New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[jarestel]

no one ever asked us if we were unhappy with the old system we have always had to do DBD(xmas through NY HC room) so i think your latest comment has no basis

Maybe, maybe not. According to DVC the "enhancement" was due to member feedback, not surveys. Now would the people who never book high-demand times/units and get what they want with one simple phone call, have any reason to complain? Don't see why they would, cause they are happy campers.

On the other hand, those who couldn't secure high-demand units/time periods would certainly have an ox to gore. If you accept that the change was based on member feedback as DVC has said, it's not a stretch to imagine where the feedback came from.

OTOH, If you wish to believe that DVC lied when they said that the new booking procedures were in response to member demand, that's your right as well.

 

[maminnie]

It is important to note that those with multiple contracts/multiple resorts may get their initial reservation for a split stay but they cannot go on the waitlist at 7 months for the second half of their trip until 7 months from the second check-in date to try and avoid moving. By that time those that have a check-in date earlier then theirs for the second resort will have been on the waitlist sooner for those days. This will subsequently possibly cause far more split stay reservations. As I have shared I have had good luck with the waitlist for a split stay reservation and have not had to move. Probably not the case anymore. As I have suggested in other posts, maybe DVC should consider letting members who have multiple contracts to make reservations and get on waitlists for check-in +7 by combining their contracts/resort points.

 

[simzac]

I hope the DIS will allow a separate thread for members who were denied making a reservation due to the new booking system so that all of us can see what the results are, meaning you called at the 11 month window and what you wanted was unavailable.

 

[DVC92]

Is the new system fair? Yes, in the sense that the same rules apply to everyone. No, in that members can book rooms at a date prior to other members. However, this was always the case if one waited until their checkout date to book a reservation. The old system was much more equitable since every member had a chance to every room (11 month at home resort, 7 months at all other resorts) on a particular date. No more!

Will letters to Jim Lewis result in a return to the old system. No, unless DVD or DVC is losing money because of the change. As I found out with the fight related to the OKW extension, letters to Mr. Lewis result in phone calls from pleasant employees like Sheila, who I spoke to several times. Although I wrote several letters to Mr. Lewis, not once did I receive a written reply. Only upon filing a complaint with the Florida Timeshare Bureau did I see a written response and that was only to the Bureau. If their is a violation of Florida law, file a commplaint, and better yet sue.

As to DVC communicating the change to members, that is not their style. They try to keep members in the dark as much as possible. Although DVD agreed to subsidize members in the OKW extension case months ago, they have never informed members of this fact. They are not big on communication, other than to sell more points.

JMHO!

 

[wildernessDad]

Under either method, 11 month bookers may NOT get the "specialty units" which are very limited in number (such as SV or BW view at BWV, or the 2B w 2Q at BCV). Note that there are no specialty units at OKW, SSR, VWL. IMHO, those who own at those resorts have no reason to worry. Not sure about the situation at VB or HHI.

VWL has 44 dedicated 2-br's with 2Q's and 45 lock-offs, so I think that is a worry point for the VWL owners.

 

[jdg345]

But there was no guarantee with the old system that you would get exactly what you wanted.

But you had a fair shot at it ... you were GUARANTEED the room you wanted was available the morning you called. Whether or not you were fast enough to get it was another issue.

With the new system, what you want could technically be sold out a full 7 days before you have a chance to call.

 

[jdg345]

I would support changes if the system truly doesn't work as planned. But for the VAST majority of DVC members, the new system should work just fine. Most don't book high-demand units or high demand periods, so we are only discussing possibly impacting a relatively small number of members anyway.

I suspect the folks who, under the old system, found it difficult and awkward to book a full stay in high-demand units or during high-demand periods are the very ones who provided all of the "feedback" to MS providing the basis for which this new system was supposedly justified. So in a way, the increasing number of members looking to book the hard-to-get times/units probably forced this change upon themselves. Ironic.

Sooo ... basically ... this is not what the majority of members wanted? It was just a small subset? If that is the case, where are we getting this "overwhelming request" ?

 

[wildernessDad]

DVD should simulate the new rule given reservation data from the past 5 years. Take all of the reservation requests and pass it through the new rules to see how things would have potentially changed and where. I know that this is not an exact science, but it would be interesting to see how things would potentially change, especially during peak seasons.

 

[jdg345]

Is the new system fair? Yes, in the sense that the same rules apply to everyone. No, in that members can book rooms at a date prior to other members. However, this was always the case if one waited until their checkout date to book a reservation. The old system was much more equitable since every member had a chance to every room (11 month at home resort, 7 months at all other resorts) on a particular date. No more!

Will letters to Jim Lewis result in a return to the old system. No, unless DVD or DVC is losing money because of the change. As I found out with the fight related to the OKW extension, letters to Mr. Lewis result in phone calls from pleasant employees like Sheila, who I spoke to several times. Although I wrote several letters to Mr. Lewis, not once did I receive a written reply. Only upon filing a complaint with the Florida Timeshare Bureau did I see a written response and that was only to the Bureau. If their is a violation of Florida law, file a commplaint, and better yet sue.

As to DVC communicating the change to members, that is not their style. They try to keep members in the dark as much as possible. Although DVD agreed to subsidize members in the OKW extension case months ago, they have never informed members of this fact. They are not big on communication, other than to sell more points.

JMHO!

Details? Just a link/pm as I don't want to go OT ...

 

[jdg345]

Under either method, 11 month bookers may NOT get the "specialty units" which are very limited in number (such as SV or BW view at BWV, or the 2B w 2Q at BCV). Note that there are no specialty units at OKW, SSR, VWL. IMHO, those who own at those resorts have no reason to worry. Not sure about the situation at VB or HHI.

For now ... unless they finally setup booking categories at SSR based on the "overwhelming member requests".

 

[DVC Grandpa]

As DVC members, you and I have always been using a booking system which has been impartial to all. With the “enhances” system the impartial is changed to adequate, meaning that you still can book a desired time although now DVC has given a “running start” for those arriving from six to one day prior to you. I am one member that would rather put the impartial back into the equation. For those who would like to give the new “enhanced” system a chance then let me ask, would you mind if Disney implemented an “age policy” of oldest first to youngest in determining dinner reservations and resort reservations days in advance of you or letting them into the parks hours earlier or even let them cut in line at any ride. Isn’t this what DVC is doing with the enhanced policy? Would you still want to give the “age policy” a chance to work itself out?

If the policy is wrong, it’s wrong and no “spin” can make it right, so why not start ASAP to try and correct the policy?

 

[bookwormde]

CarolMN

With only 27 of them I would think that the GVs at OKW would qualify, particularly with the low point weekday draw.


bookwormde

 

[maminnie]

This new policy not only effects 11 month reservations but also ones ability to access inventory and get on the waitlist at the 7 month window for other resorts. Those that have a check-in date for their original reservation at their home resort will now have priority at the 7 month window over another member if they have an earlier check-in date. For example, if member A is checking in on Friday and member B on Sunday, member A can access inventory or get on the 7 month waitlist two days before member B simply because they are arriving two days earlier.

Another example of the new reservation policy not being equal for all members.

 

[simzac]

If the policy is wrong, it’s wrong and no “spin” can make it right, so why not start ASAP to try and correct the policy?

Wrong is your opinion, not mine. And at this point there is no reason that I see to correct anything.

 

[bookwormde]

DVD should simulate the new rule given reservation data from the past 5 years. Take all of the reservation requests and pass it through the new rules to see how things would have potentially changed and where. I know that this is not an exact science, but it would be interesting to see how things would potentially change, especially during peak seasons.

WildernessDad

I like this idea, although by past methodologies I do not think they have anyone who is that into numbers to do it.

I wonder if it can be done on line. Where do I get an employment application. HA HA


bookwormde

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Wrong is your opinion, not mine. And at this point there is no reason that I see to correct anything.

Then you don't mind if I walk my reservation which is not wrong. Thanks for allowing me to do just that?

 

[simzac]

Then you don't mind if I walk my reservation which is not wrong. Thanks for allowing me to do just that?

I have no problem at all with you and anyone else doing so.

 

[CarolMN]

VWL has 44 dedicated 2-br's with 2Q's and 45 lock-offs, so I think that is a worry point for the VWL owners.

In all the years I have been reading the DIS, I do not recall even one post that reported an owner was not able to get his/her first choice of dates or unit if the call was made at the 11 month window. Of course it is possible that a VWL owner could have been shut out, but if it happened, it was a very isolated case. With all the experience of the DIS DVC posters, I have to assume if it was a real possibility, we would have read about it - many, many times!

For now ... unless they finally setup booking categories at SSR based on the "overwhelming member requests".

Too funny! Even if that happens, I highly doubt the categories will be so small as to be an issue for those who book at 11 months.

CarolMN

With only 27 of them I would think that the GVs at OKW would qualify, particularly with the low point weekday draw.


bookwormde

Disagree. My response is the same as for the VWL. I suppose there could be a few (very few) weeks of the year where the GV would sell out during the first week of the window, but I think it is unlikely.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Sooo ... basically ... this is not what the majority of members wanted? It was just a small subset? If that is the case, where are we getting this "overwhelming request" ?

Based on my recollection from reading this Board at the time, I went back and looked at posts from January 2008. What was noticeable was all the posts complaining about the telephone lines to MS being tied up during that time. I personally didn't experience it while booking DBD for 13 nights in early Dec (my wait time was never more than about 10 minutes, usually I had no wait at all).

I think the complaints about busy phone lines may have been extrapolated by DVC into an "overwhelming request" that something needed to be done to reduce phone call to MS and DVC thought that meant changing the booking policy.

On another point, I was actually reviewing the Jan posts to see if I could find out how many posters had to WL right at 11 months. AKV conc. excluded, there really did not appear to be any posters acknowledging that need. I have noted 2 posters on this thread that said they were unable to get the room they wanted booking DBD at 11 months. Anecdotally, it appears that most of those who have booked DBD were successful in getting the room they wanted by booking DBD in the past (again, AKV conc excluded). -- Suzanne

 

[jarestel]

Sooo ... basically ... this is not what the majority of members wanted? It was just a small subset? If that is the case, where are we getting this "overwhelming request" ?

As I said, you can choose to believe what DVC has said or not. I didn't notice the phrase "overwhelming request" anywhere in the written blurb on the DVC page. But if you re-read the original post, I think it's clear what I was saying.