WWYD - Grand Villa Waitlist Question

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi all, I recognize in advance that this is, at it's core, a "what shuffle are you willing to put up with worst case" question, but I cannot land on what feels right and DH is really sick of me debating out loud, so I figured I'd tap into the great knowledge and opinions on this board!!!!

Trying to piece together a family gathering for the week of Columbus Day. Have never stayed in a GV before, we've got 9 people going, we're really excited to try them out Got the first half of the trip in an AKV Jambo GV and the last 2 nights in a BLT Theme Park View GV (super expensive point wise, but this is our other home resort, Lake View was gone, and since that week was disappearing every day I was able to jump and book before 7 months). I've been able to grab the Friday night at AKV that overlaps with the 2 day Thurs/Fri BLT reservation, so I've waitlisted the Thursday night right at the 7 month mark which would, if filled, allow us to not have to move. Not sure if this matters chances-wise, but the day before and day after the waitlist were open and easily booked at 7 months.

In my heart, I'd really like to just stay in one place as people are coming and going all week, sooooo finally to my quest for opinions:

1) What would you put my chances at of getting that one night midweek if I've waitlisted this far out (I know there are only 6 GVs at Jambo)?
2) Would you personally stick with the 2 nights at BLT, or would you try to book a 2 bedroom at AKV for the one night in the middle of the trip, cram all 9 in, then switch back to a GV for the last night? I'd be borrowing past the point of no return/point loss if I booked both at this point, hence the issue.

TIA for your thoughts!!

Side note - there is extra kicking of myself going on with this one, as I actually have AKV as one of my home resorts and normally would have been able to book pre-7 month window, it was all available until last week, but we booked a big trip last year and when we were contemplating what points to throw in, figured we'd be less likely to use the AKV in 2016/2017 so ate them up. Sigh.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd leave the waitlist and think there's at least some chance it can fill.

If it did not then I'd either switch to a 2BR at AKV for both the last 2 nights or I'd head over to BLT for the last 2 nights. I would not choose to move 2 times for the last 2 nights of the trip. Would a Kidani GV be a consideration for the last 2 nights?

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Thanks for your thoughts! Kidani GV would normally be an option, as of this am though it was not available both nights (available the Thurs but not the Fri). The 2 bedroom both nights is also a great suggestion, but has the same limitation (open Thurs but not Fri) at both Jambo and Kidani. I'm honestly surprised, we haven't stayed at AKV for a few years but for the Friday the 2 bedrooms are gone both locations before the 7 month mark. I know it's F&W but AKV isn't exactly close to Epcot....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It sounds a bit like you'd prefer to at least stay at AKV vs moving everyone over to BLT? Since you get 2 waitlists and you have one for the Jambo GV how about setting up one either for the 2 nights in a 2BR at Kidani,which I think would have a very good chance of filling, or if not that then for the 2 nights at a Kidani GV - either to replace the BLT GV?

Hopefully the Jambo GV waitlist will fill though and you'll be all set!

 

[magicaldisney]

With a big group (which I've done before) staying in one place would be key for us. I hope your waitlist comes through.

 

[caracarn]

I have never waitlisted a GV, but I have almost always done a waitlist as we have only stayed at our home resort twice in about 10 trips. I have only had the waitlist not come in only once. I just did a reservation in Jambo for a studio and had to waitlist 5 of 8 days and they all were filled in less than 2 weeks (going in June for what Member Services said was a super busy time and this was just the last two weeks of March that these same through). What I would so is set up two waitlists, one for each day. I never do it any other way. This way as soon as that single day comes free you have it. 3 of our 5 waitlist days showed up 2 days after we waitlisted this way. Unlikely I would have gotten them in a block.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Thanks all, fingers crossed!!