Walk for more than 7 days?

[joandegennaro]

Is this correct? You can't book 12 nights in a row? We are brand new to DVC and are planning a 12 night stay next June 5-17. We are wanting to get a 2 BR value room at AKV. Do you think we will have a hard time getting what we want at the 11 month window? Sorry for sidetracking the thread, just saw the above statement and wanted clarification.

I too am new to DVC and this is why I was confussed about the "walking" My understanding from both DIS'ers and MS is I can call at my 11 month window and book my allowed 7 nights. Then my option is to call everyday to add a night onto my ressie or I could wait until the 11 month mark of my check-out day rather than check-in and book the entire stay. Given the fact that I have OKW as my home resort and would only need a studio I've been told that I shouldn't have any difficulty waiting to do it all in one call on the 11 month out of my check out date. Currently all my dates would even be available for this Oct with the exception of the US holiday on the 10th. This is 6 months out. I should have not problem in November getting what I would like at the 11 month window. I'm not sure how it would work for AKV especially for the type of room you are looking for. I know that alot of people end up with a split stay either at 2 resorts or 2 different types of accomodations at their home resort. If you can't get what you want you can always book a room and waitlist for what you really want and hope that at the 7 month mark others will try to switch resorts hopefully opening up what you have waitlisted for.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is this correct? You can't book 12 nights in a row? We are brand new to DVC and are planning a 12 night stay next June 5-17. We are wanting to get a 2 BR value room at AKV. Do you think we will have a hard time getting what we want at the 11 month window? Sorry for sidetracking the thread, just saw the above statement and wanted clarification.

You can only book 7 days from your check in day so you have a couple of options for booking 12 nights. I also doubt you'll have a problem with a 2BR value right at 11 months for that time in June but I'd call right at 11 months.

To book 12 days either call 11 months from your check in day and book the first 7 days. Wait 5 days and then call and book your last 5 nights. Two phone calls and your done! (ie, Call July 5th and book the 5th-11th. Then on either July 10th or 11th call and book the 12-17th.)

Or, wait until 5 days after your 11 month to check-in day (July 10th). Call and book all 12 nights in one phone call.

Just b/c it is for a value I'd do the first scenario. You do not have to call day by day to add the last 5 days though - just one more call on the 5th or 6th day after your 11 month mark. No one else will have the ability to book that room once you get your first days as long as you book the remainder prior to the days you don't have opening up to the 11 month window for new reservations.

 

[RescueRanger]

You can only book 7 days from your check in day so you have a couple of options for booking 12 nights. I also doubt you'll have a problem with a 2BR value right at 11 months for that time in June but I'd call right at 11 months.

To book 12 days either call 11 months from your check in day and book the first 7 days. Wait 5 days and then call and book your last 5 nights. Two phone calls and your done! (ie, Call July 5th and book the 5th-11th. Then on either July 10th or 11th call and book the 12-17th.)

Or, wait until 5 days after your 11 month to check-in day (July 10th). Call and book all 12 nights in one phone call.

Just b/c it is for a value I'd do the first scenario. You do not have to call day by day to add the last 5 days though - just one more call on the 5th or 6th day after your 11 month mark. No one else will have the ability to book that room once you get your first days as long as you book the remainder prior to the days you don't have opening up to the 11 month window for new reservations.

Thanks Kathy! Boy, just when we thought we had WDW figured out, we go and buy DVC. It only took us a decade the first time. Maybe our learning curve will be shorter with DVC. Yeah right!

 

[Crystal_27]

OP, if it makes you feel better to start walking your reservation a couple weeks prior to your actual vacation start date, just do it. It's going to be a pain to keep calling every single day, but if it makes you feel better, just roll with it. We walked our December 18-January 1 vacation this year because we only had enough points for a standard view studio at BLT. I think I ended up making 21 calls, but I know that I would have been a wreck about the vacation had I not walked it. Good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

There is no need to call daily, unless you are very limited on points. Your room can not be released back into the reservation pool until 11 months from your check-out day. As a previous poster said, for a 12 day reservation, you call and extend 5 days after you make the initial 7 day reservation.

 

[CocosMeme]

I know this is really early to be thinking about this, but I need to book a GV at AKL for Memorial Day 2011 (May 28-June 4). I am nervous about getting the exact dates because of vacation time my DS's and DDIL's can get off work. Should I walk the reservation back a few days or maybe a week to get the busy Mem. Day weekend booked? I have never done this. This will be a much anticipated trip for all of our grandchildren (6) and I really want that GV. I will need to call on June 28 of this year if not walking.

 

[danissmart]

I have been with DVC for a while, but have not heard of walking until today, and I have to say I find it seriously wrong. Its the same as booking 3 different restaurants for 1 time frame at dinner. It is just not a respectable thing to do. Shame on walkers.

 

[CocosMeme]

I have been with DVC for a while, but have not heard of walking until today, and I have to say I find it seriously wrong. Its the same as booking 3 different restaurants for 1 time frame at dinner. It is just not a respectable thing to do. Shame on walkers.

I felt the same way until someone told me it may be the only way to get what you want at popular times. If the DCV member services people tell you to do it, what can you say?

 

[Inkmahm]

I have been with DVC for a while, but have not heard of walking until today, and I have to say I find it seriously wrong. Its the same as booking 3 different restaurants for 1 time frame at dinner. It is just not a respectable thing to do. Shame on walkers.

It is not even close to being the same thing as booking multiple rewtaurants for the same time. Booking multiple restaurants I believe is actually against the rules and some or all of your multiple ADRs could be eliminated if Disney figures it out. Walking is suggested/encouraged by the MS CMs for those who want to ensure getting the villa they want.

I will continue to walk my AKV concierge reservation for March 2011, making my second call tomorrow and my third and final call next week Thursday. Three phone calls to guarantee the week in March that I want is reasonable to me.

Shame on YOU for being so judgemental about people who are actually following the rules. You may not like it, but tough luck.

 

[Starr W.]

I have been with DVC for a while, but have not heard of walking until today, and I have to say I find it seriously wrong. Its the same as booking 3 different restaurants for 1 time frame at dinner. It is just not a respectable thing to do. Shame on walkers.

It's no different than booking day by day in the "old system" and I was encouraged to do it by multiple CM's at MS.

You better not find the Free Dining crowd threads on the main boards. They are masters of booking multiple ADR's for lunch and or dinner.

 

[jelwallace]

To Cocosmeme: I would definitely reccomend walking your Memorial Day reservation especially since you will be checking in on memorial day weekend. I had a good conversation with a cast member a couple of months ago about walking. He said that for most times of the year walking is not needed but if you have your heart set on a certain accomodation especially during vacation (peak) times then he would reccomend walking. It really depends on whether making a few extra phone calls is worth it to you to get exactly what you want. I verified with the cats member that it is playing within the current rules of DVC.

 

[CocosMeme]

thanks jelwallace - I have been promising this trip to my grandchildren for a while and we have been trying to find a common time for everyone to get vacation time and avoid trying to get kids out of school. Our schools are really hard line on not excusing the kids for vacations. As much as I hate going at such a busy time, we don't have a choice. Guess I will make the ressie for the weekend before and just call every day to get it right.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

thanks jelwallace - I have been promising this trip to my grandchildren for a while and we have been trying to find a common time for everyone to get vacation time and avoid trying to get kids out of school. Our schools are really hard line on not excusing the kids for vacations. As much as I hate going at such a busy time, we don't have a choice. Guess I will make the ressie for the weekend before and just call every day to get it right.

You won't need to call that often, even if you decide to walk the reservation. For a reservation from May 28 to June 4 (7 nights) if you decide you want to walk, start calling on June 20 to book Friday, May 20 - 26. Call back on June 25 to cancel May 20 - May 24 and book May 27 - May 31. Call back on June 28 and cancel May 25- 27 and book June 1-3. 3 calls does it all. Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Inkmahm]

I called today to start my first ever walked reservation. For AV concierge level, a week in a studio. I will call back two more times before I have the dates I really want next March. But now I am sure that I will have them because I have dates earlier in March that I will walk to mid-March.

Note to self: walking only works when you remember to call MS.

I didn't remember until late last night that yesterday was the day I was supposed to call to walk my reservation another week. Oops. The good news though is that I called right at MS opening this morning and was able to walk my reservation another week with no problem. AK concierge was available for the week. Now I have to remember to call back one more time to move the week reservation to the actual week I want. I thought I'd note though that I could have called today and gotten the week without having started to walk 8 days ago.

 

[danissmart]

It is not even close to being the same thing as booking multiple rewtaurants for the same time. Booking multiple restaurants I believe is actually against the rules and some or all of your multiple ADRs could be eliminated if Disney figures it out. Walking is suggested/encouraged by the MS CMs for those who want to ensure getting the villa they want.

I will continue to walk my AKV concierge reservation for March 2011, making my second call tomorrow and my third and final call next week Thursday. Three phone calls to guarantee the week in March that I want is reasonable to me.

Shame on YOU for being so judgemental about people who are actually following the rules. You may not like it, but tough luck.

I am not concerned with whether or not it is against the rules. It just comes off as distasteful in my eyes. I have tried to book last minute travel before only to be told my dates were not available. Maybe the dates I wanted were not available because someone like you was walking their reservation, therefore holding a room for nights they did not intend to use. If you can not see that there is something wrong with that, then shame on you.

 

[oct2014]

I am not concerned with whether or not it is against the rules. It just comes off as distasteful in my eyes. I have tried to book last minute travel before only to be told my dates were not available. Maybe the dates I wanted were not available because someone like you was walking their reservation, therefore holding a room for nights they did not intend to use. If you can not see that there is something wrong with that, then shame on you.

I think it is unlikely that your last minute travel is hurt by walking because people typically do it 11 months out.

Also, it would seem that if something is not available because of others walking, then the person really looking for those dates should waitlist. I would think the unit would become available by the following week.

I have mixed feelings myself about walking. I think it is common for people to book something and intend not to use that reservation. Whether it is because they are waiting for the 7-month window to get another place or because they are waitlisted for someplace else (which could be right up to 7 days before). I guess the distinction might be that the walker has no intention of using that reservation, whereas in the other situations it at least is being used as a back up. My point is more that, using the reservation as a back up (which I believe everyone would find acceptable) has a much bigger impact on availability than walking (rare in comparison) does.

Caroline

 

[Inkmahm]

I am not concerned with whether or not it is against the rules. It just comes off as distasteful in my eyes. I have tried to book last minute travel before only to be told my dates were not available. Maybe the dates I wanted were not available because someone like you was walking their reservation, therefore holding a room for nights they did not intend to use. If you can not see that there is something wrong with that, then shame on you.

You might want to read the definition of walking again. It has nothing at all to do with booking last minute travel. If you book last minute travel with DVC, you should EXPECT to be told that the dates are not available. DVC is not designed for last minute people, only for planners.

 

[Chuck S]

I am not concerned with whether or not it is against the rules. It just comes off as distasteful in my eyes. I have tried to book last minute travel before only to be told my dates were not available. Maybe the dates I wanted were not available because someone like you was walking their reservation, therefore holding a room for nights they did not intend to use. If you can not see that there is something wrong with that, then shame on you.

I don't particularly like the practice either, but it is allowed AND probably has some benefits to members overall. For instance, it can help lower dues, as under he old booking system people had to call every day for high demand holiday reservations, now they can call once every few days...lowering demand on MS and possibly helping to keep our dues a little lower.

I agree with the previous post that it should really have no impact at all on last minute bookings, as walking is really only 100% effective right at the 11 month window.

The reason I don't care for it is that it gives a bit of unfair advantage to members with LOTS of points that may be booking speculative rental reservations during the 11 month window.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I thought I'd note though that I could have called today and gotten the week without having started to walk 8 days ago.

A very good thing to note.

I am not concerned with whether or not it is against the rules. It just comes off as distasteful in my eyes. I have tried to book last minute travel before only to be told my dates were not available. Maybe the dates I wanted were not available because someone like you was walking their reservation, therefore holding a room for nights they did not intend to use. If you can not see that there is something wrong with that, then shame on you.

Walking does not affect last minute travel. It's the antithesis to last minute travel and is for the uber planners.

 

[CocosMeme]

You won't need to call that often, even if you decide to walk the reservation. For a reservation from May 28 to June 4 (7 nights) if you decide you want to walk, start calling on June 20 to book Friday, May 20 - 26. Call back on June 25 to cancel May 20 - May 24 and book May 27 - May 31. Call back on June 28 and cancel May 25- 27 and book June 1-3. 3 calls does it all. Best of luck -- Suzanne

Thanks - you just made my day!