Waitlist is weird.

[condorthb]

I had a waitlist for BWV from 12/17 to 12/23. Was still waitlisted as of yesterday.

I just looked, and what I wanted was open on DVC site.

I snatched it, but was curious why my waitlist request didn't snap it up?

 

[blu3]

Waitlists are handled by CMs manually. It isn’t something automatic in the system

 

[erionm]

Waitlists are handled by CMs manually. It isn’t something automatic in the system

They are supposedly matched automatically when reservations are cancelled, but a CM has to manually make the create reservation.

 

[CarolMN]

First of all, it's possible that you did have a match that wasn't yet finalized. That happens more than we think. Once a match is made, the nights are removed from inventory and placed in a file waiting for a CM to "finish things up". When the phones are busy, the "finishing up" could take a long time. I have been told that they try to work them in the order of arrival, so a waitlist for October would be "finished up" prior to one for December.

More likely, though, you happened on a recent cancellation and picked it up before the waitlist matching program ran. The waitlist program is not "real-time". We don't know how often or when it is run. My guess is that it's scheduled, depending on the season and also run manually at times. Because it is not real-time, one can often catch a cancellation in between runs. This is why most recommend you waitlist and check frequently (aka stalking).

FWIW, my waitlist for the end of November was filled by the waitlist process. I did check myself quite often, but was never successful in finding what I wanted on my own. So you never know, LOL. Congratulations on getting what you wanted.

 

[condorthb]

It was my first time using the waitlist. I am glad we got what we wanted.

 

[blu3]

First of all, it's possible that you did have a match that wasn't yet finalized. That happens more than we think. Once a match is made, the nights are removed from inventory and placed in a file waiting for a CM to "finish things up". When the phones are busy, the "finishing up" could take a long time. I have been told that they try to work them in the order of arrival, so a waitlist for October would be "finished up" porior to one for December.

More likely, though, you happened on a recent cancellation and picked it up before the waitlist matching program ran. The waitlist program is not "real-time". We don't know how often or when it is run. My guess is that it's scheduled, depending on the season and also run manually at times. Because it is not real-time, one can often catch a cancellation in between runs. Tis is why most recommend you waitlist and check frequently (aka stalking).

FWIW, my waitlist for the end of November was filled by the waitlist process. I did check myself quite often, but was never successful in finding what I wanted on my own. So you never know, LOL. Congratulations on getting what you wanted.

I’ve never heard that they actually got removed from inventory — that’s actually awesome. I still stalk though. I’ve always ended up beating the wait list matcher.

 

[princesscinderella]

First of all, it's possible that you did have a match that wasn't yet finalized. That happens more than we think. Once a match is made, the nights are removed from inventory and placed in a file waiting for a CM to "finish things up". When the phones are busy, the "finishing up" could take a long time. I have been told that they try to work them in the order of arrival, so a waitlist for October would be "finished up" prior to one for December.

More likely, though, you happened on a recent cancellation and picked it up before the waitlist matching program ran. The waitlist program is not "real-time". We don't know how often or when it is run. My guess is that it's scheduled, depending on the season and also run manually at times. Because it is not real-time, one can often catch a cancellation in between runs. This is why most recommend you waitlist and check frequently (aka stalking).

FWIW, my waitlist for the end of November was filled by the waitlist process. I did check myself quite often, but was never successful in finding what I wanted on my own. So you never know, LOL. Congratulations on getting what you wanted.

Thanks for this very detailed explanation of how the waitlist process works

 

[Sandisw]

I’ve never heard that they actually got removed from inventory — that’s actually awesome. I still stalk though. I’ve always ended up beating the wait list matcher.

I can add that there have been a few times when I stalked and got my 2nd choice. Canceled the waitlist and within minutes, 1st choice has showed up.

It has happened to many times now to be a coincidence. My waitlist was matched but not yet processed.

I have also snagged what I wanted when I canceled , another room showed up

I wish there was a way for them to note when it’s matched and waiting to process

 

[HawaiiRose]

I've been waitlisted for a Deluxe Studio at Saratoga Springs for the nights of 12/9 and 12/13 - I have all the other nights before and after book already. Nothing has popped up and I've been stalking....ummm....watching DVC website closely to see if I can snag one or both of those nights and so far, nothing. Those dates are a Thursday and a Monday, so I'm having a hard time figuring out how I can have the 8th, 10-12, and 14, but the random days in between are booked?

Also, as an aside, I am noticing that no one seems to want 12/11....it is almost always open on most resorts - wonder what that's about?

 

[Sandisw]

I've been waitlisted for a Deluxe Studio at Saratoga Springs for the nights of 12/9 and 12/13 - I have all the other nights before and after book already. Nothing has popped up and I've been stalking....ummm....watching DVC website closely to see if I can snag one or both of those nights and so far, nothing. Those dates are a Thursday and a Monday, so I'm having a hard time figuring out how I can have the 8th, 10-12, and 14, but the random days in between are booked?

Also, as an aside, I am noticing that no one seems to want 12/11....it is almost always open on most resorts - wonder what that's about?

That Thursday is the day of the DVC owners meeting so people sometimes book that night for that reason.

Some times there is no rhyme or reason why some nights are gone and some are not.

 

[HawaiiRose]

That Thursday is the day of the DVC owners meeting so people sometimes book that night for that reason.

Some times there is no rhyme or reason why some nights are gone and some are not.

OK, that makes sense. I'll just hold onto the hope that the waitlist comes through.

 

[dclpluto]

Never trust the waitlist. If you are on a waitlist keep checking yourself.

 

[crail1026]

Has anyone done a waitlist and had relatively good luck? Feel like it’s very hit or miss. Especially depending on the resort and room type. Feel like 1 bed and 2 bed waitlist are easier than studios too.

 

[GoingSince1990]

While I have had a couple of waitlist successes, I have had much more success with obsessive stalking. Keep a browser tab on your phone on the DVC page and check everytime you have a free minute, especially first thing when you wake up and also if you happen to get up in the middle of the night.

 

[HawaiiRose]

Has anyone done a waitlist and had relatively good luck? Feel like it’s very hit or miss. Especially depending on the resort and room type. Feel like 1 bed and 2 bed waitlist are easier than studios too.

1 bedroom is more open, but with the current point restrictions in place, that's too many points. There are 22 of us going, so I have 2 x 2 bedrooms and 1 deluxe studio. I would have preferred a 1 bedroom instead of the studio, but unless/until they lift restrictions on points, I just can't do that.

 

[Sandisw]

Has anyone done a waitlist and had relatively good luck? Feel like it’s very hit or miss. Especially depending on the resort and room type. Feel like 1 bed and 2 bed waitlist are easier than studios too.

I have had really great luck with waitlists but most of mine are never more than a few nights,

I also stalk the website as well!

 

[bwvBound]

I have had really great luck with waitlists but most of mine are never more than a few nights,

I also stalk the website as well!

+1 (same for me)

 

[CarolMN]

Has anyone done a waitlist and had relatively good luck? Feel like it’s very hit or miss. Especially depending on the resort and room type. Feel like 1 bed and 2 bed waitlist are easier than studios too.

Might be somewhat of an anomaly, but I recently got a 3 night late November waitlist for a BLT standard view studio. I feel quite lucky as I was not checking for it myself. I had a back up in place at my home resort that I was perfectly willing to keep, so I didn't bother stalking. Very surprised when I saw the email.

 

[HawaiiRose]

My waitlists came through!!!! I'm so excited you guys! Thank you all for the encouragement to hang on - it was worth the wait! I wish all the best for a positive outcome for everyone else waiting still.

 

[808blessing]

I saw a lot of movement this past week with more opening up. More than the past month put together. Wonder why!