How Commonly Do Bookings Open Up?

[sheriffwoody]

My husband and I just decided to do a quick fall break trip because we don't want to miss Food & Wine. Our dates are locked in because I'm out of vacation days and have to go during fall break. I booked us at Coronado, but I really want Boardwalk or Beach Club. I can get the Thursday and Friday night, but Saturday night isn't available for anything but that crazy two-story suite in Boardwalk and some of the club level rooms at Beach Club. I'd prefer a standard room.

My question is: how common is it for dates to open up at some point along the way? Has anyone successfully booked what they want after checking daily for something to open up?

I don't really want to do a split stay for a 3-night vacation, so I'll probably only switch if we can get all three nights in the same place.

 

[bethymouse]

I have only done this with dining reservations. I have not been able to do that for fast passes or resorts.
I think they only allocate so many rooms ( as that may be the time for free dining and 25% off rack room rates).
I had that trouble trying to book the Polynesian for our recent trip. I ended up paying more $ because the promotion rooms were already booked! I was lucky to even get a room! I was actually quite surprised to see so few offerings for rooms.
Good luck. I know this didn't really answer your question, but hopefully someone will be able to.

 

[sheriffwoody]

I have only done this with dining reservations. I have not been able to do that for fast passes or resorts.
I think they only allocate so many rooms ( as that may be the time for free dining and 25% off rack room rates).
I had that trouble trying to book the Polynesian for our recent trip. I ended up paying more $ because the promotion rooms were already booked! I was lucky to even get a room! I was actually quite surprised to see so few offerings for rooms.
Good luck. I know this didn't really answer your question, but hopefully someone will be able to.

haha, that's ok! That makes sense that they only allocate a percentage of rooms with discounts. Maybe I can search without the discount on and find more. I'm pretty sure our dates aren't included in the free dining, but it's been defaulting to the "back to school savings" prices. I also wonder if calling may make a difference...I hate talking on the phone, so I'll have to psych myself up for it!

 

[bethymouse]

haha, that's ok! That makes sense that they only allocate a percentage of rooms with discounts. Maybe I can search without the discount on and find more. I'm pretty sure our dates aren't included in the free dining, but it's been defaulting to the "back to school savings" prices. I also wonder if calling may make a difference...I hate talking on the phone, so I'll have to psych myself up for it!

In some cases, I think you get more "customer service" talking on the phone.

 

[dreamfinder]

Stuff may open as people change their plans. However, it sounds like are you trying to book during a busy season for those resorts. You and everyone else wants to stay at an Epcot resort during F&W so they can just walk back after sampling the world. You can either try the Swolphin, or just keep checking. At that time period I'd be shocked if there was much of a discount offered (if any) for those resorts, just due to the demand.

 

[ekutchey]

I always recommend calling if you don't see what you want. I have always been able to get what I want or even better when I call.

 

[slappy magoo]

Have you checked availability at Swan and Dolphin yet? I know, you're not steeped in magical Disney theming there, but if it's only a 3 day trip, most of which you'll be in epcot, maybe convenience is more important?

Also, I'm sure the odds of this working are even less, but have you looked into the DVC sections of those resorts?

 

[bee]

Stuff may open as people change their plans. However, it sounds like are you trying to book during a busy season for those resorts. You and everyone else wants to stay at an Epcot resort during F&W so they can just walk back after sampling the world. You can either try the Swolphin, or just keep checking. At that time period I'd be shocked if there was much of a discount offered (if any) for those resorts, just due to the demand.

Have you checked availability at Swan and Dolphin yet? I know, you're not steeped in magical Disney theming there, but if it's only a 3 day trip, most of which you'll be in epcot, maybe convenience is more important?

Also, I'm sure the odds of this working are even less, but have you looked into the DVC sections of those resorts?

I was also going to suggest the Swan or Dolphin. Be sure to factor in parking and resort fees when budgeting for the stay. If you're an SPG member you may be able to get a member rate or 5% off.

ETA: Coronado is also lovely and reasonably close to Epcot so if you end up staying there it won't be a bad thing!

 

[sheriffwoody]

I always recommend calling if you don't see what you want. I have always been able to get what I want or even better when I call.

I tried calling today :/ No luck. But the guy was like "if I was a betting man...which I'm not...I'd bet something else will come up." Which just makes me think they'll announce another special in the future which they've aloted rooms for. It won't be the end of the world if we just keep Coronado!

Stuff may open as people change their plans. However, it sounds like are you trying to book during a busy season for those resorts. You and everyone else wants to stay at an Epcot resort during F&W so they can just walk back after sampling the world. You can either try the Swolphin, or just keep checking. At that time period I'd be shocked if there was much of a discount offered (if any) for those resorts, just due to the demand.

Yeah, it's definitely a bad time/location to be aiming for.

Have you checked availability at Swan and Dolphin yet? I know, you're not steeped in magical Disney theming there, but if it's only a 3 day trip, most of which you'll be in epcot, maybe convenience is more important?

Also, I'm sure the odds of this working are even less, but have you looked into the DVC sections of those resorts?

I don't know why the Swan/Dolphin has never appealed to me. I think I prefer Coronado to that, even though I wouldn't be able to walk to Epcot. Also, yeah, I checked DVC. Nothing in any resort available at this point. F&W goes really fast! I wish I'd thought to book something earlier just in case we did decide to go. This is the second time I've said "no we're not going back until ___" then we plan a trip 3-5 months out because we're addicted...

 

[MaryJaneP]

We had the same situation occur for us for a Spring visit and no availability at CR. All the rooms were taken. Apparently PowWow was happening at the time we were trying to go and they had reserved/blocked all the rooms. We were told that excess rooms would be released 30 days or less before the convention. We were told this was usual and that a room "should" become available. We made all other plans anyway (flight, etc) and had to wait until the rooms/block became available. It did. We do not know what we would have done as an alternative if nothing shook loose. Faith, trust, and Pixie Dust.

 

[slappy magoo]

I don't know why the Swan/Dolphin has never appealed to me. I think I prefer Coronado to that, even though I wouldn't be able to walk to Epcot. Also, yeah, I checked DVC. Nothing in any resort available at this point. F&W goes really fast! I wish I'd thought to book something earlier just in case we did decide to go. This is the second time I've said "no we're not going back until ___" then we plan a trip 3-5 months out because we're addicted...

I'm not in love with the Swan or Dolphin either, and I would probably prefer the theme of Coronado as well...but if my plan was to spend most (perhaps all) of my time at Epcot on a very short trip, I'd probably make the exception. No worries about buses getting packed or running late, easier to come and go as you please, on a trip where every minute matters even more than if you took a week long (or longer) trip.

Plus, you're walking distance to 3 other Disney resorts in case you need a shot of Disney whimsy. Walk through the Boardwalk district, it's a good decompression zone. Or if you want to feel like a big kid before a day of drinking wine, do the character breakfast at Beach Club, which is only a few minutes walk away.

 

[sheriffwoody]

Update: I ended up finding a room at the Yacht Club. It was not in the discount and was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but after thinking for a couple of days, I just went ahead and booked it. Hoping a discount will eventually open up, but if not, I think it will be worth it to be able to walk to Epcot.

I did check Swan and Dolphin, but once fees were added, their prices weren't that much less than this room I got.

 

[PinnySmart]

Have you checked availability at Swan and Dolphin yet? I know, you're not steeped in magical Disney theming there, but if it's only a 3 day trip, most of which you'll be in epcot, maybe convenience is more important?

Also, I'm sure the odds of this working are even less, but have you looked into the DVC sections of those resorts?

I can tell you that studios are mostly gone at all DVC resorts in October.

 

[Daxiegirl]

I have only done this with dining reservations. I have not been able to do that for fast passes or resorts.
I think they only allocate so many rooms ( as that may be the time for free dining and 25% off rack room rates).
I had that trouble trying to book the Polynesian for our recent trip. I ended up paying more $ because the promotion rooms were already booked! I was lucky to even get a room! I was actually quite surprised to see so few offerings for rooms.
Good luck. I know this didn't really answer your question, but hopefully someone will be able to.

I've never been able to switch fast passes either and when I did a room switch it was more expensive too since promo rooms were already booked. In fact, I even had to change resorts in 2014 because all the rooms were gone at WL.

I'm distracted again....@bethymouse I just realized you are leaving soon for your trip!! Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[bethymouse]

Thank you @Daxiegirl

 

[PinnySmart]

Thank you @Daxiegirl

Can't wait to hear about your trip! We've been following along with your planning!

 

[PirateJessica20]

I got VERY lucky. I kept checking for rooms in the Beach Club for mid-September and finally booked a standard room at a discounted price. I was checking everyday and I think they had just released a few rooms (at the same time a few other type of rooms became available). I think a bit closer to the date you will be able to find something.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I got VERY lucky. I kept checking for rooms in the Beach Club for mid-September and finally booked a standard room at a discounted price. I was checking everyday and I think they had just released a few rooms (at the same time a few other type of rooms became available). I think a bit closer to the date you will be able to find something.

I your case, "Luck" was the crossroad of Persistence and Execution.....We do the same thing every trip. Our intention is always Pop Standard Room (We have stayed at Deluxe and Mods, and still prefer the savings at the Values), and we book the cheapest Value available in advance. We then "stalk" the sight until a Pop Standard room opens. It usually opens up at some point.....

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I got VERY lucky. I kept checking for rooms in the Beach Club for mid-September and finally booked a standard room at a discounted price. I was checking everyday and I think they had just released a few rooms (at the same time a few other type of rooms became available). I think a bit closer to the date you will be able to find something.

I your case, "Luck" was the crossroad of Persistence and Execution.....We do the same thing every trip. Our intention is always Pop Standard Room (We have stayed at Deluxe and Mods, and still prefer the savings at the Values), and we book the cheapest Value, Usually an All-Star, weeks in advance. We then "stalk" the sight until a Pop Standard room opens. It usually opens up at some point.....

 

[WendyTinkerbell]

Rooms become available all the time. You just have to check back often. Also, I have seen, and booked, on other sites like Expedia when a room hasn't been available on the Disney World site.