When you don't have time to constantly be checking availability, the WL is a nice option. I'd say about 70% of the time we have success. Either way it seems like I'm always doing something and by the time I could check I'm brain dead. I forgot to grab a value AK studio on Dec 2 until the afternoon so sure 'nuff it was gone. I activated a WL and 2 days later the WL came thru, which was nice as I didn't have time to check it until 2 days later. Same scenario on Dec 6 but today (because I read this thread) I hopped on the site and my WL was sitting there but the room was available so I grabbed the room and deactivated the WL. These are pre/post cruise where I wanted a low point room because I'm borrowing.