Waitlist chances: VGF lake view down to standard view?

[Kwaschitz]

At about 10 months, I was only able to get a lake view studio for my May trip. This will use almost all of my points for the year - to the extent that I would not be able to book at a lower points resort during adventure season...but if I have standard view, I will have enough points for a couple of nights.

Right now I have a waitlist for 7 days out to downgrade to standard view. We just bought our points in 2013, so I really don't know how likely the waitlist is to come through having never really done it. Since I'd like to look at a fall/winter trip, I'm wondering if you all can help me to figure out if it's something I should even bother hoping for.

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

Don't plan on it and if it happens it happens. There are so many variables with waitlists that you can't count on them.

We don't do waitlists any more and decided that spending the money for more contracts was the key to our happiness.

Bill

 

[Kwaschitz]

Bill, I like the way you think! Unfortunately, right now my budget doesn't

Kind of crossing my fingers that next year will be better and will allow us some Poly points (split stays between the two will be easy peasy!)

 

[DMKEDM]

One thing to consider: if you keep your W/L active til 7 days out, if it does come thru between 31 days and 7 days out the points you save from going from LV to SV will go into holding--and you will only be able to book w/those points at 60 days (or less) out from your next trip. Depending on when that can occur, that can be a huge availability issue...

The only way to avoid that is to stop your W/L at 31 (or is it 30? my brain is burping just now and I can't remember) days out...

Another thought: "Stalk the website" for availability and consider trying to piece together your stay a night or two at a time...one and two night W/Ls tend to fill much more frequently than longer time frames...and one night here and one night there does open up quite often...there is a risk, of course, that you won't get all your nights and you'll wind up having to change rooms (possibly multiple times) if you get some but not all your nights in a SV...whether you're willing to do that is a personal decision that only you can make...

Good luck!!!

 

[cmrdgrs]

Agree with DMKEDM. I wouldn't keep your WL until 7 days out and risk having points go into holding. If it doesn't fill by 31 days out, just keep what you have and be happy if you want to stay at VGF.

 

[Kwaschitz]

What does points going in to holding actually mean? (I told you, total newbie on this!)

Looks like I should go back in and modify my waitlist request to be safe.

 

[cmrdgrs]

What does points going in to holding actually mean? (I told you, total newbie on this!)

Looks like I should go back in and modify my waitlist request to be safe.

Holding Account Vacation Points -- If a confirmed reservation is canceled thirty (30) days or less before the arrival date, the Home Resort Vacation Points used to make that reservation are placed into a Holding Account. "Holding Account Vacation Points" are subject to the following restrictions:

1) Holding Account Vacation Points can only be used to book reservations within sixty (60) days of check in.

2) Holding Account Vacation Points must be used for reservations during their Use Year. Any Holding Account Vacation Points remaining in the Holding Account at the end of the Use Year will expire.

3) Holding Account Vacation Points cannot be Banked.

4) Holding Account Vacation Points used to reserve and stay during the last 60 days of a Use Year may be used for reservations at any DVC Resort.

 

[disneynutz]

What does points going in to holding actually mean? (I told you, total newbie on this!)

Looks like I should go back in and modify my waitlist request to be safe.

The member website will help you get up to speed, check out the My Membership and Vacation Planning sections.

Bill

 

[Kwaschitz]

You are wonderful - thanks everyone. I knew that canceling the reservation late would have consequences, but had no clue that it would also apply to the extra points if I waitlisted for a lesser points res with the change occurring less than a month out.

One of these days I promise I'll be asking less basic questions - it just might be a year or two from now

 

[cmrdgrs]

You are wonderful - thanks everyone. I knew that canceling the reservation late would have consequences, but had no clue that it would also apply to the extra points if I waitlisted for a lesser points res with the change occurring less than a month out.

One of these days I promise I'll be asking less basic questions - it just might be a year or two from now

Glad we could help! I learned this lesson the hard way, don't feel bad.

Happy travels!

 

[Noelle]

I'm completely shocked...
Our wait list to downgrade from a Lake View Studio to a Standard Studio from December 17th through 24th just came through!!!!
I really did not think it would just because of the popularity of the standard studios. I booked the lake view studio online first thing on morning of the 17th because the standard was already gone, then went and got our 2 bedroom standard. Then I created my wait list for the standard studio, thinking it couldn't hurt to put one in and see if maybe in the fall someone might cancel.
I'm still shocked - but glad I did it because I saved 28 points. :good vibes

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm completely shocked...
Our wait list to downgrade from a Lake View Studio to a Standard Studio from December 17th through 24th just came through!!!!
I really did not think it would just because of the popularity of the standard studios. I booked the lake view studio online first thing on morning of the 17th because the standard was already gone, then went and got our 2 bedroom standard. Then I created my wait list for the standard studio, thinking it couldn't hurt to put one in and see if maybe in the fall someone might cancel.
I'm still shocked - but glad I did it because I saved 28 points. :good vibes

Congratulations!

Right now for May, I have LV and am wait listing SV. I hope I am as lucky as you were!