Anyone have online booking yet?

[ajseagles3]

We have two differently-titled memberships and both have access. Last name begins with S. 210 pts at VWL purchased direct from DVC in ~1999/2000, and 200 pts at BLT purchased via resale a month ago.

I wonder if some people aren't readily seeing it. I think they changed the display mid-morning, but the link you're looking for is called "VACATION CENTER" and is at the very top of the right column.

 

[js]

So, I see the little suitcase.

For those that have tried, are you able to sit and look at different dates (within your booking period) and places without committing to using your points?

Although I have only rented a few times, I think this will be an excellent tool for those that do as well as regular DVCers like us.

Thanks.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I hope someone posts after hours to see if it is still working tonight after the phones are closed. I can see the point of "keeping it fair", but I can also see it easier for them to keep it on 24/7. What I don't see fair is the day your 11 or 7 month window opens, that online being able to book at 12:01 am, but the phones won't open till 9. I would think IF they keep it online 24/7, they wouldn't let your booking window open until 9am that day. Once the booking window opens, I don't see fairness being an issue.

I won't get to play with it till sometime next month when my contract closes

 

[lockedoutlogic]

ok...so this is whiny and very nitpicky...

BUT...we're looking to go August 19th...so if you check your calenders...today is: the 7 month day.

So since they are rolling it out in phases...i didn't get access to it on one of the 3 days a year where we book something.

Sure i called and checked around as i normally would...but it kinda stinks that it was random (or perhaps determined by contract date) when you got the privilege. It would have been nice if they would have made provision where you could have gained access today if you were planning on using member services today and called into the IT line - you could have been added to get access. I'm sure that many of those who got the access today are completely oblivious, anyway. And if you aren't booking now...what would be the point? Stalk a treehouse at saratoga?

I want my magic, dammit!!!

 

[Brandis]

Agree with Luckyman about the booking windows and later allowing 24h booking access.

Also got it later in the day, wasn't there at around 10 AM.

I like it, only strange thing is that when I tried it out, it showed some non-available resorts.

At first, I was confused why it only shows points for the 2011 and 2012 UY, but then I realized that I'm currently still in 2011 UY, because I have Feb. But still, as I'm already able to book for later in the year, I think it also should show 2013, as I would be able to borrow from there.

If you don't do anything for 20 min. the booking screen times out, but you can return to the home screen without having to re-login.

BTW, last name starts with B, own 160 points at BLT and joined in Oct. 2009. So don't think it's based on seniority, probably completely random

 

[LauraLea]

I have transferred points, but no link yet. The transferred points are a different UY so I can't see the them on the summary or the activity detail.

I asked member services about booking these points online and I was told that I may have to call member services to booked them.

I will be anxious to know the answer to this question, too.

just got in using my Nook Color. transferred in points are NOT showing up.

laura

Edited: Transferred in points are same resort, different UY.

 

[tinkfan]

I have it and was able to book very easily. I booked into my next use year just to make sure there were no glitches and need to change/cancel.

I will be curious to see how the the time frame/dates for 11 & 7 months work out. It would be my guess that as soon as it is up and running for all members it will be 24/7 and you would have to book at 12:01?

Received my confirmation email as I was typing this!

 

[LauraLea]

i have not seen it mentioned yet and it is not something we will use, but i can add the dining plan to my existing reservations. nice feature for those that use it.

laura

 

[Disbroads]

ok...so this is whiny and very nitpicky...

BUT...we're looking to go August 19th...so if you check your calenders...today is: the 7 month day.

So since they are rolling it out in phases...i didn't get access to it on one of the 3 days a year where we book something.

Sure i called and checked around as i normally would...but it kinda stinks that it was random (or perhaps determined by contract date) when you got the privilege. It would have been nice if they would have made provision where you could have gained access today if you were planning on using member services today and called into the IT line - you could have been added to get access. I'm sure that many of those who got the access today are completely oblivious, anyway. And if you aren't booking now...what would be the point? Stalk a treehouse at saratoga?

I want my magic, dammit!!!

I was being rejected and thought "maybe they only let X number in, and once you're rejected, they put a cookie on your pc". So I deleted cookies, closed my browser, went back in, and got in, third try.

I'm impressed. I'd like more change capability, like adding or removing people and maybe dates or room type, but for a first version, I think they did a good job.

Seeing wait lists is great!

Overall, I give it two enthusiastic

 

[DisneyMama21]

I am in!!! Now I have to wait until Sunday to actually book our Christmas vaca. I'll be curious to see if its available at 12:01am or 9:00am. You know I'll be staying up tonight to check!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I was being rejected and thought "maybe they only let X number in, and once you're rejected, they put a cookie on your pc". So I deleted cookies, closed my browser, went back in, and got in, third try.

I'm impressed. I'd like more change capability, like adding or removing people and maybe dates or room type, but for a first version, I think they did a good job.

Seeing wait lists is great!

Overall, I give it two enthusiastic

I actually just got it in the last 2 hours or so and went in and look around...

it is nice to see the whole in what you're trying to book without having to wait for the person to search them and try to communicate them back to you semi clearly...

haven't used the wait list function yet...but i definitely will check it out.

It seems like it will be a good enough system...hopefully for more functionality later...

It should be a win/win for the customer and disney...easier for the person to just conveniently look things up and book....and better for disney as i'm sure part of the potential advantages of this is members will start to play with dates to get specific locations....which means they might bump their travel up or back a week to get the place they really want - thereby taking some demand away from overbooked places and times and moving it to lesser so ones...

better inventory control/allocation...bigger lines at the giftshops 365 days a year

 

[mouseaider]

I didn't have it this morning but I just checked again and I have it available now.

 

[js]

Has anyone actually tried to switch resorts yet at 7 months and can you see what points are exactly what use year?
Thanks.

 

[BrerNashville]

It has a waitlist manager feature too... Neat!

Where is that? Does it let you look at current waitlists? even those not set up online?

 

[ajseagles3]

For those that have tried, are you able to sit and look at different dates (within your booking period) and places without committing to using your points?

Although I have only rented a few times, I think this will be an excellent tool for those that do as well as regular DVCers like us.

Thanks.

Sort of... You put in a specific resort, room type, and dates, and it tells you if it's available and provides some alternate options. So, you can't really just browse through all the availability... frankly, it seems to mimic the behavior echoed by the way the DVC cast members respond when you book over the phone.

I imagine that one of the reasons they didn't offer this sooner is to discourage over-renting. But it is probably fairly easy to see how often you book without yourself in the reservation or find other ways to discourage renting for profit - if discouraging it is really something they want to be doing.

 

[paults]

still don't have it.
My question is can you book more than 1 room at a time. I always need 5 to 8 studios at BWV for OCT. Will I be able to do this or is it for only 1 ressie at a time.

 

[Donna M]

I was on the phone yesterday with MS and he said that modifications would have to be done by phone.

I was just online looking at the booking process and it looks like it will be good because it pulls up other resorts that have availability if the one you want is full. It gives a nice point comparison too.

The link is very small. It's in the little box on the right hand side.

 

[Mousewerks]

I have the link but alas, no plans for this year so can't really run the system through it's paces

 

[supersuperwendy]

It's there now!!! wasn't there earlier!

I selected private browser on safari...then unselected it and now the link is there!!! It's cool to see what else is available for our June trip if we wanted to switch it up!

 

[mjc2003]

As a start, I really like it. We are going last minute (in DVC terms) in mid-March. We have a range of a few weeks to work with, so it's helps plan the trip because I can quickly see several options within that 2 week window. I just basically searched every resort in both 1 and 2 BR booking categories for a 14 day period in March, looking for 4 consecutive days, and it took about 5 minutes. The same info would have taken an hour and lots of scribbling if I was on the phone.