what is "walking" a reservation?

[ML_LovesDisney]

Hi all, I've changed my screenname, formerly maryloubsw if you notice same siggy I always read on here "walking" a reservation? What does that entail?

 

[Lost in Neverland]

It is when you make a reservation earlier than you want it then add days to the end and remove days from the start until you get to the desired dates you are trying to get. For example:

I really want to a reservation for June 6 -13 so in order to guarentee my accomadations and dates I would make my reservation for June 1- 8 when the window opened for the resort. Then I would add days as the window opening changed to the end and delete the ones on the front that I did not want.

 

[es45]

It is when you make a reservation earlier than you want it then add days to the end and remove days from the start until you get to the desired dates you are trying to get. For example:

I really want to a reservation for June 6 -13 so in order to guarentee my accomadations and dates I would make my reservation for June 1- 8 when the window opened for the resort. Then I would add days as the window opening changed to the end and delete the ones on the front that I did not want.

So do you call every day to drop/add a day?

 

[Sandisw]

So do you call every day to drop/add a day?

No, when doing this at the 11 month window, you only need to call a day before the check out to change it. You have that room secured until your check out day.

As long as you call and extend the trip prior to the 11 month window for the check out day, you will be all set.

So, using the prior examle of really wanted June 6 - 13 and you book June 1st through June 8th. You simple call on July 7th and extend the trip to June 13th, and then cancel out the 1st through the 5th.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

No, when doing this at the 11 month window, you only need to call a day before the check out to change it. You have that room secured until your check out day.

As long as you call and extend the trip prior to the 11 month window for the check out day, you will be all set.

So, using the prior example of really wanted June 6 - 13 and you book June 1st through June 8th. You simple call on June 7th and extend the trip to June 13th, and then cancel out the 1st through the 5th.

Ummm, maybe I'm dense here, but if we're working with 11 months, don't you mean call back on July 7th? Or... what am I missing? You confused me when you said call the day before checkout. If you add the years to the dates in this example, it would be helpful... like when the reservation was made, when you called back, etc.

Also, why not just book the reservation for June 1-13 to begin with and then call back to take off the first few days? You would be canceling those days early enough to have them credited back to your account, right?

Please elaborate. Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

Ummm, maybe I'm dense here, but if we're working with 11 months, don't you mean call back on July 7th? Or... what am I missing? You confused me when you said call the day before checkout. If you add the years to the dates in this example, it would be helpful... like when the reservation was made, when you called back, etc.

Also, why not just book the reservation for June 1-13 to begin with and then call back to take off the first few days? You would be canceling those days early enough to have them credited back to your account, right?

Please elaborate. Thanks!

Yes, that should say July 7th! Should not post at night when I should be heading to bed!!!

Let's try again. You want to stay June 6th - June 13th, 2011 and your 11 month window opens July 6th, 2010

Instead you call on July 1st, 2010 and book June 1st - June 8th, 2011. Then, on July 7th, 2010, you call and extend your trip all the way to the 13th of June, and then drop those nights at the beginning you don't need.

Hope this is better! But, for the most part, walking reservations are really not necessary, unless you are talking New Year's eve, or something like that.

 

[chalee94]

Actually, no – the “walking” part is that you call day-by-day. You need to account for every night of your reservation on the first day they become available (which is 7 days ahead of time.)

If you wait till the 1st to call, then a crowd of owners who booked a stay for May 31 for 7 nights may have already booked up your first night. If you wait till the 7th to call and extend your reservation, you might find that the middle of your intended reservation is already spoken for – other owners have had several days to book June 7-12 before you called (by booking 7 night stays that included those dates.)

If you call on May 31, you can book through the night of the 6th. Then you call early and day-by-day so that no one else can get to those nights (7th-12th) before you can.

It's not usually necessary but that's the theory behind it: get your nights booked up before anyone else has a chance.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Actually, no – the “walking” part is that you call day-by-day. You need to account for every night of your reservation on the first day they become available (which is 7 days ahead of time.)

If you wait till the 1st to call, then a crowd of owners who booked a stay for May 31 for 7 nights may have already booked up your first night. If you wait till the 7th to call and extend your reservation, you might find that the middle of your intended reservation is already spoken for – other owners have had several days to book June 7-12 before you called (by booking 7 night stays that included those dates.)

If you call on May 31, you can book through the night of the 6th. Then you call early and day-by-day so that no one else can get to those nights (7th-12th) before you can.

It's not usually necessary but that's the theory behind it: get your nights booked up before anyone else has a chance.

There is no need to call day by day to extend. The point, as already stated by a PP, is that once you have one night booked at the 11 month mark, you are the ONLY ONE who can add nights to that reservation. Every other member must wait at least another day to call and book.

In Sandisw's example, the member has a reservation for 7 nights, with the last night on June 7. The member calls back on July 7, 2010 to book June 8 and later. No other member without an existing reservation can book June 8 on July 7; they must wait until July 8. As a result, even with just 2 phone calls, adding nights to the reservation is guaranteed.

As to what day to start making the "walked" reservation, May 31 or June 1, that is probably more art than science. -- Suzanne

 

[tinkertastic]

if I may ask a quick question, this walking thing confuses me as well. Is it only used at the 11 month window?

 

[chalee94]

In Sandisw's example, the member has a reservation for 7 nights, with the last night on June 7. The member calls back on July 7, 2010 to book June 8 and later. No other member without an existing reservation can book June 8 on July 7; they must wait until July 8. As a result, even with just 2 phone calls, adding nights to the reservation is guaranteed.

makes sense i guess - if there are only 5 concierge 2BRs and you book one for June 6-7 and 4 other owners book the other 4 2BRs on july 6th to book jun 6-12, no owner can call on july 5th and waitlist the 6th and 7th and still book the other 5 nights which are open.

As to what day to start making the "walked" reservation, May 31 or June 1, that is probably more art than science. -- Suzanne

yeah - i meant 11 months in advance = july...but i can never remember if you can book may 31 on june 30 or july 1...

if I may ask a quick question, this walking thing confuses me as well. Is it only used at the 11 month window?

if the owners book up all the rooms at the 11 month window, how would walking even be possible? you need to be certain that you are the first one with access to booking the room - and as a non-owner, you can never do that.