Waitlist help!

[EpicBilynn]

I'm pretty new to DVC, my mom and I joined in 2012. We've never had to use the waitlist. The first time we used points was for a cruise, the second time we stayed at our home resort SSR and I booked at the 11 month mark. We're going back 2/20-2/27 so my friend and I can run the PHM and I'm trying to book but of course only SSR is available. I could kick myself because AKV was available yesterday and I meant to book and then didn't and today the only day not available at AKV is our arrival day.

Can someone explain to me how the waitlist works. The brief overview on the site isn't helping. I'm the type that likes as much information as I can get.

Should I go ahead and book at SSR and waitlist another resort? How does it work if my waitlist comes through?

 

[jdkdorn]

I currently have two active waitlists. You pick the resort and the day(s) that you need and you tell them they can take the points if it becomes available. When/if it becomes available you will fill. Something to keep in mind is to book another resort to make sure you have a place to stay. Book the extra resort first and then mark that they can cancel it if your waitlist comes through. I would check every morning just to make sure the room does not become available, you can sometimes beat them to the room request and grab it.

good luck. I am waiting for the Saturday and Sunday of the January Marathon

Judy

 

[EpicBilynn]

Thank you so much! That helps a lot and I feel better about doing the waitlist! Good luck with yours!

 

[skier_pete]

Yeah, we are probably going in February 2016 for that week, so I was watching the availabilty this week. The PHM weekend (Thursday and Friday) was booked out at most resorts ahead of the 7 month window opening for most of those resorts.

As others said, you should book a room with what's available now. Then put in for a waitlist, and when filling that out, they will ask you if you want to cancel an existing reservation for it. The system should then pop you in there automatically.

I've read on here you can also "poach" a room to beat the waitlist. If you check everyday for room status, you may stumble across a reservation available that matches your needs before it gets to the waitlist. To me you have to want it pretty bad to be constantly going on-line to watch for it.