New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[dvcdisney]

Yup ... and all these things could be done with an Online Booking System, even DBD and inventory checks. And it would reduce MS calls! Imagine if we could book ADR's like that too? Or special events tickets like MNSSHP or MVMCP or PPP ... ?

I'm sure a lot of us would like to do it ourselves.

(There were quite a few vacation trips that I wished, as I stood at the check in counter, that I was able to go behind the counter and do it myself.)

 

[Bopsmom]

Good for you-really. That is the group I think that will be penalized the most under the new system-and was protected under the old system. They need to travel peak weeks. Do you ever go for the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend? If not (or if you do), what is your new recommendation to call for say...VWL studio arriving Thursday of Thanksgiving next year?

I think it might come to this.
So far, so I good , we have always gotten what we ask for on the first call. We always stay where we own.
If booking becomes a problem, or I feel I have to "game" the system, then everything is up for grabs. We can sell our contract and rent points, buy a reservation from a commercial renter-these will do away with the annual fees, or pay cash. It really wouldn't matter to us. It's only Disney, there are many places in the world to experience.

 

[robinb]

So far, so I good , we have always gotten what we ask for on the first call. We always stay where we own.

Are you saying that you didn't call day-by-day for your Christmas Week Boardwalk View 2BR?

 

[juliebrooks35]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bookwormde
Well I made a reservation this morning. I decided to do it cleanly for a test (did not walk into it). From my understanding it is one of the most difficult reservations to get during the summer, OKW grand villa 5 weekdays HH designations (there are only 4). I called exactly at 9AM and was able to book it.

bookwormde

Thanks for posting this. At this point, these kind of posts are far more valuable (and informative) than guessing at how the new system might work.
__________________

I have been reading this thread with interest over the last week or so and although I can see both points of view, I thought it best to wait and see over the next few months how easy/hard reservations actually prove to be under the new policy before contacting MS with my comments.

I had prepared my family for potential disapointment yesterday prior to my 9am phone call to MS to attempt to book that elusive AKV concierge room for our 1st trip home next year but pixie dust was flowing my way because I got the 6 nights that I wanted in a 1 bedroom with no walking.

Now my luck may well be due to the fact that the new policy has not yet been publised yet & I may well not be so lucky in the future. On the other hand, I have tried day by day booking for a March studio concierge for friends and I'm still waitlisted for one day right in the middle of their stay (despite calling at 9am on the dot every day). This will mean they will need to change rooms twice which they are fine with but it's obviously not ideal.

I thought I should post to let people know that walking was not required for concierge(on this occasion anyway) and I'm really keen to hear how everyone else gets on with their own reservations under the new policy.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have been reading this thread with interest over the last week or so and although I can see both points of view, I thought it best to wait and see over the next few months how easy/hard reservations actually prove to be under the new policy before contacting MS with my comments.

I had prepared my family for potential disapointment yesterday prior to my 9am phone call to MS to attempt to book that elusive AKV concierge room for our 1st trip home next year but pixie dust was flowing my way because I got the 6 nights that I wanted in a 1 bedroom with no walking.

Now my luck may well be due to the fact that the new policy has not yet been publised yet & I may well not be so lucky in the future. On the other hand, I have tried day by day booking for a March studio concierge for friends and I'm still waitlisted for one day right in the middle of their stay (despite calling at 9am on the dot every day). This will mean they will need to change rooms twice which they are fine with but it's obviously not ideal.

I thought I should post to let people know that walking was not required for concierge(on this occasion anyway) and I'm really keen to hear how everyone else gets on with their own reservations under the new policy.

Certainly a reasonable approach, but it still doesn't change the fact that the potential exists for not getting your room because someone was able to book it earlier than you.

MG

 

[ScottakaMickey]

Walking does seem like the only way to get exactly what you want. And while maybe some or all of us on the Disboards are true planners and really go the extra step to get what we want and in the minority, walking may really mess it up for the rest of the members. Maybe they are the same ones who complained they did not want to have to call DBD...wait till they figure out now they'll be calling DBD for a couple of months to walk their ressie instead of calling for just a week or so. As I said, I do in the "easy" times to get a reservation for DVC. But I may actually think about walking my reservation by a couple of weeks just so I can make sure I get what I want for out big family trip next year. Would never have thought about doing that when I at least had the same chance as everyone else. OH - and thinking about what Lisa S. said about walking screwing up WL's pushes me this way as well:
Ty

In thinking about my own experience of getting a hard to get reservation with the new system, which was easier and successul then I thought it would be, and other posters stating that they are getting their reservation as well, I think we are seeing that the majority of DVC owners don't yet know about this new method, so therefore getting dates in advance right now is easier. However as noted by your discussion with DVC, once the letter gets out and more people realize I think it will change. Big test will come next Jan and Feb when people start booking for Xmas 09.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

In thinking about my own experience of getting a hard to get reservation with the new system, which was easier and successul then I thought it would be, and other posters stating that they are getting their reservation as well, I think we are seeing that the majority of DVC owners don't yet know about this new method, so therefore getting dates in advance right now is easier. However as noted by your discussion with DVC, once the letter gets out and more people realize I think it will change. Big test will come next Jan and Feb when people start booking for Xmas 09.

You're exactly right.
Unfortunately, the new policy will be much more set in stone than it is now, and therefor much harder to get changed.
By the time the Members realize... it may be too late.

MG

 

[juliebrooks35]

Certainly a reasonable approach, but it still doesn't change the fact that the potential exists for not getting your room because someone was able to book it earlier than you.

Yes, that is very true, the potential exists but I was prepared to take my chances and it worked out fine.
Under the old system & despite my best efforts, someone still managed to book it earlier than me

 

[waltfan1957]

I would prefer to see black out days, where you would HAVE to call DBD or book from the LAST day of your reservation (aka the old system) for certain times of the year over having to cancel and rebook if you cancel/add days.


edited to add...

Of course I would prefer the OLD system ,but if we are stuck with this new method....

the problem with this is the overlap from members booking just before the blackout days

 

[Dean]

I just don't understand why they'd continue to tweak something that really doesn't work. They're just going to upset a larger pool of members than the first change did. It makes more sense to go back to DBD.



Well then, maybe they should go back to the way it was. Like they did with the glasses.

DVC saw the old system as broken as we've discussed already in this thread. IMO, the new system will be better than the old one even if it doesn't satisfy some posters definition of fairness. Making each reservation a cancelation and rebooking will stop walking and create a level playing field for everyone other than the advantage currently of a 7 day reservation over a shorter reservation for the same timeframe. It is my opinion that DVC will make sure this change decreases phone calls. They may reverse it but I sincerely doubt it. It think members are simply going to have to accept the changes or vote with their feet. If I truly felt this were unfair, I would lobby to change it, being unsuccessful, I would sell. It's just that my general timeshare experience makes me reserve the term unfair for more serious matters as I realize the developers make the rules. Actually it's funny to use the word timeshare and fairness in the same context, can we say used car sales.

 

[pilferk]

OK...been away from the thread due to "injuries"....

I'm reading things like "blackout dates" and Dean's description of "cancel/rebook" above.

Have those things actually gone into effect? Can someone point me to the details....I'm limited in my "sit time" right now, with my back, and would really appreciate a cliffs notes version or a pointing to specific posts.

Thanks a ton!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

DVC saw the old system as broken as we've discussed already in this thread. IMO, the new system will be better than the old one even if it doesn't satisfy some posters definition of fairness. Making each reservation a cancelation and rebooking will stop walking and create a level playing field for everyone other than the advantage currently of a 7 day reservation over a shorter reservation for the same timeframe. It is my opinion that DVC will make sure this change decreases phone calls. They may reverse it but I sincerely doubt it. It think members are simply going to have to accept the changes or vote with their feet. If I truly felt this were unfair, I would lobby to change it, being unsuccessful, I would sell. It's just that my general timeshare experience makes me reserve the term unfair for more serious matters as I realize the developers make the rules. Actually it's funny to use the word timeshare and fairness in the same context, can we say used car sales.

In their attempt to fix this major mess, they will need 32 pages of rules.
Or, they could just go back to the old system.

Hmmm... Which is easier??..

MG

 

[Laurabearz]

the problem with this is the overlap from members booking just before the blackout days

No, they would have to wait and book the blacked out days via DBD, regardless if they call right before a blackout period to book their 11 plus 7. They bould book all the non BO days right away, but would then have to call back DBD for the rest.

 

[waltfan1957]

If the system allows for Day by Day bookings, or even walking a reservation, it is not an abuse to do so, is it? However, specific rules can instituted, like "no dropping days without a full rebook" or "no changes to existing reservations until 30 days have past since the initial booking" that is perfectly legal. And in fact, I think not dropping any days without a full cancel and rebook would solve the problem, with waitlists filled first.

It is not legal to charge an individual for the use of the reservation system for your home resort, as the cost has already been covered by all members dues.

what happens when members book, then look for a flight which may be a day later, if they cant book till 30 days later they may never get a reservation

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I really hope this thread lives a long life. I know DVC reads it, and it really shows them just what a disater the new policy is.

Keep it coming!!!

MG

 

[Chuck S]

what happens when members book, then look for a flight which may be a day later, if they cant book till 30 days later they may never get a reservation

We are taking about dropping days from the beginning of the ressie, so it shouldn't be a problem if you need t wait 30 days to do so. The problem is that it doesn't solve the possibilty of Walking, that everyone is so concerned about. They'd just continue to walk the reservation, and drop the extra days at the 30 day mark.

OK...been away from the thread due to "injuries"....

I'm reading things like "blackout dates" and Dean's description of "cancel/rebook" above.

Have those things actually gone into effect? Can someone point me to the details....I'm limited in my "sit time" right now, with my back, and would really appreciate a cliffs notes version or a pointing to specific posts.

Thanks a ton!

Nothing has changed, all speculation.

 

[keishashadow]

DVC saw the old system as broken as we've discussed already in this thread. IMO, the new system will be better than the old one even if it doesn't satisfy some posters definition of fairness. Making each reservation a cancelation and rebooking will stop walking and create a level playing field for everyone other than the advantage currently of a 7 day reservation over a shorter reservation for the same timeframe. It is my opinion that DVC will make sure this change decreases phone calls. They may reverse it but I sincerely doubt it. It think members are simply going to have to accept the changes or vote with their feet. If I truly felt this were unfair, I would lobby to change it, being unsuccessful, I would sell. It's just that my general timeshare experience makes me reserve the term unfair for more serious matters as I realize the developers make the rules. Actually it's funny to use the word timeshare and fairness in the same context, can we say used car sales.

as a realtor i could take offense to being lumped w/a used car salesperson, we are educated and take an oath as to integrity . Assume TS agents must follow some sort of code of ethics too, especially when u stamp the Disney brand on it. Imagine, calling Disney unfair WWWD?

must disagree that Disney "saw the old system as broken" more than likely it is a cost saving issue in wolf's clothing.

instituting a broad edict that all ressies are final, subject to cancellation if altered goes against that fine flexibility feature and certainly doesn't seem very pixie-dust laden to me

 

[Dean]

In their attempt to fix this major mess, they will need 32 pages of rules.
Or, they could just go back to the old system.

Hmmm... Which is easier??..

MG

I don't think so. I think simply making each a cancellation and rebooking fixes most of what people are concerned about and everything that I personally feel is important in this area. It keeps it simply and puts everyone on a level playing field. It still may favor 7 days over less, something I feel it appropriate for the system. Apparently they do need to fix the WL no matter what but that was true before as well.

 

[Dean]

as a realtor i could take offense to being lumped w/a used car salesperson, we are educated and take an oath as to integrity . Assume TS agents must follow some sort of code of ethics too, especially when u stamp the Disney brand on it. Imagine, calling Disney unfair WWWD?

Sorry, couldn't help it, no insult intended. DVC is certainly several cuts above but for some timeshare sales brokers, that would be an insult to the used car sales people.

 

[keishashadow]

Sorry, couldn't help it, no insult intended. DVC is certainly several cuts above but for some timeshare sales brokers, that would be an insult to the used car sales people.

i have dreamt of retiring to MCO & being a DVC TS agent now, im not so sure

maybe i could get my CDL & drive a mears bus then i'd know when all the new DVCs would be opening