Wait list for BCV and BWV

[chuckcorden]

I already have a reservation for SSR for the first week of October . I have two questions:

1. When I call member services to inquire about the availability of either BCV or BWV and then, if necessary, ask to be placed on the wait lists, do I have to inform them of my rezzie at SSR? Or will they know that anyway?

2. Since my SSR rezzie is for Oct. 1-6, do I have to wait until March 6 before I can make my inquiries? I think I do but figure I might as well ask.

Thanks.

 

[CarolMN]

I already have a reservation for SSR for the first week of October . I have two questions:

1. When I call member services to inquire about the availability of either BCV or BWV and then, if necessary, ask to be placed on the wait lists, do I have to inform them of my rezzie at SSR? Or will they know that anyway?

The CM will know. If you plan to cancel your SSR reservation for the BWV reservation, you're going to want to tell MS exactly how you want to handle it anyway. Will you keep the SSR reservation until you get all the days at the BWV and then cancel the SSR reservation? Will you have to cancel the SSR reservatrion to have enough points to book the BWV reservation? If you don't specify, you may end up borrowing points when you did not intend to do so or even having two reservations for the same dates.

2. Since my SSR rezzie is for Oct. 1-6, do I have to wait until March 6 before I can make my inquiries? I think I do but figure I might as well ask.

Thanks.

Depends. If you are only going to make one call and your check out is 10/6, then yes, March 6 is the day to call.

If you are going to call day by day for the reservation (because that will be the best chance of getting a BWV reservation at 7 months), then you can call for your first night on March 2 (because 10/2 is the check out date for the night of October 1). Then you continue to call until you have all the days. If you can't get a day, you waitlist for it individually.

If you don't have enough points to hold the SSR reservation until you have all the days at the BWV, th day by day method is a bit risky. You could end up having to move between resorts. If that bothers you, then you'll want to make one call for the whole trip and if necessary, waitlist for the whole trip to become available at once. That has less of a chance of working than calling for each day individually, but at least you can plan to stay in one resort for the whole trip.

 

[BroganMc]

Carol,

Another what if for you. If I were to book a 12 day stay at one resort and wanted to swap 3 of those days at the beginning for another (like BWV in late Sep/early Oct), what's the best way to do it?

I'm thinking of reserving a 1 bedroom at SSR next year at 11 mos out, but trying to get the first 3 days in a studio at BWV. Points are cheaper. Just do a day-by-day call and wait list the whole trip and have them cancel days at SSR?

 

[chuckcorden]

Will you keep the SSR reservation until you get all the days at the BWV and then cancel the SSR reservation? Will you have to cancel the SSR reservatrion to have enough points to book the BWV reservation? If you don't specify, you may end up borrowing points when you did not intend to do so or even having two reservations for the same dates.

I'll have enough points to keep my SSR reservation and book a B*V reservation day by day if it comes to that.

Depends. If you are only going to make one call and your check out is 10/6, then yes, March 6 is the day to call.

If you are going to call day by day for the reservation (because that will be the best chance of getting a BWV reservation at 7 months), then you can call for your first night on March 2 (because 10/2 is the check out date for the night of October 1). Then you continue to call until you have all the days. If you can't get a day, you waitlist for it individually.

That day-by-day calling seems kind of over the top but since you mention it, it must work. Have you tried it?

I guess it would work this way: I call on March 6 for a) five nights at B*V and if I'm not successful then b) ask if Oct. 1 is available. If it is, fine; if it is not, that I ask to be placed on the wait list for that day.

Since it is less than 7 months, I could go on and ask about Oct. 2, 3, 4, and 5 as I did with Oct. 1, reserving where available; being placed on wait list, if necessary. Meanwhile, I keep my SSR reservation until I have my five nights at B*V reserved.

I'm gathering that this would work better if I decided on either BWV or BCV as the resort I wanted to stay at. Of course, first I would ask if that week were available at the BWV or BCV. If not then, then I would decide between resorts for the day-by-day reserving.

How does that sound? I'm sorry that I'm taking so much time going over this but this is my first time trying this (couldn't you guess? ).

Maybe it would be easier if I purchased 75 or 100 points at B*V so I can reserve 11 months in advance so I could attend the IF&WF with going through all these contortions.

 

[CarolMN]

I'll have enough points to keep my SSR reservation and book a B*V reservation day by day if it comes to that.



That day-by-day calling seems kind of over the top but since you mention it, it must work. Have you tried it?

Good that you have enough points to hold the SSR reservation until you get what you want at the BWV. That means you can afford to use the waitlist with fewer worries.

Day by Day may seem over the top, but if you want to stay at the BWV in October or November or December you have to do it - especially if you can't book until the 7 month window opens. Trust me, you will have lots of competition for any remaining availability. I'd recommend you plan to call as soon as MS opens for the day.

Yes, I call day by day for my BWV reservations as soon as the 11 month window opens. But that's because I either want a standard view room or a Boardwalk view room. Those room categories are limited and very popular with my fellow BWV owners. This year I'm traveling the last week of October - just recently read that the BWV are completely booked for some of those days (all room types and categories). So unless some BWV owners are planning to switch out at 7 months, everyone else who wants the BWV for that week will be out of luck! Usually I travel during the first two weeks of December - the SV & BW view rooms often sell out within the first few hours of the window opening for that time.

I guess it would work this way: I call on March 6 for a) five nights at B*V and if I'm not successful then b) ask if Oct. 1 is available. If it is, fine; if it is not, that I ask to be placed on the wait list for that day.

Since it is less than 7 months, I could go on and ask about Oct. 2, 3, 4, and 5 as I did with Oct. 1, reserving where available; being placed on wait list, if necessary. Meanwhile, I keep my SSR reservation until I have my five nights at B*V reserved.

I'm gathering that this would work better if I decided on either BWV or BCV as the resort I wanted to stay at. Of course, first I would ask if that week were available at the BWV or BCV. If not then, then I would decide between resorts for the day-by-day reserving.

How does that sound? I'm sorry that I'm taking so much time going over this but this is my first time trying this (couldn't you guess? ).

You could do it that way, but you'd be putting yourself at a disadvantage - Plenty of other members will call day by day and go on the waitlist ahead of you if you wait until the 6th to ask about the other days.

Really, I'd call on March 2 and see if I could get October 1. If not, I'd ask to waitlist. Then I'd call on March 3 and ask about October 2. Then I'd call on Monday, March 5 and ask about October 3 and 4. (MS is closed on Sundays). Again, if the days weren't available, I'd ask to waitlist. MS is used to people reserving day by day. They will link everything together for you and hold the confirmation letter until you are finished calling.

If it were me, I would hold out for the days to come through on the waitlist (assuming I had to waitlist) until 31 days prior to arrival or my banking deadline, which ever came first. I'd probably give up and stay at SSR if either of those deadlines arrived without the waitlists coming through.

Of course, it's up to you. You are the one who has to make the calls. You are the one who has to decide how much "hassle" staying at BCV or BWV is worth compared to staying at SSR.

I'm sure you will have a good time no matter where you decide to stay.

Maybe it would be easier if I purchased 75 or 100 points at B*V so I can reserve 11 months in advance so I could attend the IF&WF with going through all these contortions.

LOL, easier, but more expensive and you'll still have to call day by day - because you will either want the standard view rooms or you will fall in love with the BW view rooms and both those things require day by day calling! (But as an owner, you at least have a good shot at getting them. It's very, very rare for someone to get SV or BW view at 7 months for F&W Festival time.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

Carol,

Another what if for you. If I were to book a 12 day stay at one resort and wanted to swap 3 of those days at the beginning for another (like BWV in late Sep/early Oct), what's the best way to do it?

I'm thinking of reserving a 1 bedroom at SSR next year at 11 mos out, but trying to get the first 3 days in a studio at BWV. Points are cheaper. Just do a day-by-day call and wait list the whole trip and have them cancel days at SSR?

Late September will be easier to book than October. If you call day by day at 7 months, you may not have to waitlist for September dates. Since SSR will be easy to book at that time, I'd just book the 9 days at SSR with one call at 11 months. Then I'd call day by day for the BWV at 7 months. I'd waitlist for any day not readily available. The days should come through - I'd say give it until at least 60 days prior to arrival. If theydidn't come through by then, I'd probably give up and book SSR - I'd try again some other time.

But again, I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with late September.

Good luck.

 

[chuckcorden]

Yes, I call day by day for my BWV reservations as soon as the 11 month window opens. But that's because I either want a standard view room or a Boardwalk view room. Those room categories are limited and very popular with my fellow BWV owners.

You even have to go through the day-by-day calling when you have an 11 month reservation window? Incredible. Or is this just for the Boardwalk view/standard view rooms. Not for Preferred view rooms? I assume a similar situation exists for BCV.

IMHO, this kinda defeats the purpose of an 11 month window, doesn't it? Eleven months are given to those who would like to book rezzies at their home resorts ahead of anybody else. It is supposed to be an advantage.

But is the daily calling that you describe caused by the fact that the IF&WF occurs in October and that BCV and BWV are so close to EPCOT?

If I would have to do this every year for an October trip then maybe I should rethink my plans. I like being close to the IF&WF but I don't know if I like it that much.

Anyway, I would like to hear what you say. I am learning a lot.

Thanks.

 

[BroganMc]

Late September will be easier to book than October. If you call day by day at 7 months, you may not have to waitlist for September dates. Since SSR will be easy to book at that time, I'd just book the 9 days at SSR with one call at 11 months.

My only caveat is needing a HA room. That's why I'd book the entire 12 days at SSR at 11 mos. I could possibly make do with a non HA room for a couple days before my trip (would mean no shower for me). And going from a SSR 1 bed to BWV studio would mean fewer points used and ready for banking.

But again, I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with late September.

How late works? Like the 28, 29, 30 when they are Sun-Tue still available? I'm less worried about being there for F&W and more for just the area and cheaper points. I think I'd prefer May and the F&G fest.

Anyhow, to my original question, they let you cancel a few days of your trip without having to rebook the rest, right? I'd hate to be in a situation of losing my HA room at SSR because I'm attempting to get a few days at another resort before.

Thanks for all your info!

 

[aesalsa]

I am in a similar situation.

I have a 1-bedroom booked at SSR for Oct.20-Oct.29, but I would like to waitlist for BWV/BCV as well. I do not have enough points to hold the existing SSR reservation and book another one.

I may have misunderstood some things I have read on these boards, but I thought that I could start calling on March 21 to try to get B*V or waitlist. If I waitlist, then I book SSR for that day, and repeat the process as needed. Of course this is given that I would cancel the SSR reservations that I have now before going through all of the above. Am I understanding this correctly??

BTW, I am willing to move to/from a resort once during our stay, not more because we'll have our baby with us.

And is there any advantage to having a waitlist automatically confirmed against having MS call you?

Thank you for any info, and thank you, chuckcorden .

 

[LisaS]

You even have to go through the day-by-day calling when you have an 11 month reservation window? Incredible. Or is this just for the Boardwalk view/standard view rooms. Not for Preferred view rooms? I assume a similar situation exists for BCV.

It's just for the Boardwalk view or standard view rooms. About 20% of the rooms at BWV are standard view, about 20% are Boardwalk view and about 60% are Preferred Pool and Garden view. If a BWV owner wants a standard view or Boardwalk view room during a busy time (F&W, early Dec, etc.), it's best to call day by day to be sure you get what you want.

IMHO, this kinda defeats the purpose of an 11 month window, doesn't it? Eleven months are given to those who would like to book rezzies at their home resorts ahead of anybody else. It is supposed to be an advantage.

But is the daily calling that you describe caused by the fact that the IF&WF occurs in October and that BCV and BWV are so close to EPCOT?

Yes, it's because many of the people who own at BWV bought there so they could stay there for the F&W festival so BWV books up quickly during that time. Many BWV owners like to save points so the standard view rooms book up very quickly. Other BWV owners really like the Boardwalk view so those rooms also get booked quickly. So booking day by day helps a BWV owner secure the view they want during these very popular times.

If I would have to do this every year for an October trip then maybe I should rethink my plans. I like being close to the IF&WF but I don't know if I like it that much.

A BWV owner who didn't mind staying in a Preferred View/Pool & Garden room could wait to book the entire stay with one phone call. It's only those BWV owners who want standard view or Boardwalk view who need to call day by day for F&W dates. At the 7-month window there will be a lot of non-owners competing to get into BWV and BCV. If you don't call day by day, you can be sure that others will, so they will have first dibs on any available rooms and be ahead of you on the waiting list for any dates that are already fully booked.

 

[LisaS]

I'm not familiar with using the waitlist but I can help with one of your questions.

I have a 1-bedroom booked at SSR for Oct.20-Oct.29, but I would like to waitlist for BWV/BCV as well.... I may have misunderstood some things I have read on these boards, but I thought that I could start calling on March 21 to try to get B*V or waitlist.

Yes, if you want to book B*V day by day, you would make your first call on March 21st to book the night of Oct 20th. You would call again on Mar 22nd to add Oct 21st to your reservation, and again on Mar 23rd to add Oct 22nd, and so on until you have booked your entire stay.

 

[chuckcorden]

Thank you for any info, and thank you, chuckcorden .[/COLOR]

You're entirely welcome. I hope you are not as confused as I am.

And BTW, that's a great wedding photo and congrats on the baby. My daughter has a 19 month old and a three week old so we know all about babies and diapers and--- well, you know.

 

[chuckcorden]

It's just for the Boardwalk view or standard view rooms. About 20% of the rooms at BWV are standard view, about 20% are Boardwalk view and about 60% are Preferred Pool and Garden view. If a BWV owner wants a standard view or Boardwalk view room during a busy time (F&W, early Dec, etc.), it's best to call day by day to be sure you get what you want.

. . . Many BWV owners like to save points so the standard view rooms book up very quickly. Other BWV owners really like the Boardwalk view so those rooms also get booked quickly. So booking day by day helps a BWV owner secure the view they want during these very popular times.

A BWV owner who didn't mind staying in a Preferred View/Pool & Garden room could wait to book the entire stay with one phone call. It's only those BWV owners who want standard view or Boardwalk view who need to call day by day for F&W dates.

I'm confused. Are you saying that many owners do not want the Preferred view rooms? Those rooms and the Boardwalk view rooms cost the same number of points. I would think the quiet of the P. view rooms would appeal to many people.

Anyway, if I can get by with one call for a P. view room, I would run, not walk, to the phone.

Again, thanks. I'm learning alot.

 

[crisi]

I'm confused. Are you saying that many owners do not want the Preferred view rooms? Those rooms and the Boardwalk view rooms cost the same number of points. I would think the quiet of the P. view rooms would appeal to many people.

Anyway, if I can get by with one call for a P. view room, I would run, not walk, to the phone.

Again, thanks. I'm learning alot.

Preferred view rooms are the most misnamed, because I doubt any BWV owner actually prefers them.

Standard View rooms save points - great value. And the view isn't bad.

Boardwalk View rooms are the same cost as preferred view rooms (or BCV or WVL rooms) and have a guarenteed view which a lot of people think is the best in Disney. We weren't wowed like others, but I'll take this room over preferred, because its consistant.

Preferred view rooms are a crapshoot. Some of them are nearly indistiguishable from the Boardwalk View rooms (the Village Green Rooms), others are next door to Standard View rooms for more points. Some have views that are subjectively worse than the standard view rooms.

So most people will take one of the other two rooms before taking a "preferred view" room. To a lot of people, its really important.

BCV doesn't have the problem - except for the two queen dedicateds. The resort can fill before the seven month window opens for F&W, but it doesn't have its owners all competing for 40% of the resort.