What is the best way to get a 11 month Advance Reservation for December 2006 ?

[PHILCT]

Hi Everyone

This will be the first year I will be getting a 2 bedroom Condo Reservation, 11 months in advance, at my Home Resort - The Wilderness Lodge.
(2 queen bed "dedicated" style only condo !)

I want to go from December 3rd to December 15th 2006 (Sunday thru Friday Checkout, 12 nights / 13 days).

I know from the past how competitive it is to get the December Reservations.
Many DVC Members realize what a bargain it is to go to Disney in December and see the Special Christmas atmosphere at Disney during the LOW SEASON Point Prices.

The number of DVC members in December seems way above the average Disney Attendance in my own opinion. The first week in December 2006 is not connected to the Thanksgiving Holiday. I am guessing these first two weeks in December will again become very competitive.

Question: Should I attempt to book one day at a time starting on Tuesday Janurary 3rd? Or should I wait and not worry, and book the total trip's reservations on exactly Monday January 16th, the "end" of my 11 month advance reservation window?

I don't want to call up on Monday January 16th and find out that I am on a waiting list for December 3rd thru December 14th 2006 dates already.

Any suggestions how to make this reservation, and not yet drive Member Services crazy calling them each business day?
Or am I just over worried?


Thanks for any advice,

Phil

 

[Caskbill]

Yes, go daily.

The first two weeks in December is very popular.

BTW, if your first day is Dec 3rd, then you make the first call on Jan 4th which is technically a check-out date for a Dec 3rd check-in of a single day.

Also, since it 12 nights, checking in on Sunday, Dec 3rd, your check-out day then is Friday, Dec 15th, not Saturday, Dec 16th which is what you mean, but of course you still call on Monday Jan 16th to make the last two days reservation since you can't call Jan 14th or 15th since it's a weekend.


Call on the 4th and make your first day's reservation. Tell MS that you will be calling on a day-by-day basis and give him/her the dates for the full reservation you eventually will be making. That way you won't get a confirmed reservation letter until the last day is added.

Have a great trip.

Sidebar, download my DVC-Planner program (see below). It will give you the day-by-day dates to make your reservation.

 

[magicmommy]

I'm no expert but I bet those who are will tell you to book the first day and ask member services how it looks for availability for the rest of your trip. My understanding is that studios and 2 BR's book up faster than 1BR's. Also, VWL is a hot commodity the first 2 weeks in December. Since I'm a compulsive planner I would book day by day unless MS said there was no need.

 

[crazywig]

they are used to people calling day by day so you won't be 'bothering them'....i make all my BWV reservations this way and they have always been very nice. i tell them right off the bat i am doing a day by day reservation.

i would think for VWL you should call right at 9am as well.

 

[PHILCT]

WOW !

Thanks Everyone for the great advice !

I also forgot about the Day I checkout versus the Day I checkin concept.

Now, If I can only wait until December 2006 to see Disney again !


Aghhhhh !

 

[DebbieB]

I would do day by day. Someone just posted that they are on the waitlist for Thanksgiving at BWV because they did not call right away.

 

[CarolMN]

Chiming in to agree - call day by day. The VWL dedicated 2 bedrooms with two queens in the second bedroom are popular. IMHO, a few extra calls are easier to take than worth worrying about a waitlist coming through.

Best wishes -

 

[Disney Doll]

If being at the VWL will make or break your vacation, then go daily.

Thise 2 weeks are very popular with the DVC, and VWL is a very popular resort at Christmas.

 

[Aneille]

We are also planning those same dates and I will be calling day by day starting on the 4th. We are staying at the BWV though but I need 2 sets of rooms for one of the weeks.

We have cash reservations with AAA discount already for the weekend at Wilderness Lodge. I really wanted to stay there during Christmas for at least a few days.

At 7 months I am going to try to switch the first week from BWV to BCV. I hope it works!