 on our first 7 day cruise ever!!! Yipee, now if I can ever decide which dolphin experience is best. With 2 at Cozemel and one at GC, I am so torn.

But back to the T-Giving dillemma. I have been calling twice daily looking for any studio, any resort for those dates. We really aren't picky and all the resorts look lovely. We actually lucked out last year and got a studio/ 1 BR at Beach Club prior to T-Giving at the 5 month mark.

Well, we have been told the same all the time. No availabity with fleeting 1 BR availabity at OKW or BW. But yesterday they had 1 night in a studion at WL for Thanksgiving night. Jumped on it and booked w/ the idea of making a back up cash reservation. I then waitlisted for the 24th for WL, hoping it might come through. Due to the cruise we did, I am limited on points. Because funny as it is, the 24th and 26th, but not the 25th were available at BW in 1 BR.

Anyways, I am wondering now if my odds of my waitlist coming through for the 24th at WL are better? And I guess I will keep checking each day, wish me luck!

I spoke to very nice CM today and she said not to give up hope. Yesterday, around 20 rooms at BCV were released to inventory for Columbus Day weekend. She said they weren't there and then someone called to check, and suddenly there was availability. I am not sure why a block is released? Maybe a veteran on the boards would know.

Anyways, thanks for all the great ideas. We know whatever happens, it will be magical.

Thanks everyone