Waitlist people (data) separate from MS??

[pattyoh]

Hi -- I, of course, have a waitlist dilemma -- and hope there is someone who can give me some guidance.

I had a ressie for 10/13-10/19 this year, but cancelled due to -- well, my husband became ill and died suddenly. Yes, it is really, really sad. Anyway, I cancelled the October trip we were going to take with my BIL and SIL (also members). After everything was over, they encouraged me to join them and after some thought I called MS.

Of course, no rooms anywhere -- and I asked about anywhere and whatever size (not GV). Got some rooms for some nights. Then I decided that DD and family should go, too. Again, called MS.

So, now I have 13, 14 (1bd OKW and 1 rm at POP), 15 (2 studios OKW), 16 (2 rms at All stars), 17, 18 (2 bdrm OKW), 19 (1 rm All Stars). Moving this much with a 22 month old will not be the easiest.

My question is -- yesterday when I called MS (to do a dining ressie), I asked about the waitlist. She said that they cannot see the actual list to see where you are on it, but she knew I was on the waitlist.

Who can see the list? How do I go about asking them to scour around for another room? What am I doing wrong? I feel as though I should be more aggressive? I even asked for some Disney Magic -- didn't get a response.

I am waitlisted until 7 days before and she said that was good as they would keep on checking even during those 7 days.

If someone can give me some advice on how to work the system a little better, I would appreciate it.

We have beds to settle in, but it certainly will be "if it's Tuesday this must be OKW." type of thing.

Thanks to anyone for any insight.
Pattyoh
OKW '94

 

[lisaviolet]

Patty,

First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I just wanted to add that do phone all the time during that last seven days before check in. It's a free for all. And you can phone as often as you like. I've booked some great places and units during that period. Some last minute decisions and some that WLs didn't come through. It's unreal how many cancellations come in during that period. So don't give up.

As for the WL before the seven days - I'm unsure of any strategy there.

Lisa

 

[CarolMN]

So sorry for your loss. Hope the trip helps to ease your pain.

MS really cannot tell you where you are on the waitlist. Since DVC will not hold days waiting for others to become available to fill a waitlist, there's just no way to know.

For example, let's say the waitlist for OKW looks like this:

1. Ann wants the night of 10/16 - night of 10/20
2. Abel wants the night of 10/18 - night of 10/25
3. Jean wants 10/17
4. You want 10/16 & 10/17

Let's also say everyone got on the waitlist in the order listed, none of the nights are currently available and this is a waitlist for 2 bedroom units.

Now someone cancels an OKW reservation for a 2 bedroom and frees up a unit for the nights of 10/16, 10/17, 10/18 & 10/19. Who gets them?

Ann doesn't. Not all the nights she wants are available.
Abel doesn't, either. Same reason.
Jean gets the night of 10/17.
You don't, because Jean was ahead of you and took 10/17.

So the nights of 10/16, 10/18 & 10/19 go back into the general inventory. They stay there until someone calls to reserve them or until other nights become available and a waitlist exact match is made.

When you consider how many different combinations of waitlists there might be along with the fact that MS doesn't know when or what someone may cancel, you can see why they can't tell you where you are on the waitlist. Jean was 3rd and her waitlist was filled before #1 & #2, even though they all wanted some of the same nights.


Hope something works out for you - If you haven't already, I'd waitlist for the whole trip to become available at any WDW DVC resort. Wouldn't hurt since you already have a back up. But keep in mind the cancellation deadline for the cash reservations at the value resorts. That may the time you should give up all the waitlists. Otherwise, you could end up with two rooms or paying cancellation fees.