New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[Dean]

Oh, I agree here ... smaller contracts are more expensive per point to administer ... but most people with small contracts also own much larger ones to offset that cost, no? It's a very small small subset that owns only a small (< 70 pt) contract, wouldn't you say?

Even smaller contracts of an owner that has other points can be more difficult and expensive to administer depending on UY and home resort of other contracts one owns.

The difference for DVC has always been on property vs off property, the other issues have never been the big selling point. Even most of VB and HH points are bought due in part to the Disney connection. Certainly it is to many. Did you realize that many people actually prefer to stay off property, for them they would never buy DVC in spite of that "flexibility". The truth is DVC is a specialty timeshare used for Disney and in terms of non Disney options most other timeshares are better than DVC.

 

[TisBit]

There were and still are plenty of timeshares available in the area of WDW, no? Do you think DVC would lose business to those other timeshares if people thought they were more flexible?

I see plenty of people having an interest in the DVC system because of the flexibility, because you are buying points and not a specific room, or resort (necessarily), or week. If you want to go 5 times this year, you can, twice next, you can, not at all, that's fine too.

We'll just have to agree to disagree here.

Just like there are plenty of cruise lines that sail out of the same ports as Disney for far less money, yet Disney cruises still get booked to capacity. I would say that the name "Disney" carries a lot of weight with all owners.

I am not sure where you get that DVC is becoming this inflexible monster....as was previously posted, you are making a lot of jumps to get to a huge dissatisfied client base. I also agree with others that more than likely this new change will begin to take place and be modified as needed to accomplish the intended result of less calls to MS.

As far as the "they are my points and if I want to book this way I can...." well that isn't exactly true...if they say "no" across the board than you will book "your" points according to "their" rules.

 

[kdepot]

I see plenty of people having an interest in the DVC system because of the flexibility, because you are buying points and not a specific room, or resort (necessarily), or week. If you want to go 5 times this year, you can, twice next, you can, not at all, that's fine too.

We'll just have to agree to disagree here.

This is the reason we bought DVC. If you have a need to have a specific room, or resort, or week that is what the others are for.

 

[jdg345]

Just like there are plenty of cruise lines that sail out of the same ports as Disney for far less money, yet Disney cruises still get booked to capacity. I would say that the name "Disney" carries a lot of weight with all owners.

I am not sure where you get that DVC is becoming this inflexible monster....as was previously posted, you are making a lot of jumps to get to a huge dissatisfied client base. I also agree with others that more than likely this new change will begin to take place and be modified as needed to accomplish the intended result of less calls to MS.

I am not suggesting this one change in and of and by itself creates an inflexible monster. What I was suggesting is that if that flexibility disappears and DVC becomes just like everyone else ... But, apparently, I did a poor job of explaining where I was going with that original post and the context I intended was missed. So let's just move on, shall we?

As far as the "they are my points and if I want to book this way I can...." well that isn't exactly true...if they say "no" across the board than you will book "your" points according to "their" rules.

Or I will vote with my feet, as Dean says. Let's see what other restrictions DVC puts in place to prevent DBD ... they may find it's more costly to patch the holes they've created than to just take a step back ... or ... they may not.

Frankly, I'd have been much happier if they used these resources to implement an online booking system -- that would reduce a great number of calls to MS.

In the end, we'll have to wait and see. Time will tell if those that are happy with this change now will still be happy if/when they try to book their arrival to find out it's already gone, and has been for several days.

 

[jdg345]

This is the reason we bought DVC. If you have a need to have a specific room, or resort, or week that is what the others are for.

As did we ... apparently, we're in the minority though.

 

[jamstew]

I don't know if they'd let you do this with a cash night. Do you have enough points to book the whole week? If so, I'd book the whole thing on points as early as possible, and then once the whole period is inside 11 months change the one night to cash. FWIW, I think you could book this at 11 months from departure and still be fine.

I'd have to borrow points to book the whole week. As I understand it, once borrowed they stay borrowed, and no one will be using the VWL points again until 2011 (traveling in my 2010 UY). I'll have to do some calculations on that. I was hoping to save the 72 points to get an extra 6-night solo trip for me, but it may not be worth the trouble. It's all very confusing for a newbie I have 100 BCV points "just for me," but I'm planning to buy 50 more at some point this year.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Most bought because it's on Disney property and a significant portion would have bought if it was fixed week/fixed unit system as was the usual 20 or more years ago.

If DVC was a fixed 7 night option, I would have elected to continue to book through CRO and not buy any timeshare. If DVC becomes a place that it is difficult to make 7+ day reservation, we will evaluate our options. It is likely that we will continue to own enough points for our annual May trip but will rent or book through CRO for our Oct or Dec trip.

DVC may not be hurt by sales by existing members, but I can't believe they really disfavor small add-ons. If they did, they could easily put a stop to them. Instead, we see new members buying in for 100 points.

We are not planning an add-on at GCV or BLT, but I would think that the minimum recommended buy-in would have to be enough for a 7 night stay, half that if you could live with going every other year. I think this change in booking policy will put an end to the purchase of 50 (or less) point contracts at each new resort.

-- Suzanne

 

[jdg345]

I'd have to borrow points to book the whole week. As I understand it, once borrowed they stay borrowed, and no one will be using the VWL points again until 2011 (traveling in my 2010 UY). I'll have to do some calculations on that. I was hoping to save the 72 points to get an extra 6-night solo trip for me, but it may not be worth the trouble. It's all very confusing for a newbie I have 100 BCV points "just for me," but I'm planning to buy 50 more at some point this year.

You can always call on the 26th and ask if they'll let you do one night in cash. If not, you could do this (assuming it works with your UY and 2010 plans)

Book the week, borrowing the points.
Once you're within 11 months, change the Saturday to Cash releasing the points. You can then bank the Current points into next year.

If it doesn't work for your UY, then you can do this:

Call the 26th, booking up through Friday.
Call 11 months to the Saturday and book it Cash (ask if they'll let you book the last 2 nights). If yes, great (but I dont think they will).
Call Sunday and book the last 2 nights.

Based on the 'Reservation of a Specific Unit' Theory, by calling the 26th, and continuing to call first thing in the morning on the subsequent calls, you should be able to get the days no problem. Again, for that time period, I suspect you could get them all calling by departure date back, but if you *really* want the days, it's probably best to make sure and call thrice.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As did we ... apparently, we're in the minority though.

Well, I'm there with you and kdepot although now I guess we're the only 3! Oops while I was writing a 4th popped up! Hmmmmmm.......

 

[jdg345]

If DVC was a fixed 7 night option, I would have elected to continue to book through CRO and not buy any timeshare. If DVC becomes a place that it is difficult to make 7+ day reservation, we will evaluate our options. It is likely that we will continue to own enough points for our annual May trip but will rent or book through CRO for our Oct or Dec trip.

Welcome to the minority.

 

[jdg345]

Well, I'm there with you and kdepot although now I guess we're the only 3! Oops while I was writing a 4th popped up! Hmmmmmm.......

We better close our doors!

 

[jarestel]

We better close our doors!

Almost half-way to double-digits already! Sweet!

Still jdg, I hazard to suggest the wild idea that most DVC owners are Disney fans and not timeshare fans, per se. But I will monitor your rapidly rising FVC (flexibility vacation club) numbers with great interest and anticipation. >)

 

[robinb]

I'd have to borrow points to book the whole week. As I understand it, once borrowed they stay borrowed, and no one will be using the VWL points again until 2011 (traveling in my 2010 UY). I'll have to do some calculations on that. I was hoping to save the 72 points to get an extra 6-night solo trip for me, but it may not be worth the trouble. It's all very confusing for a newbie I have 100 BCV points "just for me," but I'm planning to buy 50 more at some point this year.

You can borrow points to make your initial reservation. Any points borrowed remain borrowed. HOWEVER, when you cancel a night they return points from the current use year. Those points can be banked into the next use year but then they need to remain in that use year.

 

[kdepot]

As did we ... apparently, we're in the minority though.

There are 300,000 plus members of DVC . They do not all vacation the same way.
I'm sure there are a "few" more!

 

[jdg345]

Almost half-way to double-digits already! Sweet!

Still jdg, I hazard to suggest the wild idea that most DVC owners are Disney fans and not timeshare fans, per se. But I will monitor your rapidly rising FVC (flexibility vacation club) numbers with great interest and anticipation. >)

Touche!

 

[jdg345]

There are 300,000 plus members of DVC . They do not all vacation the same way.
I'm sure there are a "few" more!

Wow ... is it really 300,000 unique members already? Or is that number of contracts? If the former, it would only take 10% of the current membership to have bought in based primarily on the flexibility DVC offered to get to the median of the numbers I posted. I believe I stated, 20, 30, or 40k originally.

Regardless, it's probably time we move back to Topic and the OP.

 

[RobDoc]

There were and still are plenty of timeshares available in the area of WDW, no? Do you think DVC would lose business to those other timeshares if people thought they were more flexible?

I see plenty of people having an interest in the DVC system because of the flexibility, because you are buying points and not a specific room, or resort (necessarily), or week. If you want to go 5 times this year, you can, twice next, you can, not at all, that's fine too.

We'll just have to agree to disagree here.

I think the MAJORITY of DVC members have never considered another timeshare and don't care at all if other timeshares might be more flexible. Most DVC members have purchased because they are onsite at WDW - even those who purchased at VB and HH who can use their points at WDW resorts.

Flexibility, World Passport, Concierge Collection and Disney Collection are all frosting, but the real draw for DVC sales is access to onsite WDW vacations.

 

[jamstew]

You can always call on the 26th and ask if they'll let you do one night in cash. If not, you could do this (assuming it works with your UY and 2010 plans)

Book the week, borrowing the points.
Once you're within 11 months, change the Saturday to Cash releasing the points. You can then bank the Current points into next year.

If it doesn't work for your UY, then you can do this:

Call the 26th, booking up through Friday.
Call 11 months to the Saturday and book it Cash (ask if they'll let you book the last 2 nights). If yes, great (but I dont think they will).
Call Sunday and book the last 2 nights.

Based on the 'Reservation of a Specific Unit' Theory, by calling the 26th, and continuing to call first thing in the morning on the subsequent calls, you should be able to get the days no problem. Again, for that time period, I suspect you could get them all calling by departure date back, but if you *really* want the days, it's probably best to make sure and call thrice.

Thank you I've printed it out and will let the forum know how it's going to work (or at least how it works for me) with cash nights

 

[Dean]

Wow ... is it really 300,000 unique members already? Or is that number of contracts? If the former, it would only take 10% of the current membership to have bought in based primarily on the flexibility DVC offered to get to the median of the numbers I posted. I believe I stated, 20, 30, or 40k originally.

Regardless, it's probably time we move back to Topic and the OP.

It was 110,107 at the end of 2006. The Dec, 2007 info should be out soon.

 

[jdg345]

It was 110,107 at the end of 2006. The Dec, 2007 info should be out soon.

I can't imagine in triplicated in 18 months. If the Dec 2007 numbers are around 200k though, I guess it's possible.

Of course, what is a 'member'? Is a contract a member? Is a member number a member? If the latter, is a contract with (3) owners considered 3 members? Oh the games accountants and marketing types play