Waitlist Strategy

[eporter66]

I was looking to book 2 nights at a DVC resort in March 2020, I got one of my nights, but there are no openings anywhere for the second night. What is the best way to do waitlist, or is there a waitlist strategy? Thanks!

 

[GoingSince1990]

You’re allowed two waitlist requests. I would make one of these your missing night and the other one two nights at an easier resort like SSR. Then stalk ruthlessly; leave a browser page on your phone open at the DVC member site and anytime you have a spare moment, and every morning when you wake up, check for availability those two days (selecting “All WDW Resorts”), ready to grab whatever opens up. It’s annoying but I’ve had very good results with this strategy. Make sure to cancel your waitlist request if something opens up (or call to ensure that your new reservation will be cancelled if the waitlist comes through); you do not want to end up accidentally borrowing points, which is an irreversible transaction.

 

[eporter66]

Thanks - I have 2 waitlists now, and I will make sure to check often to see if anything opens up. Thanks!

 

[SeaDis]

Can I piggyback here? I think I have same question.

I have Tues-Thurs booked and now hoping to add either Friday or Monday. Is one waitlist method better than the other?

1) Waitlist either Friday or Monday night by itself. Then call to link reservation if it comes through.
2) Modify reservation which creates a waitlist for the entire stay.

Any experiences out there? Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

Can I piggyback here? I think I have same question.

I have Tues-Thurs booked and now hoping to add either Friday or Monday. Is one waitlist method better than the other?

1) Waitlist either Friday or Monday night by itself. Then call to link reservation if it comes through.
2) Modify reservation which creates a waitlist for the entire stay.

Any experiences out there? Thanks!

If your waitlist comes thru for a night or nights at either end of an existing reservation, the additional nights will automatically be added to the old reservation provided that 1.) the reservation is for the same booking category and 2.) the guests’ names are the same on both the waitlist and the existing reservation.

 

[Sandisw]

Can I piggyback here? I think I have same question.

I have Tues-Thurs booked and now hoping to add either Friday or Monday. Is one waitlist method better than the other?

1) Waitlist either Friday or Monday night by itself. Then call to link reservation if it comes through.
2) Modify reservation which creates a waitlist for the entire stay.

Any experiences out there? Thanks!

You don’t want to modify but rather start a new reservation and waitlist that way.

I think if you do the modify feature it could mess up what you do have

 

[SeaDis]

Thank you both. I was leaning toward the single night. This is VGC, so only one room category. I was just concerned about having a "spllit stay" that is linked. Last time I was told they can't guarantee the same room for the entire stay, but I don't know if that is correct.

But, I agree, will lean toward single night WL. I also worry about screwing up the first reservation. The extra night is not critical. I don't want to start a new reservation/waitlist because it will borrow points before I cancel the old one. Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you both. I was leaning toward the single night. This is VGC, so only one room category. I was just concerned about having a "spllit stay" that is linked. Last time I was told they can't guarantee the same room for the entire stay, but I don't know if that is correct.

But, I agree, will lean toward single night WL. I also worry about screwing up the first reservation. The extra night is not critical. I don't want to start a new reservation/waitlist because it will borrow points before I cancel the old one. Thanks!

If it is the same room type, once it comes through, you can call and they will merge into the same reservation, assuming on the same membership.

Only time you have to link is if they are on two different memberships.

 

[SeaDis]

Great, I'm using "link" incorrectly then. Merge is better term. Thanks!