MS called- no boardwalk view for Oct

[DebbieB]

As noted, it is first come but might be someone who booked a few days earlier and overlaps.

While I understand being disappointed, I do not understand being upset about this. It happens, it's NORMAL timeshare stuff. I would think it impossible to be able to plan these things well enough to be set at the 11 month booking window but even if they did, would one feel any better if they called in and couldn't get it for the same reasons 11 months out. They could easily have not had anything else and canceled this altogether because they will not move others based on a priority system. So someone who booked yesterday would get to keep their room but someone displaced as in this case when they reserved 11 months out might not have a room available.

From what I understand, this is the regularly scheduled renovation time for BWV. They should have been able to plan at 11 months. It's not like it's an emergency repair.

Does anyone find it strange that they have enough rooms open at BCV during F & W to accomodate BWV guests? Usually it is booked solid at 7 months. My guess is there was more advance planning to this.

I have a reservation for a boardwalk view for Dec 5 to 11, hope it doesn't get bumped.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

aren't some rooms simply reserved for CRO and then they simply decided not to sell those, but rather give thme to their displaced BW folks

frustrating to be sure..gotta wonder why they picked that time of year? i am sure there are times when BW is less busy/popular and less likely to affect dvc members

Maybe BWV is more full of DVC members in October and NOT full of Ca$h paying customers. Just a thought.

 

[Dean]

aren't some rooms simply reserved for CRO and then they simply decided not to sell those, but rather give thme to their displaced BW folks

Possibly and since DVC seems to have bought a larger percentage of BCV contracts under ROFR, they may own more there than most.

From what I understand, this is the regularly scheduled renovation time for BWV. They should have been able to plan at 11 months. It's not like it's an emergency repair.

Does anyone find it strange that they have enough rooms open at BCV during F & W to accomodate BWV guests? Usually it is booked solid at 7 months. My guess is there was more advance planning to this.

I have a reservation for a boardwalk view for Dec 5 to 11, hope it doesn't get bumped.

As I noted, budgets are normally a year out with a 3-5 year long term planning mode. The budget is normally approved the previous year, late in the year. Given contracts, bidding and the budget structure, I think the expectation to plan far enough out to not even book those units is unreasonable. Those same factors and the total time required to complete the project also make planning just for slower times alone almost impossible. I doubt all affected will be at BCV. I'd guess they'll be spread out using units DVD owns and/or otherwise unbooked.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for the update. I have not heard anything yet and our dates are Oct 23-27. Maybe I should be proactive and give them a call, altho I may not get much info over the w/e. May I ask who you spoke with? Hopefully we will be offered the same exchange and they will work with us on the standard studio also.
Murphy

Sorry, I didn't write down his name. My message from MS was to call and ask for a manager, which is what I did. But evne though he was a manager, he also kept putting me on hold to check to see what he could do for me in terms of an upgrade or points given back. Not sure who he was consulting.

 

[Inkmahm]

I doubt all affected will be at BCV. I'd guess they'll be spread out using units DVD owns and/or otherwise unbooked.

I was told specifically by the MS manager that everyone was being moved only to BCV, there was no choice for any other DVC location. There was a block of rooms reserved by DVC at BCV just for this purpose.

 

[ftballfan7]

I am glad this ended up working out for you. Although I admit my initial reaction was to have the same sympathy for you as you had for the people who were negatively affected (not just for one trip but for the remainder of their contracts) by the 2010 point reallocation. I believe it went something like the right to do this is in the contract, I don't feel sorry for anyone who didn't read the entire contract before signing - blah blah blah.

I guess it comes down to whether one is the fly or the windshield.

 

[rutgers1]

I seem to be in the minority here, but I don't have much sympathy for the OP. Ok, let me rephrase. I think it stinks that the OP won't get the desired room at BW. However, to me, that is life. If we want Disney to refurbish rooms, we have to realize that this is part of the process. It would be great if they knew 11 months out, but if they don't, I still think it is something that we have to roll with.

Although not exactly the same thing, pre-DVC, I booked Coronado expressly because my kids liked the pool. Upon booking, I mentioned that I heard that the pool might be undergoing a renovation and was told that my information was incorrect. A few months later, I found out that it was indeed going to be under renovation during my trip. I was bummed, but I called and moved my reservation to another hotel. In the end, it all worked out. I never would have thought to ask for compensation. The only time I would ask for compensation is if I were to be moved to a smaller room, for example from a 2BR to a 1BR. I just don't see a major difference when you are getting the same size room a literal hop skip and a jump away.

I think we tend to hold Disney to some entirely unrealistic standard sometime. I do it myself. I admit it. I have complained to them about things that I would never complain about to other businesses. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit some of the things I have brought up to the guest services people while in the parks.

 

[Dean]

I was told specifically by the MS manager that everyone was being moved only to BCV, there was no choice for any other DVC location. There was a block of rooms reserved by DVC at BCV just for this purpose.

I know you were told that, I'm still doubting that was accurate. Not that you were purposefully lied to just that either the answer was cryptic and vague or the person that told you had incorrect information or interpreted what they did know incorrectly.

 

[Inkmahm]

I am glad this ended up working out for you. Although I admit my initial reaction was to have the same sympathy for you as you had for the people who were negatively affected (not just for one trip but for the remainder of their contracts) by the 2010 point reallocation. I believe it went something like the right to do this is in the contract, I don't feel sorry for anyone who didn't read the entire contract before signing - blah blah blah.

I guess it comes down to whether one is the fly or the windshield.

Except my OP never said DVC shouldn't or couldn't do the maintenance work (like people were complaining the points reallocation shouldn't /couldn't have been allowed), only that I thought DVC needed to affect people in the reverse order of when they booked their villas. Since I plan 11 months in advance, that wouldn't have been me. When I got the phone message and I posted the OP here, there was nothing to indicate that EVERYone in boardwalk view was affected and moved to BCV.

 

[Tozzie]

From what I understand, this is the regularly scheduled renovation time for BWV. They should have been able to plan at 11 months. It's not like it's an emergency repair.

Does anyone find it strange that they have enough rooms open at BCV during F & W to accomodate BWV guests? Usually it is booked solid at 7 months. My guess is there was more advance planning to this.

I have a reservation for a boardwalk view for Dec 5 to 11, hope it doesn't get bumped.

While it may be regularly scheduled renovations they can't possibly know what rooms will be affected at what times during the process it is possible that they blocked the rooms knowing they would have to move guests but not from what area at what time, they may only know that now that the project has started.

 

[Inkmahm]

I know you were told that, I'm still doubting that was accurate. Not that you were purposefully lied to just that either the answer was cryptic and vague or the person that told you had incorrect information or interpreted what they did know incorrectly.

If that's true, I'm betting there are a lot of people who are going to be more upset than I was! Losing the boardwalk view was bad enough but at least BCV is still one of the Epcot locations.

If members are at WDW for Food and Wine in October and planned 11 months in advance for a boardwalk view, they are going to be really irritated if they end up with SSR, OKW, etc. instead of an Epcot location. Especially if others who booked long after they did are still able to stay at BWV or BCV.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

If that's true, I'm betting there are a lot of people who are going to be more upset than I was! Losing the boardwalk view was bad enough but at least BCV is still one of the Epcot locations.

If members are at WDW for Food and Wine in October and planned 11 months in advance for a boardwalk view, they are going to be really irritated if they end up with SSR, OKW, etc. instead of an Epcot location. Especially if others who booked long after they did are still able to stay at BWV or BCV.

My money is on what you were told was not the entire truth also(not the fault of the person you talked to. They either don't know the whole truth or are only saying what they're told to say), but instead of everyone not actually being moved to BCV, I'm guessing they're not going to paint the entire BW side at one time and will do it in sections.

And if DVC knew there was going to be some major section of the BWV under construction but they weren't sure where so they blocked off a huge part of BCV to move the people into when they figured out where the construction would be at that point, there is a serious management problem. Why not just block off a huge part of preferred view rooms at the BWV? It's by far the biggest percentage of rooms at the BWV. It's a closer apples to apples trade for anyone who does have to move. If someone wants to stay at the BWV even though it's not a BW View at least they're still at the BW. And if they were painting a section that was all preferred view rooms at the time, they wouldn't even have to move a single person. And if they were painting standard view rooms, it's an upgrade to move those people.

Instead, we're supposed to believe they had no idea about this BWV construction at 11 months, but blocked off a substantial amount of BCV rooms just in case during the F&W fest? If that is true, they're screwing over owners at both resorts.

 

[murphy t]

Has anyone found out anymore about the reason for the need to change resorts? We are going to be there the same dates as the op, have 2 Boardwalk view studios reserved and a standard view reserved and I will not be happy if we have to change. I also booked this at 9am at the 11 month mark and have talked up how wonderful the Boardwalk is and what a great time we will have to the other 2 couples going with us!
Murphy

This is my OP. I just called Ms who spoke with a "manager" and was told that we will NOT be moved, that the calls have all been made to those that need to move, and that we were not being moved because we booked so "early" and on and on. I really don't believe them (Inkmahan actually would have booked a day before us) based on what has happened in the past with others. I will be calling again.
As for moving elswhere, BCV would be acceptable, but any where else would not. As many have said, we bought at the Boardwalk (also own BLT now) to get the 11 month booking window, espec. during F & W. Last year we did not book in time and could not get BWV and ended up paying to stay at the Dolphin!
Murphy

 

[Inkmahm]

This is my OP. I just called Ms who spoke with a "manager" and was told that we will NOT be moved, that the calls have all been made to those that need to move, and that we were not being moved because we booked so "early" and on and on. I really don't believe them (Inkmahan actually would have booked a day before us) based on what has happened in the past with others. I will be calling again.
As for moving elswhere, BCV would be acceptable, but any where else would not. As many have said, we bought at the Boardwalk (also own BLT now) to get the 11 month booking window, espec. during F & W. Last year we did not book in time and could not get BWV and ended up paying to stay at the Dolphin!
Murphy

I'm not sure how DVC would think they could get away with such an obvious lie to me if they really aren't going to shut down all boardwalk views while I am there. Do they think I wouldn't notice people in the rooms that supposedly must be empty in October? I am also going to email MS satisfaction team to ask them what is going on and provide them the link to this thread.

 

[murphy t]

I'm not sure how DVC would think they could get away with such an obvious lie to me if they really aren't going to shut down all boardwalk views while I am there. Do they think I wouldn't notice people in the rooms that supposedly must be empty in October? I am also going to email MS satisfaction team to ask them what is going on and provide them the link to this thread.

My guess is that I was the one who has been given incorrect information based on past performance. As I said, I will be calling again and will let you know how I make out. Hopefully it will work out for all of us.
Murphy

 

[Simba's Mom]

So far, we've heard from Inkmahm it's only Boardwalk views, not everyone at BWV.

I'm sorry I wrote that wrong. I meant everyone that was being moved from BWV. I knew it was just BW view, but that's still a heck of a lot of people to add to BCV during the F&W festival.

 

[Inkmahm]

My guess is that I was the one who has been given incorrect information based on past performance. As I said, I will be calling again and will let you know how I make out. Hopefully it will work out for all of us.
Murphy

We will see. I've emailed and given them the two of us as the example with the link to this thread. I've asked which one of us has been given incorrect information because we both can't have been told the truth. And I promised to post their response to this thread.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I'm not sure how DVC would think they could get away with such an obvious lie to me if they really aren't going to shut down all boardwalk views while I am there. Do they think I wouldn't notice people in the rooms that supposedly must be empty in October? I am also going to email MS satisfaction team to ask them what is going on and provide them the link to this thread.

My issues that have come up with this thread are:
I understand they have points at each resort so they can repair the rooms. Fine. But if what they told you is correct, they took a substantial number of rooms out of play at a different DVC resort to fix BWV. Now they're going to charge the people who reserved at BWV the BWV points to stay at BCV for rooms DVC obviously put to the side at 11 months.

What is the difference if they were to decide tomorrow that they're going to not rent half of BLT during Dec. 2010 at the 11 month and then move people over there from SSR at a later date?

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

This must happen either way to all the resorts....i.e. at some point to BCV reservations get switched to BWV for renovations? Ideally, the reservations shouldn't be booked in the first place. Small changes....ok...but something this substantial should be scheduled far enough in advance so no booking takes place...however...what if the scheduling changes...let's say within the 7 month window....then the rooms are available again....but to everyone....not just BWV owners as they should have been in the first place.....see the difficulties? I just think there is no good way to do this.

The key is early planning....good communication and as fair as possible accomodation when it occurs.

For those who say...Why during F&W? I get that is a busy time but I suspect the Boardwalk views are always booked full. Why are fall travellers more important than those who plan vacations at other times of the year. WEather wise the fall is probably better than other times to get the major outside work done.

Unfortunately, we will all probably be faced with this sooner or later. I am sorry for those who are affected....but with some 50 odd years of vacation, expecting a Boardwalk view for Food and Wine each and every of those 50 years without anything happening seems unrealistic.

 

[Dean]

If that's true, I'm betting there are a lot of people who are going to be more upset than I was! Losing the boardwalk view was bad enough but at least BCV is still one of the Epcot locations.

If members are at WDW for Food and Wine in October and planned 11 months in advance for a boardwalk view, they are going to be really irritated if they end up with SSR, OKW, etc. instead of an Epcot location. Especially if others who booked long after they did are still able to stay at BWV or BCV.

As upset as AKV Concierge to SSR? It makes no sense that both the entire BW view is closed AND everyone is moved to BCV, simply not enough units to accommodate that plus the GV come into play.

As for the issue of taking a substantial # of rooms at BCV, they do have that option within certain restrictions. Look at it this way. Say VB was leveled by a hurricane and DVC decided to build it back but it'd take 6 months. Those points would still be in play and those owners would still be able to use their points subject to availability. Such a move could certainly overwhelm the system but that's how it's set up. OTOH, if they decided to close it down after such a disaster, the insurance proceeds would be distributed (after some expenses) to the members and they would cease to be members and would have no ownership. In such a situation I'm guessing DVC would offer alternatives but they would not have a legal requirement to do so as the paperwork is written.