Feeling a little frustrated....

[Dean]

I'm confused by your statement. Are you saying that you don't recall seeing any documentation that a villa has been 'recalled' from the breakage inventory within 60 days of the check-in date?

I'm saying that I don't recall specific documentation that this was what happened at any point, only speculation.

 

[wdrl]

I know there is some speculation that once inventory is labeled as breakage that it is no longer available to DVC members using points. However, there is ample evidence that DVC members continue to have access to inventory that qualifies as breakage inventory.

For example, points in Holding Status can only be used to book reservations no more than 60 days before check-in. Thus, by definition, anyone who makes a reservation using Holding Status points would be drawing from the breakage inventory.

Another example: Even though we are well within the breakage period for arrival dates within the next two weeks, the Online Reservation System shows there are a few scattered nights still available at several resorts. In fact, there may actually be more nights available than what is displayed on online. There is a notice on the 'Check Availability' screen stating "Accommodation inventory is the same whether you book online or through Member Services, except within 10 days of arrival. For close up bookings, if you do not receive your desired selection, you may contact Member Services."

Thus, it seems to me that DVC members continue to have ready access to inventory that is designated as breakage inventory.

 

[disneynutz]

I know there is some speculation that once inventory is labeled as breakage that it is no longer available to DVC members using points. However, there is ample evidence that DVC members continue to have access to inventory that qualifies as breakage inventory.

For example, points in Holding Status can only be used to book reservations no more than 60 days before check-in. Thus, by definition, anyone who makes a reservation using Holding Status points would be drawing from the breakage inventory.

Another example: Even though we are well within the breakage period for arrival dates within the next two weeks, the Online Reservation System shows there are a few scattered nights still available at several resorts. In fact, there may actually be more nights available than what is displayed on online. There is a notice on the 'Check Availability' screen stating "Accommodation inventory is the same whether you book online or through Member Services, except within 10 days of arrival. For close up bookings, if you do not receive your desired selection, you may contact Member Services."

Thus, it seems to me that DVC members continue to have ready access to inventory that is designated as breakage inventory.

DVC doesn't automatically move inventory to CRO/DRC. They seem to pick and choose which rooms/resorts to make available to cash guests. Revenue accounting is the group responsible for those decisions and it appears that they only include resorts/rooms/days that are in demand.

I have also found out that DVC doesn't always pull back rooms for DVC bookings either because they are lazy or because they don't know how to do it. I have been told that transferred inventory does not show up online.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I know there is some speculation that once inventory is labeled as breakage that it is no longer available to DVC members using points. However, there is ample evidence that DVC members continue to have access to inventory that qualifies as breakage inventory.

For example, points in Holding Status can only be used to book reservations no more than 60 days before check-in. Thus, by definition, anyone who makes a reservation using Holding Status points would be drawing from the breakage inventory.

Another example: Even though we are well within the breakage period for arrival dates within the next two weeks, the Online Reservation System shows there are a few scattered nights still available at several resorts. In fact, there may actually be more nights available than what is displayed on online. There is a notice on the 'Check Availability' screen stating "Accommodation inventory is the same whether you book online or through Member Services, except within 10 days of arrival. For close up bookings, if you do not receive your desired selection, you may contact Member Services."

Thus, it seems to me that DVC members continue to have ready access to inventory that is designated as breakage inventory.

But have you ever seen actual documentation or had a CM say "we're going to try to reclaim breakage inventory" or similar. It very well may have happened and I don't recall. I've seen a lot of speculation of people where a CM had to make a phone call to confirm a reservation and speculation was it was breakage inventory or similar.

 

[disneynutz]

But have you ever seen actual documentation or had a CM say "we're going to try to reclaim breakage inventory" or similar. It very well may have happened and I don't recall. I've seen a lot of speculation of people where a CM had to make a phone call to confirm a reservation and speculation was it was breakage inventory or similar.

I have had two occasions where management found us a room due to Disney errors.

We had a reservation at AKV Club Level and MS accidentally canceled it while I was on the phone making a different reservation. When they went to correct their error, the room had already been booked by someone else, we got a "I'm sorry" and had to book a savanna view.

Months later I was telling the story to Member Satisfaction when she asked me to hold on. Several minutes later she told me that she worked some Disney magic and we had our Club Level reservation back. I asked her if she pulled it from CRO and she said, "I don't know what you are talking about". It was then that I realized that DVC plays fast and loose with the inventory.

Same type of story, Front Desk put points in holding when they canceled our Boardwalk View reservation in error, they wanted to check us in to a Garden View. MS tried to correct the error but our Boardwalk View was taken. They transferred me to a Team Lead who made a phone call and several minutes later we had our Boardwalk View back.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I have had two occasions where management found us a room due to Disney errors.

We had a reservation at AKV Club Level and MS accidentally canceled it while I was on the phone making a different reservation. When they went to correct their error, the room had already been booked by someone else, we got a "I'm sorry" and had to book a savanna view.

Months later I was telling the story to Member Satisfaction when she asked me to hold on. Several minutes later she told me that she worked some Disney magic and we had our Club Level reservation back. I asked her if she pulled it from CRO and she said, "I don't know what you are talking about". It was then that I realized that DVC plays fast and loose with the inventory.

Same type of story, Front Desk put points in holding when they canceled our Boardwalk View reservation in error, they wanted to check us in to a Garden View. MS tried to correct the error but our Boardwalk View was taken. They transferred me to a Team Lead who made a phone call and several minutes later we had our Boardwalk View back.

Bill

There certainly is CRO inventory and upper level staff can often work deals that the front lines can't. Resorts also routinely hold back inventory for special situations, maint or just in case. I've been at several non Disney timeshares and many hotels where it was very obvious they had units they had designated not to use but they ended up doing so. The last 2 examples I can think of would be a mid level hotel where they put us in a room where the fridge was stocked with goodies. Before that it was a timeshare that had to double check a room they weren't sure if maint had finished with. I don't doubt it happens, my statement was merely that I didn't recall actual documentation that it had. Truthfully I fully expected several to chime in that they had been told such at one time or another.

 

[Sammie]

There is some misinformation in this discussion.

All member exchange and breakage cash inventory is available online through DRC or can be reserved by calling Member Services. The only difference is in which potential discount you may receive between Member and other WDW specific (Passholder, FL Resident, etc..) offers.

DVC continually brings breakage back to meet Member demand. In addition, they work to monitor booking trends so that, even if there were exchanges, they will try and return inventory back into Declared if they realize the demand for rentals is not there. The goal being to rent what they need to offset the Exchanges, but to reduce the chances that a room that may have been in demand from a Member does not sit empty due to not selling as a rental.


Its definitely a balancing act, one which they try very hard to err on the Members behalf while also satisfying the business necessity. Its also important to remember this does not serve as revenue profit, the monies either pay an exchange cost or offset Dues if breakage.

I honestly think some of you are never satisfied. If they don't do something for you, you are not happy, if they do something for you to help with a problem, you question their means of doing it.

I would sell mine if I ever thought they were not looking out for the best interest of the Membership, not the individual.

To the OP your frustration lies in not understanding how your membership works and no fault of DVC.

Hope you get a wait list to come through.

 

[Disneyholic]

As I posted the other day " Patience & Perseverance gets it done".

I had been trying to get a whole week at AKLV in a studio for the end of this month. I had been looking every few days and every time I looked there were at least 1 or 2 days unavailable. I didn't want to have to move during our week & lose park time. On Friday I went back on again & put in my week and lo & behold, the whole week was open. I booked it right away.

Our last vacation, I had to book BLT & waitlist AKLV Concierge 1 bedroom because I couldn't get all the days. I waitlisted the whole week because they didn't have the option to book the days that were available at the time like they do now. I kept checking every so often and one night almost all of my days were there. I think only one was missing. I didn't have enough points to book them, so I ended up cancelling BLT and went back to book those nights and again, lo and behold, all of my nights that I wanted were magically there. I booked them right away. It was only a matter of less than a half hour, but things can change very quickly. I couldn't sleep that night, so I was up on the computer & just decided to check. Go figure.

 

[wdrl]

But have you ever seen actual documentation or had a CM say "we're going to try to reclaim breakage inventory" or similar.

No, I've never had a CM say "we're going to try to reclaim breakage inventory." However, I have made a reservation within 60 days of the check-in date, which is normally within the Breakage Period. In my opinion, whether the CM had to retrieve the accommodation from CRO is not as important as the fact that I was still able to access inventory within 60 days of check-in.

I suppose there are some who might say that we can get these last minute reservations because DVCMC didn't move the inventory into the breakage inventory. But why would DVCMC delay moving the inventory into breakage? Its far better to make the vacant villas available for cash reservations rather than to limit their availability only to DVC members.

DVC Home Resort Rules and Regulations state that "If a reservation request is not received by Member Services by the beginning of the Breakage Period Member Services' ability to confirm the reservation request will be limited by and subject to the following:

1) Any reservations made by DVC Operator for Vacation Home maintenance.

2) Any reservation request contained in the Wait List.

3) Any rental reservations made by third parties prior to Member Services' receipt of the reservation request."

Although this language doesn't explicitly state that Member Services will recall inventory from Breakage, it doesn't preclude MS from doing so.

 

[Dean]

No, I've never had a CM say "we're going to try to reclaim breakage inventory." However, I have made a reservation within 60 days of the check-in date, which is normally within the Breakage Period. In my opinion, whether the CM had to retrieve the accommodation from CRO is not as important as the fact that I was still able to access inventory within 60 days of check-in.

I suppose there are some who might say that we can get these last minute reservations because DVCMC didn't move the inventory into the breakage inventory. But why would DVCMC delay moving the inventory into breakage? Its far better to make the vacant villas available for cash reservations rather than to limit their availability only to DVC members.

DVC Home Resort Rules and Regulations state that "If a reservation request is not received by Member Services by the beginning of the Breakage Period Member Services' ability to confirm the reservation request will be limited by and subject to the following:

1) Any reservations made by DVC Operator for Vacation Home maintenance.

2) Any reservation request contained in the Wait List.

3) Any rental reservations made by third parties prior to Member Services' receipt of the reservation request."

Although this language doesn't explicitly state that Member Services will recall inventory from Breakage, it doesn't preclude MS from doing so.

And that's all I said, that'd I didn't recall formal documentation though we'd all speculated many times.

I don't think there's any requirement they do so nor is it done automatically. It seems to have been done at times but it seems like we've only speculated this and I don't ever recall seeing a true documentation or even specific report that this was what happened.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Agreed but breakage income is used to lower dues I believe. Without that income our dues could rise quicker.

Breakage by definition should be that which members do not want to use and should not be a fixed income item. If a member wants to book the room it should be pulled back if available from breakage. With hotel rooms I can understand DVC having to use some estimates and provide rooms to CRO that they expect to be breakage as well as from trades and from rooms that they own but if it's estimated breakage inventory that has not yet been rented then members ought to be allowed to book.

We also have had CM's find a night we needed to complete a last minute reservation request - once at VB for a second room and once at BWV (I can't remember if we just wanted to change resorts or if it was adding a night). They did not refer to it as recalling breakage but for BWV the CM did comment about contacting the "hotel" side.