Would I Absolutely Need to Walk This Reservation?

[ZephyrHawk]

Hello! I'm technically not a DVC member yet (I sent in my money and closing documents on Friday), but I have a reservations question. I'd never heard of "walking" a reservation prior to researching this purchase (DH, who lurks here, actually discovered it). It's not something I'd ever do normally, as I don't care all that much about what resort I get, and I don't want to screw over other DVC folks.

BUT....

Part of the reason we decided to buy into this contract now is in preparation for the big trip we're planning for December 2015. It was one of the few ways I could think of to ensure that all 4 of the families I'm planning for (us, my parents, DH's mom's family and DH's dad's family) could all get into the same nice hotel at the same time without breaking the bank.

SO....

As a VWL owner, booking 11 months out, will I be able to get 4 studios at VWL for the second week of December 2015 (more specifically, 3 families coming in on 12/12/15 and a 4th family arriving 12/15/15)? Or, would I have to "walk" this reservation to be sure. I can probably take having one of the 4 rooms upgraded to a 1 bedroom for the duration, but much more than that and I'm going to be running low on points (I'm going to be banking 2014 and borrowing some from 2016 as it is).

I'd really hate to have to do this, but if I do need to for this one special never-doing-this-craziness-again situation, I want to know ahead of schedule so I can be prepared. The families are counting on me to deliver, and I am not letting anyone down!

 

[disneynutz]

My "guess" is that you will be able to book at 11 months and get all of your rooms.

That being said, I don't think that anyone can tell you for sure.

Bill

 

[Msmithmd]

On one hand, VWL is almost always a sure thing at eleven months. On the other hand, there are only 72 studios total between the dedicated and the lock offs. So you're wanting to book 5 1/2 percent of the entire resort.

The issue is going to be that walking the reservations that time of year would be very difficult. You're thinking of walking through Thanksgiving and the first week of December, which are two of the busiest weeks of the year. Good luck either way...

 

[ZephyrHawk]

The issue is going to be that walking the reservations that time of year would be very difficult. You're thinking of walking through Thanksgiving and the first week of December, which are two of the busiest weeks of the year. Good luck ether way...

Drat, I didn't even think of that.

 

[CarolMN]

IMO, you do not need to walk those reservations - just book online when the window opens. (And I agree that walking 4 reservations would be a royal pain).

Worst case, you might have to waitlist. At 11 months, that is very likely to work.

Good luck!

 

[skier_pete]

I can't predict as I haven't been around long enough , but I WOULD say book all FOUR on 12/12/15 to be sure you have them, then suggest you walk the 12/15 one the last few days.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I agree...walk the last one...book all four the day your window opens

 

[Dean]

Hello! I'm technically not a DVC member yet (I sent in my money and closing documents on Friday), but I have a reservations question. I'd never heard of "walking" a reservation prior to researching this purchase (DH, who lurks here, actually discovered it). It's not something I'd ever do normally, as I don't care all that much about what resort I get, and I don't want to screw over other DVC folks.

BUT....

Part of the reason we decided to buy into this contract now is in preparation for the big trip we're planning for December 2015. It was one of the few ways I could think of to ensure that all 4 of the families I'm planning for (us, my parents, DH's mom's family and DH's dad's family) could all get into the same nice hotel at the same time without breaking the bank.

SO....

As a VWL owner, booking 11 months out, will I be able to get 4 studios at VWL for the second week of December 2015 (more specifically, 3 families coming in on 12/12/15 and a 4th family arriving 12/15/15)? Or, would I have to "walk" this reservation to be sure. I can probably take having one of the 4 rooms upgraded to a 1 bedroom for the duration, but much more than that and I'm going to be running low on points (I'm going to be banking 2014 and borrowing some from 2016 as it is).

I'd really hate to have to do this, but if I do need to for this one special never-doing-this-craziness-again situation, I want to know ahead of schedule so I can be prepared. The families are counting on me to deliver, and I am not letting anyone down!

I'd generally agree however, if you'll be upset if you don't get them immediately and had to wait list, I'd walk them some, maybe book a few days early and make the change with one phone call on the planned day. Also, if the stays are less than 7 days, I'd book them for 7 days such that the last day is your planned check out day then shorten them later.

 

[dbs1228]

I'd generally agree however, if you'll be upset if you don't get them immediately and had to wait list, I'd walk them some, maybe book a few days early and make the change with one phone call on the planned day. Also, if the stays are less than 7 days, I'd book them for 7 days such that the last day is your planned check out day then shorten them later.

I agree with this IF you do NOT have to borrow the points to make a longer stay then shorten it later. Once you borrow the points they cannot be returned to the future UY. I think if it were me I would book all 4 rooms for the 12/12 date and walk the 12/15. Good luck

 

[Dean]

I agree with this IF you do NOT have to borrow the points to make a longer stay then shorten it later. Once you borrow the points they cannot be returned to the future UY. I think if it were me I would book all 4 rooms for the 12/12 date and walk the 12/15. Good luck

As a rule I would not borrow points to do this either but it really depends on how important it is to be successful. Worst case scenario is one ends up with unused current UY points that can be banked to replace the points that would not have been borrowed otherwise.