Waitlist - does calling help

[wheelcap]

I've been waiting for it to come through, but no luck yet. I'm just wondering if you can get what you want any faster by calling to check on it, or see if "a human on the phone" can find something that the computer doesn't.

 

[msd1962]

I think this depends on the waitlist. We had a split stay 4 days at SSR and then 4 at BCV. We were waitlisted for 4 days at BCV. I called every day or every other to see if the last day of my ssr reservation was availble and after several weeks of taking one day off at a time as able to get all 8 at BCV. If I had waited for all 4 I might still be waiting.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

If I had waited for all 4 I might still be waiting.

I totally agree. It gets a little dicey because you can only have two waitlists, but I still do it. It is particularly useful when you are at the 7 month window and just past. Usually within the first week after 7 months, most of the days are sorted out. The remainder usually take longer. I stop calling when the waitlists are single day/single resort ones.

There are quite a few posters that believe calling helps. I certainly don't think it hurts if you have the time.

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi wheelcap,
One time I was on a waitlist and I called just to make sure I was still on the list. While on the phone I was told something had just become available so I booked it immediately. I am not sure if it was just luck, though it worked out well.

Another time I went on a waitlist for a Holiday weekend. I had not been on the list very long when I received my reservation confirmation in the mail. I was not expecting it to come through so quickly so I did considering calling.

I think it is hit or miss though I don't think it could hurt to call. Good luck!
________
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

 

[disneynutz]

There have been mixed reports.

Some say it doesn't make any difference and that the MS computers do a great job of matching. Others report that their wait-list magically comes through when they call.

Our last successful wait-list was filled by a person not the computer because they called me to ask a question.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have had waitlists come through, but I've never gotten a waitlist match because I called. I know it seems to work for some here, but it's also true that I don't want a partial match, I'm usually looking for the whole thing. I understand that taking a day here and there may make it easier for the remainder to come through.

Bobbi

 

[Sandisw]

It could help if you have other interests beside the 2 WL limit.

I am WL'd for two nights in August (studio) BCV and BLT. But I had to choose a view for BLT so it will only fill if LV becomes available.

But, I would also take 2 nights at VWL and would be willing to move from a studio to a 1 bedroom if available.

I called yesterday and still nothing, but I was able to have the CM check those other categories that I can't WL because of the limit.

I don't know if I will call every day (since it is so close and a long shot that anything will open up), but once the BCV WL cancels (31 days out), I will be able to add another BLT view.

Good luck!

 

[wheelcap]

I was just kind of thinking that - well - maybe the computer re-assigns rooms in the evening after MS closes, but if something is released during the day it just sits there until those evening assignments are made. Then, if I call during the day, I might catch it between the time the person canceled and the time the computer re-assigns it. Maybe that's how these rooms "magically" become available when people call.

 

[tink4ever]

I have been waitlisted for almost 6 months now for BCV. I have BWV booked and it will be fine if it doesn't come thru but they say they take you off the waitlist a month before your vaca so that only leaves us one more week of waitlist. Maybe today I will try and call and see if they can help. It doesn't look like it will come thru for us though.

 

[TAKitty]

I was stringing some days together and waitlisted at BWV. I called two days later in the morning hours and they had a day for me. It was not because of the waitlist that I got the day. It was because of the call.

I wish there was more of a science to the waitlist.

 

[jekjones1558]

I was just kind of thinking that - well - maybe the computer re-assigns rooms in the evening after MS closes, but if something is released during the day it just sits there until those evening assignments are made. Then, if I call during the day, I might catch it between the time the person canceled and the time the computer re-assigns it. Maybe that's how these rooms "magically" become available when people call.

I believe that this is exactly what happens, so calling can increase odds of having a waitlist clear. For highly sought dates it would be entirely possible that you could lose a date you need because someone cancels during the day and someone else calls to book that date before the waitlist matching software has been able to make the match. I had this very thing happen to me and the only reason I knew it was that the person who got the date I had waitlisted for 10 months was a friend and I found out inadvertently. MS initially denied the problem but did eventually admit that there is a flaw in the system.

 

[jpolak]

I was calling almost everyday to check my waitlist as well as the other views at the BW. All it was doing was making me crazy so I decided to stop calling and let the chips fall where they may. What's the worst that could happen? I end up staying in a beautiful big room at OKW?