New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[OCDisney]

This change sound good on the surface, but not being able to waitlist single days combined with the idea that dropping days requires a complete trip cancelation/rebook will definitly be bad for us!! We always book at 11 months out, then after finding airfare we add or remove days from the start and end of the reservation. Over the last 8 reservations I know we have added or dropped single days at either the head or tail of the reservation ALL EIGHT TIMES!!

 

[jdg345]

It sounds to me that DVC is doing all it can to reduce costs at MS with this move. Fewer phone calls means fewer CM's. Plus I also think this could be one of many steps that simplify bookings that will eventually end up with on-line booking. Think how much money that would save DVC. Personally I would much rather do day-by-day booking and have more of a level playing field. It's going to be interesting to see how it works in two weeks when I call to get a ressie for a 1BR at HHI next June. Day by day I wouldn't be concerned about availability but all of a sudden I am concerned.

One comfort is the ability to abuse the new system is really only available to folks with shorter reservations. If you have a 6 or 7 day reservation, you wouldn't get much benefit. I wonder what percentage make 3-4 vs. 6-7 day reservations. Also, you've got to have the points to make those extra days and then cancel. How many folks have those extra points and are willing to do this I wonder?

Actually, it's almost like those people are getting the most benefit. Those that book shorter stays will likely be most impacted by this. Those with more points that can afford to book extra days and/or weekends will definitely have an advantage imo.

 

[jdg345]

To combat "abuse" of the system any reservation made where THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIP OR MORE is cancelled should have the entire reservation cancelled. That person should then go back into the system and take their chances with whatever inventory is available at that time. Those who want to "game" the system, as detailed in previous posts within this thread, would effectively have that "playing the system" element removed. No doubt--there will be legitiment times when an honest reservation has to cancel the first day of a trip, but I think the number of those instances is a fraction of the people who would make bogus early reservations and cancel the front portion to keep the highly desired "back" portion of the reservation.

But then we're back again to the system catering to those with higher point contracts. What's to keep them from 'sacrificing' a day or two of points to make sure they get the days they want?

 

[LisaS]

I spoke with MS this morning and was told that you can book your first 7 nights 11/7 months prior to check-in and then must wait a week to add additional nights to your reservation. If true, this will prevent the "rolling reservation" scenario. You would not be able to call each day and add a day on the end and cancel a day at the beginning of the reservation. This also means that if you want to book something longer than 7 nights, you could get the first 7 nights and then have trouble getting the next set because other members who called in the meantime (for reservations starting later than yours) would have first crack at those nights.

 

[TDC Nala]

The entire reason for the point system is to balance demand. If the comments here are accurate, resorts are nearly full for early December 11 months out to the day. Why in the world do those dates remain classified as the lowest point cost of the year?!?!

I think part of the reason they're so full is that it's the lowest point count.

WDW still considers this "value season" for resort booking, and the secret's out - it's harder to get a booking anywhere on property.

 

[Chuck S]

I just want to add, I think there will be problems in the long run with the new policy for many members trying to book smaller resorts during peak times.

I don't think, however, it will have much, if any, impact on those of us at OKW, SSR or even AKV Kidani during our 11 month window, as they are larger resorts.

Before I decide whether I like it or not, I think we need to see what happens in the December/January booking period, but I do see the potential for problems for members at some resorts.

 

[jdg345]

I spoke with MS this morning and was told that you can book your first 7 nights 11/7 months prior to check-in and then must wait a week to add additional nights to your reservation. If true, this will prevent the "rolling reservation" scenario. You would not be able to call each day and add a day on the end and cancel a day at the beginning of the reservation. This also means that if you want to book something longer than 7 nights, you could get the first 7 nights and then have trouble getting the next set because other members who called in the meantime (for reservations starting later than yours) would have first crack at those nights.

Thanks for the Info!

So they prevent rolling reservations, but then take us back to where you might not get your whole trip anyways because someone arriving the day after you took it already.

I *really* wish they'd make some sort of official annoucement detailing this on the member website. If it's just a pilot, they should say so.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that they didn't consult members before making a change this large as it can impact many many vacation plans.

 

[tjkraz]

I spoke with MS this morning and was told that you can book your first 7 nights 11/7 months prior to check-in and then must wait a week to add additional nights to your reservation. If true, this will prevent the "rolling reservation" scenario. You would not be able to call each day and add a day on the end and cancel a day at the beginning of the reservation. This also means that if you want to book something longer than 7 nights, you could get the first 7 nights and then have trouble getting the next set because other members who called in the meantime (for reservations starting later than yours) would have first crack at those nights.

If that is true (and I say *IF* only because MS has been answering that question many different ways in the last 24 hours), it seems like a reasonable compromise.

Rather than booking the way you describe, I suspect people could book the shorter part first and then the longer portion. For instance if you wanted 10 nights, book 3 nights first and then call back call back a few days later to book the other 7 nights all at once.

 

[Juliet25]

I spoke with MS this morning and was told that you can book your first 7 nights 11/7 months prior to check-in and then must wait a week to add additional nights to your reservation. If true, this will prevent the "rolling reservation" scenario. You would not be able to call each day and add a day on the end and cancel a day at the beginning of the reservation. This also means that if you want to book something longer than 7 nights, you could get the first 7 nights and then have trouble getting the next set because other members who called in the meantime (for reservations starting later than yours) would have first crack at those nights.

Forgive the stupid question but I read this whole thread and I'm not sure if this was addressed, Can you make a full vacation ressie if your stay is less than 1 week? I normally stay 6 nights.

Thanks for all the good info on this thread.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for the Info!

So they prevent rolling reservations, but then take us back to where you might not get your whole trip anyways because someone arriving the day after you took it already.

I *really* wish they'd make some sort of official annoucement detailing this on the member website. If it's just a pilot, they should say so.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that they didn't consult members before making a change this large as it can impact many many vacation plans.

Some CMs are telling members that you can book your first 7 days and then call again the next day to add on, so we are getting conflicting info. This CM double checked with someone else about this so there are at least two CMs who believe you have to reserve a block of dates at a time. This would prevent rolling reservations but would favor those booking stays of 7 nights or less.

 

[RachelTori]

At this point, I'm just curious to see HOW/WHEN they make the "official" announcement of this new policy!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

As someone who stays more than seven days at a time, I will take every advantage of every loophole to secure those days desired. In my case my problem will be beyond the seventh day. I have always played by the rules and have accepted the consequences if I hadn’t planned ahead and now (if this change is not modified) DVC has once again put those who can take advantage of longer stays at a significant disadvantage in securing extra days during busy season.
With the last banking change we were required to bank 175 points two months earlier which resulted in forgoing the last minute trip without barrowing points.

 

[RobDoc]

If that is true (and I say *IF* only because MS has been answering that question many different ways in the last 24 hours), it seems like a reasonable compromise.

Rather than booking the way you describe, I suspect people could book the shorter part first and then the longer portion. For instance if you wanted 10 nights, book 3 nights first and then call back call back a few days later to book the other 7 nights all at once.

In addition, a member could reserve 7 nights first and then call back 3 days later and reserve another 7 days, cancelling the last 4 days of the original reservation. It will still depend on MS willingness to link reservations and allow dates to be modified from the original reservation without cancelling and rebooking the entire stay.

Another option (with some risk involved) for a 10 day reservation would be to call on day 4 and reserve the whole thing with one call. For a stay next May 18 - 28, you could call today and reserve the whole stay since we are now 7 days from the departure date.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I spoke with MS this morning and was told that you can book your first 7 nights 11/7 months prior to check-in and then must wait a week to add additional nights to your reservation. If true, this will prevent the "rolling reservation" scenario. You would not be able to call each day and add a day on the end and cancel a day at the beginning of the reservation. This also means that if you want to book something longer than 7 nights, you could get the first 7 nights and then have trouble getting the next set because other members who called in the meantime (for reservations starting later than yours) would have first crack at those nights.

Wow, as someone who has never stayed less than 10 days at DVC, this is really disappointing. To can book a 10 day trip as a 3 day vacation and a 7 day vacation, not the other way around, which will help somewhat.

For days you know will be popular, like Thanksgiving and NYE, the planning should be fairly easy. Make sure you arrive at least 7 days in advance of the target date, but be aware that there is nothing you can do to increase you chances to stay longer than 7 nights.

Of course, when booking "early December" it is hard to know exactly how early you will need to book to be at the front of the pack.

It will be interesting to see how MS answers the other big question: if I need to WL my first day, can I book up to 6 more days? In theory this should not be possible, because a WL is not the same as a reservation, so there is no continuous reservation that spans the entire 7 day period.

Depending on this answer, the difference could be huge for AKV concierge. If a WL counts, you will be back to day-by-day reservations because you will get a 6 day WL and a 1 day reservation with each call. If WL-ing is not enough, then calling each day is a crapshoot. Some days, even the first caller will get nothing and others ther will be availability for one or more callers. So you still need to call everyday that might work for you.

We may have the answer to this soon as I suspect that those happy callers booking concierge yesterday for 11 month bookings all booked at least 2 nights. As a result, there would be absolutle no availability today, no matter how early one called.

Let me say it again, I think this system stinks. My only consulation is that we won't make another limited capacity reservation until 11 months out for Oct or Dec 2010, so we have lots of time to see how this settles out. -- Suzanne

 

[TisBit]

Actually, an easy solution to minimize (you can't eliminate) the rolling dates or booking early to get priority before canceling is just to not allow any modifications to existing reservation until the last day of the ressie has passed.

For example, if you call on 1/18 to book 12/18 to 12/25 to get that coveted Christmas day, you cannot cancel 12/18 ressie until after 1/25....the end of the original reservation priority window. Basicly you would require the member to have all the points tied up.....thus not allowing someone to call on the 19th to book the 26th and cancel the 18th. Hope that makes sense

This would allow people to change their ressies due to flights later on, or emergencies without losing their whole stay, but help keep down those that are trying to take advantage of the new booking window. Granted large point holders would be able to do this, based on their UY, etc....but I think it would the easiest policy to enforce.

 

[Starr W.]

At this point, I'm just curious to see HOW/WHEN they make the "official" announcement of this new policy!

I just sent an email asking when will I see this new policy in writing. Told them I thought it was bad form that I had to read about it on a message board.

 

[LisaS]

If that is true (and I say *IF* only because MS has been answering that question many different ways in the last 24 hours), it seems like a reasonable compromise.

That is why I also said "if true" because we are getting conflicting information. It's really bad planning on DVC's part to make no official announcement and leave it up to the MS CMs (who are just getting up to speed on this) to be our only source of information.

Rather than booking the way you describe, I suspect people could book the shorter part first and then the longer portion. For instance if you wanted 10 nights, book 3 nights first and then call back call back a few days later to book the other 7 nights all at once.

Good thinking!!

 

[njmeisje]

TisBit, I think your idea has alot of merit.

 

[tjkraz]

Before I decide whether I like it or not, I think we need to see what happens in the December/January booking period, but I do see the potential for problems for members at some resorts.

I'll echo that sentiment.

The odds of a resort being fully booked more than 11 months out (with the new +7) is very, very slim. The key to the new system is that bookings have to be for consecutive days. The only way for there to be nothing available at 9am for a Tuesday is if the entire resort/room class was booked-solid for the prior Monday. And the only way for Monday to be full at 9am is if Sunday was completely booked. And the only way for Sunday to be booked...

I'll agree that those who book weekend stays will have some advantage since they get a jump on the Sunday - Thursday regulars. But I refuse to believe that this policy change will suddenly put the resorts at 100% occupancy on Saturday night--at 11 months to the day--just so those people can also book the following Sunday - Thurs.

And if the resort isn't at 100% occupancy 11 months to the day for Saturday night, then there WILL still be rooms available to book Sunday forward. We're back to the familiar "first-come, first-served" system.

Room classes like AKV concierge will be a problem no matter what you do. Under the old system, someone wanting a 5- or 7-night stay has almost no chance due to the limited inventory. We've already seen reports from people who got a day or two, then couldn't get the rest of the days they wanted. That's not "fairness", that's insanity.

The new system gives people a legitimate chance to get all of the dates they need in these hard-to-book categories.

offtopic: Maybe DVC just needs to revive the old lottery system for early December or AKV concierge.)

 

[snackyx]

But then we're back again to the system catering to those with higher point contracts. What's to keep them from 'sacrificing' a day or two of points to make sure they get the days they want?

Not to be too callous about this, but if a high point member is willing to burn a day or two of points, possibly Friday or Saturdays, then those are their points to burn. I really doubt you would see very much of this scenario.

My solution was a way to make this new revised reservation system from being "worked" by people making numerous reservations that they would just cancel on a day by day basis: cancel the first, add a day on the end, repeat repeat repeat until you have what you want when you want. Of course, the argument is to trash this "new" system and go back to the previous. I'm not arguing either way, but if you are going to keep this new system plug the obvious loopholes to reduce abuse.