Waitlist Question

[SpoonfulofSugar]

I have been planning our first trip as DVC members these past few weeks and just booked our airline tickets for the trip but I couldn't get the dates I had reserved with member services. Five of the days I had requested will work but I needed to add on 3 more nights at the end (Dec 4,5,6) and cancel 2 from the begining. So they put me on a waitlist at BCV for those 3 nights.

Now my question-- should I just wait to see if the waitlist comes thru or should I book 3 nights somewhere else? If I book 3 nights somewhere else and the waitlist comes thru will they cancel the other 3 nights?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I'd make a back up plan - either with DVC points (but only if I didn't have to borrow to do it) or for cash.

If you book the 3 nights for points at another DVC resort, you can cancel them when the other days come through. My advice is to waitlist the individual days and use the option where MS calls you. Then when you talk to MS, you can have the same CM book the day(s) that came through and cancel the corresponding "back up" days.

If you are nervous about having to move back and forth more than once, make a back up cash reservation and don't cancel it until you are all set at the BCV. That way, if all the days don't come through by 31 days ahead of time, you'll just have to move once.

HTH.

 

[quentina]

I would book and then cancel if WL comes through. Personally, I would not want to take the chance of not having someplace to stay.

Kim

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

CarolMN-- do you mean to waitlist the 3 days with 3 waitlist requests or 1 waitlist request for the 3 days. thanks for the advice.

 

[CarolMN]

I mean waitlist for each day separately. That gives you the best chance of getting all the days, but it is also more risky because if all the days don't come through, then you might have to move.

The other option is to waitlist for all three days together. MS won't hold days waiting for the others to come through, so this option has less of a chance of working - but it still could.

For example, if you waitlist for all 3 to come through, if 12/4 and 12/5 become available, you wouldn't get them even if you are first on the waitlist. They would go to the first person on the waitlist after you who asked just for 12/4 or just for 12/5 or for 12/4 & 12/5 together. You would only get your waitlist request if all three days become at once.

Good luck - whatever yo diecide.

 

[Dean]

It really depends on what's important to you, how many points you have, where you are in your banking window and any borrowing situation. What I'd do is book the 3 days you need somewhere then wait list day by day. Even if I got the day in the middle, I'd take it, but keep ALL the back up, canceling only days that I knew I would use (consecutive days). If I didn't get it in the end, I'd cancel any orphaned days and bank the points if necessary. If you don't have enough points to do that, make the back up reservations then do two separate wait lists. One for the 3 days as a group and the other for just the adjoining day. Then if you only get the one day, put it for the next one and modify your second wait list for just the 2 days. Once you get to one single day, it's all the same other than your place on the wait list so changing your original 3 day wait list to one day would likely put you way ahead of a new wait list for just that day.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd book the 3 nights at another "regular" (not DVC) Disney hotel. You have up till 5 days before to cancel the "rgeular" hotel, if your waitlist comes through.

 

[Dean]

I'd book the 3 nights at another "regular" (not DVC) Disney hotel. You have up till 5 days before to cancel the "rgeular" hotel, if your waitlist comes through.

I'm sure you mean with cash because you couldn't use the points for DVC if you cancelled.

 

[Mary2816]

Hi, Spoonful. I'm also from NE PA! You have already been given the best advice as far as waitlisting goes, but always remember...NEVER book airfare until you have confirmed ressies with MS. We will be at the BCV 12/03 -12/10, but are waitlisted for BWV. Hopefully, we will both get what we want!! Good Luck!

 

[NJmouse]

I have a studio reserverd for 12/1 thru 12/3 at BCV and 12/4 thru 12/8 at OKW. I am on the waitlist for BCV for 12/4-4-5-7. Do you have a studio or 1br at BCV? Hope you get BWV so I can get your BCV if a studio.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I didn't know you could waitlist the days individually so yesterday I switched my waitlist to individual days and they called today to let me know I got one of them-- now only 2 more to go.

Mary2816-- Hi neighbor (we're from around the wilkes-barre/scranton area if you have any idea where that is--lol). We were planning on driving down when I made the ressies but about two weeks later we got our frequent flyer statements and we realized we could fly for free (blackout dates and only allowing so many ff on a flight is where we got slapped), and with USair in bankruptcy trouble we figured we better try to use them while we can.

Good luck to you and BWV-- they said they will be working on waitlists most of today so maybe you will hear something!!!

 

[Dean]

Hi, Spoonful. I'm also from NE PA! You have already been given the best advice as far as waitlisting goes, but always remember...NEVER book airfare until you have confirmed ressies with MS. We will be at the BCV 12/03 -12/10, but are waitlisted for BWV. Hopefully, we will both get what we want!! Good Luck!

It depends. For many situations the air is far more important than the room options, even if you have to pay cash or stay off property.

 

[Christine & family]

I'm confirmed at the BCV on 12/3 - 12/5, waitlisted for 12/6 - 12/8, and confirmed on 12/9 & 12/10. We took Carol's advice and do have a back up plan (booked at SSR for those 3 nights if waitlist doesn't come through). I called at the 7 month mark day - by - day and waitlisted on an individual day basis. I'm hoping all those great tips pay off, but if not, we'll have fun seeing the great Christmas decorations at both BCV and SSR! Good luck everyone!

 

[Mary2816]

Hey, Spoonful, we really are neighbors! We are from Scranton! We've been having some seriously ugly weather don't you think? Although, yesterday (Fri.) was beautiful and so far this morning the sun is out and it's warming up. Anyway, we'll be leaving from WB/Scr. (or Avoca lol) on 12/3 at 6:00am maybe we'll see you there! I'm crossing my fingers for my 2 br. at BWV and for your waitlist at BCV. See ya, and again good luck!!