Seeing as I can cancel the other hotel with 24 hours notice, I will try each day until the day before we leave.
Thank you to both you and the other poster to suggested this.
You know, it's funny, the last time I called I specifically asked if there was a possibility of something opening up due to a cancellation and the CM was rather abrupt and said that it was high season so the chances were about none. But I can be persistent!
Yes, keep trying. Don't give up! Some of the CMs are more helpful than others! And some of them give different information. Try calling every day and also check the DLR website and key in your dates on the website every day. It isn't just the cancellations to look out for, but as I said earlier, certain rooms which are blocked - or held - for other reasons are eventually released to the public if they are not booked. So something could open up suddenly and you don't want to miss it! And don't
only try for the GCH - although I think that would be the most likely to open up just because it is the most expensive - but also try for the DLH as well, with or without concierge service.
Another crazy thing that sometimes happens but which may work to your benefit - and this was told to me by a CM in Reservations a couple of years ago - if you are booking a "Room-Only" reservation (with no tickets or anything else attached to it, and not part of a special offer), occasionally their computer system will read the number of nights one wants as being unavailable - like the CM will punch in '6 nights' and the system will say 6 nights are not available. BUT, if they break them up and tell the computer they need 3 nights and then another 3 nights, or 2 nights and 4 nights, the computer will suddenly show availability!! So that is another thing to ask the CMs when you call - if 6 nights don't show YET as available, then what about 3 and 3, 2 and 4, etc.? Then, if, say, they find something available for the first 3 nights and also for the last 3 nights, they may make two reservations for you for 3 nights each, but chances are, when you get checked into the hotel, they will be able to combine the two reservations into one, so you do not have to switch rooms.
One time I had an existing reservation for 2 nights. I wanted to change it to 3 nights, but the DLR Reservations system told the CM that a 3 night block was not available. So she kept my 2-night reservation intact, made a separate reservation for me for ONE night, and then went to ask her supervisor how to combine them, and they did. They combined them ionto one reservation. So that is one other option you can try asking about.
I am really eager for you and your mom to stay onsite at DLR!! I just think it will be perfect and a wonderful way to sort of enhance the overall trip and make it magical!! I am crossing my fingers for you that daily calls and checking the website will do the trick!!
and yes, do consider upgrading one of you hoppers for the discounts.
