Boardwalk View??????

[Lexxiefern]

I have stayed twice in a standard view and loved both those rooms, but since boardwalk has its own catagory, it is too hard to resist. We have it booked for our next 4 trips

Anytime we can see fireworks is wonderful and from what I have read, you can see the fireworks from the bw view rooms. That makes it way up there on our list. Our first time trying is Sept so we shall see then.

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by jel0511
Well, maybe you were never told, but the information was definately given out to members. I certainly recall in being in the Member Clubhouse e-mail update that was mailed out. I'm also positive it was in an edition of Vacation Magic.

DVC has had my AOL personal email address on file since the day we closed and I signed up for Clubhouse updates back in 2001, but have never gotten any email updates from them, much less on this subject. So if it the policy change was announced that way, I (and Heaven knows how many other BWV owners who don't have emails registered with DVC) wouldn't have seen it.

As for Vacation Magic, my wife reads every issue of it from from front to back; if there had been any change in BWV ressie policies announced there, it's possible she missed it, but I'd surprised.

At any rate, enough of those communication issues; what's really interesting here is the cut and paste (presumably of the Clubhouse email DVC sent) that Laura posted. Did anyone else bother to read the bottom line of it? To quote it directly:

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

This appears to be code for "call 11 months out and do a day by day, or there's no absolute guarantee of getting a Boardwalk view."

In other words, nothing has really changed.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by mikeymars
...(snip)....."Keep in mind that inventory in the Preferred: Boardwalk View category is limited, so please make your vacation plans accordingly."

This appears to be code for "call 11 months out and do a day by day, or there's no absolute guarantee of getting a Boardwalk view."

In other words. nothing has really changed.

I don't quite agree with you. Under the "new" procedure, if you call day by day at 11 months you are pretty much assured of getting the Boardwalk view. If the limited number of BW view rooms is already gone when you call, you know right away. You have an opportunity to waitlist for the night(s) you cannot get with your first attempt.

Prior to the change, many reported NOT getting the BW view even though they booked as soon as the 11 month window opened. Although we were told that the room assigners gave preference to those who reserved the earliest, in the end it was still up to their (and the front desk CM's) discretion. I'm glad they made the change and IMHO, it is a significant improvement!

Best wishes-

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by mikeymars
In other words, nothing has really changed.

Sure it has. I have a guaranteed Boardwalk view for this Thanksgiving. A year ago I would have had a preferred view guaranteed with only a small chance of getting the Boardwalk view.

I'm gald they changed this policy to favor Boardwalk owners.

HBC

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by CarolMN
I don't quite agree with you. Under the "new" procedure, if you call day by day at 11 months you are pretty much assured of getting the Boardwalk view. If the limited number of BW view rooms is already gone when you call, you know right away. You have an opportunity to waitlist for the night(s) you cannot get with your first attempt.

Prior to the change, many reported NOT getting the BW view even though they booked as soon as the 11 month window opened. Although we were told that the room assigners gave preference to those who reserved the earliest, in the end it was still up to their (and the front desk CM's) discretion. I'm glad they made the change and IMHO, it is a significant improvement!

Best wishes-

Yes, the new procedure is a significant improvement relative to setting expectations (which is very important). However, "pretty much assured" isn't exactly the same as "ironclad 100% guarantee."

Realistically, the 11 month day-by-day will probably do the job for us, since we generally don't book ressies for the high water mark demand periods (one of our preferred visit times is late August, when the parks are still running in prime season mode but all the sunbelt mobs are gone; I've never had an issue getting exactly what I want during that period 11 months out).

I could, however, see the "pretty much assured but not 100% guaranteed" thing being an issue if I suddenly decided to plan a once-in-a-lifetime, important family reunion type visit for a holiday period, e.g. something during a prime demand period when I absolutely, positively HAVE to get BW view. I'd end up having to play the Cindy's Royal Table ressie nonsense game (ergo, start dialing 15 minutes before the reservation desk opens every day on multiple lines, so I can I get through to a rep infront of everyone else). Yes, even then, I'd in all likelhood get exactly what I want, but no, there's no 100% ironclad guarantee of that.

But overall, DVC has done everything possible here to "re-level" the playing field to the benefit of a certain segment, specifically, the BWV home resort owners who are hard core advance planners. Since I fall into that segment, I'm not complaining!

 

[Beca]

Also, Mikeymars...look on the flip side...we made our ressies for Dec, and were told that neither BW view or standard view was available. I KNOW I am getting a pool/garden view, and have NO hope or dreams of getting anything else. This will make my vacation much more pleasant that if I had scheduled it, all the while hoping for my BW view...I will not be disapppointed when I arrive.

That, to me is a BIG difference.



Beca

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by mikeymars
DVC has had my AOL personal email address on file since the day we closed and I signed up for Clubhouse updates back in 2001, but have never gotten any email updates from them, much less on this subject. So if it the policy change was announced that way, I (and Heaven knows how many other BWV owners who don't have emails registered with DVC) wouldn't have seen it.

As for Vacation Magic, my wife reads every issue of it from from front to back; if there had been any change in BWV ressie policies announced there, it's possible she missed it, but I'd surprised.

At any rate, enough of those communication issues; what's really interesting here is the cut and paste (presumably of the Clubhouse email DVC sent) that Laura posted. Did anyone else bother to read the bottom line of it? To quote it directly:

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

This appears to be code for "call 11 months out and do a day by day, or there's no absolute guarantee of getting a Boardwalk view."

In other words, nothing has really changed.

I have AOL and always get the clubhouse. Check with member services to make sure they have your correct e-mail address. Also check your AOL spam filters.

Your wife must have missed the Winter 2003 Vacation Magic, page 20.

Anyone who reserves boardwalk will be told the categories available when they call, so they will find out then.

I disagree with "nothing has changed". It absolutely has. You know when you reserve what you will be getting. No more "points roulette". After not getting a boardwalk view on my first BWV trip after I made the reservation at 11 months, I booked standard after that for 3 years. I wasn't going to waste points with the "hopes" that I would get boardwalk view, especially since we arrive mid afternoon. Now if no boardwalk view is available when you call, you can choose to reserve standard (if available) and waitlist for boardwalk view. I haven't heard of anyone returning who did not get the boardwalk view when they reserved it that way under the new system.

 

[fodc8]

We always get a BW view. There's nothing like sitting on one of the patios at night and taking in the fireworks

 

[bobbiwoz]

This past Monday, I had to jiggle our December ressies and the studio that we were able to get for Dec. 19-23rd at the Boardwalk is not a seamless ressie, 3 nights are preferred and 1 night is Boardwalk. Although I've waitlisted for preferred for the 1 night, I'll also be happy if DS has to move to the Boardwalk view so we see firsthand what the difference is. He doesn't care, he gets a bed and not a pull-out.

Bobbi

 

[crisi]

I'm not sure what you were hoping for in a change. They can't make all the rooms BW View. Nor can they guarentee you that just because its a once in a lifetime trip that every other BWV owner won't also be having a once in a lifetime trip and need the view that same week. In my experience, once in a lifetime trips for some people happen every few years (We are taking my in laws, its their first trip ever. Its my daughter's honeymoon. Its our 25th wedding anniversary. My mother just went into cancer remission).

Someone once suggested giving each owner one "marker" for the length of their contract, allowing them to get "exactly" what they want for a single trip. But what if we all wanted the BWView for the Millenium? What if we all wanted BWV High Floor in the Crest of the Wave building for that New Year's Eve.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I think views are important. But it all depends on your personal choice. My DH likes to keep all curtains drawn in any hotel room--he likes the dark "cave" to rest in.

I immediately throw open curtains and like to check out the view.

So, to him, paying more for a view is a waste. To me, it's worth every penny.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by crisi
I'm not sure what you were hoping for in a change. They can't make all the rooms BW View. Nor can they guarentee you that just because its a once in a lifetime trip that every other BWV owner won't also be having a once in a lifetime trip and need the view that same week. In my experience, once in a lifetime trips for some people happen every few years (We are taking my in laws, its their first trip ever. Its my daughter's honeymoon. Its our 25th wedding anniversary. My mother just went into cancer remission).

Someone once suggested giving each owner one "marker" for the length of their contract, allowing them to get "exactly" what they want for a single trip. But what if we all wanted the BWView for the Millenium? What if we all wanted BWV High Floor in the Crest of the Wave building for that New Year's Eve.

With the new system, it's first come, first served. When you call for the reservation, you have the opportunity to request the boardwalk view category and they will tell you if it is available or not. If it's not available, then you can waitlist. It doesn't matter what reason you want it for, either it's available or it's not.

 

[crisi]

I know that, Mikeymars was implying he'd like it on something other than first come first served.