Waitlist Strategy

[Stitch1404]

I am getting ready to try to book for New Year's Eve at the 7 month window. Well, I have about a month to wait, but I just want to be ready! We are hoping for either Beach Club, Boardwalk, or Wilderness Lodge (in that order). We currently have a reservation at Old Key West. I am assuming that when I call there will be nothing available for these resorts for NYE and the week after it which is when we will be travelling.

I am just wondering if it would be better to wait list day by day at one resort or for the whole stay at all three resorts. I just think if I wait list day by day at the Beach Club I have a good chance of getting some of the nights and not others and our trip will end up moving between the Beach Club and Old Key West every few nights! I just don't know what would be the best strategy since this is such a busy time of the year to visit. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Stitch1404]

Anyone? Should I do day by day or whole stay?

 

[MinMouse]

We always choose to waitlist for the entire stay because we don't want to move from resort to resort (sometimes we already do that to avoid weekend stays at DVC) So once we hit our DVC resort we're not moving. I hear on the boards oftentimes the entire ressie is moved by the trip but I would be way stressed out! Either way have fun ringing in the New Year at WDW!

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I'd waitlist for NYE at the one I thought I had the best chance to get (assuming I'd be happy at any one of the 3). I'd waitlist for the remainder of the stay to become available all at once. I'd determine the "best chance" by askjing the MS CM what he/she thought when I called for NYE.

My guess is that the BWV (PV-Pool/Garden) will be your best chance as there are more rooms there than at the other two.

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

Wait list them all day by day if you have enough points.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I say waitlist day by day, but DON"T DO AUTO CONFIRM. That way you may have a whole chunk of days come through at one time. If not and only one or two days come through you can always decline the room.

Speaking from experience switching resorts once in at least a week long vacation is not too terrible.

Best of luck.

 

[Stitch1404]

Those were all good ideas, thanks! I think I will waitlist day by day at the Boardwalk since it was mentioned that there are more rooms there. I will also not do autoconfirm. We are only staying 4 nights before switching to the Polynesian or Grand Floridian (can't decide!) on my sister's CM discount so I wouldn't want to have to switch in that short period of time. I have one more question though...how does the waitlist work at the Boardwalk? Can I waitlist for any view, or do I have to pick a view to waitlist? Like what if I waitlisted for any view and then a couple nights came through with preferred and then a couple with Boardwalk, would I have to keep moving rooms at the Boardwalk. Sometimes DVC gives me a headache!

 

[CarolMN]

T(snip)........how does the waitlist work at the Boardwalk? Can I waitlist for any view, or do I have to pick a view to waitlist? Like what if I waitlisted for any view and then a couple nights came through with preferred and then a couple with Boardwalk, would I have to keep moving rooms at the Boardwalk. Sometimes DVC gives me a headache!

You would have to move/change rooms.

Best wishes -

 

[Stitch1404]

Okay, I am thinking I will wait list day by day at the Boardwalk for preferred view. And if it gets to be less than 30 days out and all nights haven't come through I will just try to switch the whole reservation over to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs in the hope that they will still have availabilty. Does that sound like a good plan?

 

[CarolMN]

Okay, I am thinking I will wait list day by day at the Boardwalk for preferred view. And if it gets to be less than 30 days out and all nights haven't come through I will just try to switch the whole reservation over to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs in the hope that they will still have availabilty. Does that sound like a good plan?

Unless you can get NYE at the 7 month mark, keep at least the NYE reservation at OKW - if you don't, there's a very good chance you will end up without anywhere to stay that night. NYW is probably the most popular single night for WDW reservations - DVC and non-DVC alike!

Best wishes -