Two questions

[stormer]

We have stayed on our points many times, but I have two questions about my trip next year that I haven’t encountered before.
1. I usually just wait until 7 months and book what is available so we can try different places. I think I should book next years trip at 11 months and then try to switch at 7 months. Can I do it online? Does it give me an option to switch my original reservation to a new one or do I have to cancel the original one?
2 This trip would be 8 nights. If I book the first seven nights as soon as possible and then try to add the eighth night, does it just let me add it to my existing reservation? Do I book one night one online and call to combine the reservations?
We are usually just easy about short quick trips and staying anywhere so it has been easy. I tried reading up on these topics, but I just want to be sure I am doing it right. Thanks for the help!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I can answer question 1 from experience. You would go into your DVC account at 7 months and click on your 11-month reservation. You then would click the MODIFY button, and it will allow you to view what's available to replace your original reservation. If nothing is available, you can cancel and just keep your original. If your 7-month resort is available as a replacement, you can make the change. There are a couple 'stop' points to verify with you that you want to make such a change. The online system will also give you options regarding which points you want to use for the modified reservation.

I've not booked a room more than 7 nights, so not sure how that works. I might make the original 7 night reservation online, and then the next morning call MS to have them assist me with the 8th night. Some might have better information for you on this scenario.

 

[RuntheMouse]

You can add your 8th night onto the same reservation the next day by using the modify button.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You can add your 8th night onto the same reservation the next day by using the modify button.

Thanks - learned something new!

 

[drusba]

In each case on-line, all you need to do is use the "modify" section of the site to change your existing reservation. If you make a reservation at 11-months out exactly, you can reserve only 7-nights. However, the next day, you can go online and modify that reservation to the same one you already have plus one extra night, i.e., turn it into an 8-night reservation. When doing the modification, your original reservation remains intact until you get to the end of the process online and actually modify it. Thus, if for any reason you cannot complete the modification, you will still have your original reservation.

At 7-months out, and you find another resort you want is open, you can change the reservation you have by using the modify section of the site. However, you will not be able to change to 8 nights at exactly 7-months out, because at exactly 7-months out you will be allowed to book only up to 7-nights for a resort you do not own. In other words, to actually complete your desired change, you will need, at exactly 7-months out, to change the reservation to one for 7-nights, and then hope you get lucky the next day when you can add a night to that reservation. If having an 8-night reservation is critical, you will be faced with the issue that there is some possibility that the 8th night you want may not be there if you succeed in changing to a 7-night reservation at exactly 7-months out, and then, before you get to change it the next day to add an 8th night, that 8th night disappears from availability.

 

[stormer]

Thank you all for the help. It all makes sense now!