Disney Vacation Club adjusts 2010 Vacation Points charts

[tjkraz]

For high DVC occupancy times, yes, I would agree with the above quote Tim. I mentioned this. Food & Wine, early Dec and all holiday times (Christmas/New Years/Pres Week/Easter/July 4th/Thanksgiving).

This still leaves ALOT of time during the year where we have had absolutely no trouble getting into a DVC resort. I've been able to book often at under 4-5 months.

What about 4-5 weeks or 4-5 days? You have to think bigger picture--or I should say DVC must think big picture.

Anytime they are forced to turn-away potential guests due to lack of availability on weekdays--while weekend rooms sit empty--there is a problem.

I'm sure there are also periods where resorts are at less than 100% occupancy during the weekdays. But if it's 90% weekday, 50% weekend, there is still an imbalance to be addressed.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Anal Annie : I just hope there are enough studios to go around now for everybody who has to cut back on their unit size to meet the new point requirements. I wonder if they will track these kinds of pattern changes to see how the new charts affect things like this.

This is what I'm wondering Anal Annie.....I think a fair amount of families will be downgrading their room sizes (us included in that), thus increasing demand for studios/1 bedrooms. I could see 1 bedrooms at AKV and BLT going FAST---since they can sleep 5 and will be a point saver for families now with this allocation. I can see us now staying in "2" studios vs "1" two bedroom villa at OKW to save points. It's a difference of 24 weeknight points vs 36 weeknight points. Yes, we'll miss the laundry most....the full kitchen second.....but I cannot accept 36 points a night up from 30. Since we own 150 points at OKW, instead of now having to pay 180 points/year for our usual 2 bedroom, we'll be paying 120 points for two studios. And bank 60 points or use it to try and book AKV at 7 months out (in addition to our 100 points we own there to give us 160 at 7 months out). We plan to work the points however we can to our advantage.

Time will tell how the allocation will affect the demand and availability of smaller units.

 

[MiaSRN62]

What about 4-5 weeks or 4-5 days? You have to think bigger picture--or I should say DVC must think big picture.

I've never tried that late out Tim, so honestly, I don't know what it's like. But I'll repeat...just don't feel any timeshare is designed to work as efficiently for the owner without planning further out. But like I said, that one time, I did get VWL at 45 days out in Oct '06. So I'd say it's possible as long as it's not really high occupancy time. I just wouldn't recommend it. I would suppose only locals or those within short driving distance would be interested in 4-5 days out. Because booking airfare at this late point is definitely not cost effective or even possible at alot of times.

 

[photobob]

I'll bet Thursdays will be very easy to get now that all the Sun-Thur peeps have to drop a night off their trips. I just hope there are enough studios to go around now for everybody who has to cut back on their unit size to meet the new point requirements. I wonder if they will track these kinds of pattern changes to see how the new charts affect things like this.

That's a good point Annie. I'm probably looking at dropping unit size to maximize the time I can go. I think it will make it even more imperative to plan early and may make the seven month window for smaller units even more difficult to get than in the past. I think the "buy where you want to stay" slogan will be more relevant than ever before.

On a positive note, I guess I hadn't looked before but I was pleased to see that the THV are the same point cost as a 2 BDR. I was thinking that they would probably be somewhere between a 2 bdr and a GV.

 

[DaveH]

My experiences since 2001 is that 2BR and studios book first. I have found some studios at last minute, but they were only for 1 or 2 days together. If you wanted a week, you may have to change resorts 2 or 3 times. A 1BR most of the time could be found somewhere. Now some of the changes folks will decide to do could make studios harder at 7 months. I wonder if some 2 BR will come available and 1BR less, we do not know. I honestly believe the developer points have made making some ressies harder at smaller resorts. We had developer points when we added on in 2007. We could use them anywhere at 7 months. We used them at a smaller resort. When we started we could get OKW almost anytime. Now OKW was full, but SSR had some, but getting harder. Most of our ressies are done between 11 and 7 months, but have done some with less time.

 

[dclfun]

My family is lucky to be probably the least affected by the changes- we live locally and other than Jan-March I can put in for vacation time whenever I want. The flexibility involved in our DVC purchases were one of the reasons we didn't look into a traditional timeshare, plus of course being on property. We've used weekend stays but the high point cost has driven me to book cash nights instead at other WDW resorts- either way Disney is getting my money. While I've always understood the difference between "member points" and inventory available for cash only, why is it then that often a CRO promo will include a bigger discount for cash guests booking SSR or OKW- is there really that much space to fill that isn't used by members/can't be used by members using points? Will this allocation also help with that situation? Many cash guests question the value of SSR and/or OKW since they're often left to reserve after other resorts are sold out- why are there so many leftovers at those resorts then even on weekdays- is it unused inventory or inventory that can only be booked via a cash ressie?---Kathy

 

[DaveH]

While I've always understood the difference between "member points" and inventory available for cash only, why is it then that often a CRO promo will include a bigger discount for cash guests booking SSR or OKW- is there really that much space to fill that isn't used by members/can't be used by members using points? Will this allocation also help with that situation? Many cash guests question the value of SSR and/or OKW since they're often left to reserve after other resorts are sold out- why are there so many leftovers at those resorts then even on weekdays- is it unused inventory or inventory that can only be booked via a cash ressie?---Kathy

I believe this is because allot of us use to points to do something outside DVC resorts, like cruises, DL and RCI.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I figured out that the lower weekend points will enable me to just about "walk" reservations for 2 weekend nights for the VB BC when I couldn't do so before. I would have to get rid of Friday night on the next day, but I could do it. If for me, than for others, and this brings me to my former objection with the new booking system for day of arrival. Has anyone else found they can do that now/not before? I'm writing another letter to MS, I know that some don't agree with me, but I do not think that walking should be allowed. There should be some restrictions other than the number of points a member has. I am much more disturbed by walking than the point chart adjustment.

Bobbi

 

[BobH]

It is constantly repeated in our current economic crisis that corporations and banks need to make their operations more "transparent" to instill consumer trust and confidence. I am witholding my judgement (for now) on the necessity to make this most recent point re-allocation. However, I firmly believe that the Disney Vacation Club could use their annual "feel good" member meetings to give us all a slight clue as to what is going on behind the scene. After all they do want us to buy more points don't they? It is starting to feel like Jim Lewis is the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, and who knows what the Disney organization is up to. From a public relations standpoint DVC management is treating us all like mushrooms - feeding us bs and keeping us in the dark. I support the whole DVC concept, but I resent the lack of transparency and information regarding these big changes.....

 

[dclfun]

I figured out that the lower weekend points will enable me to just about "walk" reservations for 2 weekend nights for the VB BC when I couldn't do so before. I would have to get rid of Friday night on the next day, but I could do it. If for me, than for others, and this brings me to my former objection with the new booking system for day of arrival. Has anyone else found they can do that now/not before? I'm writing another letter to MS, I know that some don't agree with me, but I do not think that walking should be allowed. There should be some restrictions other than the number of points a member has. I am much more disturbed by walking than the point chart adjustment.

Bobbi

Bobbi- I feel the same way about "walking". I already know it's shut me out of two different preferred check in dates I wanted in the resort/room type I wanted for December 09 and a very nice MS agent told me how I should book w/in the next two days to get the next week instead. I asked about someone walking a ressie and was told it's no longer allowed, however a member can add on additional days and then I guess they can call back later and cancel off the beginning dates they never wanted to start with. So I guess the only thing that can no longer be done is to move the entire ressie forward day by day. Big deal- someone with lots of points can still walk by adding then removing days later. Fortunately I could choose an alternate date, but some may not be able to do so, or may need more rooms and thus even have a greater challenge. I was on pins and needles calling right at 9 am at exactly the right date and thus did get my third choice option. I could have waitlisted the week I really wanted, but now with restrictions on how many waitlists we can have, eventually that could put people in a bind too....sigh. I guess I'll have to learn to figure new strategies but I detest having to play a game or try to outwit other members who have found a way to cheat the system. Not saying I blame them either if it's the only way to get what you want and I guess it's not really cheating either since it's allowed- it just doesn't sit well with me to book dates I never wanted to start with just to get the dates I do want, and thus prevent another member from getting something I'm holding. ---Kathy

 

[Chuck S]

While I've always understood the difference between "member points" and inventory available for cash only, why is it then that often a CRO promo will include a bigger discount for cash guests booking SSR or OKW- is there really that much space to fill that isn't used by members/can't be used by members using points? Will this allocation also help with that situation? Many cash guests question the value of SSR and/or OKW since they're often left to reserve after other resorts are sold out- why are there so many leftovers at those resorts then even on weekdays- is it unused inventory or inventory that can only be booked via a cash ressie?---Kathy

The re-allocation may or may not have any impact on the cash inventory. If the inventory is available because of breakage (unreserved DVC rooms at 60 days) it may have a small impact. However, most CRO cash rooms come from member trades, and any unsold inventory DVD may have. They could have a lot of OKW/SSR inventory because of ROFR, and any unsold points/undeclared units in the SSR treehouse addition.

I know for several trips to OKW they were pushing add-ons at OKW through phone calls, so I assume they had a lot of points available.

 

[dclfun]

The re-allocation may or may not have any impact on the cash inventory. If the inventory is available because of breakage (unreserved DVC rooms at 60 days) it may have a small impact. However, most CRO cash rooms come from member trades, and any unsold inventory DVD may have. They could have a lot of OKW/SSR inventory because of ROFR, and any unsold points/undeclared units in the SSR treehouse addition.

I know for several trips to OKW they were poushing add-ons at OKW through phoine calls, so I assume they had a lot of points available.

Yikes...I forgot about member trades- it just seems that all the unused inventory is at OKW/SSR- remember a few years back when guests who booked FD at the value resorts got free upgrades to 1 bedroom and studio villas at SSR/OKW? Then the offers for BB promos almost always are at a larger percentage of a discount at those two resorts. It feels then as those two resort properties are devalued. I didn't realize they were pushing add-ons at OKW either- if they are, then you're right- must have alot of inventory from ROFR's. I had wondered how much inventory was from breakage, although you'd think that inventory couldn't be offered until 60 days prior either- seems like there's much more out there available for cash ressies.---Kathy

 

[DisFlan]

I figured out that the lower weekend points will enable me to just about "walk" reservations for 2 weekend nights for the VB BC when I couldn't do so before. I would have to get rid of Friday night on the next day, but I could do it. If for me, than for others, and this brings me to my former objection with the new booking system for day of arrival. Has anyone else found they can do that now/not before? I'm writing another letter to MS, I know that some don't agree with me, but I do not think that walking should be allowed. There should be some restrictions other than the number of points a member has. I am much more disturbed by walking than the point chart adjustment.

Bobbi

I don't like walking either, Bobbi, but I'm afraid if too many of us complain about it, we'll get another "member requested enchancement" of some kind. Like a fee to change reservations - or some other kind of restriction. Heck, we might get it anyway.

I've legitimately changed our dates and it may have looked like walking to someone else (it wasn't). We had to shift our plans by a few days. I'd hate to not have this flexibility - or have to pay for it.

DisFlan

 

[bookwormde]

Just got a call from Joy (member satisfaction), as always she was very nice and took notes as to my thoughts.

I tried to focus on the following issues

Transparency and honest communication with the members

Supply point-balancing information (point calculations for each resort)

Giving adequate lead-time not just for MS needs but also for longer term planning needs of members.

Issue with BLT sales and BLT POS wording requiring changing the point charts every year to comply.

More disclosure on reasons behind the needed change, alternates that were in the members interests and reasons for the nature of the final change and how it is in the members best interests and any efforts to lessen the impact of the change through other methods.

Impact on the value of the franchise from perceived lack of candor and the lack of accurate and complete information about the change process. Also my belief that a significant reduction in member satisfaction would show up in independent polls in the next few quarters.

Although my letter did not cover this I also discussed the wait list issue including

Same items as above plus

IT issue and ms workload would not be an issue if IT was adequately supported and competent.

How providing preference for 1st choice and an additional waitlist hierarchy should be easily addressed by effective IT

Addressed the issued or not being able to group waitlist requests (like any 2br BCV or SV AKV studio etc and how with proper IT system this would be simple.

Discussed how members appreciated call from the satisfaction team but since management keeps handling communication and changes in the same poor manner that the impact of concerns did not seem to have much weight.

I would guess that the call was 15-20 minute and was 8 days from the email date.

bookwormde

 

[jekjones1558]

I've legitimately changed our dates and it may have looked like walking to someone else (it wasn't). We had to shift our plans by a few days. I'd hate to not have this flexibility - or have to pay for it.

I have the same concern. When we book hard to get reservations at BWV I have sometimes booked a longer stay than I ended up needing. The 330 rule for airlines means that I have to take a guess about when the cheapest days will be for flying. Sometimes the difference can be hundreds of dollars or much better flight times so I have dropped a day or 2. We have also needed to adjust our dates for medical reasons. I admit that having extra points gives me an advantage in this regard, but that is part of the reason that we bought extra points! I do always cancel as soon as I am sure that we will not need the days, in order to allow others to book those days.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

<Bob puts on his DUMB hat>

What's "walking"? Before someone explains putting one foot in front of the other, I know what that kind of walking is.

I'm talking about relative to reservations in a timeshare as noted above.

Thanks.

 

[hakepb]

<Bob puts on his DUMB hat>

What's "walking"? Before someone explains putting one foot in front of the other, I know what that kind of walking is.

I'm talking about relative to reservations in a timeshare as noted above.

Thanks.

Start booking earlier than you need at the exact 11+7 window, then add days until you get the dates you really want, then cancel the earlier days you do not need.

If you get your first 7 days at the 11+7 window (in say room 101), then you are guaranteed your longer stay if you add day by day. People that call the next day might get (say room 102) for your days 2-8 but no one else can start their trip in your room...

You might be able to walk by adding a day, then cancelling a day, but too many might get your account tagged as commercial (20 cancellations in a year)...

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm not happy with the new points system. My trip this year cost me 110 pts. Next year, 125. I had not even looked at 2010 points until last night when I was thinking of booking for 2010.
I was surprised. I'm thinking of booking at BCV now and then switching to BWV, if possible, at 7 months to save some points. I'm not sure what I'll do.

 

[DVCDebb]

When we bought into OKW we were promised that if points per week increased we would be given the points to compensate for adjustments. Needless to say now short for the normal trips and wish we had never extended membership the extra 15 years. Seem they forgot to tell us what they were doing to those of us that helped build DVC up to all our friends and families. Haven't heard anything on this to those of us loyal to Disney.

 

[Dean]

Sounds like a whole lot of wishing and hoping on DVCs part to me,"someone who will very possibly"

No, just explaining how this will work for a segment of the membership that is only doing S-F and that's all the points they have. EVERY shift from weekday to weekend or vice versa will also shift usage, the question is how much and is it enough or too much. ARDA and many points based timeshares have a lot of info to back that approach up. DVC also has the added advantage of a host of info from Disney's resort system.

Exactly the same. I don't care how cheap they make end of Aug / early Sept, I'm not going to Florida at that time of year.

But someone will else they'd have to close the resort down for a period of time.

I'm not happy with the new points system. My trip this year cost me 110 pts. Next year, 125. I had not even looked at 2010 points until last night when I was thinking of booking for 2010.
I was surprised. I'm thinking of booking at BCV now and then switching to BWV, if possible, at 7 months to save some points. I'm not sure what I'll do.

It's doubtful BWV standard view will be available. It's likely AKV standard, OKW & SSR will be your best cheaper options.

When we bought into OKW we were promised that if points per week increased we would be given the points to compensate for adjustments. Needless to say now short for the normal trips and wish we had never extended membership the extra 15 years. Seem they forgot to tell us what they were doing to those of us that helped build DVC up to all our friends and families. Haven't heard anything on this to those of us loyal to Disney.

That would be a very unusual promise and I hope you have it in writing and signed by a supervisor.