Looks like I'm going to have to learn to "walk" a reservation..

[Yinn]

I doubt cancelling and rebooking rather than modifying would solve much.

I had to give this some thought. I think you’re right. There will be some that won’t want to risk cancellation, but those would most likely be - I have a partial week booked - the rest would just cancel if they didn’t want the week anyway.

With the implementation of the modify system and 2 minute job to walk, it’s the perfect storm which will only get worse as people think if I can’t beat them, I’ll join them.

I do think it would help if you couldn’t modify in system but had to place a call. It would cause inconvenience which would deter walking. But then again...it would cause inconvenience to those who aren’t walking. I think it’s to Disney’s advantage to play blind to walking rather than cause inconvenience with modifications.

 

[Wakey]

I doubt cancelling and rebooking rather than modifying would solve much. There is no "single" thing that can be pointed to as the true problem. It would clearly give an advantage to those with a higher number of points...as they would simply book what they wanted (if available) before cancelling their existing reservation. Which, in turn, would mean more people wanting to buy more points resale. That is not in the best interest of direct sales. Another factor, IMO, is the growing number of small contracts, and people buying "just enough" with no buffer, leading to increased competition for studios.

I was saying 1 or 2 modifications only, then your only option is to cancel your booking if you no longer want it- then you are no longer walking if you can book again- point being they are being walked because you lock in the first day- you have no longer locked in the first day if you have to cancel, then rebook, as someone could swipe it after you cancel. You could even have an hour before you can book again after such a cancellation following 2 modifications say- points are locked down for an hour. Anyone could cancel and rebook anyway- even pre modification online changes- it is the modifying that has led to an increase in walking- I even did it myself twice the past few months- would never have done it before the new system.

 

[Chuck S]

People were walking prior to the online modification option, they were just tying up Member Service time and phones, probably mush more than we'll ever know.And if they put a limit on it, it would cause more problems than it would fix. There is no easy solution.

 

[crvetter]

With the implementation of the modify system and 2 minute job to walk, it’s the perfect storm which will only get worse as people think if I can’t beat them, I’ll join them.
I think DVC will eventually have to adjust the modify system, to say 1 or 2 modifications only per booking, only other alternative after that is waitlist or cancel.

As a CCV owner that books thanksgiving week I’ve yet needed to walk. Though I have no issues with walking simply because as it’s currently setup each and every owner in DVC is afforded the same rights and abilities to walk. Every single method I’ve seen suggested to combat walking hinders smaller point contracts and makes it easier for larger contracts. That would be what your suggested method would also do, along with making it very difficult to guarantee longer than 7 day stays at DVC resorts that sold GWs since inventory can be missing before the 11 month window opens.

I for one hope they do nothing about walking until I see a better solution that doesn’t put people on different footings.

 

[Meriweather]

Good luck.
I was worried for BR, but got all 12 of our nights for December

 

[JETSDAD]

I was saying 1 or 2 modifications only, then your only option is to cancel your booking if you no longer want it- then you are no longer walking if you can book again- point being they are being walked because you lock in the first day- you have no longer locked in the first day if you have to cancel, then rebook, as someone could swipe it after you cancel. You could even have an hour before you can book again after such a cancellation following 2 modifications say- points are locked down for an hour. Anyone could cancel and rebook anyway- even pre modification online changes- it is the modifying that has led to an increase in walking- I even did it myself twice the past few months- would never have done it before the new system.

What if someone is just wanting a longer reservation than 7 nights? Especially at 7 months you're going to want to add daily but then you'd be limited in days due to the limit on modifications.

 

[Chuck S]

What if someone is just wanting a longer reservation than 7 nights? Especially at 7 months you're going to want to add daily but then you'd be limited in days due to the limit on modifications.

Walking at 7 months is "iffy" at best, because home resort owner could already have snapped up your desired dates during their 11 month window.

 

[JETSDAD]

Walking at 7 months is "iffy" at best, because home resort owner could already have snapped up your desired dates during their 11 month window.

Oh I know, but it does get you ahead of other people looking to book at 7 months. That being said, I wasn't even referring to walking, just someone wanting to add days to have a longer than 7 night stay. If there were a limit on modifications they would have a higher chance of losing the days beyond the first 7.

 

[Wakey]

I read walking at 7 is iffy, but I just did it at Grand Californian, booking the nights when I managed to get fastest finger first, one morning a month out, then waking it every few days. I think walking at 7 is very effective, as it is quite unlikely an owner will book that room 4 days say before the 7 months and take the only remaining room. I may walk a Copper Creek 1 bed for Xmas.