Waitlist Set UP??

[kristenrice]

The day to make the reservations for my family has finally arrived...but since it's also Member Cruise booking day, I have to wait until 2:30 to call...so in the meantime, I want to make sure that I am about to do the best thing.

The Vacation Dates: October 15-22, 2016 (Saturday-Saturday)
The Vacationers: My Parent's (68 and 64) and My Sister's Family (2A, DD8 and DD4)...I will get to the plan for MY family of 4 in a minute
The Points: 282 BWV points that were TRANSFERRED in to my account
The IDEAL Plan: The whole 7 nights in a standard 2BR at BWV...which we are 98% sure isn't going to happen...

The REALISTIC Plan: Waitlist and 7 month booking
Step #1: Call TODAY (11 month window) and get on the WL for 3 nights (Oct 15-18)
Step #2: Call 11/18 and set up a SECOND WL for the following 4 nights (Oct 18-22)
Step #3: Call 3/15 (7 month window) and BOOK a 2BR std at AKV-K for 3 nights (Oct 15-18)
Step #4: Call 3/18 and make a SECOND reservation for a 2BR std at AKV-K for 4 nights (Oct 18-22)

The family is 100% fine with a split-stay, and they are even OK with the entire stay at AKV, but they really want to have a chance at staying at the BWV. By setting it up this way, I figured that the worst case scenario is all 7 nights at AKV. There will not be an issue with extra points because if they end up at AKV (279 points), my family needs exactly 3 points to complete our reservation

Now, here is the plan for MY family...

The Points: 28 AKV points (banked), 100 AKV points (current) and 50 HHI points (banked)
The IDEAL Plan: All 7 nights in a standard 1BR at BWV

The REALISTIC Plan:
Step #1: Book a 1BR std at AKV-K for October 15-18 using 28 banked and 50 current points (DONE!)
Step #2: On 3/15 at 8am sharp, go online and try to secure a 1BR at BWV for at least part of the stay...otherwise...
Step #3: Use the remaining points to complete the reservation at AKV-K, if needed.

Ok, if you're still following, you will see that we will have a decision to make at 7 months. Since my family only wants a 1BR and those are easier to come by at BWV (especially for 3-4 nights), we have a better chance of getting in at the BWV than the others. We really want to try and keep us all at the same resort for at least part of the trip, if possible. So, at 7 months, if neither of the WL for the 2BR standard have filled AND if there is no 1BR availability at BWV, then I will change the waitlists for ONLY the last 4 nights, one for a 1BR and one for the 2BR. That way, we won't run the risk of being separated for the entire trip, just the last half.

I'm thinking that getting the last 4 nights (ending on a Friday night) at BWV will be a little easier than having the first 3 (starting on a Saturday) come through. The weekend nights are what are going to really hurt our chances, especially since there is one on each end. I want to make sure, though, that if one of the 2BR waitlists fills before the 7 month window, it will not CANCEL the other waitlist, right? Since they are for different dates, I would assume no, but I want to make sure.

Confused yet?I sure am! Thanks for letting me ramble and get this information all out of my head.

 

[disneynutz]

FYI, the DVC website is down for maintenance so the MS phones will be nuts today.

Bill

 

[beer dave]

I think you will get the 2bedroom at BWV for the whole stay at 11 months. Only question is the 2:30 snag, but it will probably work.

I also think there is no chance of getting into boardwalk during F&W at 7 months.

 

[kristenrice]

I think you will get the 2bedroom at BWV for the whole stay at 11 months. Only question is the 2:30 snag, but it will probably work.

Actually, I already know I can't get the whole week because at 8:15am, the first night (Saturday) was already listed as unavailable, thus locking me out of the rest of the week.

 

[beer dave]

Actually, I already know I can't get the whole week because at 8:15am, the first night (Saturday) was already listed as unavailable, thus locking me out of the rest of the week.

Wow you're right-- waitlist the 15 th separately and the whole trip. That way tomorrow if you can book the trip starting the 16 you still have an early cue in the waitlist for the 15. if you don't get the trip tomorrow starting the 16, waitlist the 16 separately. It's easier to fill in one day at a time as the walkers move by.

I think the transferred points might be a snag-- you have to call to use them, correct? I never did that. Maybe you can use them on the chat with an agent on the website-- I don't know if they are 24 hours or follow the same hours as call in.....

 

[kristenrice]

Yipppeee!!!

Stalking the availability paid off!

I had a waitlist set up for the 15th-18th (Sat-Tues) but I was REALLY worried about that Saturday, figuring a lot of the studios would be booked up for Fri-Sat nights during F&W. Tonight, I saw that the 15th was AVAILABLE...so I immediately called and got it! I changed my waitlist to the 16th-18th now, but I imagine as people are walking that week (perhaps those trying to go for Halloween??), those weeknights will start to come available. As long as we can get at least 3 consecutive nights, my family will be happy. The next thing I will have to sweat out is getting that Friday night on the end...but right now, the 14th is still showing as available so we might have a chance at getting the whole week!.

 

[imaginiff]

Yay for you. Was wondering how it would work out. The website was not down for maintenance during the day as was wrongly reported. Wish people would just really pay attention to the DVC members website. All info is there at all times!!