New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[kikiq]

Again, I think AKV Concierge is a tough example to use because there are only like a half dozen rooms.

BUT isn't this one of the catagories PPs have been going on about not being to get along with F & W and the holidays. Again, as tidefan said, this is about supply and demand. You can talk about being FAIR , someone's CHOICE and how calling DBD is more FAIR and give everyone a CHOICE, but it is these special times and rooms that it really affects.

I CHOOSE not to stay concierge and can't go during holidays/ F&W so the new system is FAIR for me and all the other members who book all the other days/villas. And there are many days, villas and members in that group. Some people only go during those periods or want those villas, I'm not going to assume that most members do, so maybe those other members are the "majority" (and I did say something one time to MS) who are making reservations for the "other" times//villas.

MY guide was very clear in when she told us the 11/7, even if we called 11 months out for the holidays or F & W, we stand a chance of not getting our first choice. So I expected no guarantees of my time/villas. Yes I bought it for the flexibility. I bought it because this year 10 people are going, next maybe no one goes and year after that only 4 go. This time I need a studio and a 2 bdrm, next time I might need only a studio and maybe next time we decide to go on a cruise or go to Keystone Colorado. I bought the flexibility that we could go in the summer this year and maybe try our luck for Dec 2 years from now...and if we get it, fine, if not, we regroup.

Don't let the pages and number of posts delude anyone in thinking that there are a lot of folks who don't like the new policy. Until recently, it was pretty much the same folks posting back and forth. Some new folks have jumped in and now I think I will go back to

 

[unixadm]

What could happen now with the economy the way it is in the US and UK, bad and getting worse, is that the new rule poses no problem whatsoever in a member's ability to get what they want, when they want it. If bookings are down in general, and some are reporting that they think that's happening, then it will be easier to get things under the new rules anyway.

I think this is a really good point. As I mentioned in a past post, I think that since this change will cut phone calls by up to 84% (let's say realistically, 40% since those who didn't get what they wanted have to Waitlist and call back), that is a cost savings for DVC which is important in this economy. I am sure that they are looking at the bottom line and what it costs for extra CM's to answer phones. Since we pay maintenance fees, the more cost cutting things they can do in this economy, the better for us since I expect our fees to go up drastically next year.

If people are making less ressies due to airfare costs, gas costs, etc and are maybe looking for off season to help cut costs, then the busy times won't be as busy and this change may not cause any problems.

I think we all have to wait and see.....I am sure there is room for improvement, and that will come with time as they see how things work out....but I, for one, am happy that I can make a ressie at a peak time with 1 phone call verses 6.

 

[njmeisje]

Can you help me understand one bit of how the new system works please? If I want an 8 day continuous reservation (BCV - 2BR), how do I book this now? If I call on August 11th to reserve July 11th - July 17th for the first 7 nights....when is the earliest I can call back to add on the night of July 18th? Do I call August 12th or Aug 18th? Thanks for the help.

 

[jeankeri]

You can call the next day, August 12.

 

[Dean]

I haven’t read that the reservation has to be in the same room type. All that I have read is that on day two (if you have the first 7 days) you can book day 8 then 9 etc. The two bedroom was being booked for the week of Thanksgiving which may require that I “walk” starting earlier than I really need it just to assure that the stay won’t be interrupted, likewise for the third room starting after Thanksgiving. Essentially DBD is the same thing I am allowed to do after my first seven days. I’ll just start early.

Each variation is a totally separate reservation with it's own new and separate reservation number. Same is true for any linked reservations such as family trying to reserve and link for one stay though you could transfer. And same would be true for multiple separate master accounts of a given member.

 

[njmeisje]

thanks jeankeri

 

[LisaS]

I haven’t read that the reservation has to be in the same room type.

That has always been the case and hasn't changed as a result of the new booking policy. For example if you stay 7 nights in a 2BR and then 3 nights in a studio those are two separate reservations, even if the studio you are assigned to is the same one that was part of your 2BR lockoff.

All that I have read is that on day two (if you have the first 7 days) you can book day 8 then 9 etc.

And by that they mean day 8 and 9 of the same reservation, not necessarily day 8 and 9 of your vacation if you change rooms or resorts part way through your trip.

 

[jdg345]

Just pulling your chain to a degree. Discussing the impact of SSR on other reservations is about as good and busy a topic as this has been.

At least the SSR folks are off the hook to a certain extent. They can blame issues booking on the new policy now instead of SSR.

But the principles hold that a significant proportion don't have internet access at all and even less would be able to use it for personal options such as DVC reservations. If DVC decides to allow it I wouldn't be upset but it would certainly affect the members ability to reserve at the same time by phone as online and would seem contrary to the exact principles that you and others have argued on this thread. Hard data suggests that 25% don't have internet at home nationally, our local data suggests 10% in the FL state capital that are working (have insurance) don't have internet access at all, it'd be a stretch to say that every single DVC member has internet access. Does 25%, 10% or even 5% change the issues; I wouldn't think it's matter what the % is only whether it's OK or not OK. Again we're back to the fact that there is no truly 100% system, which is where we started I believe.

I still maintain that the demographics are different. It might be 1% or less of DVC members that do not have internet access. We should run a poll here and see how that works out.

 

[jdg345]

I haven’t read that the reservation has to be in the same room type. All that I have read is that on day two (if you have the first 7 days) you can book day 8 then 9 etc. The two bedroom was being booked for the week of Thanksgiving which may require that I “walk” starting earlier than I really need it just to assure that the stay won’t be interrupted, likewise for the third room starting after Thanksgiving. Essentially DBD is the same thing I am allowed to do after my first seven days. I’ll just start early.

The 7 Day 'Session' has to be the same. So what you could do, points allowing, is Book 11+7 for the 2BR, then on the next day, book 11+7 for the 1BR (so you have overlapping days) and then continue for the 1BR DBD cancelling the front portion where you're already staying in the 2BR.

 

[jdg345]

BUT isn't this one of the catagories PPs have been going on about not being to get along with F & W and the holidays. Again, as tidefan said, this is about supply and demand. You can talk about being FAIR , someone's CHOICE and how calling DBD is more FAIR and give everyone a CHOICE, but it is these special times and rooms that it really affects.

So the old system was more fair and gave people a choice during these special times and categories.

I CHOOSE not to stay concierge and can't go during holidays/ F&W so the new system is FAIR for me and all the other members who book all the other days/villas. And there are many days, villas and members in that group. Some people only go during those periods or want those villas, I'm not going to assume that most members do, so maybe those other members are the "majority" (and I did say something one time to MS) who are making reservations for the "other" times//villas.

So if you choose not to stay in these special room classes, DBD wasn't needed for most of your reservations I would assume, and you could have just called based on checkout date just as easily as you can by check-in date. So since either method would work for you, why support one that makes it tougher on your fellow members at other times?

And remember, just because you choose this way now, doesn't mean you'll always choose this way.

MY guide was very clear in when she told us the 11/7, even if we called 11 months out for the holidays or F & W, we stand a chance of not getting our first choice. So I expected no guarantees of my time/villas. Yes I bought it for the flexibility. I bought it because this year 10 people are going, next maybe no one goes and year after that only 4 go. This time I need a studio and a 2 bdrm, next time I might need only a studio and maybe next time we decide to go on a cruise or go to Keystone Colorado. I bought the flexibility that we could go in the summer this year and maybe try our luck for Dec 2 years from now...and if we get it, fine, if not, we regroup.

Sounds like you have it worked out for yourself. Again, in your situation, you could have likely booked based on departure date and been successful most if not all times.

Don't let the pages and number of posts delude anyone in thinking that there are a lot of folks who don't like the new policy. Until recently, it was pretty much the same folks posting back and forth. Some new folks have jumped in and now I think I will go back to

If you read the thread, I would say that the majority of posters [in this thread] do not like the new policy.

As an aside, and not directed towards you specifically, but those who like this new policy because they don't think it affects them now should not expect any sympathy when they start posting a few months from now about how they couldn't get their reservation(s).

 

[jdg345]

I think this is a really good point. As I mentioned in a past post, I think that since this change will cut phone calls by up to 84% (let's say realistically, 40% since those who didn't get what they wanted have to Waitlist and call back), that is a cost savings for DVC which is important in this economy. I am sure that they are looking at the bottom line and what it costs for extra CM's to answer phones. Since we pay maintenance fees, the more cost cutting things they can do in this economy, the better for us since I expect our fees to go up drastically next year.

Doesn't DVC make a percentage on this? If they are looking to cut costs, it is more for their bottom line than for member benefit, imo.

If people are making less ressies due to airfare costs, gas costs, etc and are maybe looking for off season to help cut costs, then the busy times won't be as busy and this change may not cause any problems.

Then there will be less mousekeeping and MS costs to deal with as well.

I think we all have to wait and see.....I am sure there is room for improvement, and that will come with time as they see how things work out....but I, for one, am happy that I can make a ressie at a peak time with 1 phone call verses 6.

But that's just it ... you don't know that yet. Many are assuming they'll get what they want Day-1 and just have to make one call. I, for one, wonder how many people will change their tune on the new policy as soon as they realize, 'Ooops, wait, this affected *my* vacation now!'.

Like I've stated, the best case scenario with the new system is that you are competing with other members for the full inventory; however, since members have been able to book a full 7 days before you get a chance, it's highly likely you are now competing for reduced inventory by the time you call.

 

[jdg345]

Can you help me understand one bit of how the new system works please? If I want an 8 day continuous reservation (BCV - 2BR), how do I book this now? If I call on August 11th to reserve July 11th - July 17th for the first 7 nights....when is the earliest I can call back to add on the night of July 18th? Do I call August 12th or Aug 18th? Thanks for the help.

Correct, you would call August 11th to get your first 7 days. Then you would call August 12th to add the 8th day.

 

[Dean]

At least the SSR folks are off the hook to a certain extent. They can blame issues booking on the new policy now instead of SSR.

Well, actually the 11 month reservations issues have gotten worse the last year or two in part due to all those SSR points.

I still maintain that the demographics are different. It might be 1% or less of DVC members that do not have internet access. We should run a poll here and see how that works out.

That's funny, an internet poll of how many have internet access, at least you've been consistent.

As an aside, and not directed towards you specifically, but those who like this new policy because they don't think it affects them now should not expect any sympathy when they start posting a few months from now about how they couldn't get their reservation(s).

Why would they, do you think I'd ever make such a post looking for sympathy or complaining. Informational maybe but that'd be it. IMO, whether it affects you personally is an extremely poor method to judge the system. As I've said, it likely does affect me and I think it's better than what was in place.

 

[jdg345]

Well, actually the 11 month reservations issues have gotten worse the last year or two in part due to all those SSR points.

We could blame that one AKV Developers Points and not SSR ...

That's funny, an internet poll of how many have internet access, at least you've been consistent.

That was the point, and why I included the rotfl

Why would they, do you think I'd ever make such a post looking for sympathy or complaining. Informational maybe but that'd be it. IMO, whether it affects you personally is an extremely poor method to judge the system. As I've said, it likely does affect me and I think it's better than what was in place.

The comment wasn't really directed at you, or anyone in particular ... it was just 'thinking outloud' more than anything else. I just wonder how many will change their tune when they realize it's harder now than when DBD was an option.

Of course, FWIW, you can still DBD, you're just doing so a week in advance. Like you've mentioned, those with the means are going to do everything they can to secure their reservation.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I agree with Dean on this ... as they are different categories, they are all separate reservations and you would have to wait until the stay was completely within 11 months or book based on (3) arrival dates at 11+7.

I have just re-read the new policy and it says nothing about having to be the same room type for those 7 days. It does say “The new reservation policy now offers Members the opportunity to place one single phone call to secure an entire Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation for as many as 7 nights … unless it is hidden in the word “reservation”, I don’t see that it says anything about the same room type.

If I have to make three reservations I am put at a disadvantage two additional times. Back to the thought of walking the last two reservations.

 

[jdg345]

I have just re-read the new policy and it says nothing about having to be the same room type for those 7 days. It does say “The new reservation policy now offers Members the opportunity to place one single phone call to secure an entire Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation for as many as 7 nights … unless it is hidden in the word “reservation”, I don’t see that it says anything about the same room type.

It was confirmed with MS, so maybe they did hide it in the word 'reservation'. The series has to be contiguous.

If I have to make three reservations I am put at a disadvantage two additional times. Back to the thought of walking the last two reservations.

Yup, which is what I suggested in my reply.

 

[Dean]

The comment wasn't really directed at you, or anyone in particular ... it was just 'thinking outloud' more than anything else. I just wonder how many will change their tune when they realize it's harder now than when DBD was an option.

The opinions could change both ways but it seems to me that most people who think it's a good idea do so on the basis of evaluating the system as a whole and not whether they are likely or not to get their reservation and that many opposed are worried they won't get their reservation. When (not if, but when) people do get what they want on one phone call I'm sure you'll see a lot more positive posts and if it happens the reverse, I'm sure we'll see EVERY ONE of those posts?

I have just re-read the new policy and it says nothing about having to be the same room type for those 7 days. It does say “The new reservation policy now offers Members the opportunity to place one single phone call to secure an entire Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation for as many as 7 nights … unless it is hidden in the word “reservation”, I don’t see that it says anything about the same room type.

If you're offering, I'll take the bet.

 

[LisaS]

I have just re-read the new policy and it says nothing about having to be the same room type for those 7 days. It does say “The new reservation policy now offers Members the opportunity to place one single phone call to secure an entire Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation for as many as 7 nights … unless it is hidden in the word “reservation”, I don’t see that it says anything about the same room type.

A reservation is one room for one or more nights. If you move from one room to another during your stay, you have more than one reservation. So when they talk about a "reservation for as many as 7 nights..." that means staying put in one particular room at one resort for all of those nights.

 

[Chuck S]

Can you help me understand one bit of how the new system works please? If I want an 8 day continuous reservation (BCV - 2BR), how do I book this now? If I call on August 11th to reserve July 11th - July 17th for the first 7 nights....when is the earliest I can call back to add on the night of July 18th? Do I call August 12th or Aug 18th? Thanks for the help.

Or, you could simply wait to call on the 12th and book the whole thing in one call. Unless you think BCV will be full in July.

I just called on the 5th and booked June 3 to 11 in one call, granted it is OKW, but I haven't heard that July is a busy time.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

My question got lost, so let me ask again...


Would everyone be willing to share the letters they sent to Jim Lewis or the satisfaction team?

I would be more than happy to post my letter if others would also post theirs. Carol, would that have to be a new thread?

diane
I did post my letter to the satisfaction team and their "canned" response back to me way back in the early pages of this thread. I will look it up and repost (is there an easy way to find it?). I'm glad you're asking this question again. I'd be interested to see those letters too.