New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[dvc at last !]

I just found this thread ...
instead of reading thru 60 plus pages can someone tell me what this is about ?

Thanks.

 

[bookwormde]

Ok is booking nights and canceling them gaming the system or just releveling the playing field?

There are 54 people who want to rent a grand villa at OKW during a certain week. Saturday and Sunday are the most popular check in days so I will use them. 27 want Saturday to Friday, 27 want Sunday to Thursday. The 27 who want Saturday start can call 11 month out for that date and if the Saturday is not booked then all 27 will get their reservations. The 27 members who want Sunday start call 11 months from Sunday and none of them get their reservations. Does this seem like a fair system? So what can the Sunday people do to have any chance? The only thing is book as many days as they can start with Saturday so they do not have borrowed points that they cannot use, then cancel the Saturday and try to add on to their reservation. So is this taking advantage or finding a way around a new inequity in the system.

If the Sunday members are going during magic season so it takes 255 point for their reservation and lets assume they have fewer than 250 point/year with none banked.
They can make the first reservation for 11 months from Saturday (123pts) plus Sunday and Monday (2*51pts) for a total of 225 points. So then they can call Tuesday to cancel the Saturday.
11 months from Monday the member calls to add on Tuesday (and maybe Tuesday through Thursday if you read the letter of the announcement), If needed you repeat for Wednesday and Thursday.

Yes I know there would be some prebooked Saturdays, which would put those few rooms on equal footing so you might only be on a 1 to 6 disadvantage instead of a 100% disadvantage.

There are much better ways to meet the purported goals that DVC has indicated to a large percentage with a different system, probably more so than this system since to relevel the playing field you have to do convoluted things like above.



bookwormde

 

[jade1]

Okay, now that I look back at the post, I see I suggested something a bit different....but close. And I predicted the concerns with the policy as it has rolled out...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22174393#post22174393&highlight=

A) Thats just creepy to read.

B) It "is" your fault.

 

[JimMIA]

I just found this thread ...
instead of reading thru 60 plus pages can someone tell me what this is about ?

Thanks.

It's about the new booking policy.

You're welcome.

 

[Laurabearz]

I just found this thread ...
instead of reading thru 60 plus pages can someone tell me what this is about ?

Thanks.

Like the Hanname thread, this one is best read from the begining

A) Thats just creepy to read.

B) It "is" your fault.

Yes very very creepy lol

 

[jdg345]

Under the "old" system, whenever someone couldn't get exactly what they wanted, when they wanted it ("flexibility at work!"), it was always blamed on those wretched spec renters who had reserved massive blocks of rooms simply for the filthy motive of enriching themselves.

Now, whenever someone can't get exactly what they want, exactly when they want it ("flexibility is why I bought DVC"), it can be blamed on this stupid new booking system ruining all of our plans. At least it gives the poor ole spec renters a breather!

Well, some have said that this new system gives spec renters a bit of an advantage ... so ... it's the new booking system helping the spec renters!

 

[bookwormde]

I am curios is anyone who wants to give the new system a chance, trying to book a highly competitive reservation in the next month?

bookwormde

 

[jdg345]

Okay, now that I look back at the post, I see I suggested something a bit different....but close. And I predicted the concerns with the policy as it has rolled out...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22174393#post22174393&highlight=

Oh yah ... This is *DEFINITELY* your fault. I'm telling!

You might want to change your nickname or go on hiatus for awhile or something.

 

[jade1]

Okay, now that I look back at the post, I see I suggested something a bit different....but close. And I predicted the concerns with the policy as it has rolled out...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22174393#post22174393&highlight=

My favorite from that thread was DoctorP:

"And exactly why do YOU think that priority should be given to those who will start their trip earlier? Suppose I want to take a trip that begins on NYE and extends for two weeks after that. What you are suggesting is that I should be thrown to the bottom of the barrel because all persons whose reservations start on the days leading UP to NYE should get first priority for the NYE reservation. That seems arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, unworkable, and idiotic."

.

 

[jdg345]

My favorite from that thread was DoctorP:

"And exactly why do YOU think that priority should be given to those who will start their trip earlier? Suppose I want to take a trip that begins on NYE and extends for two weeks after that. What you are suggesting is that I should be thrown to the bottom of the barrel because all persons whose reservations start on the days leading UP to NYE should get first priority for the NYE reservation. That seems arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, unworkable, and idiotic."

.

I wonder if DoctorP has emailed the DVC Member Satisfaction Team yet?

 

[Tamar]

A) Thats just creepy to read.

B) It "is" your fault.

Well, if you need someone to blame, might as well be me. I'll step up.

Yes, in re-reading it, it's a bit creepy. Flaming does that to people, I guess. I did make the suggestion earnestly, thinking others might approve. They didn't, we moved on. Quite honestly, I was actually surprised the arguing didn't go on for pages and pages....

If DVC did read the thread, it'd be an odd choice to make this policy change after the overwhelming negative reaction. Really, what some said would have me ducking if I was a DVC decision-maker.

Tamar

 

[Tamar]

Oh yah ... This is *DEFINITELY* your fault. I'm telling!

You might want to change your nickname or go on hiatus for awhile or something.

I actually did go on hiatus for a while after that thread. I'm baaaaack.

 

[bookwormde]

Just read the old thread wow that is creepy. I hope someone emails customer satisfaction with a link and a big “we told you so” attached.

bookwormde

 

[robinb]

One other thought...

If the conventional wisdom of this board is correct, then we SSR owners now have our first distinct advantage in the system since the resort is so large, we will all most likely not have an issue getting in at any time.

Until DVC implements the Congress Park and other special booking categories SSR owners have been clamoring for ... and then you'll be in the same boat with the AKV and BWV owners.

 

[kikiq]

There's another DVC family at our kids' elementary school, besides Rock'nRobin who posts here. They bought on a DCL cruise, planned on using for more cruises and they were under the impression you could just call anytime and get someplace at WDW.

But they're right in a way, you can call anytime and IF you are flexible in your dates and resort(probably SSR or OKW or Kidani when it's completed) you can get someplace at WDW. My neighbor called yesterday to join our Grand Gathering in August and had a choice of a studio or 1 bdrm at SSR.
OK, I'll say it...BUT it's not BWV or WL during the holidays OR the coveted AKV concierge rooms...it's ONLY SSR, yeah, just only.

OT (I'm a little tired of the implied "elitist" tone of staying at BWV/AKV concierge as if it's the ONLY place to stay and god forbid you would stay at OKW or SSR. I know that is not the intent of any of the posters, but I assure you that is the way it is coming across.)

I'm one of the masses who is clueless, doesn't/can't go at the peak times, can't call weekdays at 6am DBD, would like to try another resort than SSR, but as long as I'm onsite, I'm good and am willing to wait to see how it plays out.

 

[kimberh]

But they're right in a way, you can call anytime and IF you are flexible in your dates and resort(probably SSR or OKW or Kidani when it's completed) you can get someplace at WDW. My neighbor called yesterday to join our Grand Gathering in August and had a choice of a studio or 1 bdrm at SSR.
OK, I'll say it...BUT it's not BWV or WL during the holidays OR the coveted AKV concierge rooms...it's ONLY SSR, yeah, just only.

OT (I'm a little tired of the implied "elitist" tone of staying at BWV/AKV concierge as if it's the ONLY place to stay and god forbid you would stay at OKW or SSR. I know that is not the intent of any of the posters, but I assure you that is the way it is coming across.)

I'm one of the masses who is clueless, doesn't/can't go at the peak times, can't call weekdays at 6am DBD, would like to try another resort than SSR, but as long as I'm onsite, I'm good and am willing to wait to see how it plays out.

I am taking, you are a SSR owner, if so, this new policy has made it even harder for you, and other non owners of the smaller resorts, to transfer your reservation over at the 7 month window. If, you don't understand this, this is part of what the uproar is about. This makes "Buying where you want to stay" even more important than ever before. If owers, of the Home Resort are worried about getting a reservation at the 11 month window, then how will the 7 month window work? This new system was not thought out at all.

 

[tidefan]

Until DVC implements the Congress Park and other special booking categories SSR owners have been clamoring for ... and then you'll be in the same boat with the AKV and BWV owners.

Gee, then I will just stay at Grandstand, Springs, Paddock, or Carousel... or at 7-months, I go to OKW...

Does it really matter that much what the view of the room is? If I get Congress Park, then great, but if not, it's not like my trip is ruined. I am happy just to be at Disney.

 

[tidefan]

Just to clarify the previous post, I understand that resorts/rooms/times are important to people. However, as stated earlier, I don't know that DVC can implement any system that will make all of the owners happy.

Maybe during premium seasons, just do away with 11 month booking altogether in cases where your home resort is already booked, i.e., if you can't get a BWV reservation because it is fully booked for NYE, you could reserve rooms at OKW or SSR. Or maybe they could do a lottery like they do at St. Andrews for the tee times.

I think Dean made a really good point. There is a give and take with a points system versus a traditional fixed time system. Yes, you gain much more flexibility, but in turn, you run the risk of not getting exactly what you want. It's all in how you do it. I agree with an earlier post, if you want a flexible system, then the members need to be flexible as well. If you want a fixed system, then the members need to be fixed as well.

Hope this logic makes sense...

 

[mello]

The logical approach for DVC is to make each change a cancellation and rebooking, I suspect it'll take them a while to have this consistently enforced at MS.

But that is not logical, because then the ONLY way anyone will ever get to spend Christmas at WDW will be to arrive on the 19th. And, unless you own at multiple resorts and want to resort-hop, you will never be able to spend both Christmas and New Years there. That is not logical at all.

And leaving it open to modify an existing reservation is currently the only way that anyone will have a chance to get longer stays. (Not to mention shorter than 7 day stays at some time perios and for some room types). This is the main argument against this system, and allowing changes is the only way to rectify this argument.

Certainly if they allow day by day modifications some will go against the intent of the rule and ultimately force a modification. The likely should increase the length on can reserve to 10 or 14 days as well but we'll see on that one.

That assumes that we actually know what the intent is.

And the bugaboo with removing the 7 day limit is that then those with gigantic contracts will be able to book stays that are much longer than 7 days, thus locking people out of what is apparently the most popular length of stay. I think they have created a mess no matter what they do to rectify things now.

 

[mello]

For the past year DVC has been busy telling us how they're trying to "SIMPLIFY" our lives.

So do any of the myriad of new rules proposed in this thread seem "SIMPLE" to anyone?

Do any of the calculations and speculations in this thread seem "SIMPLE"?

I've just spent the last hour reading various speculative calulations about how rooms are allocated, and whether, if Family A calls on this date for this many days, but really needs that many days, their other days will already be allocated to Family B, or possibly Family C on the 2nd call date for Family A.....

Before, things were simple. If I wanted to stay for 12 days, I called - ONCE - at 11 months prior my checkout date, to book my 12 day stay. I wasn't taking a room away from anyone else who wanted a shorter stay, I didn't have any complicated rules to worry about, and I didn't have to call back a second time - on day 8 of my window, or whatever. If I wanted to stay 5 days, I called - once - at 6 months prior to my checkout date, and didn't have to be stressed about whether everyone arriving 2 days earlier than me had already scooped up all the available rooms.

IF I wanted to stay in a dedicated 2br at BCV the week between Christmas and New Years, I had the OPTION to call day by day, if it truly mattered that much to me. I wasn't forced to make multiple calls for a 12 day stay, or worry about complicated workarounds and the resulting complicated string of rules and regulations for any length of stay, season, or room type.

This is just insane - there is absolutely nothing simple about any of it.