New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[farmergirl]

Does anyone think that any of the higher ups at DVC read these threads? I sure hope they do because I think they would get a good feel for what members think of the new booking rules and maybe see a few things and problems with the new system that maybe got overlooked in the creation of the new booking regulations.

 

[alldiz]

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.


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.

How long were you able to book it day by day before....could one go back more than 7 days and call day by day.
Kerri

 

[bookwormde]

I posted an idea for a “new” system on this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1861954&page=51

I thought is was OT from the original intent and certainly from the ongoing discussion but I thought I would try it anyway. Well, I did not get one response so I figured it was really off topic. I went and posted it as a new thread and it was closed and referenced back to this thread so I guess I was wrong. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1867646

I am planning on sending it to member satisfaction but was hoping for some constructive criticism to allow me to finalize and improve it, even if it is just “I do not understand it”.

Sorry for disturbing the flow of the thread but my alternative method of asking is not allowable.

I have 2 other questions:

I sent an email of the 2nd day of this thread and have not received any reply (email or phone). Is this anyone else’s experience or should I assume they did not receive it.

So what is the address for member satisfaction so I can send it snail mail?

If you do not want to disturb the flow of the thread you can pm me

Thanks in advance

bookwormde

 

[zumfelde]

I think Disney could get rid of the "spec renters" by limiting "renting" of points only during the last 30 days of your use year. DVC is for the members use not "renting". This would eliminate all commercial renting. This policy would also allow MEMBERS first choice of reservations before NON MEMBERS.

 

[Dean]

UPDATE: And as I posted this, it just so happens someone else posted right before complaining about the reality if not being able to book more than 7 days.

If I understand the post that you refer to correctly, they would only have been able to change 1 night under the old policy and are not yet shut out. Instead they got 7 and only have to call back once a week later. It actually proves the system is working as I believe it was intended, even if they don't get the other days for some reason. But assuming they call back at opening on the first day they could book the next day, their chances of getting what they wanted are exactly the same as it would have been on that day DBD. The only difference is they only had to call twice instead of 10 times.

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.

You're assuming it's a right to be "guaranteed" longer stays which I would not necessarily agree with. I still believe the system will make it easier to reserve longer stays (and have posted why) and NOT impair the ability to get the reservation but lets assume for the sake of discussion that it does. That doesn't make it illogical, only that a subset doesn't like it. I've already stated that there will be some that do not like any change and some that wil be negatively impacted and that IMO, that is OK.

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.

You can't have it both ways, it's one or the other. You can only reserve the days you have points for. I believe I've already stated that I feel it's OK for larger point owners to have an advantage. Obviously you disagree so we'll have to stand on opposite sides of the isle when roll is called on that one.

 

[castleri]

I think Disney could get rid of the "spec renters" by limiting "renting" of points only during the last 30 days of your use year. DVC is for the members use not "renting". This would eliminate all commercial renting. This policy would also allow MEMBERS first choice of reservations before NON MEMBERS.

I have rented points out when I use the money for other trips such as going to DL, or on a cruise and your suggestion would severely limit my options. It would also be a problem for those of us who make reservations for family members who may have different last names. The DVC CM has no way of knowing if I am renting points or making family reservations. Renting is specifically allowed in my POS statements. I do not like the idea of those who rent commercially as a business or side business and tie up prime times either but feel Disney has been taking some steips to limit this activity. How it will play out with the new reservation system is still to be seen. I would think that a limit of how many reservations can be made per phone call for the same time frame might be one way to keep a commercial renter from making 10 reservations for NYE all at once.

 

[madcoco]

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

VB Beach Cottages
DW was up early to book the first of two separate weeks in a BC for '09 Haven't been on this section of the DVC Section so had no clue about the policy. She thought we would be doing it DbD for the next week like in the past. Convenient to say the least BUT An idea that seems good at first could really make things worse. One luckily down. One to go.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Stupid question...and perhaps there is a huge flaw in this theory, or perhaps mass hysteria has taken over and we just have the bandwagon effect going on which is why this isn't being thought about by anyone but me, but as I was staring at the TV so I didn't look stupid to anyone around me but really I was deep in thought over something that doesn't personally affect me.....

BUT....

why on earth would you walk a reservation every day to secure only one day? If you book 11+7 to get NYE when you really want to start your stay NYE and then some days, then book days 1-7, with 7 being NYE. Call back on day 7 and cancel the previous six and extend with one call. No one can have beaten you to your room because you already have NYE booked, and the next 6 days haven't opened up to anyone's window yet.

So if you feel the need to walk your reservation, why can't you do it week by week and just keep your overlapping one day? As soon as your room is taken out of inventory, it won't be available to be booked by anyone else until that 8th day, but you can extend it for a week on the 7th day where no one else can.

 

[dianeschlicht]

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.

VERY well said, and exactly what I have felt all along too. In fact, I think you should put this exact wording in an email to Member satisfaction or to Jim Lewis. You too will get a call back!!!

 

[zulaya]

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."

.

Oh, please, oh, please, Doctor P, please send this in to the Member Satisfaction Team.

 

[DVC Mike]

IMO, it's a very healthy discourse to evaluate the potential effects of the change as they pertain to the way each member uses his/her membership. Much in the way similar discussion about the removal of mugs from Studios resulted in a change in the policy shortly after it's implementation - discussion about the way this change will affect the membership - real or imagined - is a responsible function of this forum.

I didn't say we should not be discussing the potential effects of the change, as long as it's healthy discourse.

I just think people calling for the policy to be immediately revoked is premature. People have contacted DVC to express their individual concerns (I expressed mine yesterday when DVC called me in regards to my email).

Let's give DVC management a chance to receive, process and evaluate the member feedback and see if they would tweak the new policy. Let's give this some time to play out and see what affects this new policy really has, and what (if anything) DVC implements to address any shortcomings.

 

[squirrlygirl]

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.

You're not forced to call multiple times now, either. You can still call at 6 months out and book your entire room at once. You can do that at the end of your 11-month window for you checkout day, too. The limit is for booking at the beginning of the window. The same chance of getting a room exists. They could possibly be booked or there might be availability.

Or, you have the OPTION of going through the walking reservation if it truly mattered that much to you.

 

[zulaya]

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.

PLEASE email this to the Member Satisfaction Team! Send the email and include your name, member number, email address and phone number. When I did that, I got a call back.

You know how you listen to someone on a topic and you don't understand, then someone says the same thing is a slightly different way and a light bulb goes off for you? The more people email in their opinions, the bigger the picture MS will have on our feelings.

 

[robinb]

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 sorry you think I sound elitist . I have nothing against SSR. I stayed there in December 2006 and had a great time. We bought at OKW first and then over at BWV in 2000 for the express purpose of staying there over NYE. We have been in a Standard View or a Boardwalk View for almost every trip ... the SV and the studios allows us to save up points and "splurge" for a 1BR ever few years. We bought at AKV because we love the resort and we were lucky enough to stay in a concierge studio between Christmas and New Years. I was looking forward to doing it again ... as a treat.

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.

I'm glad that view isn't important to you, it makes you more flexible . But it is important to many people or they wouldn't be trying to get new booking categories added. I think the majority of SSR owners would rather enjoy the DTD NYE fireworks from their balcony rather than the bus parade from the end building in the Carousel section.

 

[jdg345]

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.

Very well said!

 

[Joan S.]

Stupid question...and perhaps there is a huge flaw in this theory, or perhaps mass hysteria has taken over and we just have the bandwagon effect going on which is why this isn't being thought about by anyone but me, but as I was staring at the TV so I didn't look stupid to anyone around me but really I was deep in thought over something that doesn't personally affect me.....

BUT....

why on earth would you walk a reservation every day to secure only one day? If you book 11+7 to get NYE when you really want to start your stay NYE and then some days, then book days 1-7, with 7 being NYE. Call back on day 7 and cancel the previous six and extend with one call. No one can have beaten you to your room because you already have NYE booked, and the next 6 days haven't opened up to anyone's window yet.

So if you feel the need to walk your reservation, why can't you do it week by week and just keep your overlapping one day? As soon as your room is taken out of inventory, it won't be available to be booked by anyone else until that 8th day, but you can extend it for a week on the 7th day where no one else can.

Hi, I have read MOST of this thread and have been trying to FIGURE it all out! I have read a few posts(like this one) about BOOKING EXTRA nights and then canceling to actually get the nights you want BEFORE anyone else can?? Will THIS be ALLOWED by DVC-MS?? Because THIS is what seems UNFAIR to me,people trying to manipulate the system?? Thanks for any clarification of this. Joan

 

[jade1]

why on earth would you walk a reservation every day to secure only one day? If you book 11+7 to get NYE when you really want to start your stay NYE and then some days, then book days 1-7, with 7 being NYE. Call back on day 7 and cancel the previous six and extend with one call. No one can have beaten you to your room because you already have NYE booked, and the next 6 days haven't opened up to anyone's window yet.

So if you feel the need to walk your reservation, why can't you do it week by week and just keep your overlapping one day? As soon as your room is taken out of inventory, it won't be available to be booked by anyone else until that 8th day, but you can extend it for a week on the 7th day where no one else can.

How do you know a room will be available on Jan 25 (11-7 for DEC 25) to start the ressie? Anyone that called on the 24th or sooner is in line and dead man walking already.

Walking a week at a time may work as well (if so, it would be a lot easier), but regardless, for NYE it still would need to be walked to be sure. I dont think the hardliners care if they walk DBD, its the point of the insanity of do you choose to to do it, and when do you start?

 

[Inkmahm]

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.

Good for you. I own at BVW and AKV because I DO want the BW view and I like the concierge, too, when I can get it. Otherwise I want savanna view for sure. Is it elitist to want to stay where I own/like and not at OKW or SSR where I don't own because I don't like them? Fine with me, then I'm "elitist."

 

[kdepot]

Hi, I have read MOST of this thread and have been trying to FIGURE it all out! I have read a few posts(like this one) about BOOKING EXTRA nights and then canceling to actually get the nights you want BEFORE anyone else can?? Will THIS be ALLOWED by DVC-MS?? Because THIS is what seems UNFAIR to me,people trying to manipulate the system?? Thanks for any clarification of this. Joan

You will find that those who prefer major holidays and special rooms are the one's that hate the new system and had a system that worked for them because MS let it work. The same members have already worked out a method to do the same they are just afraid someone will be better at it than they are. Hey Rhode Islander

 

[Inkmahm]

Oh, please, oh, please, Doctor P, please send this in to the Member Satisfaction Team.

I've sent the link to this whole thread to the Member Satisfaction team! Twice. The first time I got the standard weasle wording response. I sent my comments again with the request that they actually READ this thread and then don't send me that standard response.

No, I haven't heard a response from them yet.