Walking Reservations? Hard to get RSVPs?

[cpc430]

I've been reading threads on walking reservations and I get the idea behind it. But I'm wondering, is it really difficult to make reservations straight out at the 11 or 7 month mark? I know it depends on time of year, the resort, type of room/view and such, but how often does one need to walk a reservation? Is this something people do for every reservation?

Thanks!

 

[com_op_2000]

In over 20 years of DVC, I have never walked a reservations.

 

[delilah]

I have never needed to walk a reservation either in the 10 years that we have had DVC. But, I have made reservations right at 8 am at the 11 mo mark that have been completely booked by later that day. Examples are Club level at AKV, which we have for next June.

 

[disneynutz]

We bought where we love to stay so we don't have to think about walking or booking at the 7 month rush.

As far as things like club level at AKV, it's overrated IMO so no worries there.

We did buy a fixed week at VGF, lake view to guarantee our stay there every Christmas.

Bill

 

[cpc430]

Is walking then more common place at the 7 month mark (when not booking your home resort)?

Say we don't plan on buying at Aulani, but wanted to stay there in July in a one-bedroom. Would this be an instance where I would need to walk it? Making the assumption it's at 7 months and summer in Hawaii?

 

[DebbieB]

Is walking then more common place at the 7 month mark (when not booking your home resort)?

Say we don't plan on buying at Aulani, but wanted to stay there in July in a one-bedroom. Would this be an instance where I would need to walk it? Making the assumption it's at 7 months and summer in Hawaii?

It's more difficult to walk at 7 months because you could run into a night already booked. At 11 months, if you get the first night you are pretty much home free.

 

[drusba]

It may be needed for the following based on what has previously occurred in the past to some at 11 months out:

1. AKV club level studios and 2BRs almost any time of year. They are very often gone even when you go on line at 8 am exactly 11 months out because those with an earlier start date have already filled them. Additonal difficulty is even finding a date you can start the walking because it too has a likelihood of already being gone.

2. OKW GV at the Hospitality House area. Also can be gone 11 months out for same reason as AKV club level including because there is only one or two GVs in that booking category.

2. BLT standard view and AKV value studios and 2BRs first and second week of Dec, Columbus Day weekend beginning the Thursday before it, the weekend immediately after that beginning the Thursday before it, second weekend in Nov beginning Thrusday before it, Tuesday to Friday of Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week particularly if your start date is closer to NYE.

3. BWV standard view studio or 2BR for first week of Dec, if start date is Wednesday before Thanksgiving, or start date is Dec 28 thru 31.
.

 

[cpc430]

When you make a reservation, are you actually reserving a specific room? Or just a room class (studio, standard or studio, lake view, for example)?

 

[crisi]

When you make a reservation, are you actually reserving a specific room? Or just a room class (studio, standard or studio, lake view, for example)?

Just a room class.

 

[LaurenT]

Walking is really only for your home resort prior to the 11 month window. The purpose is to lock in your particular room (type) so no one else can get to it before you. That doesn't work at 7 months - because anyone who owns there can book the days you really wanted before you can "walk" to them.

 

[cpc430]

Thanks everyone for the clarification!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Would you guys walk an AKV value one-bedroom for Christmas week (where Christmas is toward the end of the week) at 11 mos?

 

[VLee]

I have done the walking before, but can someone refresh my memory. For a 9 night reservation, can I call back a day BEFORE the check-out date to extend this room and also shift it down. For example, if the reservation now shows October 2 as the check-out date, can I call back on Nov 1 (to shift it). MS told me that I would have to call back day by day. In the past, I know I could call every few days as long as it was at least 11 months before my checkout day (or the day before).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have done the walking before, but can someone refresh my memory. For a 9 night reservation, can I call back a day BEFORE the check-out date to extend this room and also shift it down. For example, if the reservation now shows October 2 as the check-out date, can I call back on Nov 1 (to shift it). MS told me that I would have to call back day by day. In the past, I know I could call every few days as long as it was at least 11 months before my checkout day (or the day before).

Yes, you should be able to wait and don't need to call day by day.

 

[VLee]

Thanks…. that is what I thought, but wanted to confirm that the procedure had not changed since it has been a while.