Is "Walking a reservation" unethical?

[BWV Dreamin]

Rules do dictate ethics in that the whole point of ethics is a system by which to make rules for behavior. .

Thank you.......

 

[zavandor]

And breaking isn't for those hard to get weeks - those are already broken - too many people want too few rooms - and there isn't much they can do. I anticipate breaking will be moving backwards. Its rooms not being available before F&W starts because people are walking into F&W, which causes people who want to make September reservations to make several calls or have to log on several times to get their room. So then they start to think that its necessary to walk in September. People start walking for some of the really difficult stuff a month a head or more from what I can tell from the advice on walking here. I would think it will break one of three ways - Disney will decide that the CM time is being used inappropriately (which is why I think they got rid of day by day booking - otherwise, why get rid of that - it wasn't so WE would need to make fewer calls), and/or DVC will have to deal with too many guest complaints on availability and/or walking will bring waitlist issues into the light which Disney will be obligated to address.

I am sorry but I don't see how this makes walking unhetical. Unsustainable for MS to answer so many calls, maybe?

It's a fact that some rooms in some weeks are very difficult to get. Remove walking and you'll have hundreds of people trying to book at 8:00 am, crashing the website. Or if it doesn't crash, just the quickest will be able to book. People who know they can check a website to know the exact second reservations open will have an advantage over people who use their watch. People with better skills using a computer will have an advantage over people who don't. We could even say that booking online is unethical because people without a PC are at a disadvantage; DVC didn't allow people to use the PC to book, so they changed the rules impacting existing owners.

All solutions proposed here to disallow walking have a drawback and it will impact members much more than just leaving the system as it is (and just allow to modify reservations online). If rooms are so sought after that people would walk two months in advance to get them, then it's time for a point reallocation. Increase points needed by Epcot resorts during the autumn, increase points needed for the first two weeks of December.
I would say that having so much competition is something that DVC likes and might even cause: the difficulty to get some booking categories is what keeps prices for some resorts high, making resale a bit less appealing than direct. I don't see DVC changing this anytime soon. If their behaviour is ethical, then I don't see how people trying to get the reservations should be ashamed of.

 

[Dean]

This is really the crux of the argument and where we will always disagree. It's not "allowed." It's a loophole cause by the implmentation to make booking easier. Exploiting the +7 in order to get a head start on your reservation was never intended or allowed under the rules.

I'll have to go back and review the POS wording when I can but I don't recall anything there that would prevent a reservation for longer than 1 day 11 or 7 months out. Plus reservation decisions are solely within the the discretion of DVCMC per rule without input. They could and likely should have made it 14 instead of 7. Here's an example from Marriott that I'm sure you would also disagree with. Years ago when Marriott first started selling, reservation were made 12 months out and by mail or phone. The later, they added a rule that allowed reservations at 13 months out for concurrent or consecutive reservations. The verbal was that the reason was a selling point to sell multiple weeks and that it was only at the same resort. Then it was used as a sales point for multiple resort in the same area. There was also discussion that they had to be occupied by the owner to do so but this was never in the rule. There was also discussion that they had to be the same Marriott "Season" to be used this way. And finally there was discussion that if you used this rule and later canceled, it'd cancel all reservations.

In reality none of these issues were in the rule but Marriott could have enforced them that way had they wanted. One can even take the lowest season week in say Branson and the highest season in HI and book them together to use this rule then later change, cancel or deposit the low season week if one wanted. I've used this rule to book my high demand HH weeks almost 15 months out several times. Here's how. Take the Branson weeks and split them into lockout's (that's 4 weeks), then book the PCB week, then the HI week, then 3 of the HH weeks for week 25 or 26 and the other 2 (different resort) week 26 or 27 (4th of July).

As I understand POS's in general, in order for your position to hold up, there would have to be specific wording that would prevent it and even then the reservation discretion might counteract it.

 

[Phatscott25]

It is my opinion that the system is designed for walking, or at the very least, has evolved that way. I'm sure when the "rule book" was written, someone in DVD was smart enough to figure out that a practice like this would happen. Further, they probably also anticipated that it would have little to no impact on the overall system. Was it their intent when developed it? Probably not, but does anyone really know?

However, the mere fact that CM's suggest walking to members makes it more than just an accepted loophole. I've read different threads on this and other forums where members actually found out about walking from a CM when calling about hard to get reservations. If the management company that wrote the rule book is suggesting that members walk, it makes the practice not only part of the rules, but also suggested and condoned. Thus, it evolved over time, through practice, as an intended way to use the system if one so chooses.

As far as ethics, I'm sure the debate will go on forever because everyone has different views and standpoints. There really is not right or wrong answer due to differing opinions. My personal stance is that since everyone has the ability to do it, it's not unethical. I've never walked a reservation myself.

 

[Dean]

It is my opinion that the system is designed for walking, or at the very least, has evolved that way. I'm sure when the "rule book" was written, someone in DVD was smart enough to figure out that a practice like this would happen. Further, they probably also anticipated that it would have little to no impact on the overall system. Was it their intent when developed it? Probably not, but does anyone really know?

However, the mere fact that CM's suggest walking to members makes it more than just an accepted loophole. I've read different threads on this and other forums where members actually found out about walking from a CM when calling about hard to get reservations. If the management company that wrote the rule book is suggesting that members walk, it makes the practice not only part of the rules, but also suggested and condoned. Thus, it evolved over time, through practice, as an intended way to use the system if one so chooses.

As far as ethics, I'm sure the debate will go on forever because everyone has different views and standpoints. There really is not right or wrong answer due to differing opinions. My personal stance is that since everyone has the ability to do it, it's not unethical. I've never walked a reservation myself.

It only happens because DVC allows it. That CM suggest it has not historically meant that DVCMC condoned it or told them to do so. They may have done so but we've seen many a rogue CM over the years DVC and otherwise. To suggest that they think these things through and anticipate such issues is contrary to what I've seen over the years.

 

[Phatscott25]

I can't argue with that, I don't have much personal experience with them.. yet anyway.

 

[MJ6987]

I like that a lot "part of establishing your own ethics is to understand those of others". I suppose that's what the OP was looking for. (S)he was feeling unsure as to how (s)he should feel about it morally, and wanted to see how other felt about it.

@MJ6987 wondering what as the OP you are feeling from this conversation. Has you felted swayed one way or the other?



This is exactly right - regardless of the morals of it, I agree that walking should be used in as limited amounts and only if absolutely necessary, which I've previously stated is very rare. If lots of people decide they need to walk a lot of the time, that's what will lead to the institution of further restrictions, which in all likelihood will help practically no-one.

When I posted I felt that it was probably a bit unethical - I don't think that just because something is technically within the rules that is is "right". However, having read through everything and thought it through, I think it's probably a necessary evil for people looking to book "hard to get reservations" right now.

I do think that it's kind of a vicious circle - more people walking reservations means it's harder for people to get reservations which leads to more people to resorting to the practice, etc, etc.

I think that DVC should do something to prevent it though.

 

[MJ6987]

By the way, if people are saying that it's "within the rules", do any of you openly tell MS what you are doing when you call up?

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

This conversation reminds me of a theological quandary: "Is it ever moral to pray for rain?". (Because what is good for you (rain) may cause flooding for someone else.)
Sorry for going off topic.

 

[MPS516]

Wow ! 7 pages in 10 days, clearly a hot topic. Whether you are pro or con, there are seemingly very polarized feelings. Expect this will always be an issue given the open booking dates for reservations, units are not sold in weeks like some other programs. Have no idea of how many people have figured this out but certainly have experienced more difficulty in booking our BWV home resort in Oct - Dec than previous years.

 

[ziravan]

Wow ! 7 pages in 10 days, clearly a hot topic. Whether you are pro or con, there are seemingly very polarized feelings. Expect this will always be an issue given the open booking dates for reservations, units are not sold in weeks like some other programs. Have no idea of how many people have figured this out but certainly have experienced more difficulty in booking our BWV home resort in Oct - Dec than previous years.

The longer DVC exists, the more points sold, the increased crimping at BWV will occur at 11 months.

But 7 month bookers don't have any impact on BWV at 11 months... Except, they do.

There are only so many EPCOT area DVC rooms.

As non-BWV owners realize that it's a functional impossibility to stay at BWV for F&W at 7 months, more buy BWV for that express reason.

As a result, the balance of BWV owners steadily tips to those looking to use the 11 month window for Oct-Dec.

That may increase the demand for walking, but it's not the other way around: walking isn't increasing demand at BWV at 11 months. The growth of DVC is doing that. Walking is just a symptom.

BWV is selling for $30/point more resale than just a year ago. Smaller BCV is selling for $40/point more. Those buyers, at that price point, are looking for Oct-Dec.

 

[ziravan]

I think if DVC decides to fix walking, the way they'll do it is to fix the problem that's creating walking: Oct-Dec crowding.

The solution to walking is to reallocate Oct-Dec to be much more expensive. My guess would be to put Late Sept to Jan 2nd in 2nd highest season. They'd have to back it up to start of F&W or people would start crowding late Sept/early Oct.

It's a case of be careful what you wish for... That pixie dust has a kick to it...

The problem is that TWDC has historically used DVC to augment its off season. There is no off season anymore. (All of TWDC hotel inventory is booked now in Dec, not just DVC.) So. There's no particular reason for DVC to keep Oct-Dec cheap for that reason. In fact, a major reallocation will disrupt member planning for years while people adjust. That kind of churn will create wonderful opportunities for DVC to snipe points for CRO. At the same time, it will encourage higher future point purchases. Win-win for them.

(This is why I chose a fixed week Nov Poly contract. Poly - 2 min walk from the Epcot monorail - is a de facto Epcot resort. If DVC reallocates Oct-Dec, my fixed week will still cost the same. And, I won't have to walk to get it.)

 

[skier_pete]

I think if DVC decides to fix walking, the way they'll do it is to fix the problem that's creating walking: Oct-Dec crowding.

The solution to walking is to reallocate Oct-Dec to be much more expensive. My guess would be to put Late Sept to Jan 2nd in 2nd highest season. They'd have to back it up to start of F&W or people would start crowding late Sept/early Oct.

It's a case of be careful what you wish for... That pixie dust has a kick to it...

The problem is that TWDC has historically used DVC to augment its off season. There is no off season anymore. So. There's no particular reason for DVC to keep Oct-Dec cheap for that reason. In fact, a major reallocation will disrupt member plan for years while people adjust. That kind of churn will create wonderful opportunities to snipe points for CRO.

You are again presuming that MS sees walking as a problem. I don't really think they do. What percent of calls involve walking? Less than 1 % right? I would say less than 1 % of reservations involve walking.

I am not sure I foresee a reallocation of points happening. There are FIVE point season:
- Tops will always be Chritmas and New Years (Premiere season)
- Summer, Holidays and Spring Break (Late-February to mid-April) would remain second most popular (Magic Season)
- The Spring/Summer shoulder time (early Feb, May and early June) are third (Dream Season)
- The fall except the first two weeks of December and a few days at Thanksgiving (Choice Season)
- Those first two weeks of December fall in the least popular category with Sept and Jan (Adventure season)

So - the high point categories wouldn't change. They could shift the first two weeks of December into "Choice Season", but the differences are marginal, and those first two weeks of December are still considered a slow time of year.

If they bumped up weeks in the fall from Choice to Dream season, that means they'd have to drop those spring week down to choice season. (Remember, total # of points can't change.) But would it really dissuade people from wanting to go to Food and Wine? I don't think so.

As I've been saying...it's a problem that's not really a problem. There's very very few rooms that are blocked out because people are walking reservations. (And there's no real proof that it's even occurring because of someone walking reservations.) And even if you get blocked out from a Standard Boardwalk room in October, there are still garden rooms available.

Every time you book a room - you are preventing someone else from booking that room. Because you are using the system to the full advantage, there is no moral dillemma. The more I read this thread - even though people are arguing on both sides - the more it makes me feel strongly there should be ZERO moral dilemma here. People are using analogies of stealing things and murdering baby Hitler, but it's just not the same. It's a vacation room, people.

A better analogy is like saying someone is morally wrong for lining up at 5 AM on Black Friday to grab one of the 10 big-screen TVs Best Buy has in stock for $400, because someone that shows up at 8 AM when the store opens should be given the same opportunity to get the TV. If Best Buy allows people to line up at 5 AM to get a better shot at that TV, the people that are doing it are not unethical. For some people it is worth all that extra effort to get that TV. For me, I'll order the TV on-line and pay $450.

Last point: Show me where it is written that Disney doesn't want you to walk a reservation? I realize people are arguing against it because it is against the "spirit of the rules", but has Disney ever said "you should not adjust your reservation repeatedly to obtain your desired booking date"? Has anyone been told by a CM at MS that "you really shouldn't be doing this?"

 

[ziravan]

You are again presuming that MS sees walking as a problem. I don't really think they do. What percent of calls involve walking? Less than 1 % right? I would say less than 1 % of reservations involve walking.

I am not sure I foresee a reallocation of points happening. There are FIVE point season:
- Tops will always be Chritmas and New Years (Premiere season)
- Summer, Holidays and Spring Break (Late-February to mid-April) would remain second most popular (Magic Season)
- The Spring/Summer shoulder time (early Feb, May and early June) are third (Dream Season)
- The fall except the first two weeks of December and a few days at Thanksgiving (Choice Season)
- Those first two weeks of December fall in the least popular category with Sept and Jan (Adventure season)

So - the high point categories wouldn't change. They could shift the first two weeks of December into "Choice Season", but the differences are marginal, and those first two weeks of December are still considered a slow time of year.

If they bumped up weeks in the fall from Choice to Dream season, that means they'd have to drop those spring week down to choice season. (Remember, total # of points can't change.) But would it really dissuade people from wanting to go to Food and Wine? I don't think so.

As I've been saying...it's a problem that's not really a problem. There's very very few rooms that are blocked out because people are walking reservations. (And there's no real proof that it's even occurring because of someone walking reservations.) And even if you get blocked out from a Standard Boardwalk room in October, there are still garden rooms available.

Every time you book a room - you are preventing someone else from booking that room. Because you are using the system to the full advantage, there is no moral dillemma. The more I read this thread - even though people are arguing on both sides - the more it makes me feel strongly there should be ZERO moral dilemma here. People are using analogies of stealing things and murdering baby Hitler, but it's just not the same. It's a vacation room, people.

A better analogy is like saying someone is morally wrong for lining up at 5 AM on Black Friday to grab one of the 10 big-screen TVs Best Buy has in stock for $400, because someone that shows up at 8 AM when the store opens should be given the same opportunity to get the TV. If Best Buy allows people to line up at 5 AM to get a better shot at that TV, the people that are doing it are not unethical. For some people it is worth all that extra effort to get that TV. For me, I'll order the TV on-line and pay $450.

Last point: Show me where it is written that Disney doesn't want you to walk a reservation? I realize people are arguing against it because it is against the "spirit of the rules", but has Disney ever said "you should not adjust your reservation repeatedly to obtain your desired booking date"? Has anyone been told by a CM at MS that "you really shouldn't be doing this?"

I generally agree with you.

1. I agree that walking isn't a problem. It's a symptom of Oct-Dec crowding of DVC reservations generally. DVC may fix that at some point, but it won't be because of walking.

2. I agree with the Black Friday analogy. I used that exact comparison upthread.

3. I think F&W has become more popular than needing drive from DVC rooms to maintain. They can reallocate heavy during that period and spread it lightly over the rest of the year. That shouldn't be an issue.

I'm not advocating a reallocation. I just think it's coming at some point. The more people complain about being shut out at 11 months in Dec, the more obvious that Dec is underpriced for demand. Or more to the point, the more quickly rooms, especially studios, book at 11 months.

 

[nkosiek]

You are again presuming that MS sees walking as a problem. I don't really think they do. What percent of calls involve walking? Less than 1 % right? I would say less than 1 % of reservations involve walking.

I am not sure I foresee a reallocation of points happening. There are FIVE point season:
- Tops will always be Chritmas and New Years (Premiere season)
- Summer, Holidays and Spring Break (Late-February to mid-April) would remain second most popular (Magic Season)
- The Spring/Summer shoulder time (early Feb, May and early June) are third (Dream Season)
- The fall except the first two weeks of December and a few days at Thanksgiving (Choice Season)
- Those first two weeks of December fall in the least popular category with Sept and Jan (Adventure season)

I'm not so sure that the Summer is as high a season for DVC as many think. From what I've gathered in my 4 years as an owner is that there is still plenty of inventory during the summer up to 2-3 months out, and sometimes even closer. If they wanted to mess around with the points, they could move Summer to Magic and get rid of the shoulder season, moving some of the fall/early winter up seasons. Obviously this would depend on if DVC/DVD really sees an issue but I'm not sure they do.

 

[Dean]

I think if DVC decides to fix walking, the way they'll do it is to fix the problem that's creating walking: Oct-Dec crowding.

The solution to walking is to reallocate Oct-Dec to be much more expensive. My guess would be to put Late Sept to Jan 2nd in 2nd highest season. They'd have to back it up to start of F&W or people would start crowding late Sept/early Oct.

It's a case of be careful what you wish for... That pixie dust has a kick to it...

The problem is that TWDC has historically used DVC to augment its off season. There is no off season anymore. (All of TWDC hotel inventory is booked now in Dec, not just DVC.) So. There's no particular reason for DVC to keep Oct-Dec cheap for that reason. In fact, a major reallocation will disrupt member planning for years while people adjust. That kind of churn will create wonderful opportunities for DVC to snipe points for CRO. At the same time, it will encourage higher future point purchases. Win-win for them.

(This is why I chose a fixed week Nov Poly contract. Poly - 2 min walk from the Epcot monorail - is a de facto Epcot resort. If DVC reallocates Oct-Dec, my fixed week will still cost the same. And, I won't have to walk to get it.)

We'll see if they fix it or not, I suspect they will some day. I'd suggest that anytime you try to semi fix something but leave everything else in place like allowing walking but only in certain circumstances, you create more problems by far than you fix. Thus IMO if they do decide to fix it, they'll just say it's not allowed and do what I suggest, changes are cancelations and/or they'll institute fees. If they do initiate fees (this I doubt they'll do), it would almost certainly be tied to changes are cancelations anyway. If they do have fees, they'll likely do like the exchange companies and many other timeshares, give a 1 day or 24 hr grace period.

 

[Dean]

You are again presuming that MS sees walking as a problem. I don't really think they do. What percent of calls involve walking? Less than 1 % right? I would say less than 1 % of reservations involve walking.

Personally I suspect it's a much higher % than you do. But one thing is for certain, it's more calls than if it wasn't allowed. There's no way to create a perfect system but when we're seeing posts routinely related to either not getting reservations likely due to walking and getting days 1 at a day like for the same reason, it's statistically significant if accurate.

 

[skier_pete]

Personally I suspect it's a much higher % than you do. But one thing is for certain, it's more calls than if it wasn't allowed. There's no way to create a perfect system but when we're seeing posts routinely related to either not getting reservations likely due to walking and getting days 1 at a day like for the same reason, it's statistically significant if accurate.

OK @Dean let's do a thought experiment, and tell me if there is anywhere that you disagree with my numbers

There are between 4161 and 5847 possible room bookings each night throughout the DVC system (ALL RESORTS - includes Aulani, HHI, VB etc). That is a range based on the high end assumes all Lock-offs are booked as individual rooms, the low number assumes all Lock-offs are books as two bedrooms.

So let's assume a number in the middle of that range is 5,000 rooms available each night through. The truth is this is probably an underestimate, since I would guess more lock-offs are booked as studios/1-bedrooms than are booked as two-bedrooms, but it's fair enough of a estimate for starters would you agree?

Of those rooms - what are the high demand rooms that people might find sold out at the 11-month/8 AM mark:
ALL the AKV concierge and value rooms (28 rooms max when splitting the lock-offs up)
ALL the BWV standard rooms (70 rooms using same "average" stat of 2-bedroom lockoffs as I did above)
ALL the BLT standard rooms (90 rooms - same as BWV)
ALL the VGF studios (47 rooms), the hardest "regular" room to get.

Note I am including the 1-bedrooms and 2-bedrooms in the first 3 categories - which are must less likely to need to be walked, again I am being generous to the favor of a higher result.
I also did NOT include the Boardwalk View or MK view rooms at BWV and BLT respecitvely, which generally are not as in demand as their cheaper counterparts and by my observation can be gotten at the 11-month mark usually pretty readily.

With those assumptions; that gives us 235 rooms out of 5000 on any given day, or 4.7 % of the total inventory.

However - how many weeks of the year would walking be necessary even in THESE rooms. Much of the year I can click on a 11 months 8 AM and get these rooms. If we generously say TEN FULL weeks of the year require walking EVERY room in ALL those categories, that would mean 0.9% of the time rooms are being walked.

And again, I made multiple generous assumptions of rooms needing to be walked - ALL rooms in the category, 1 and 2 bedrooms. The truth is probably a number that is much less than that. As I stated earlier in this thread, I booked a weekend in a studio value room at AKV for Columbus day weekend without walking. I then cancelled it a couple days later, and then a few days after that booked the NEXT weekend in a value studio again without walking. This is for one of the hardest rooms to get, at one of the busiest times of the year. In my calculation above, I am saying that room would've needed to be walked, and it wasn't.

In fact, after doing these calculations, I would bet money that walking actually occurs in less than 0.1 % of all DVC reservations. That 1 in 1000 reservations.

My point: big picture it does not have a significant affect on the CRO system.

 

[ziravan]

OK @Dean let's do a thought experiment, and tell me if there is anywhere that you disagree with my numbers

There are between 4161 and 5847 possible room bookings each night throughout the DVC system (ALL RESORTS - includes Aulani, HHI, VB etc). That is a range based on the high end assumes all Lock-offs are booked as individual rooms, the low number assumes all Lock-offs are books as two bedrooms.

So let's assume a number in the middle of that range is 5,000 rooms available each night through. The truth is this is probably an underestimate, since I would guess more lock-offs are booked as studios/1-bedrooms than are booked as two-bedrooms, but it's fair enough of a estimate for starters would you agree?

Of those rooms - what are the high demand rooms that people might find sold out at the 11-month/8 AM mark:
ALL the AKV concierge and value rooms (28 rooms max when splitting the lock-offs up)
ALL the BWV standard rooms (70 rooms using same "average" stat of 2-bedroom lockoffs as I did above)
ALL the BLT standard rooms (90 rooms - same as BWV)
ALL the VGF studios (47 rooms), the hardest "regular" room to get.

Note I am including the 1-bedrooms and 2-bedrooms in the first 3 categories - which are must less likely to need to be walked, again I am being generous to the favor of a higher result.
I also did NOT include the Boardwalk View or MK view rooms at BWV and BLT respecitvely, which generally are not as in demand as their cheaper counterparts and by my observation can be gotten at the 11-month mark usually pretty readily.

With those assumptions; that gives us 235 rooms out of 5000 on any given day, or 4.7 % of the total inventory.

However - how many weeks of the year would walking be necessary even in THESE rooms. Much of the year I can click on a 11 months 8 AM and get these rooms. If we generously say TEN FULL weeks of the year require walking EVERY room in ALL those categories, that would mean 0.9% of the time rooms are being walked.

And again, I made multiple generous assumptions of rooms needing to be walked - ALL rooms in the category, 1 and 2 bedrooms. The truth is probably a number that is much less than that. As I stated earlier in this thread, I booked a weekend in a studio value room at AKV for Columbus day weekend without walking. I then cancelled it a couple days later, and then a few days after that booked the NEXT weekend in a value studio again without walking. This is for one of the hardest rooms to get, at one of the busiest times of the year. In my calculation above, I am saying that room would've needed to be walked, and it wasn't.

In fact, after doing these calculations, I would bet money that walking actually occurs in less than 0.1 % of all DVC reservations. That 1 in 1000 reservations.

My point: big picture it does not have a significant affect on the CRO system.

I doubt walking is considered a big deal to DVC.

How fast rooms generally are booking in Oct-Dec vs the rest of the year? I think that's something they're looking at, or will eventually.

The issue is owner satisfaction, or more precise, complaints. I've heard quite a bit of complaining about booking availability for Oct-Dec.

I think the Poly config was sold to management at least partly for that reason.

The problem is that I'd guess that many many members are now buying with Oct-Dec in mind. Maybe not the majority and maybe not the spur of moment pixie dust purchases, but many. Certainly quite a few of the add on points and many of the resales.

Nobody's complaining about how higher point costs for Oct-Dec are affecting them because it hasn't happened. Yet.

If it did happen, it would play havoc with many owners' point configuration.

Would future complaints about a reallocation be worse than current complaints about availability?

Who knows? Those kinds of debates are why I doubt DVC will act on walking: problems with law of unintended consequences can't be fully evaluated because they're, well, unintended. Better to keep what you got than "fix" it and make it worse.

 

[Dean]

OK @Dean let's do a thought experiment, and tell me if there is anywhere that you disagree with my numbers

There are between 4161 and 5847 possible room bookings each night throughout the DVC system (ALL RESORTS - includes Aulani, HHI, VB etc). That is a range based on the high end assumes all Lock-offs are booked as individual rooms, the low number assumes all Lock-offs are books as two bedrooms.

So let's assume a number in the middle of that range is 5,000 rooms available each night through. The truth is this is probably an underestimate, since I would guess more lock-offs are booked as studios/1-bedrooms than are booked as two-bedrooms, but it's fair enough of a estimate for starters would you agree?

Of those rooms - what are the high demand rooms that people might find sold out at the 11-month/8 AM mark:
ALL the AKV concierge and value rooms (28 rooms max when splitting the lock-offs up)
ALL the BWV standard rooms (70 rooms using same "average" stat of 2-bedroom lockoffs as I did above)
ALL the BLT standard rooms (90 rooms - same as BWV)
ALL the VGF studios (47 rooms), the hardest "regular" room to get.

Note I am including the 1-bedrooms and 2-bedrooms in the first 3 categories - which are must less likely to need to be walked, again I am being generous to the favor of a higher result.
I also did NOT include the Boardwalk View or MK view rooms at BWV and BLT respecitvely, which generally are not as in demand as their cheaper counterparts and by my observation can be gotten at the 11-month mark usually pretty readily.

With those assumptions; that gives us 235 rooms out of 5000 on any given day, or 4.7 % of the total inventory.

However - how many weeks of the year would walking be necessary even in THESE rooms. Much of the year I can click on a 11 months 8 AM and get these rooms. If we generously say TEN FULL weeks of the year require walking EVERY room in ALL those categories, that would mean 0.9% of the time rooms are being walked.

And again, I made multiple generous assumptions of rooms needing to be walked - ALL rooms in the category, 1 and 2 bedrooms. The truth is probably a number that is much less than that. As I stated earlier in this thread, I booked a weekend in a studio value room at AKV for Columbus day weekend without walking. I then cancelled it a couple days later, and then a few days after that booked the NEXT weekend in a value studio again without walking. This is for one of the hardest rooms to get, at one of the busiest times of the year. In my calculation above, I am saying that room would've needed to be walked, and it wasn't.

In fact, after doing these calculations, I would bet money that walking actually occurs in less than 0.1 % of all DVC reservations. That 1 in 1000 reservations.

My point: big picture it does not have a significant affect on the CRO system.

We don't know and we don't have any reasonable way to check the volume. There will be rooms that would be helpful to walk that aren't and rooms that didn't need to be walked that are. Plus the rooms that are walked often require multiple days to walk so it's multiple calls per change and it takes more time for MS per call than just reserving would. The fact we're seeing posts here from people who feel it did affect their availability is the most telling information. Plus while the overall % might be low, I'd guess more in the 5-10% of phone calls to MS related to reservations, it'll be more for some resorts and time of the year. Remember most people aren't calling MS now for a simple reservation. It took them around 10 yrs to do a needed reallocation that was obviously needed for 5 yrs, whether they'll fix this or not is difficult to say. Ultimately we pay for this because we pay for MS.