Waitlist Strategy

[DaveInCali]

We planned a last minute trip to Orlando this fall and are looking to stay on 10/13/2013 and leave on 10/15/2013. We are looking for two studios.

All that was available was the night of 10/14/2013, which I booked. There was availability at mostly all the resorts for the one night, so we chose Saratoga for the shear size of the resort. So what do I do?

1). Wait list the entire stay and have the one night cancelled if it comes through?
2). Wait list just the night of the 13th?

We have no preference on which resort we stay at and just don't know which way I wait list it will better the chances of it coming through.

Any thoughts that anyone would care to share?

 

[com_op_2000]

Wait list the one night at SSR. Have a second wait list for one night at one of the larger DVC's (OKW or AKV), if you are willing to change resorts.

 

[DaveInCali]

Which resort will more likely get a wait list to come through?

 

[com_op_2000]

Which resort will more likely get a wait list to come through?

SSR is the largest and would give you the best chance of a waitlist.

 

[jerseyduke]

Are the ressies with current points or borrowed?

If they are current, you can cancel 31 days out with no penaties.

I would waitlist the 2nd night at SSR, then waitlist both nights at another resort, so if that came through I would not have to move.

 

[JWG]

I would waitlist the 2nd night at SSR, then waitlist both nights at another resort, so if that came through I would not have to move.

Yup, this. And since both waitlists require you use more points than you currently are, you could do the 7 day waitlist vs. 31 if you're positive you won't cancel entirely.

Also, I've had more luck periodically checking availability than I have with a waitlist. I've been able to get 3 of 5 nights we needed at Aulani over Christmas myself - and they were waitlisted nights. I just kept booking and changing our waitlist for the other needed nights as we got what we needed.

 

[DaveInCali]

Are the ressies with current points or borrowed?

If they are current, you can cancel 31 days out with no penaties.

I would waitlist the 2nd night at SSR, then waitlist both nights at another resort, so if that came through I would not have to move.

Current.

 

[jerseyduke]

Then 1 night waitlist at SSR (Same room type) and then a 2 night waitlist at another resort, and if it comes through you cancel the one night at SSR

 

[JWG]

Then 1 night waitlist at SSR (Same room type) and then a 2 night waitlist at another resort, and if it comes through you cancel the one night at SSR

The waitlist can be setup to do this automatically. If you setup a waitlist through the website it asks if you want to cancel an existing reservation if the waitlist comes through. I've never had this happened nor do I know how well it works, but it's a question asked.

If you keep your 1 night at SSR and another waitlist comes through, theoretically, the SSR reservation should bet canceled for you if you want.

 

[keishashadow]

We planned a last minute trip to Orlando this fall and are looking to stay on 10/13/2013 and leave on 10/15/2013. We are looking for two studios.

All that was available was the night of 10/14/2013, which I booked. There was availability at mostly all the resorts for the one night, so we chose Saratoga for the shear size of the resort. So what do I do?

1). Wait list the entire stay and have the one night cancelled if it comes through?
2). Wait list just the night of the 13th?

We have no preference on which resort we stay at and just don't know which way I wait list it will better the chances of it coming through.

Any thoughts that anyone would care to share?

Columbus Day weekend fills up very quickly, good luck.

have you considered booking a larger unit vs the two studios?

 

[DaveInCali]

Columbus Day weekend fills up very quickly, good luck.

have you considered booking a larger unit vs the two studios?

Yes, I just haven't waitlisted much and figured that studios would come up sooner than a two bedroom. Do you think 2 bedrooms would avail themselves first?

 

[Dean]

Then 1 night waitlist at SSR (Same room type) and then a 2 night waitlist at another resort, and if it comes through you cancel the one night at SSR

If I read correctly they have one night 2 studios and want to get another night 2 studios. If this is the case I'd wait list SSR for the single night only for each reservation. Then if it comes through they can try to get something else.

 

[keishashadow]

Yes, I just haven't waitlisted much and figured that studios would come up sooner than a two bedroom. Do you think 2 bedrooms would avail themselves first?

my experience is that often I've been unable to secure 'a' studio but find 1 & 2 BR units still available when I've checked, typically @ SSR & OKW.

Not sure what bedding configuration you require, but perhaps the 1 BRs with two baths might work for your party?

 

[DaveInCali]

Hey all thanks for your input. I found that I was more successful in finding 2 bedroom availability.

So we were able to find a treehouse villa for the first night and wait list the second night... It came through just yesterday after being wait listed about 2-3 weeks.

Excited, and looking to see how it goes! Always wanted to stay at the treehouse villas!

 

[Bribrittmom]

Great! Glad it worked out for you. I've only been successful on a waitlist once out of ten attempts.