8/22 UPDATE....Hooray! BWV Reservations now being taken!!

[Granny]

Updated 8/22/03 9:30 a.m. ET
Wow! My wife called me at the office and said that DVC had called our home and told us that the BWV reservations were able to be placed!! I called MS and was able to place reservations for the 11 month window booking I'm working on. So BWV reservations are back up!


Updated 8/22/03 9:05 a.m.
Day 4 and the BWV Reservation Blackout has no signs of improvement! The CM had no idea what was causing the problem, and no idea when it would be resolved.

Updated 8/21/03
Day 3 of the great BWV Reservation Blackout continues! No reservations today either. They're killin' me!


Updated 8/20/03
I called MS again this morning and was again told that they are not accepting any new reservations for BWV again today. This time the CM told me to try later today.

Now how messed up is that? With the 9:00 opening hours, I know when to call to get near the front of the line. With this, they could start accepting calls at any point today and I would have no way of knowing. I told the CM that I thought they should not accept any reservations today and just start tomorrow morning. He said that wasn't his decision...which I was well aware of.

By the way, I asked about e-mail and he said that would delay my request being processed by 24-48 hours, so I should call.

Just wanted to update the group here!

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Original post

I called MS, card in hand and all my reservation information laid out in front of me.

I was very pleased that I got right through at 9:05 a.m. Eastern time....no wait at all.

I told the lady that I wanted to make a reservation at BWV for next year.


Silence.



Then...."Can you hold a minute?".


Then (after that minute)...."I'm sorry but we are having computer problems with our Boardwalk Villas inventory and can't make any reservations for that resort today".


So I'm supposed to call back tomorrow and try again.


Maybe this new view thing has messed up their programming a bit? I've never heard of this situation before on these boards.

Has anyone else run into this?

 

[PamOKW]

My guess is that they may be having a combination of computer and human problems. As word gets out about this new policy, I think they'll be deluged with calls checking on previous reservations and then dealing with people who are upset with what they have been assigned.

A little understanding for the folks at MS might be in order. Of course, I hope they get it straightened out ASAP so that members can continue to make their future plans.

 

[Nanajo1]

I might e-mail my ressie to MS today. Just for peace of mind.

 

[Granny]

Nanajo1...I actually asked that question and I was told that an e-mail would be treated as if it came in tomorrow so it wouldn't provide any unfair advantage to those who phone in to reserve the room.

 

[TerriBelle]

I called this morning at 9:00 to find out more info on the new policy on views. We have 2 reservations for January that we wanted to check on. They had all but 1 night available as BW view so we are on the waitlist. We had not specified BW view when we made the reservation in April. When I called she was able to pull up our reservation and check the availability of BW view.

 

[Granny]

Bumping up to provide update. See original post.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Lastweek a new computer system was installed at the Bordwalk's restaurants and shops. Now I don't know if this is the same system that's causing the delays today with MS.

But one morning at the bakery, the CM's were all gathered around the register because something happened and they couldn't figure out what it was! It took a couple of minutes and eventually I got my morning coffee!

The the next evening while dining at Spoodles, some of the orders into the kitchen were being "doubled". We received "free" flatbreads and shrimp in a chili sauce . When the server brought over the extra dishes we told them we only ordered 1 of each. He went back to the serving/staging area and came back with the food stating "it's on the house; the computer made an error". Now of course the person inputing the order could have made the mistake due to a lack of knowledge on how to use the system. But none the less, the computer is getting the blame!

BRW, if you happen to dine at Spoodles, and like shrimp. Do try the appetizer of Shrimp in a Chili Sauce. Delicious!!

 

[ZachnElli]

I just called MS (before signing on here). I requested a BW view for our ressie in March and I wanted to see what we got and if I could waitlist for the BW view. I called at 3pm central time and was told the computers for BWV was down and has been for a few days. The cm was very short with me, which was totally unnecessary. I figure I didn't get it because I booked at 8 months out (when we joined DVC), but I want to know either way. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

 

[Granny]

Aaarrrrggghhhh!

I've got these points burning a hole in my pocket, and for the third day straight MS has told me that there will be no BWV reservations placed today!!!

Bummer!!

Very frustrating not to be able to place the reservation for next summer.

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[drusba]

Don't you realize this all part of the new reservation policies. They have simply changed from reserving Boardwalk or Pool/Garden view at time of reservation to just show up when you want to go and hope you get in.

 

[Terry S]

drusba... don't joke, you may not be far off on that one!

Granny... I would also be very fustrated if I were you. Good luck when they eventually do allow reservations.

 

[PamOKW]

This is bordering on unacceptable. If it's a result of the new computer system at Boardwalk, then it's somewhat out of DVC's control but still should have had the bugs worked out before going live. If it's a result of the new booking system, which I tend to think it probably is, then DVC should certainly have experimented and made sure they could handle the requests.

 

[DJGifford]

Geee, I am glad I booked for the BWV last week. But, of course, I don't care about the view...I don't spend enough time in the room to really care too much. I think a Boardwalk view would be nice, esp. in the morning...as I could get my Bakery goodies and coffee and sit on the balcony...oh well...I will just eat on the Boardwalk tables...like we did last time..

Good luck to everyone.

 

[Tinkerbelloncapecod]

Okay....i've been away from these boards for a few days.....what new policy are we talking about. Do we have a new reservation policy?

thanks.
rorobou@netzero.net

 

[Granny]

Tink....this is the new policy pasted from the member website:

Disney's BoardWalk Villas Preferred View Booking Change

As part of our on-going efforts to improve the Member reservation and check-in experience, we are pleased to introduce enhanced room categories for Disney's BoardWalk Villas.

Until now, Preferred View accommodations could be for a view of the garden, the pool, or the BoardWalk. There is now a separate category for the BoardWalk View. Effective immediately, the Preferred View accommodations will be identified by one of the following new categories - Preferred: Garden/Pool View and Preferred: BoardWalk View. Both categories require the same number of Vacation Points for reservation of accommodations. At the time of your booking you will be able to request the BoardWalk View category and will know at that time if this is the room category that you will receive at check-in. If these accommodations are not available, you may request the Garden/Pool View category.

Member Services has already converted some existing reservations to the enhanced room categories, based on requests for the BoardWalk View and the date the reservation was confirmed. An updated confirmation will be sent to Members whose reservations have been confirmed for the Preferred: BoardWalk View category.

Keep in mind that inventory in the Preferred: BoardWalk View category is limited, so please make your vacation plans accordingly

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Perhaps BWV has switched to a first come, first serve policy for getting any room. I guess you have to show up, and if there is a clean room, you can book it.

 

[floridafam]

Maistre Gracey,

I needed a good laugh today.

 

[sgtpet]

Nobody can make any changes for BWV or new reservations as of right now due to the new system.

 

[tn4mickey]

I made BWV reservations on Tuesday 8/19 for May. I was able to get a SV studio! I guess this was before the computer problems. I called about 10 am PDT (1pm EDT).

 

[nhmomx2]

I can't remember if I called to book a ressie on Monday or Tuesday...regardless, when I did call I was told they could not make any ressies at BWV because "there is a problem with the inventory". I booked OKW, but have called every day (and night since to see if I can change to BWV (it's for my parents and they love the ESPN Club...oh to be young and 70 - lol!)

Not to start anything, but the woman didn't say they were switching over ressies under the new system, she just said they had an inventory problem. To me, that sounds more than just differentiating between the views. I was wondering if they are having an inventory problem because of people borrowing from members and transferring into their accounts and using other resort points as BW points (i.e., I borrow from an OKW member, transfer into my account and use them as I would use my BW points.) Wasn't this something that was discussed before as being a problem with their tracking system? Just a thought...

PS...I really want to book my parents at BWV's!!!