New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[robinb]

I wonder how many DBD bookers were unsuccessful overall and how many were successful only have a waitlist.

I have always been successful calling DBD in the morning. Always.

 

[jdg345]

I have always been successful calling DBD in the morning. Always.

That's been the overall sentiment I've received. I too have been successful when calling DBD. It seems those complaining then are the ones that didn't bother with DBD, for whatever reason, and could not get their days.

In the long run, this new policy could be much worse for them as their arrival day may now be completely booked 7 days before they even get a chance to pick up the phone. Irony indeed.

 

[zulaya]

Count me with those who agree to disagree with you.

I believe in equal opportunity. I don't believe in picking the winners ahead of time.

Old system = equal opportunity. Like a horse race. The horse's starting position (chosen by lottery, I believe) is similar to the "who gets through the phone system and a competent CM first" problem. Sometimes you get through first and sometimes you get through last.

New System = predetermined winner, selected by DVC. Like a fixed horse race. Some of the horses can never win, because they "weren't chosen by the powers that fixed the race".

I do agree that only high demand room types at high demand resorts during very specific times of the year were/are/will be a problem.

Carol, if you haven't done so, you NEED to email this analogy to MS. It truly reflects how I feel about this policy as well.

 

[Dean]

I get that there were always winners and losers. I don't like someone else picking them - especially since they will not let me be one of those in the group from whom the winners are chosen.

I agree that however it ends up, we each must decide to adapt or move on.

Since I do not think this new method will save very many calls to DVC, I am still hoping DVC will reverse its decision. But IMHO, the odds of that are not good. I think we will get more "rule tweaking" instead.

So at least we agree it's OK to have losers, the difference is you don't want to be one of them. You know enough to put yourself in the group that will be successful so I don't think you have anything to worry about. As for reversal, I doubt it. You can bet there will be some adjustments to what we're seeing now, esp if more than a couple take to "walking" a reservation, you can bet that option won't last long.

But now that schoolteacher has an even greater disadvantage because people began booking 6 days ahead of her.

This is the debatable issue. Under the old system they had to wait until the end and call for all at once. I don't think anyone would disagree in my saying that everyone has a better chance of being successful on ONE phone call by calling day 1 than calling 7 days (or you pick a number) later. The ONLY chance of truly losing under the system even in the worst scenario is for high demand options during high demand times for those that fall after other high demand times. Essentially Xmas and NY timeframe. Even in the worst situation, everything else will work itself out. Those days freed up by "walking" a reservation will go to someone who is waitlisted.

That's been the overall sentiment I've received. I too have been successful when calling DBD. It seems those complaining then are the ones that didn't bother with DBD, for whatever reason, and could not get their days.

I've been unsuccessful calling DBD at the 11 month window at opening and I know for certain that on one of those occasions there was someone who had the dates I need in the same unit type and vice versa. But that's only one example, hardly hard data in the big scheme of things.

 

[tidefan]

When we purchased this add-on, we understood ALL owners would have to call at exactly 11 months out to get our ressie. But we all had the same chance on the same day. This new booking system totally changes that.

I agree, that I would have never bought into DVC if the only time I could take a vacation was during this Peak timeframe. But, as I said earlier, this was an add-on. An add-on that I may now not need.

But even purchasing BWV points and calling DBD at 9:00am, you weren't GUARANTEED to get NYE.

I'm not sure point reallocation is the answer, either. We're paying 50 points a night during this timeframe. Yes, you could make the points higher. Maybe we could only spend 2 nights instead of 3. But, we'd still have the same problem when it came to reserving the nights. Others would have had the opportunity to reserve the room days before we could.

But a point reallocation, i.e., higher points, may lead to lesser demand and lower points in a low demand season would server to heighten demand there...

We bought into BWV to stay over NYE. We already owned at OKW and we understood the booking system before purchasing our BWV points. I knew I could work within that booking system to get what I wanted and I have been successful every single year since 1999. Every year I booked into one of the 3 of the most difficult booking categories: Standard Views and Boardwalk Views at BWV and Grand Villas at OKW. So ... when I purchased at BWV the rules were different.

Again, though, you were never GUARANTEED the reservation. And, for all we know, you still may very well get the reservation.

 

[robinb]

Again, though, you were never GUARANTEED the reservation. And, for all we know, you still may very well get the reservation.

You're the one who is stressing GUARANTEED reservations. None of the rest of are . Even with the new booking policy no reservation is GUARANTEED.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No I'm saying that if you need to call on the 1st to get your room instead of the 3rd and would not have gotten the room had you called on the 3rd, that is equal opportunity to book the same time. It may or may not be an equal opportunity to book the days you want.

Huh?? I Know you are a smart person, but it seems as though you don't understand the new procedure.
I really don't understand your response.

Anyway, without "cheating the system", you can't call on the 1st for a ressie starting on the 3rd (11 months later).
Those rooms may be taken by a bunch of members that booked a for a week, starting on the 1st.

You know, once in a while other people just may be right...

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

But even purchasing BWV points and calling DBD at 9:00am, you weren't GUARANTEED to get NYE.

Well, almost gauranteed, but point taken.

However, you were GUARANTEED a level playing field when your booking window opened.

You are almost GUARANTEED it will NOT be level under the new system.

MG

 

[tidefan]

You're the one who is stressing GUARANTEED reservations. None of the rest of are . Even with the new booking policy no reservation is GUARANTEED.

Right, but you posted that you bought the points so that you could do that specific reservation. This gets back to the point I tried to make earlier, it doesn't matter what the booking system is if there is more demand than supply. With a flexible point system such as DVC, there is always a possibility that you may not get what you want. The probabilities of that vary according to many variables(type of room, time of year, etc.), but it is always a possibility.

I really don't care if the system is the old way or the new way, because I can be flexible when I go. If I can't get Spring Break, then I'll go sometime in the summer, if I can't find anything I want, I'll bank and take a good trip next year. Maybe I am in the minority on this, but I can be flexible on when I go, so DVC works great for me. What concerns me is that I see post after post stating that a member "needs" to go at a specific time every year, but they want to keep a very flexible system. To me, that just doesn't add up in the DVC system. It's like people want to have their cake and eat it too.

I guess I do favor the new system in a way because I will know that I either have my vacation set, or I don't. I think that the "playing chicken" scenario that Dean mentioned a few posts back is what DVC is really trying to avoid with the new system. Maybe other people are different, but I can't see a vacation where I had to change rooms 3 different times to be very fun.

Maybe, after reading all of these posts, DVC really will do a DVC II by selling BLT as a fixed week system, so then, they can charge what the market will bear for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NYE. At least then you would be guaranteed to get what you wanted, of course you would lose all of your flexibility.

 

[tidefan]

Well, almost gauranteed, but point taken.

However, you were GUARANTEED a level playing field when your booking window opened.

You are almost GUARANTEED it will NOT be level under the new system.

MG

I guess where I get lost is was it more fair under the old system for someone to have Dec 27-30, then have to check out, go somewhere else for the 31st, and then check back in for Jan 1-2? This certainly is more likely to happen with DBD...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I guess where I get lost is was it more fair under the old system for someone to have Dec 27-30, then have to check out, go somewhere else for the 31st, and then check back in for Jan 1-2? This certainly is more likely to happen with DBD...

Why is it more likely under the old system?
When it came time to book for the 31st under the old system, EVERYONE had the exact same chance to get that reservation.
Under the new system, unless you cheat, you may be at a large disadvantage.

MG

 

[JandD Mom]

THanks everyone for your views. I happen to agree that this new policy is a bad idea. I sent an email out yesterday to MS pointing out my reasons for thinking this policy makes DVC booking unequal, favors those with enough points to pre-book days they will cancel later, and will ultimately make bookings less flexible.

I received a phone call today, approximately 24 hours later, from Shiela from the membership satisfaction team. She kept stressing how important my opinions were etc. She was so nice. Too nice. I feel this is a done deal and it's bad. They just want me to feel like I was listened to. I could be wrong, and I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't feel like they are really listening. For instance, when I asked her questions about when I can book my 8th day, and she hesitated and told me "the next day after you book the 1st 7." She then got quiet because she knew what was coming. She clearly heard it before.

This makes no sense at all. There must be a compelling financial reason DVC imposed this, because it just makes no sense otherwise.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I received a phone call today, approximately 24 hours later, from Shiela from the membership satisfaction team. She kept stressing how important my opinions were etc. She was so nice. Too nice. I feel this is a done deal and it's bad. They just want me to feel like I was listened to. I could be wrong, and I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't feel like they are really listening. For instance, when I asked her questions about when I can book my 8th day, and she hesitated and told me "the next day after you book the 1st 7." She then got quiet because she knew what was coming. She clearly heard it before.

This makes no sense at all. There must be a compelling financial reason DVC imposed this, because it just makes no sense otherwise.

I also got a call from the team, but I thought they were truly genuine in their concern.

I also talked to my guide, and she said this is far from a done deal. Upper management wants feedback...

MG

 

[robinb]

Maybe I am in the minority on this, but I can be flexible on when I go, so DVC works great for me.

Well then ... you are very lucky that you either don't have kids in school or you don't mind taking them out for a vacation. The rest of us are stuck with summer, Spring Break and Christmas Break. I am already penalized by paying "Magic" and "Premier" pricing the only time I am able to go to WDW. *sigh* I remember May and October vacations quite fondly.

What concerns me is that I see post after post stating that a member "needs" to go at a specific time every year, but they want to keep a very flexible system. To me, that just doesn't add up in the DVC system. It's like people want to have their cake and eat it too.

Why would it concern you? Why can't the system remain flexible just because we are restricted to when we can go? I really don't see the disconnect.

And lastly ... why the heck would I want cake if I can't eat it ?

 

[tidefan]

Why is it more likely under the old system?
When it came time to book for the 31st under the old system, EVERYONE had the exact same chance to get that reservation.
Under the new system, unless you cheat, you may be at a large disadvantage.

MG

It is more likely under the old system because with DBD, you were more likely to have holes in your reservation if the demand is really as high as everyone says. You could try to get 5, 6, 7 days, etc., and if the days were truly this high in demand, you may end up with one or two days not getting your room type, resulting in multiple check-in's and check-out's. With the new system, the one advantage I see is that you will either get your whole reservation or you won't (granted, you can still waitlist, but you see what I mean).

Other than that, to me the two systems are a wash. I could use the new system or go back to the old system. I am just trying to point out that the real issue is supply and demand more than the booking system...

 

[tidefan]

Well then ... you are very lucky that you either don't have kids in school or you don't mind taking them out for a vacation. The rest of us are stuck with summer, Spring Break and Christmas Break. I am already penalized by paying "Magic" and "Premier" pricing the only time I am able to go to WDW. *sigh* I remember May and October vacations quite fondly.

Our DD is starting Kindergarten, so we are on the Spring Break/Summer schedule as well. I seriously doubt that you couldn't find time in the summer, even with the new system. I had no problems making our 09 Spring Break (3-14-09 to 3-21-09) reservations and I didn't even call 11 months from checkout.

One thing that is nice for Alabama DIS'ers is that our school system (at least here in Shelby County) gets out in mid-May, so we have some weeks in the "Dream" season if we want to do that...

Why would it concern you? Why can't the system remain flexible just because we are restricted to when we can go? I really don't see the disconnect.

And lastly ... why the heck would I want cake if I can't eat it ?

Not really concerned about the booking system. I think that there are pluses and minuses to both systems. I just think that people are missing the real issue of supply and demand and that I think that we should wait and see what actually happens instead of what may happen. Any system that DVC has is not going to be perfect. Probably the only fair thing would be to have some kind of lottery, but I doubt that would go over well either.

As to your cake, if it is that new chocolate thing from Publix, we may join you...

 

[Kathi OD]

Well then ... you are very lucky that you either don't have kids in school or you don't mind taking them out for a vacation. The rest of us are stuck with summer, Spring Break and Christmas Break. I am already penalized by paying "Magic" and "Premier" pricing the only time I am able to go to WDW. *sigh* I remember May and October vacations quite fondly.

Why would it concern you? Why can't the system remain flexible just because we are restricted to when we can go? I really don't see the disconnect.

And lastly ... why the heck would I want cake if I can't eat it ?

For those of us who don't have the ability to phone at 9AM every day for a week, to get ressies, the old system had no flexibility either. Guess it just depends on how you want your flexibility served. I think I prefer the "new" way it's being offered.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It is more likely under the old system because with DBD, you were more likely to have holes in your reservation if the demand is really as high as everyone says. You could try to get 5, 6, 7 days, etc., and if the days were truly this high in demand, you may end up with one or two days not getting your room type, resulting in multiple check-in's and check-out's. With the new system, the one advantage I see is that you will either get your whole reservation or you won't (granted, you can still waitlist, but you see what I mean).

Other than that, to me the two systems are a wash. I could use the new system or go back to the old system. I am just trying to point out that the real issue is supply and demand more than the booking system...

If you book at MS opening exactly at 11 months, your scenario is remote.

On the other hand, the odds of getting all days of your stay, especially when many of the days needed have already been open to book for several days prior, is much less likely.

MG

 

[Dean]

Huh?? I Know you are a smart person, but it seems as though you don't understand the new procedure.
I really don't understand your response.

Anyway, without "cheating the system", you can't call on the 1st for a ressie starting on the 3rd (11 months later).
Those rooms may be taken by a bunch of members that booked a for a week, starting on the 1st.

You know, once in a while other people just may be right...

MG

Your statement was that you didn't have the same chance for the SAME reservation. My response was you had the same chance for the SAME reservation, maybe less (or more) chance for different dates. So if you and I call at opening on 1 Sept for 11 months out at opening time we have the same chance. If you call on 3 Sept, you may have a less (or better) chance of getting what you want. There's no cheating the system, at least unless it's an inside job, you simply use the rules in place as best you can. I won't dignify the last statement and insinuation.

 

[Dean]

Why is it more likely under the old system?
When it came time to book for the 31st under the old system, EVERYONE had the exact same chance to get that reservation.
Under the new system, unless you cheat, you may be at a large disadvantage.

MG

Because people are likely to book the entire time now and it is difficult to impossible to drop days in the middle of the stay. Plus once people book the time human nature makes it LESS likely to cancel later to use for cash. Certainly some will but likely less than before. It also is likely to shift the Sun-Fri stays to 7 day stays slightly. IF, as I suspect, they make each change for this specific program a cancelation and rebooking, these statements will be dramatically more true.