Boardwalk View frustration!

[Boardwalk III]

Hi all,

Just a heads up. I made a reservation 11 mos out for our upcoming trip to BWV the first week of December. I called day by day between 9-9:30 and my request for a boardwalk view is on the original reservation.

Given the new policy, I figured I would be all set for the BW view as I knew they were assigning the views based on date/time of booking, honoring the BW view requests. I called this morning to confirm and guess what - I DON'T have a BW view!

They claim that all of the BW view rooms must have been reserved "seconds" before I called and that the computer has put me on the "waitlist", but they can't tell me how far down the list I am or how many people called before me.

I don't know, but something doesn't sit right with me - I find it very hard to believe that all of the 2 BR villas with BW views were gone within the first 15 minutes each day that I called. The manager did say he'd double check the facts and get back to me, but I'm really disappointed as I don't know what I could have done differently.

I know the view is not all that matters, but with two young teens I like to be able to keep an eye on them down at the BW arcades etc.

Anyone else have this experience or thoughts?!

 

[PamOKW]

My only thought is more or less confirmed by your experience. For the time being, BWV will probably have more upset people because of this policy. Hopefully, it will resolve itself.

You are right to question how they decided how got the BW view room. On Day 1, maybe you were beaten to all the BW view rooms. But, do you really think you were shut out every day you called? Theoretically, you and everyone else who calls day-by-day may end up with a mixed bag of BW and non-BW views and then be waitlisted to get all BW. Of course, you can opt to take all non-BW and then wait list for all-BW.

For the time being, things should be crazy. I can't wait to hear from the folks who don't use the Internet (the board and Member Site) and will be shocked to hear about the booking of Boardwalk views when they go to check-in.

 

[timC]

For the time being, things should be crazy. I can't wait to hear from the folks who don't use the Internet (the board and Member Site) and will be shocked to hear about the booking of Boardwalk views when they go to check-in.

I'm sure that MS gave a best effort to properly allocate the BW views, during this transition, but mistakes occur. It should be a temporary situation. Let the manager double-check and handle the concern.

That said, I don't think anyone has the right be "shocked" by their room assignment (assuming they get the category they reserved). Prior to the new BW view category, views other than STD were not guaranteed. And if members are not aware of the new policy, IMO they'd actually have a lower expectation as to the view they might get.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Theoretically, you and everyone else who calls day-by-day may end up with a mixed bag of BW and non-BW views and then be waitlisted to get all BW. Of course, you can opt to take all non-BW and then wait list for all-BW.

Pam...I'm in the midst of booking BW right now day by day...because I want the Standard View next summer. For those booking BWV now, this won't present a problem because they confirm while you're on the phone what View you have.

So the new BW View won't be any different than booking a Standard View, or a Grand Villa at OKW, or whatever. Yes, on any given day you might be "too late" and have to waitlist. But that could happen at any resort for any reservation.

What I do see happening is more people calling for BWV reservations day by day, all year round instead of just for the busy DVC seasons.

As for the OP...you had your reservation linked when you called it in day by day, right? So I think that you had to be classified all BW View or all G/P View. I don't think that any member would be happy to hear that a vacation they booked will require moving rooms!

I think the next 11 months will be a difficult stretch for DVD at BWV. After that, it should be pretty straightforward. Not necessarily the best system, but at least straightforward.

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by Boardwalk III
I find it very hard to believe that all of the 2 BR villas with BW views were gone within the first 15 minutes each day that I called.

It didn't have to happen each day, just the first day. If it's not available the day you check in, that kicks you out for the rest of your trip. I called Monday morning after the weekend this was announced (before all the computer problems). The CM explained that they had pulled all BWV preferred reservations up in the database, ordered them by date/time made and then did a query for Boardwalk under the requests category. They then did as a room assigner would do and put them into the new view category in order, until they ran out of space. The rest went into a waitlist (likely for the whole reservation, not day by day).

With early December being such a busy time for DVC, it doesn't shock me that you didn't get it. Especially if you're checking in on a Sunday. I would ask to be put on a day-by-day waitlist if it's that important to you.

 

[Boardwalk III]

Thanks everyone for their thoughts/comments.

I do have an update. Anthony in MS called me back this afternoon and said they reviewed my booking and that it was assigned properly. He also said he was able to determine that I am #2 or #3 on the waitlist, and that I may have a shot at getting it. I do realize that this is a busy DVC week, so am not expecting it, but will keep my fingers crossed. I do agree that it probably does depend on the first day, and if that wasn't available, I got kicked out for the entire week.

Tell me, should I request day-to-day waitlist on this as someone suggested? Would MS even do this?

I do appreciate the extra time they did take to double check the information for me, and the same day response.

Having said all of this, I actually am in favor of the new policy because going forward, we will know when we book what view we get - I'm just someone for whom the BW view really enhances my trip, and would rather know in advance whether I will be enjoying it or not, rather than anxiously awaiting at check-in to find out!

 

[WDWguru]

The trick now is, the assignments have been done. I'm not sure how the day-to-day list would work now. Normally you'd call to make the reservation, they'd know what days were available and which weren't. They'd book you in the available days and waitlist you for the others. I would assume in this situation they won't go back and do the assignment procedure again to see which days would have been open to you, so you're essentially starting over.

I think I would call and just ask how it is done, check on availability for any of the days at this point. If some or most of them are available, I'd go for it. Plans change all the time and if you're that high on the list, you have a good shot to get the days one at a time than wait for the entire reservation. However, it could very well lead to you having to change rooms a few times during your trip. Just call and see what's open and if it seems worth it to you, go for it.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by WDWguru
It didn't have to happen each day, just the first day. If it's not available the day you check in, that kicks you out for the rest of your trip. I called Monday morning after the weekend this was announced (before all the computer problems). The CM explained that they had pulled all BWV preferred reservations up in the database, ordered them by date/time made and then did a query for Boardwalk under the requests category. They then did as a room assigner would do and put them into the new view category in order, until they ran out of space. The rest went into a waitlist (likely for the whole reservation, not day by day).

With early December being such a busy time for DVC, it doesn't shock me that you didn't get it. Especially if you're checking in on a Sunday. I would ask to be put on a day-by-day waitlist if it's that important to you.

I'm sure they'll do day by day but you might end up having to move rooms once or more, I say it's not worth it.