VWL home - question about 11 month for early Dec. '09 reservation...

[Dodie]

VWL is our home. (We just bought directly from Disney.) I know that VWL is very popular in early December. We've never been to WDW at Christmas time.

If DH and I decide that we want to stay a week in early December 2009 (Sat. 12/5/09- Sat. 12/12/09) --- is it safe to call on 1/13/08 to make the reservation OR, even though it's our home resort, do I have to do that day-by-day thing I hear so many of you talking about? (What a pain in the rear that would be.)

 

[wildernessDad]

To play it safe, I'd do it day by day. We did just that this January for our December 2008 vacation. One MS rep told us that we could just call at the final day of checkout, but we didn't go for it. It's really not bad. It's only a few days for peace of mind.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So far, I've called for our December VWL trips all at once, not day by day, but I can understand a person wanting to "be sure." Once (3 years ago) we were in the process of adding on, resale, and I had to add a few days on to one of our studios (we needed 3 for that reservation) a week or so after the other reservations were made, and it did work. Maybe I was just lucky, I don't know.

If you can, call day by day. I can just imagine how terrible you will feel if you didn't get all of the dates when you call.

Bobbi

 

[DebbieB]

I've done day by day for BWV for the first week of December. It's not that bad. The first day is like any other reservation, they take down all the info. After that, it's quick, you say you want to add a night to your reservation, they confirm it and you're off. You don't have to do it that way but you're taking a chance if you don't.

 

[FLYNZ4]

I've done day by day for BWV for the first week of December. It's not that bad. The first day is like any other reservation, they take down all the info. After that, it's quick, you say you want to add a night to your reservation, they confirm it and you're off. You don't have to do it that way but you're taking a chance if you don't.

Debbie,

Have you checked after the last day was confirmed if the day-by-day was really necessary? Would they have been able to book the entire reservation at that time?

/Jim

 

[dianeschlicht]

We rarely do day by day for any reservation, but at VWL during that time of the year, I might do day by day if I was trying to book a studio or 2 bedroom. If you are looking to book a 1 bedroom, I think you can wait until Jan. 13.

 

[CarolMN]

Jim - I'm pretty sure DebbieB was talking about either a standard view or Boardwalk view at the BWV. IMHO, it is necessary to call day by day to be sure of getting either of those room types without waitlisting in early December. I would not ever call day by day at 11 months to get a Pool/Garden unit for any time of the year, except for New Year's Eve night. That night needs to be booked as soon as the 11 month window opens, no matter the resort or room type.

When we travel in early December (to the BWV), I call day by day as soon as MS opens for business. A few years ago, I forgot to call until after lunch - about 1 PM Eastern. The CM told me I got the last SV 2 bedroom. All the others were taken.

I also call day by day for a SV during Food & Wine Festival, but I did not call day by day for this past late April/early May trip in a SV 1 bedroom. Not a problem.

Anyway, the OP is asking about VWL in early December. I think one call will do it just fine. That said, if the OP wants to "guarantee" no waitlisting, it wouldn't hurt to do day by day, but it will be a pain.

The phones are crazy busy in January with other members booking their early December vacations. Unfortunately, many of them are calling day by day needlessly. It would be nice to avoid being in the "Dialing Derby" with them for 7 or 8 days straight if you can do it without adverse impact on you.

 

[DaveH]

The phones are busy in early Jan also because it is 7 month window for summer as in July ressies also.

 

[DebbieB]

Debbie,

Have you checked after the last day was confirmed if the day-by-day was really necessary? Would they have been able to book the entire reservation at that time?

/Jim

It was BWV boardwalk view, studio. I didn't have a chance to call until around 2:00pm on the first day of the day by day. The cm told me to call earlier the rest of the week because I got the last one. So it was definitely necessary. It might not be necessary for VWL but do you want to take that chance? I would at least call every other day or check in the middle of the week. The fact that you are talking about the first half of December makes me a little leary of waiting.

 

[LakeAriel]

I was in a one bedroom at VWL the second week of December..How beautiful! Anyway, I booked 11 months out day by day at 9 AM..It isn't that bad..I'd rather not leave things to chance.