Waitlisting my first DVC stay

[Nikki G]

I just got my membership number and my points are loaded! Now it's time to attempt to book a short visit to Disney. I already know that when we are looking to go will be extremely hard to get so a waitlist/stalking is in my future. We are looking to stay at any resort in a studio (likely Saratoga or OKW) from Jan 2-Jan5. I know from my first quick look there is availability for Jan 2 but not the others. I want to make sure I'm doing this right. I will book the night of Jan 2 then waitlist Jan 3 and Jan 4 (potentially as individual nights to increase odds of a wait list match). At that point they will take the 11 points out of my account to hold Jan 2. Here's where my questions come into play:

1. At what point do I have to cancel everything to get my points back with no harm no foul if the wait list doesn't work out?

2. Is there a more efficient way to look through availability across everything? Right now, again through my very quick look, whatever I'm looking on right now doesn't seem to show me everything that is available.

3. Once I hit stalking phase, what's the best way to do that? I keep seeing mention of the RAT. What on earth is that? I am committed to stalking multiple times a day if necessary!

I think that's it for now. I will likely come up with more questions, I'm sure! I'm just so excited I can finally do this!

 

[erionm]

1. At what point do I have to cancel everything to get my points back with no harm no foul if the wait list doesn't work out?

No points are taken unless the wait list actually comes through.

2. Is there a more efficient way to look through availability across everything? Right now, again through my very quick look, whatever I'm looking on right now doesn't seem to show me everything that is available.

The Resort Availability Tool (under "Plan Vacations") can show availability for all or selected resorts, all or selected room sizes for a specified date range.

 

[Nikki G]

No points are taken unless the wait list actually comes through.


The Resort Availability Tool (under "Plan Vacations") can show availability for all or selected resorts, all or selected room sizes for a specified date range.

Sorry, I meant if I book the one night and waitlist the other two nights, if it doesn't work out and I have to cancel the one night that's booked, in what time frame I would need to do that.

And I found the RAT. So much easier to do a broader search on that one, thank you!

 

[kboo]

Sorry, I meant if I book the one night and waitlist the other two nights, if it doesn't work out and I have to cancel the one night that's booked, in what time frame I would need to do that.

And I found the RAT. So much easier to do a broader search on that one, thank you!

It depends on your UY. If you're in your 1st 8 months of your UY, then I think you should be fine.

Also, good plan to waitlist each night separately, since you can have up to 2 waitlists at a time, and you have better chances of getting single nights than your whole stay.

Finally, theres an app that is better than the RAT at stalking, which has been really helpful. Good luck and congratulations!

 

[erionm]

Sorry, I meant if I book the one night and waitlist the other two nights, if it doesn't work out and I have to cancel the one night that's booked, in what time frame I would need to do that.

31 or More Days Before Check-In:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be returned to your account in the Use Year in which the reservation falls.​

30 Days to One Day Before Check-In:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be placed in a Holding Account in the Use Year in which the reservation falls.​

On the Check-In date:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be forfeited.​

 

[kboo]

31 or More Days Before Check-In:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be returned to your account in the Use Year in which the reservation falls.​

30 Days to One Day Before Check-In:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be placed in a Holding Account in the Use Year in which the reservation falls.​

On the Check-In date:

All Vacation Points used to make the reservation will be forfeited.​

And correcting my earlier response, if your trip is within the 1st 8 mo of your UY AND you cancel 31 or more days before check in, then you should be fine to bank bank those points to the following year. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

We are considering a holiday trip that falls near the end of our UY (in 2018), and for that one trip, we will probably do better trying to rent the reservation if we've missed the banking window.

 

[erionm]

And correcting my earlier response, if your trip is within the 1st 8 mo of your UY AND you cancel 31 or more days before check in, then you should be fine to bank bank those points to the following year. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

That's correct, as long as the points are current UY points. If they are banked or borrowed points, they will expire at the end of the UY in which the reservation was to take place if unused.

 

[Nikki G]

That's correct, as long as the points are current UY points. If they are banked or borrowed points, they will expire at the end of the UY in which the reservation was to take place if unused.

It's August UY, so we are well within the 8 month time frame

It depends on your UY. If you're in your 1st 8 months of your UY, then I think you should be fine.

Also, good plan to waitlist each night separately, since you can have up to 2 waitlists at a time, and you have better chances of getting single nights than your whole stay.

Finally, theres an app that is better than the RAT at stalking, which has been really helpful. Good luck and congratulations!

What is the app that is better than the RAT at stalking?

And if I'm understanding correctly, I stalk on the RAT, then switch over to the actual booking page to complete the booking itself?

 

[kboo]

I use ******

 

[mustinjourney]

I use ******

there isn't an app though, right? I've only seen the website.

 

[erionm]

there isn't an app though, right? I've only seen the website.

It's a website, not a true mobile app. It could also be referred to as a web app.