walking a ressie?

[paults]

Been trying to get a certain ressie and can't catch the 1st day? Tried to be on at 8 am today but was beat again.
How do you set up to be one of the first on line? I have my dates ready on my laptop but when the clock struck 8am I had to refresh the page and lost everything and had to start over , by that time all was gone. What am I doing wrong? Been a member since 2002 and never had a 11 month booking problem. How can I get on line quicker at 8 am.

 

[Dean]

Been trying to get a certain ressie and can't catch the 1st day? Tried to be on at 8 am today but was beat again.
How do you set up to be one of the first on line? I have my dates ready on my laptop but when the clock struck 8am I had to refresh the page and lost everything and had to start over , by that time all was gone. What am I doing wrong? Been a member since 2002 and never had a 11 month booking problem. How can I get on line quicker at 8 am.

You're likely being beat out by others walking. You should wait list if you just need the days and likely should if you need to start a walking reservation. The days will likely get freed up as those walking drop lead days. You may want to wait list for small segments.

 

[rsjj]

So I just discovered "walking" a reservation...and wanted the clarify on how to secure my dates for my trip...b/c I too am finding that my first day to book (7 months out) is not available...thus I can't book my trip.

So...if I want to go for 3 days to grand Californian (not my home resort)...7 months out would be 6/10. I should look at trying to book couple days before 6/10, and secure those days (let's say 6/7-6/13), and drop the 3 days in front of my reservation, when I can rightfully book for 6/10?

 

[chalee94]

Walking doesn't typically help at 7 months since owners can jump in front of you at any time.

For your home resort, the first date you could book 11/10/17 would be 12/4/16 - with 11/10 being the last night of a 7 night stay...

 

[Dean]

Walking doesn't typically help at 7 months since owners can jump in front of you at any time.

It can be helpful if done correctly but it isn't the same as doing it at 11 months.

 

[rsjj]

Ok...maybe I don't quite get this "walking" thing...

I am just trying to book a trip at a resort that is not my home resort...but am finding that my first day to book at 7 months out is always unavailable. And am just getting a bit frustrated...so I was just trying to see what I can do to better my chances of booking something.

 

[Dean]

You've still got to get the first day to walk no matter the 11 or 7 month window. All you're getting ahead of walking at 7 months are those others trying at 7 months. Some options and times are extremely difficult to get but smart use of the wait list is paramount to the 7 month success IMO.

 

[Marionnette]

So I just discovered "walking" a reservation...and wanted the clarify on how to secure my dates for my trip...b/c I too am finding that my first day to book (7 months out) is not available...thus I can't book my trip.

So...if I want to go for 3 days to grand Californian (not my home resort)...7 months out would be 6/10. I should look at trying to book couple days before 6/10, and secure those days (let's say 6/7-6/13), and drop the 3 days in front of my reservation, when I can rightfully book for 6/10?

Using your example:
7 months out from today (11/11/16) would be 06/11/17. If you were trying today to book a trip that begins with the night of 06/10/17, you were already a day late in the race.

Ok...maybe I don't quite get this "walking" thing...

I am just trying to book a trip at a resort that is not my home resort...but am finding that my first day to book at 7 months out is always unavailable. And am just getting a bit frustrated...so I was just trying to see what I can do to better my chances of booking something.

The only way to better your chances is to own at the resort where you want to stay. Even then, there are times when you will be competing with other owners at the same resort for certain villas. For example, the value studios at AKV are tough for owners to get almost all year 'round. BWV standard studios go first and are especially tough during F&W. And as DVD continues to add more resorts to the mix, there will be greater competition at the 7-month window for the more sought after villas at the smaller resorts.

Walking is only effective if you can secure a reservation. Some people will begin their walk by making their initial reservation during a period when demand is lower for the villa they want. They end up calling MS multiple times to "walk" their reservation forward week by week (or day by day) until they have the dates that they want. But all of that is a moot point if you are already inside of your 7-month window and there's no availability for your first night. In that case, walking isn't going to help you. The waitlist is your only choice.

 

[rsjj]

Thank you everyone for your input!

And to marionnette for your detailed explanation here and on another thread!