What does "walking" a ressie mean

[Deb & Bill]

I think those time frames where some people arrive early in the time frame could make it difficult for those who arrive later in the time frame.

For example, for people want to be there around Christmas or NYE, some will start their stay 7 days before and end it on the day after the big day. Others, like us have started the trip on the big day (or day before) and extend it for seven to ten days after the big day. We've done this for the marathon a few times (arriving for NYE and deparing the day after the marathon). We might have to walk a reservation if we wanted NYE at a DVC resort because by the time we could start making our reservation, others may have already booked up NYE.

As for making you wait until 11 months from the start of day 8, I'd hate that. We never stay only 7 days or less, usually 9-10 days. I'd hate it if I couldn't just keep adding that next day on day 2, day 3, etc. to my 7 day reservation. I like Mike's suggestion that they allow you to make all the days of your stay at a single resort, but not allow you to break it up or change your check-in day without rebooking.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think those time frames where some people arrive early in the time frame could make it difficult for those who arrive later in the time frame.

For example, for people want to be there around Christmas or NYE, some will start their stay 7 days before and end it on the day after the big day. Others, like us have started the trip on the big day (or day before) and extend it for seven to ten days after the big day. We've done this for the marathon a few times (arriving for NYE and deparing the day after the marathon). We might have to walk a reservation if we wanted NYE at a DVC resort because by the time we could start making our reservation, others may have already booked up NYE.

As for making you wait until 11 months from the start of day 8, I'd hate that. We never stay only 7 days or less, usually 9-10 days. I'd hate it if I couldn't just keep adding that next day on day 2, day 3, etc. to my 7 day reservation. I like Mike's suggestion that they allow you to make all the days of your stay at a single resort, but not allow you to break it up or change your check-in day without rebooking.

I hadn't thought of this scenario... you'd have to be walking the days for two weeks I agree with Mike too... makes it fair again.

EDIT: I realized you would only have to walk it for 7 days, not 14.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I hadn't thought of this scenario... you'd have to be walking the days for two weeks I agree with Mike too... makes it fair again.

But I'd prefer to go back to the old way first.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

But I'd prefer to go back to the old way first.

Me too. The (old) DBD was what made DVC so different from most every other TS.... An equal opportunity for everyone. Yes, it takes effort, but whether you have 1500 points or 150 points you had to make the same effort and you had the same opportunity. Home resort at 11 months... that was the only advantage.

I don't think the new system will cause too much grief in general... just to those with low points wanting to stay at peak times.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I was a vocal opponent of the change to the new booking policy, but I was actually more successful this year for my Dec booking than I was last year.

Last year, I was unable to book a SV BWV studio, but was able to book a BW view. With DBD booking last year, it only took calling at 6 am Pacific time 13 days in a row!

This year, I called on 1/3 and was unable to book a SV studio at BWV, but I called on 1/4 and was successful. One more call 1/9 and I had all my nights booked. Three calls for 2009 vs. 13 for 2008.

Of course, this ability to book could change in the future, but for anyone with any flexibility in their dates, there is something to be said for the certainty of getting all the nights in the same room once you get the first night.

And while walking may become an issue in the future, the whole concept seems so confusing to so many that even those aware that the option might help them may still not take advantage of it.

-- Suzanne

 

[Bopsmom]

I was a vocal opponent of the change to the new booking policy, but I was actually more successful this year for my Dec booking than I was last year.

Last year, I was unable to book a SV BWV studio, but was able to book a BW view. With DBD booking last year, it only took calling at 6 am Pacific time 13 days in a row!

This year, I called on 1/3 and was unable to book a SV studio at BWV, but I called on 1/4 and was successful. One more call 1/9 and I had all my nights booked. Three calls for 2009 vs. 13 for 2008.

Of course, this ability to book could change in the future, but for anyone with any flexibility in their dates, there is something to be said for the certainty of getting all the nights in the same room once you get the first night.

And while walking may become an issue in the future, the whole concept seems so confusing to so many that even those aware that the option might help them may still not take advantage of it.

-- Suzanne

I didn't have any problems booking on the first day either.
I got 1BR BWV for June 7-12 and 1BR BWV for Dec 20-27th. Again, I agree that it might be different for 2010.

Actually, we are thinking about cancelling and banking June's trip because DD said she'd rather go visit her cousins and we were just there in December. We live in the heat and she thinks June up north would be a nice change for a vacation than June in Florida.

 

[DopeyDave]

The system is unfair, ...

I don't know that "the system" is that unfair, I just believe too many people USE the system unfairly which hurts the rest of the members.

I almost always go for a 9-night stay, and now I can only make a 7-night reservation on the day of my 11- or 7-month window.

 

[jdg345]

You can still book a whole stay on one call, you just need to wait until your departure day, or 7 days prior to it.

Also, for walking, you don't need to call every day to walk, you can call every 4th or 5th day, depending on the length of the original reservation.

I posted in that other thread, but I actually booked over NYE with a walked ressie, which started simply as a test to see if it would be allowed by the new policies.

 

[meryll83]

Newbie to all of this so back to basics - do you have to wait until 11 months from your last night to book the whole lot?
Or can you book 7 nights at 11 months out from your first night?

When are the periods people are feeling the need to walk for? Just over Christmas?

 

[DebbieB]

Newbie to all of this so back to basics - do you have to wait until 11 months from your last night to book the whole lot?
Or can you book 7 nights at 11 months out from your first night?

When are the periods people are feeling the need to walk for? Just over Christmas?

Zombie thread alert! Interesting to see opinions from 2009. And nothing has been changed in 6+ years.

To answer your question, it's 11 months from your check-in date. You can book up to 7 nights.

 

[meryll83]

Zombie thread alert! Interesting to see opinions from 2009. And nothing has been changed in 6+ years.

To answer your question, it's 11 months from your check-in date. You can book up to 7 nights.

Ha! Didn't realise it was such an old thread I'd come across!

 

[DVCjj]

To walk a reservation, you only need enough points to book 2 weekend nights. With the reallocation of points, walking is accessible to more members than ever. I would guess very few members will need to buy more points in order to walk their reservation. -- Suzanne

Please forgive if a dumb question as I understand the concept of walking but don't understand how 2 weekend nights' points can get a 5 or 7 day stay. What am I missing? Thank you much.

 

[supersnoop]

Please forgive if a dumb question as I understand the concept of walking but don't understand how 2 weekend nights' points can get a 5 or 7 day stay. What am I missing? Thank you much.

As long as you have two days locked up at 11 months you can call and walk the reservation every single day and never be blocked out. You need two days worth of points, and if you're walking for more than a week, those need to be enough to cover the weekend. Once you get to the point of booking your full stay, you will need the total number of points.

 

[freediverdude]

I think Disney should just make a rule that you can only change the dates X number of times per reservation. With X being probably 2 or 3 as reasonable. Then also make a rule that they won't cancel and rebook mostly the same dates to get around the first rule and make it a different reservation number to continue walking. This would get rid of most of the walking. Some people might still walk 2 nights or something, but that's it. This calling every day for weeks stuff is pretty ridiculous.

 

[DVCjj]

As long as you have two days locked up at 11 months you can call and walk the reservation every single day and never be blocked out. You need two days worth of points, and if you're walking for more than a week, those need to be enough to cover the weekend. Once you get to the point of booking your full stay, you will need the total number of points.

Thank you.

 

[PinkTink63]

Well, it seems a bit unethical to me! I could have done that for my upcoming holiday reservations but I didn't feel right about it!! Needless to say...I didn't get my ressies and now have to do a split stay!

 

[meryll83]

What time of year is walking a problem? Just over Christmas and New Year?
Or is it a problem at other times of year too?

 

[JWG]

I would imagine that dates like 12/24 and 12/31 are the toughest. We once had to waitlist October at the 11-month mark but it came through the very next day - so some popular DVC times such as October and early December may cause some problems at certain resorts.

I tried to walk an Aulani reservation at the 7-month mark for a Christmas/New Year's trip. It didn't work because of course owners had access to that time already. We ended up having to pay cash for 2 nights (12/30 and 12/31).

I would only do it for very busy times in room categories that are very small and popular. It's really not necessary 98% of the time.

 

[meryll83]

What are those room categories that are popular or limited in number?

 

[Bob Price]

What are those room categories that are popular or limited in number?

Club level and Value at AKL are pretty much always being walked. I was walked out of club level and value for mid-May 2 months ago... I was checking the availability for a few weeks prior to when I wanted to book and you could see the pattern all along. I waited until the walkers were done playing their games and booked at 10 months 3 weeks and 4 days. Which concludes that walking wasn't necessary - just frustrating to others.

Other categories I've seen walked pretty frequently are standard rooms at BWV and BLT. Boardwalk view is walked sometimes. And I think that GF is also walked - I don't own there so I can't watch the phenomenon.