Precise timing for online reservations?

[n777lt]

I've never made a reservation online (usually take advantage of 13 months out, didn't trust the speed of my DSL or my computer), but I'd like to try. Since I'll be trying for a high-demand week, the question becomes, how far can I go in the process before 9 a.m. Eastern time? Can I log in, set up the villa type, number of guests etc. and just wait to hit the "select week" button at 9 a.m.? Or do I have to wait until 9 a.m. just to log in? Any other advice or hints about doing this smoothly?
Thanks!

 

[BocaBoy]

I've never made a reservation online (usually take advantage of 13 months out, didn't trust the speed of my DSL or my computer), but I'd like to try. Since I'll be trying for a high-demand week, the question becomes, how far can I go in the process before 9 a.m. Eastern time? Can I log in, set up the villa type, number of guests etc. and just wait to hit the "select week" button at 9 a.m.? Or do I have to wait until 9 a.m. just to log in? Any other advice or hints about doing this smoothly?
Thanks!

I assume this time you will be booking at only 12 months out?

 

[dioxide45]

I always read about people refreshing the calendar continuously. So I take that to mean they have selected their villa type and when they get to the calendar that shows availability, they just keep hitting refresh up to 9:00am when the calendar finally loads and shows availability for their week.

 

[Fairwinds]

I always read about people refreshing the calendar continuously. So I take that to mean they have selected their villa type and when they get to the calendar that shows availability, they just keep hitting refresh up to 9:00am when the calendar finally loads and shows availability for their week.

That's how I've done it and the calendar weeks updated as available exactly at 0900. I can't imagine talking on the phone being faster regardless of DSL speed. But I imagine you could be safe the first time you try and do both, terminating the call when confirmed

 

[horseman]

What Dioxide45 describes actually works , I have done it that way for the last several years, until experiencing a problem this year. It worked fine on my guest unit but not the Master, Generally you can get as far as viewing the calendar before 9:00 AM at which point it shows you the older dates that are still available . If you refresh right at 9.00 the new dates should pop up. However, on high demand weeks they can be gone by 9:01.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

.0467 seconds before 9:00 AM ET

 

[radmoo]

I had very good luck renting out our Canyon Villa 2 BR unit for this year March 15-22. My renters actually followed up on my TUG ad and paid me asking price. I made the reservation online in March 2012.

This year I marked my office OUTLOOK to remind me to log on this morning as well as tomorrow. Of course I ran a bit late this AM so when I finally logged in to my work station, it read 9:02 AM and there was my "reminder". I quickly jumped on MVCI website and of course, no availability. What the heck, I hit "refresh" and low and behold, Fri. March 13, 2015 check-in was available. So at 9:05AM, I received confirmation for my request. Needless to say, I am thrilled. Not sure if we will rent or deposit into II and try to secure 2nd Mexico week - we own EOY in Royal Haciendas. If I deposit, I will lock off. If not, I will rent full Villa which hopefully will cover MF and a week's rental at RH. WEbiste is far less frustrating than phone!

 

[EKniager]

We have owned for 7 years and using the calendar refresh method 12 months in advance, I have never had a problem getting an Aruba Surf Club Platinum week.

This year, for the first time, I get to wait for the final Gold week (Labor Day) at MOW. Pretty scary! I hope the experience is the same.

 

[m61376]

You can login and enter all the info. up to the calendar page appearing. Then hit refresh and repeat. If you're afraid of a slow connection, then try it a few times several minutes before 9 and look at the clock on the refresh page; I assume that's the clock Marriott goes by. I have a fast connection and do it a couple of seconds before 9; sometimes at 8:39:30- 8:39:45 I just keep on refreshing and always hit it at 9:00:00. In fact, my time stamp for the last several years is always 9:00:00. I do dial in "just in case," but I'm so fast that I'm usually confirming as they're saying hi, even if they pick up immediately.

 

[n777lt]

.0467 seconds before 9:00 AM ET

Precisely the information I wanted, Saintsfanfl!! (Synchronize your watches, men!)
Seriously, everyone, the info is much appreciated, and in about nine hours from now we'll know whether it worked by computer or by phone.

 

[csalter2]

Can't believe it's that serious!

I have used the website to make reservations and have never had that problem. I always use the website and never had to synchronize my watch. Which properties are so difficult to get at 12 months out that you have to be on the clock so diligently. Obviously Ko Olina is not one of those even during high demand seasons.

 

[n777lt]

Pleased to report that using Saintsfanfl's precise calculations , we got ALMOST what we wanted -- Sunday checkin for CV 3/22/15!

Problem encountered: I apparently hit the server TOO CLOSE to 9:00:00, got an error message that the server was unavailable, and had to go back to the preference page, so probably didn't get the calendar until 9:00:15 or so, by which time only Sunday check-ins were available...unless that's all they released??

In any case, csalter2, yes it is that serious for CV, MOC (Napili Towers) and LR, at least for the weeks we tend to want (our work schedules limit our flexibility) We place calls just before 9 a.m., end up in the queue, and have occasionally encountered no availability at all! It only takes one experience like that to make one skittish.

Thanks for the advice, guys!

 

[horseman]

On-line is definitely the way to go, but I got stuck having to phone in this year and got the same week as n777lt at Canyon Villas. I hit my send button at about 8:59:56 and got thru right at 9:00. If you are on the phone you want to tell the Rep what you want immediately - don't wait for them to ask. If any check in date is OK then tell them to book whatever is available. Friday and Saturday check-ins were gone in 15 seconds, so I got Sunday too. I think your chances of success are way better on-line but it is nice to know that the phone actually can work... sometimes . I never thought I had a chance. This is Canyon Villas -Phoenix during Spring Training -apparently very high demand.

 

[Rodenwjr]

Newport Coast is the same way. We like the July/August time frame and you have to be on the ball for those times. My question is.....

We have 2 weeks at NCV. We always try 13 months out but usually cant get a resv until the first or second week of Aug. If I wait 12 months out for the July inventory to open, do I have to call two weeks in a row and book each week separately? Will they allow me to book one week online and wait another week to book the next? I just want to get something on the reservation system while school is still out.

Bill