For the purpose of the 11-month and 7-month booking windows, the new day begins at 8:00 AM Eastern, one hour before MS opens. However, the Online Reservation System is available virtually 24/7 for making reservations or just checking availability.
We used the System for the first time today to book a trip to Aulani beginning 9/15, which is when our 7-month window opened for that trip. We signed on at 7:00 AM CST, but I didn't pay attention whether the System was accepting non-home resort reservations for 9/15 before then. I posted some comments on DVCNews about how the System draws points from your contracts to complete a reservation (see http://dvcnews.com/forum/showthread...ni-via-Online-Reservation&p=127866#post127866).
I am quite pleased with the Online Reservation System.
I so far am very pleased with on line booking. The ability to take a short weekend trip to WDW came up and it was very nice to just go on line and see what was still available. Much easier than calling.
I used it last month for a split-stay booking in which I had to borrow points to make the reservations. The first booking went very smoothly--no problems at all. However, during the middle of the second booking I clicked open a pop-up information box that was supposed to show how points would be taken from my account.
However, the pop-up window wouldn't close after that! Nothing worked, not the "escape" key, not clicking the "X" box on the window, nothing.
I finally tried the key combination "Ctrl+W" (Close Tab), and it closed out the whole booking window! So I then had to start all over again. But when I got to the "payment" section, all of my points needed for the reservation were gone!
I called MS in a panic, and they got everything straightened out. All of my points were showing up in their system, and they made the second booking with no problems.
It is so nice to be able to look up availability and make reservations online! Thank you DVC! I have to admit, I had my reservations on how well it was going to work but so far it seems like things are going pretty smoothly, at least for me. Anyone else feel the same?
Although I called and made my own ressie since I am vacationing between U/Ys and walked my ressie, I LOVED that I rented the rest of my remaning 100points and made both ressies online. It was WONDERFUL to see availability immediately and book what I wanted before/after hours without many calls to MS. I loved that!
I would have a suggestion for everyone... log on to DVCmember.com, and leave feedback saying how good the online booking in, and maybe any suggestions for improvement. I think they are used to hearing complaints from us, that getting a good outpouring of POSITIVE feedback from making this change might be helpful in pushing along further changes that we've been hoping for. It certainly couldn't hurt.
Yes, I'm loving Online Reservations! I've booked two reservations using the tool and am having fun simply monitoring if reservations I once thought "tough!" are really so difficult. I'm pleased to report that I'm finding better availability than I had previously expected.
I love the new online booking! I know it's stupid but I really hate talking on the phone, so being able to do it all myself without calling someone is the best!
I have done it a few times just to check availability and every time I checked I had no issues. I checked multiple resorts and multiple dates with no hiccups. The only thing I dislike about this is that I hope none of the MS people lose their jobs over this. It obviously lessens the load and I hope Disney doens't look at it as a way to streamline MS and cut some people's jobs. I have called in my reservations in the past and I don't mind continuing to call in so that these great people can still stay employed.
One good thing is that online booking is there 24/7 and if you need to book after hours or check availibility that is certainly a plus.
I have a question............today I tried to book a 10 day stay but it would only let me book seven. Are you able to add on days to an existing reservation or do you have to call MS for that ? Thanks! April
I have a question............today I tried to book a 10 day stay but it would only let me book seven. Are you able to add on days to an existing reservation or do you have to call MS for that ? Thanks! April