MS systems down

[Starr W.]

And this is the very reason I think the whole CL at AKV was a HUGE HUGE error on DVC's part.

Sorry, but when they had 10 rooms they were just building up to a bunch of disgruntled members. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????

I asked my guide that, and he was figuring he'd be getting some "disgruntled" member calls. . He wasn't too keen on the small number of rooms.

 

[MamaKate]

I'm so sorry Inkmahm .

I've been doing day by day ressies for 2 studios on concierge level. When I called this morning the first person told me to call back in 2 hours (I don't think so). I called back immediately and the 2nd person said 10am. I called at 9:10am and was told the same thing. At 9:16am I was able to make my ressies for 2 rooms.

I was so stressed out this morning because I'm not only booking a room for my family, but also my sisters family. This will be my nieces first trip to WDW (she'll almost be 2 during our trip) and I want it to be special for her.

I'm sorry if I took one of the studios away from you .

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm so sorry Inkmahm .

I've been doing day by day ressies for 2 studios on concierge level. When I called this morning the first person told me to call back in 2 hours (I don't think so). I called back immediately and the 2nd person said 10am. I called at 9:10am and was told the same thing. At 9:16am I was able to make my ressies for 2 rooms.

I was so stressed out this morning because I'm not only booking a room for my family, but also my sisters family. This will be my nieces first trip to WDW (she'll almost be 2 during our trip) and I want it to be special for her.

I'm sorry if I took one of the studios away from you .

See, that's just it. If we both had an equal shot at it at 9 am and you got it before I did then I'd say that's just the luck of the draw. But THIS, with the system being down and MS not having a clue what they're talking about telling people to call back at 9:15 am when it obviously WAS operating again at that point? I'm irritated. Not blaming you, it's MS communication I'm not happy with. They told me it would be down until at LEAST 10 am but probably longer.

 

[tjkraz]

And this is the very reason I think the whole CL at AKV was a HUGE HUGE error on DVC's part.

Sorry, but when they had 10 rooms they were just building up to a bunch of disgruntled members. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????

Amen.

If nothing else, I'm shocked they haven't opened-up the backstage safaris to all DVC members. While I'm sure there are many who enjoy the concierge lounge and other perks, most who discuss CL tend to mention the safaris first.

Give all DVC members the ability to book the safari (with concierge getting first crack and the rest of the seats available on a first-come, first-served basis) and it seems much of the problem would be alleviated.

 

[Starr W.]

Amen.

If nothing else, I'm shocked they haven't opened-up the backstage safaris to all DVC members. While I'm sure there are many who enjoy the concierge lounge and other perks, most who discuss CL tend to mention the safaris first.

Give all DVC members the ability to book the safari (with concierge getting first crack and the rest of the seats available on a first-come, first-served basis) and it seems much of the problem would be alleviated.

Yep, I don't see many posts about the lounge but how to book the safaris and how great they are.

How far out can you book those? I don't own AKV, so I figured I'll probably never get a CL villa, so I haven't paid attention. Would DVC'ers with our early bookings habits put cash AKL concierge level visitors at a disadvantage?

 

[LisaS]

How far out can you book those? I don't own AKV, so I figured I'll probably never get a CL villa, so I haven't paid attention. Would DVC'ers with our early bookings habits put cash AKL concierge level visitors at a disadvantage?

I'm only familiar with booking the Sunrise Safari and the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari. You can book them 180 days out. Of the two, only the Sunrise Safari is restricted to AKL/AKV Concierge guests. The Wanyama Safari is open to any guest at AKL/AKV.

 

[CarolA]

Amen.

Give all DVC members the ability to book the safari (with concierge getting first crack and the rest of the seats available on a first-come, first-served basis) and it seems much of the problem would be alleviated.

problem is there aren't any "empty seats" on most safaris AFTER the CL books.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't see a huge difference in the number of GV at BWV vs the number of rooms at BWV and the number of concierge units at Jambo vs the number of units. There will be other reasons that peope will stay in Kidani. I haven't stayed at CL yet, we did have a booking but decided on something else instead, and we do hope to someday. I am not sorry that there's a CL at AKV. I wouldn't complain if there were more, but I do not see the units as an error.

Bobbi

PS. Inkman, I hope your waitlist comes through. It was on a day that the systems were down that I lost a ressie that was being changed. I do shy away from calling on those days now, I understand that's not your problem.

 

[MamaKate]

See, that's just it. If we both had an equal shot at it at 9 am and you got it before I did then I'd say that's just the luck of the draw. But THIS, with the system being down and MS not having a clue what they're talking about telling people to call back at 9:15 am when it obviously WAS operating again at that point? I'm irritated. Not blaming you, it's MS communication I'm not happy with. They told me it would be down until at LEAST 10 am but probably longer.

I totally agree with you. I even told the second CM that I spoke to how concerned I was about not knowing an exact time to call back since the rooms are so hard to get & their system problems weren't making it an even playing field for those trying to get rooms. She said there was nothing she could do. I continued to call because I know Disney always tells you longer times than actual.

It did make today a little less unfair for those who had been calling right at 9am.

 

[tjkraz]

problem is there aren't any "empty seats" on most safaris AFTER the CL books.

Right now they are only running the safari two days per week. That means a maximum of 20 DVC families have access to the safari each week.

Add another day or two to the schedule. Add a couple more groups on the days it is held. There are multiple opportunities for expansion.

I'm not suggesting that they get to the point that 400+ DVC members and their families all have the opportunity, but anything greater than twenty families per week is an improvement.

Disney is charging $55 per adult for this 45 minute tour plus breakfast. With 25-30 people per vehicle, I'd say they are probably doing OK financially. And if they want to maintain some exclusivity for concierge guests, that's fine with me. Charge them less--maybe $65 per person for non-concierge. Give concierge guests a significant booking window--perhaps DVCs can only book 30 or 45 days out.

I don't see a huge difference in the number of GV at BWV vs the number of rooms at BWV and the number of concierge units at Jambo vs the number of units. There will be other reasons that peope will stay in Kidani. I haven't stayed at CL yet, we did have a booking but decided on something else instead, and we do hope to someday. I am not sorry that there's a CL at AKV. I wouldn't complain if there were more, but I do not see the units as an error.

I don't see their existence as an error, but the size certainly is. When people are getting shut-out 2 hours after the phones open--and that's not limited to high-demand periods--there IS a problem.

Grand Villas at BWV may be limited, but I don't see any direct correlation between the two. Grand Villas only appeal to certain party sizes. Those who travel in groups of 8 or less have little need for that sort of luxury. Meanwhile the Concierge rooms come in Studio, 1B and 2B units which are suitable for all members. BWV GVs also don't carry any exclusive guest perks.

 

[wildernessDad]

AKV is going to be big when Kidani gets cranking. DW and I are doing AKV concierge in about 17 days.

With all the new members coming, I figure that it's our last reasonable chance, so we are doing every concierge event available at AKV.

 

[LisaS]

And if they want to maintain some exclusivity for concierge guests, that's fine with me. Charge them less--maybe $65 per person for non-concierge. Give concierge guests a significant booking window--perhaps DVCs can only book 30 or 45 days out.

I think a lot of AKL guests book just one night in AKL Concierge so they can do the Sunrise Safari and then they move to a non-Concierge room for the rest of their stay. If they could do the safari as an AKV guest, then those guests could just rent points instead of booking AKL Concierge, affecting AKL's bottom line. And since AKV owns the Lounge and receives money from AKL based on the number of AKL Concierge guests, some of that would come out of AKV's bottom line as well.

 

[tjkraz]

I think a lot of AKL guests book just one night in AKL Concierge so they can do the Sunrise Safari and then they move to a non-Concierge room for the rest of their stay. If they could do the safari as an AKV guest, then those guests could just rent points instead of booking AKL Concierge, affecting AKL's bottom line. And since AKV owns the Lounge and receives money from AKL based on the number of AKL Concierge guests, some of that would come out of AKV's bottom line as well.

\

So limit it to members only. It shouldn't be terribly difficult to exclude renters.

Ask for the DVC member number when booking the safari, and have the CM state that the blue plastic ID MUST be presented before guests depart on the tour. No card, no tour.

If they can successfully limit the Annual Pass perk to members, they can use similar guidelines to do it here, too.

 

[MJS]

Inkmahm ~ Sorry that it did not work out for you this morning. That is such a bummer. I wonder if there is a better way to book DVC ressies. This day-by-day stuff, while in the long run can pay off, can be a real pain! Then throw in a system issue like today ~ Ugh!

I hope something opens up for you!

 

[Starr W.]

I'm only familiar with booking the Sunrise Safari and the Wanyama (Sunset) Safari. You can book them 180 days out. Of the two, only the Sunrise Safari is restricted to AKL/AKV Concierge guests. The Wanyama Safari is open to any guest at AKL/AKV.

I didn't know the Sunset Safari was open to any guest. I'll try to keep that in mind.

Thanks Lisa!

 

[LisaS]

So limit it to members only. It shouldn't be terribly difficult to exclude renters.

Ask for the DVC member number when booking the safari, and have the CM state that the blue plastic ID MUST be presented before guests depart on the tour. No card, no tour.

If they can successfully limit the Annual Pass perk to members, they can use similar guidelines to do it here, too.

You might be on to something here! I do agree that it would be nice to allow DVC owners who don't win the Concierge lottery the option to do the Sunrise Safari. It would also ease some of the competition for Concierge villas, leaving them to those who really want the Concierge experience and not just the opportunity to do the Sunrise Safari.

 

[thepops]

It is open to any guest, but much more expensive I believe.

 

[Inkmahm]

Inkmahm ~ Sorry that it did not work out for you this morning. That is such a bummer. I wonder if there is a better way to book DVC ressies. This day-by-day stuff, while in the long run can pay off, can be a real pain! Then throw in a system issue like today ~ Ugh!

I hope something opens up for you!

Thanks. Since there is such a small number of studios, I have little hope to tell you the truth. I called MS back when I got to work this morning and tried to book a standard view studio as a backup and even THOSE were already gone at about 11 am. I have a savanna view studio and am still waitlisted for the concierge. I really hope I don't have to move for the second night but I can see that it is probably likely.

 

[Inkmahm]

You might be on to something here! I do agree that it would be nice to allow DVC owners who don't win the Concierge lottery the option to do the Sunrise Safari. It would also ease some of the competition for Concierge villas, leaving them to those who really want the Concierge experience and not just the opportunity to do the Sunrise Safari.

The sunrise safari isn't just for DVC concierge, either. It's for all of AKL concierge. I wonder how many rooms THAT is? Anyone know? I think there are quite a few concierge rooms on the 4th floor.

I also think there are quite a few people in concierge who do NOT do the sunrise safari (whether because they don't want to, don't know about it, or just didn't reserve in time.) There are only two trucks that hold 28 people each.

 

[kgc07]

Did you try to reserve a one bedroom? It seems like the concierge studios are what go the fastest.