New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[cc1075]

People have been suggesting that as long as you call before the 11 months mark of the end of your stay then your room should be available for you to continue on your stay. I do think that this reasoning is probably correct so once you have your reservation started you should be able to call just another 4 times (maybe it'll be 5?) to finish out your stay - assuming MS lets you add on days up to 7 out from the day you are calling. ie, you can call April 5th and add on 7 days, then April 12th and add on again.

But I do feel for you and and other's because you and they bought under a particular system and now that has been changed and it could possibly be difficult to get the reservation started if you bought with a particular room category in mind.

However - can I be jealous and have no sympathy about your staying 5 weeks! Lucky you and I hope that it will work out ok.

Thanks Kathy - I hope you are right - because if not the chances of us getting our vacation time will have really, really narrowed down. We stay at OKW, home resort, lucky we are not in a smaller resort. But still they are at about 95% the entire time we are there and it pushes to 100% between Palm Sunday and the week after Easter!

 

[Dean]

Dean, I think this is an excellent point. Do you think this effect has been more pronounced at the destination resorts? Do you think the new destination resorts will be affected similarly? Being able to see actual internal exchange data would be really interesting.

It is dramatically more pronounced at the destination resorts as it only comes from an unequal usage at different resorts. While I feel SSR points have been the main reason for the change, actually off site members are going to be most affected because many are solely tied to the 7 month window. As a disclaimer, I'm not complaining, this is how the system works and I'm perfectly happy with it and have not problem. Actually from my standpoint, the more units the better as it means more II deposits.

I don't intend to walk my reservation. I think I will make out fine without doing that for the times I travel. I also think it does seem like more work than DbD to do that and even if not, it seems like the potential for a possible mistake on MS part that could cancel the whole reservation is more likely than with DbD. At peak times, I wouldn't want to risk that possibility.

I've made those points earlier in this thread. We've seen a number of times where MS lost a reservation trying to make a change, that is a risk and likely will be a larger risk in this situation. Also, I suspect that even if "walking" is allowed to cont, most won't do it or if they do, only once or twice then they'll learn they don't need to. Likely most will not do it at all, even those that did DBD. That's why I said I though the current system will result in far less phone calls in the long run even without the adjustments I think should happen.

 

[Dean]

I'm sure no one will have sympathy with my problem - but I am sure I am not the only one. We can only visit Disney during March and April due to work schedules. We purchased enough points to stay for five weeks. So using 2009 as an example - we could book one week beginning March 29 - two weeks before Easter - but if I do that then I will be calling everyday beginning Arpil 5 - which is Palm Sunday through April 24. I will be forced to call everyday for over three weeks because my vacation started prior to a prime day and continued through a prime time. And even if a do call every day there will be a good chance that the rooms will be gone - imagine calling 11 months out for Easter Sunday - seven days after the reservations have opened for others !!

Think I will give MS a call to see just how this will work for me -! What a mess!

Sympathy, certainly, feeling the system should change or direct itself to your situation, not at all. I think you can easily get that reservation 4-5 phone calls. But even if not, the worst you should be looking at is calling every 2-3 days. Under the old system you would have had to call DBD to give yourself the same guarantee so at your worst situation and you add on DBD, you'd saved a week of phone calls.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Form earlier in the thread, but I never got an answer. I asked: So how do I book our next vacation? I have 112 points left in 2009.

5 days at AKV (Sun-Thu) in a 1br at 22points each is 110 points and bank the final 2 points. It sounds easy enough. I just call 11 months out and request 5 nights at 22points each. Under the old system, I could call DBD and feel confident that I would get the room that I wanted.

But, under the new system, in order to give myself the best possible chance of getting the room that I want, I could call and reserve the Fri -Sat that I don't want plus the Sun that I do want in one call and use 110 points. That's 44 points a night for Fri-Sat and 22 points for the Sunday night. Total of 110 points. Of course, I don't plan on keeping the Fri-Sat nights. A couple of days later, I then call and cancel the Friday and then add the Mon-Tues.

I'm thinking that walking the reservation is the best way to ensure that I will get the room when I want it. If I wait until Sunday to call, then I run the risk of being shut out of my room at 11 months out at my home resort. Is there something wrong with the logic that I am using here? Can anyone tell me? Thx.

 

[pilferk]

Ah, I see. Whenever the new system works to someone's advantage, it's going to be spun as because they are booking at slow periods or during times when DBD just wasn't required. Interesting...

On the contrary....it's just all we have to go on right now.

And since I think most people agree the change likely will effect busier times of the year a lot more (and certainly more noticeable), I think it's certainly prudent to take a "wait and see" approach.

It's not about spin, it's about reality. In REALITY, right now, there are two big hurdles to overcome with "anecdotal" success (which is tenuous anyway): the fact the 7 month window is for typically slow period, right now...and the 11 month window isn't for a particularly busy time right now, either. Also the system is so new that MUCH of the membership isn't aware of it and is operating under the "old" guidlines (but should quickly be told during their initial call to MS about the change).

You can't possibly think those points are irrelevant right now......

We're not "poo pooing" the success. But it's just not as compelling as, say, someone having the same success for an early December date would be.

 

[pilferk]

I don't think it was always a shoo in when calling DBD. I called right at 9 to get a AKC concierge reservation. The MS rep took too long to secure the room and by 9:08 the room I was trying to get was gone. I think it was necessary to call DBD for concierge.

I agree.

That was the one category where I think you HAD to call DBD, at 11 months, no matter what the time of year you were going to go. With only 5 2BR lockoffs at AKV (or for DVC members, ANYWHERE on property, to date), they were super duper limited in quantity.....

MAYBE GV's, too, to some extent.

But for the majority of room types, during the slower times of year especially (and, really, for most of the year....except for school vacations, holidays, and food and wine), calling 11 months from check out was going to get you what you wanted.

 

[DebbieB]

Form earlier in the thread, but I never got an answer. I asked: So how do I book our next vacation? I have 112 points left in 2009.

5 days at AKV (Sun-Thu) in a 1br at 22points each is 110 points and bank the final 2 points. It sounds easy enough. I just call 11 months out and request 5 nights at 22points each. Under the old system, I could call DBD and feel confident that I would get the room that I wanted.

But, under the new system, in order to give myself the best possible chance of getting the room that I want, I could call and reserve the Fri -Sat that I don't want plus the Sun that I do want in one call and use 110 points. That's 44 points a night for Fri-Sat and 22 points for the Sunday night. Total of 110 points. Of course, I don't plan on keeping the Fri-Sat nights. A couple of days later, I then call and cancel the Friday and then add the Mon-Tues.

I'm thinking that walking the reservation is the best way to ensure that I will get the room when I want it. If I wait until Sunday to call, then I run the risk of being shut out of my room at 11 months out at my home resort. Is there something wrong with the logic that I am using here? Can anyone tell me? Thx.

What time of year are you going? I really don't think it's necessary at AKL unless it's a high demand time (holiday) or if you want concierge.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

What time of year are you going? I really don't think it's necessary at AKL unless it's a high demand time (holiday) or if you want concierge.

Oh, it's not a high demand time-this will be for next August-maybe the 3rd week of August. I was likely going to try and book a room at Kidani at 11 months out. But, I'm not sure that I can count it as automatic that I will get my room if I wait till Sunday to call.

 

[dianeschlicht]

My brain hurts. I quit reading the details of this thread days ago, because really all that's being said now is reiterating what was said way back at the beginning. The difference is that it's being said by different people (with a few exceptions). All this discussion and "dead horse beating" isn't going to solve anything in the long run.

The reality is that this new system is going to be difficult and more complex for many to work with if they are trying to get a low inventory room (like AKV concierge) or a high demand time (like holidays or early Dec.). It is unfair to many who have been successful with the 11 month window in the past, and will now find others can book their 11 month window a week ahead of them. Agreed, it wont be EVERY body or EVERY room, but it will be a major annoyance for those special room catagories and special times. Most times it will work just as it's supposed to. The real problem is that it might make some of us unable to use our membership at one or several resorts in the manner in which we have been accustomed, and to our satisfaction. THe result will be a LOT of smaller contracts on the resale market from all of us disgruntled folks who did small add-ons at specific resorts to get the 11 month booking window for those "special" room catagories. Time will tell. I'm just tired of reading these same discussions over and over again. The horse died quite a few pages ago!

 

[DebbieB]

Oh, it's not a high demand time-this will be for next August-maybe the 3rd week of August. I was likely going to try and book a room at Kidani at 11 months out. But, I'm not sure that I can count it as automatic that I will get my room if I wait till Sunday to call.

I think you could count on that as automatic at 11 months for that time of year. I was there last week, Kidani is going to be huge (size wise).

 

[jekjones1558]

I am interested enough in this issue to have read every post. While for many of you the "fairness" issue is very clear, it is not for me. I have done DBD booking for beginning of Dec. to get a BW view 1 bedroom after having a waitlist not clear one year. DBD was very inconvenient for me as a substitute teacher, but I felt it was necessary and within the spirit of DVC rules. I have also done DBD for an OKW GV.
What to do now? I have enough points to "walk" at BWV--(920 to be exact), and a part of me says, "You pay a lot of dues to call BWV home, so you have earned the right to use your points to your advantage. It is the way of the world." I only have 230 points at OKW, but with banking and borrowing I could attempt to walk for an OKW GV. Somehow I don't feel as "entitled" to do so as I might at BWV. Other OKW owners who carry a heavier burden in terms of MF probably should have "dibs" before a small owner like me.
Bottom line: I probably will not walk at either resort. Walking does not seem okay to me like DBD did. I will take my chances with the system and hope for the best. If no one "walks," I think the new system will work okay most of the time, just like the old system worked most of the time, and the new system does have a few advantages. If and when I lose out, I will be interested to see whether or not my moral compass repositions itself.

 

[jade1]

I had booked at my home resort but called today for my 7 months out in February and got a standard view at BWV!!! It was so nice not to have to call everyday this week to make sure I got it and know that it was available for my whole stay. .

Just called today as well, No STD View Studios or 2BR for the entire 7 days checking in 7 months from today. They did have a 1BR but thats a waste of points for our size group.

Did you reserve a 1BR?

 

[DebbieB]

The thing that concerns me about "walking" is people are holding nights they don't even want. Someone else may want that night, here someone is holding it during a "walk" and will cancel it shortly. More people are going to be on waitlist and unhappy about it. They wanted to cut down on the # of phone calls by people doing "day by day", now they may end up with even more as people start "walking". My bet is they never considered that people would make "fake" reservations in order to get around the new system.

 

[dopeyone]

I'm not sure of other busy times, I bought DVC in Apr. SSR , I had no problem hooking up my Feb. (including Pres. week) in May. That was in between 9-10 months out, I got just what I wanted, I Also called back in June and switched from 2 bedrooms to 2 studios....No problem!
In May I also hooked up the coveted 1st week of Dec. again no problem, at the 7 month date I switched and got 2 studios @BWV for part of my vacation.
I'm not sure how other high demand times will be or if you own at one of the smaller resorts. I think if you call @ 11 & 7 months out you will get what you need.......somewhere!
You would think that people "walking" their reservation would cancel the day they don't need as they call in DBD to extend their reservation. This would make the days they don't need available almost immediately.
I'm new to the DVC. I don't see where the big problem is. I hooked up both Pres. week and the 1st week of Dec. well inside 11 months with no problems.
Will it cause problems at different resorts? Maybe....No one knows yet! I'm just basing this on my limited personal experience......No problem!

 

[jade1]

I'm not sure of other busy times, I bought DVC in Apr. SSR , I had no problem hooking up my Feb. (including Pres. week) in May. That was in between 9-10 months out, I got just what I wanted, I Also called back in June and switched from 2 bedrooms to 2 studios....No problem!
In May I also hooked up the coveted 1st week of Dec. again no problem, at the 7 month date I switched and got 2 studios @BWV for part of my vacation.
I'm not sure how other high demand times will be or if you own at one of the smaller resorts. I think if you call @ 11 & 7 months out you will get what you need.......somewhere!
You would think that people "walking" their reservation would cancel the day they don't need as they call in DBD to extend their reservation. This would make the days they don't need available almost immediately.
I'm new to the DVC. I don't see where the big problem is. I hooked up both Pres. week and the 1st week of Dec. well inside 11 months with no problems.
Will it cause problems at different resorts? Maybe....No one knows yet! I'm just basing this on my limited personal experience......No problem!

So.......why make the change right?

 

[pyrxtc]

I'm sure no one will have sympathy with my problem - but I am sure I am not the only one. We can only visit Disney during March and April due to work schedules. We purchased enough points to stay for five weeks. So using 2009 as an example - we could book one week beginning March 29 - two weeks before Easter - but if I do that then I will be calling everyday beginning Arpil 5 - which is Palm Sunday through April 24. I will be forced to call everyday for over three weeks because my vacation started prior to a prime day and continued through a prime time. And even if a do call every day there will be a good chance that the rooms will be gone - imagine calling 11 months out for Easter Sunday - seven days after the reservations have opened for others !!

Think I will give MS a call to see just how this will work for me -! What a mess!

That could be done easily wiht just 4 or 5 calls, maybe 6 including the initial call. You call on the 1st day, again on the 6th day, again on the 12th, 18th, 23rd, and so on. Just call the day beore you would check out and add on 7 days more until your ressie is complete.

 

[dopeyone]

So.......why make the change right?

I don't know....I'm not for or against it, as I said I'm new...I don't know why they did it, I guess time will tell if this was good or not!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I reserved a studio....

I am checking out on the 13th - the day BEFORE President's weekend really starts. Did they tell you which days the standards weren't available for - it is probably that weekend and they were booked before the 7 month window opened.

I knew b/c it was a slower time that it probably increased my odds of getting the standard. I have never been able to get the standard in the past even during slower periods.

NOW - one thing I think changes for me in this booking policy is that unless I REALLY REALLY wanted a certain resort, I didn't usually book until my check out day. This time I called to make my reservation on my check-in day instead of my check-out day. But I feel as long as everyone has the same rules as me, they don't have an unfair disadvantage.

I think if walking becomes a HUGE problem they will see it and address the issue. It seems like a fairly easy issue to address. Such as - reservations be modified within one week of booking will be completely canceled and rebooked.

 

[pilferk]

I reserved a studio....

I am checking out on the 13th - the day BEFORE President's weekend really starts. Did they tell you which days the standards weren't available for - it is probably that weekend and they were booked before the 7 month window opened.

I knew b/c it was a slower time that it probably increased my odds of getting the standard. I have never been able to get the standard in the past even during slower periods.

NOW - one thing I think changes for me in this booking policy is that unless I REALLY REALLY wanted a certain resort, I didn't usually book until my check out day. This time I called to make my reservation on my check-in day instead of my check-out day. But I feel as long as everyone has the same rules as me, they don't have an unfair disadvantage.

I think if walking becomes a HUGE problem they will see it and address the issue. It seems like a fairly easy issue to address. Such as - reservations be modified within one week of booking will be completely canceled and rebooked.

But with only a 7 day "window" to book your room...if you're going for say...14 days...you're going to have to modify that initial reservation. So you can't really just apply a "cancel and rebook edict". It's more complicated than that.

If everyone follows the same rules, everyone has the same advantages and disadvantages. That's not what makes the system, to me, unfair. What's "unfair" is that any member has access to inventory BEFORE any other member...based either on the number of points they own (walking) or via the fact they happen to be starting their trip a couple days before you. It's no longer equal opportunity booking....unless everyone starts walking reservations. Then you're pretty much right back to where we started...heck, with walking you don't even really NEED to call dbd, right? Because of the anomaly we talked about (YOUR room doesn't hit inventory, if you book for 7 days, til 7 days past your booking date), you can call to "walk" about 6 days AFTER your initial booking. One call per week, and you could walk a ressie for MONTHS. Right?

Again, I understand all the different opinions here. And I respect them....truly, I do. Ultimatley, I'll let Disney decide how to handle this. But I'll bet dollars to donuts that, if Disney leaves this system in place, and doesn't do something to at least prevent walking, that "walking" will become a heck of a lot more common than anyone will want to admit. People WILL do it....it's the nature of the beast.

 

[jade1]

I reserved a studio....

I am checking out on the 13th - the day BEFORE President's weekend really starts. Did they tell you which days the standards weren't available for - it is probably that weekend and they were booked before the 7 month window opened.
.

No, Tuesday the 10th was not available, even though it obviously was yesterday when you reserved it a day ahead of me.


So because you called yesterday and reserved for 7 days, I could not get a Std View Studio at BWV for my desired 7 days. DBD I would have had an even chance. Exactly what many are trying to point out.


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