Wait List - I'm booking for friends, Question Please and also David's Question

[js]

Hi.

I am booking my friend's vacation. They are taking their son/dil and two grandchildren.
September 10-17.

For two weeks, I have been wanting to book the GFVs, 2 bedroom, any view.
Of course, they waited and she wanted to wait until after we all went out to dinner this weekend (why I had to wait no clue).

So on Saturday, I got the credit card information and ready to book today and like I knew by waiting, the GVFs are sold out for September 10 and again that Wednesday. I know I can book other resorts but it is their first trip with the grandchildren and they are very use to staying in deluxe accommodations. They didn't even ask me where they were staying LOL OMG

Anyway, I wanted a point transfer into my own DVC account so I can be in charge of it and know there will be zero chance of any possibility of not renting from a decent renter, but couldn't find a large point transfer (or people just don't answer on the thread) so contacted Davids. I have asked that they please book the dates available and waitlist the two other dates (this morning when I checked only September 10 was not available, now that Wednesday, too, is not available).

Do you think there may be a good possibility that the two bedroom dates will become available?
I went online to book the dates as a cash ressie that will be on waitlist (just sent to David's so I have not heard from them yet) but it also looks like no availability??? So frustrating that we didn't have to wait and now we do. Also, if I see the dates become available myself, what do I need to do? Contact David's immediately? I know sometimes we can see something open up before a waitlist is confirmed. I have never done waitlist so I am not sure about any of this.

Also, I cannot book their ADRs, correct, until I have a confirmation of lodging from Davids? Is that correct?
So, I may as well wait to purchase park tickets too, since the first thing I really need is the lodging. I figure I'll make their MDE account when I have the lodging too.

Thanks so much! So frustrated that it didn't have to be this way! UUGGGHHH

 

[_auroraborealis_]

David's won't waitlist.

ADRs can be booked at 180 days, whether you have a reservation or not.

 

[js]

David's won't waitlist.

ADRs can be booked at 180 days, whether you have a reservation or not.

Oh, thank you very much. This is very good to know.
I need a point transfer.
Must go and start this process.
So annoying I could have had it all completed on Friday.
Thanks about the ADRs.

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't have to answer, but I'm confused.

Were you originally booking with your own points? If so, why *did you* wait?

Were you booking through WDW?

If everything is sold out, how is a transfer going to help? And that's a pretty big transfer, yes? (remember that point transfers are prohibited from having financial compensation, so be very careful to NOT mention any compensation when talking to MS)

And since she is the one that delayed and caused this problem, why are you bending over backwards to help? I mean, it's nice of you and all, but still...she caused it.

 

[maburke]

BLT, VWL, and AKV-K are all available for all your dates. There may be others, but those are all beautiful, deluxe resorts. If I were you, I'd book one of those, depending on their preferences. No way would I deal with the uncertainty of a wait list in this situation.

 

[TaraPA]

I wouldn't count on a waitlist coming through for 2BR GFV in September, way too uncertain. Go with something else that IS available and waitlist GFV, and walk away. Also a point transfer may not be as quick as you want, I've done them before & last year's didn't go so smoothly on the other person's end, and it ended up taking over 3 weeks to get the transfer done. I wasn't in a rush so I didn't back out (I could have), but just know they don't always go through quickly. I wouldn't involve David's - let them do that themselves if that's the route that's decided upon. In any event, I hope they enjoy a magical trip!

 

[TaraPA]

Also something else to keep in mind - if you like to do all the booking online, you can't with a point transfer. You will have to call Member Services to do anything with those points in your account. I don't like having to call them, so to me, that's a major disadvantage to point transfers.

 

[js]

Thank you all.
I booked the Grand Floridian two bedroom and waitlisted September 10 and September 14. I booked with someone I have used before
so I am locked in now. Can I call and do a cash ressie for both days in case the waitlist does not go through and if so, would they be
able to stay in the same room?

 

[js]

You don't have to answer, but I'm confused.

Were you originally booking with your own points? If so, why *did you* wait?

Were you booking through WDW?

If everything is sold out, how is a transfer going to help? And that's a pretty big transfer, yes? (remember that point transfers are prohibited from having financial compensation, so be very careful to NOT mention any compensation when talking to MS)

And since she is the one that delayed and caused this problem, why are you bending over backwards to help? I mean, it's nice of you and all, but still...she caused it.

Thank you. No, these are our close friends. They asked me to book their full trip. They don't even know where they are staying. I have their credit card.
My points are all accounted for for my own trips. I was going to do a point transfer into my account so I could have full control of the reservation and not have
to count/worry about anyone else. All dates were open. I asked on the rent/trade but sometimes people don't even answer.
Then, I wanted to book (rent from Davids) last week when everything was open but my friend isn't aware of how important it is to do things ASAP so they
waited until Saturday to give me the card and talk about it even though there is nothing to talk about since I am not working with any type of budget.

I really wanted their first time there after many, many years to be special, especially since they are taking their two grandchildren. They are use to staying
in very nice accommodations but now I have two nights waitlisted. I really didn't think it would be a problem with a two bedroom in September at the GFVs. I have stayed there twice already in September without any problems booking. Anyway, that is what it is right now.

Can I call and do a cash reservation for both waitlisted days and have them not move if the waitlist does not come through?

Thank you.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Can I call and do a cash ressie for both days in case the waitlist does not go through and if so, would they be
able to stay in the same room?

Probably not, and probably not. It's unlikely you can book the GFV those two days cash.

 

[js]

Thank you so much!

I think I will reach out to the person I rented from and see if he can move them to BLT. I want them on the monorail.

 

[js]

Thank you all for your honesty and informing me.
I contacted the person I rented the points from and moved my friends from GFVs, 2 bedroom, with a waitlist for a Saturday and Wednesday
to BLT, 2 bedroom, Lake View with all dates available.
Do you all think I did the right thing? I really REALLY wanted them to stay at GFVs but it is what it is.
Thank you all again!

 

[js]

BLT, VWL, and AKV-K are all available for all your dates. There may be others, but those are all beautiful, deluxe resorts. If I were you, I'd book one of those, depending on their preferences. No way would I deal with the uncertainty of a wait list in this situation.

Thank you. I wanted them on the monorail so I ended up moving them to BLT, Lake View (all that was available). I asked about a Grand Villa (at GF which was available) but I guess they do have a budget since she told me she rather the two bedroom LOL

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The BLT 2BR is very nice, and hopefully it will be freshly refurbished.

 

[js]

The BLT 2BR is very nice, and hopefully it will be freshly refurbished.

Thank you and thank you again for your input. It was all of your input that had me move or I would still be at GFVs with two waitlists.
I have stayed at BLT twice before. I think it is just okay but I know many people love it. Is it suppose to be refurbished? It was my second choice
after GFVs. I wanted them on a monorail and the studios at Poly weren't an option for me. I don't love it there either especially for a first trip I wanted
them to have a full kitchen and washer/dryer.

Thank you all again!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you and thank you again for your input. It was all of your input that had me move or I would still be at GFVs with two waitlists.
I have stayed at BLT twice before. I think it is just okay but I know many people love it. Is it suppose to be refurbished? It was my second choice
after GFVs. I wanted them on a monorail and the studios at Poly weren't an option for me. I don't love it there either especially for a first trip I wanted
them to have a full kitchen and washer/dryer.

Thank you all again!

They're doing a soft goods refurb at BLT right now. Sheers on the windows, etc.

BLT and the Contemporary are classic Disney in how they connect to Magic Kingdom and the Monorail.

 

[js]

They're doing a soft goods refurb at BLT right now. Sheers on the windows, etc.

BLT and the Contemporary are classic Disney in how they connect to Magic Kingdom and the Monorail.

Oh my! I TOTALLY forgot about walking to the MK! A BIG PLUS. They have a 3 and 2 year old and I was able to snag a 6:40 pm ressie at Chef Mickeys for their first night.
OK, thanks so much! They are doing two MK days so this is a great thing! Thanks!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The splash pads, the walk to MK, the monorail... honestly, BLT is a great choice!

 

[maburke]

They will absolutely love BLT. Especially with grandkids that small, the elegance of GF would escape them, but to be in the hotel that the monorail runs right through? That's a memory I still cherish from my childhood (and the reason I bought BLT the moment it came available). And walking to MK and monorail home is the best. And reservation at Chef Mickey's? They're gonna love you.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And the splash area, if it's warm enough to use, may be better with a 3 and a 2, than the water area at VGF.