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Post by dmb1016 on Jan 9, 2024 15:01:52 GMT -5
Trying to think about this logically and not be a Karen...
I've never walked a reservation, but I have been trying unsuccessfully for 3 weeks to grab the start of a walk for a studio room at BWV, ultimately to get a 12/8-12/14 reservation for a friend. I know it is a tall order. We have opted to do a garden view room, which is what I should have told him from the beginning. But something has been confusing me about the process that I'd like to know if anyone can shed light on.
Most of the time the date I need at 8am is gone the night before. It's fine, I can stay in bed. Occasionally the room is available and I'm hitting the submit button right at 8. The system thinks about it and eventually says there was an "unexpected problem" and to try again. Of course, the unexpected problem is that 100 people hit submit for 3 available rooms. Again, just part of the deal. But 4 or 5 times over the last 20 days the rooms becomes unavailable at almost exactly 7:55. This is perplexing to me. Wondering what exactly is going on? My guesses.
- It is possible that the reservation walker has opted to wait until 7:55 to modify their current reservation to include the coveted day at 11 months. While it's possible, walkers are pretty savvy. I doubt they would risk a loss of internet or other disaster, and lose the ability to secure the dates they want by waiting until 7:55. Sure, maybe if it happened 1x, I could accept this explanation. But to happen multiple times seem unlikely.
- Is it possible that Disney is securing rooms for their inventory to give out reservations to non-DVC guests? I know you can pay cash for these rooms via the regular booking site. Disney has to gain inventory somehow? The normal Disney visitor is not booking at 11 months. What better way for Disney than claiming the cheapest point category before us members.
- A little nefarious idea, is there some other way to get a room prior to 8am? I believe the phone reservations open an hour later. Is it possible that these phone agents have access and can get their buddy a room?
I'd love to hear any other insights and experiences. From here on out, I'm going to stick with Garden and Boardwalk view rooms. I don't mind saving a friend $, and the experience has been valuable, but it seem like a waste of my time to fight for a small inventory of rooms.
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Post by cpnkirk on Jan 9, 2024 15:11:56 GMT -5
I've heard this question asked on the recent episode of the Disney Dish podcast. This exact question! Len Testa's answer was to check your timing on time.gov (an answer I've seen here). But...I've also seen this question asked about other resorts recently.
Something weird is going on, it doesn't make sense that Disney would schedule to take rooms out of availability just before they are open to book - for the same reason you give for your first explanation.
Sorry I don't have any answers, either!
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Post by baymaxfan on Jan 9, 2024 15:34:29 GMT -5
In this case, I can't imagine this is a difference in clock times. 7:55 is quite a bit of a difference from 8:00.
Disney snatching these cheap point rooms to later sell for cash was a trendy theory a couple of years ago when the AKV value studios went through something similar, where they were impossible to book. In that case, as I recall, it wasn't happening day by day. Rather, a block of a week or two became unavailable and that block just kept extending and went on for months.
I don't have an answer either, but I know this has been brought up in the past (maybe even on the old MouseOwners site).
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Post by bakerworld on Jan 10, 2024 8:33:52 GMT -5
For me, the other interesting aspect of this room situation is that with walkers we've had a lot of success by waiting for them to walk on, which frees up the date we want, but this also doesn't seem to be happening. The days go out of inventory and stay out. In the past what I have also tried, with success, is WL 2 days. A 2 day WL does seem to be filled fairly often. Then once I have the 2 days WL'd, I modify until I have the rest of the dates. Once the day - or 2 days - are acquired it gives you the opportunity to grab the next day ahead of everyone else.
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Post by dlwdwdvc on Jan 10, 2024 8:53:31 GMT -5
Sounds like you are walking right alongside the walkers.
It takes a lot of work to walk unless you have a lot of points to play with .
But I worry walking has become a necessity for me if I am planning for the holiday dates .
I guess I am glad walking remains an option.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 10, 2024 10:20:20 GMT -5
Every time I read this question in its various iterations - different resorts, different times, same story - I think to myself, "I love OKW"
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Post by lephelps on Jan 10, 2024 11:40:41 GMT -5
Every time I read this question in its various iterations - different resorts, different times, same story - I think to myself, "I love OKW" Unless you're trying to get that GV near Hospitality House...then it's a slow, patient walk to hopefully get to the dates you want.  But, then again, I was successful my first time walking at booking the needed dates so maybe still not quite the same, lol. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 10, 2024 11:51:54 GMT -5
Unless you're trying to get that GV near Hospitality House... We just recently did a multi-family trip there, I got everyone their own rooms. Worked out awesome. Except I think there was a little jealousy over wife and I staying all by ourselves in a 1-bd while my sister's family of four had a studio. But hey that's the way it goes hee hee. My mom really enjoyed having her own space at the end of the day! Get away from those grandkids tee hee hee. I am on her side. But yeah, there aren't very many of those GVs you were talking about, I guess. But for the price, you could get a 2-bd plus two studios! Live like kings! Or not quite a 1-bd and three studios. Or FIVE STUDIOS! No kitchen or laundry, though. |
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Post by dmb1016 on Jan 12, 2024 9:47:26 GMT -5
In this case, I can't imagine this is a difference in clock times. 7:55 is quite a bit of a difference from 8:00. Disney snatching these cheap point rooms to later sell for cash was a trendy theory a couple of years ago when the AKV value studios went through something similar, where they were impossible to book. In that case, as I recall, it wasn't happening day by day. Rather, a block of a week or two became unavailable and that block just kept extending and went on for months. I don't have an answer either, but I know this has been brought up in the past (maybe even on the old MouseOwners site). Thanks for the reply. Right, this isn't a clock issue because when I submitted just after I noticed the room disappear, it tells me to wait until 8. I normally keep refreshing every couple minutes from 7:50-8 so the system does not log me out. That is how I noticed that the reservation disappeared. I have found my iphone is pretty close on time, just off a second or 2. If I press submit at 8 even, it tells me I'm too early. If I wait 2 seconds, it acts like it is giving me the reservation then crashes. |
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Post by dmb1016 on Jan 12, 2024 9:54:17 GMT -5
For me, the other interesting aspect of this room situation is that with walkers we've had a lot of success by waiting for them to walk on, which frees up the date we want, but this also doesn't seem to be happening. The days go out of inventory and stay out. In the past what I have also tried, with success, is WL 2 days. A 2 day WL does seem to be filled fairly often. Then once I have the 2 days WL'd, I modify until I have the rest of the dates. Once the day - or 2 days - are acquired it gives you the opportunity to grab the next day ahead of everyone else. While I was already at my computer every morning, I actually did this during thanksgiving week. Because of my daughter's wedding this summer and having time, I think I will need to unload some points this use year. I ended up getting a full week in a standard studio and boardwalk view studio around thanksgiving just by picking up the scraps. I told my buddy not to be concerned with his dates in December, we would do the same. But since 12/1, the dates never come back. So maybe the first couple weeks of December are more coveted than Thanksgiving? |
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Post by baymaxfan on Jan 12, 2024 10:00:05 GMT -5
The first couple of weeks of December are popular DVC times due to the low point requirements. And, all the decorations are up.
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Post by helenabear on Jan 12, 2024 10:13:26 GMT -5
Unless you're trying to get that GV near Hospitality House... We just recently did a multi-family trip there, I got everyone their own rooms. Worked out awesome. Except I think there was a little jealousy over wife and I staying all by ourselves in a 1-bd while my sister's family of four had a studio. But hey that's the way it goes hee hee. My mom really enjoyed having her own space at the end of the day! Get away from those grandkids tee hee hee. I am on her side. But yeah, there aren't very many of those GVs you were talking about, I guess. But for the price, you could get a 2-bd plus two studios! Live like kings! Or not quite a 1-bd and three studios. Or FIVE STUDIOS! No kitchen or laundry, though. There are only 2 HH GV at OKW (both building 25) They cost between the points I paid for a 2 bed standard or a 2 bed lake at VGF. HH is kind of a hot commodity at OKW as it is though S Point and Turtle Pond have their lovers too. I'm personally a HH Peninsular person. I would have to do the math for Old key West points, but the GV's there are significantly cheaper than any other grand villa. ETA: picked June 1-8 (7 nights not cheapest, not most expensive). Studio: 80 points 1 Bedroom: 181 points 2 Bedroom: 246 points Grand Villa: 393 points Compared to a 2 bed at CCV is 299 points for the same week. Sure you could get five OKW studios or two bedrooms and studios at okw, but why would you do that when you could get one Villa that is bigger than many homes or condos out there LOL |
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Post by nrspepe on Jan 12, 2024 19:09:49 GMT -5
This is exactly why we recently added points at OKW. The GV point cost is so cheap, we will be able to continue our large family vacations after retirement.
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