New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[dvcdisney]

Yes, it is better to get 7 days, then call 3 days later and add the rest on. Nobody will be able to get your room and you won't have to move.

Sorry, I think I missed quite a few pages, but can you explain why I couldn't call on "his" Day 2 and start my vacation and snap up the room. I guess I'm wondering if DVC sets up certains rooms when you call in. If they assign a room when you make a reservation, then this makes sense. But if they don't, they just book based on any available rooms, then it is possible that I could get "his" room.

Am I understanding this correctly. If he calls at Day 1 and books the first 7 nights (say arbitrarily at Room A), does this mean that if I call at "his" Day 2 to start my reservation and I am told that there is room available, then I would be given (say Room B). So technically, on my Day 7 (and his Day 8), I would be still given the Room B, while his Room A will remain available to him until his Day 7? Therefore, there is no point calling Day 2 to reserve Day 8...you can just call before his room opens up, which technically is his Day 8 (if he didn't want to add days).

Is this correct?

 

[LisaS]

Sorry, I think I missed quite a few pages, but can you explain why I couldn't call on "his" Day 2 and start my vacation and snap up the room. I guess I'm wondering if DVC sets up certains rooms when you call in. If they assign a room when you make a reservation, then this makes sense. But if they don't, they just book based on any available rooms, then it is possible that I could get "his" room.

Am I understanding this correctly. If he calls at Day 1 and books the first 7 nights (say arbitrarily at Room A), does this mean that if I call at "his" Day 2 to start my reservation and I am told that there is room available, then I would be given (say Room B). So technically, on my Day 7 (and his Day 8), I would be still given the Room B, while his Room A will remain available to him until his Day 7? Therefore, there is no point calling Day 2 to reserve Day 8...you can just call before his room opens up, which technically is his Day 8 (if he didn't want to add days).

Is this correct?

Yes, your example with Room A and Room B is correct, as far as we know. We don't know the inner workings of the reservation system but it seems likely that it would work that way. Otherwise they run the risk of not being able to keep people in one room for their entire stay once they start making actual room assignments.

So in theory, someone who wants to book a 10-night stay can call 11 months prior to check in and book the first 7 nights and call back anytime in the next 6 days to book the remaining nights. For example, they could call back on day 2 and book night 8, call again on day 3 and book night 9, etc. or wait three days and book the last 3 nights they need all on one call. As long as they call back before day 8, they should be OK. If they wait until day 8 then they are competing with people trying to book a stay that begins on their night 8 and they could get shut out.

 

[dvcdisney]

Yes, your example with Room A and Room B is correct, as far as we know. We don't know the inner workings of the reservation system but it seems likely that it would work that way. Otherwise they run the risk of not being able to keep people in one room for their entire stay once they start making actual room assignments.

So in theory, someone who wants to book a 10-night stay can call 11 months prior to check in and book the first 7 nights and call back anytime in the next 6 days to book the remaining nights. For example, they could call back on day 2 and book night 8, call again on day 3 and book night 9, etc. or wait three days and book the last 3 nights they need all on one call. As long as they call back before day 8, they should be OK. If they wait until day 8 then they are competing with people trying to book a stay that begins on their night 8 and they could get shut out.

Okay, this makes perfect sense. Thanks.

But the reason why I'm confused is because I was told something else or maybe I misunderstood, but I thought I was quite clear about the question.

Anyways, my understanding was, that there is still an possibility of holes in the reservation because if for example, I called on my Day 1 and it was available, and my day 2 and 3 wasn't and the rest was (Day 4-7), then I can waitlist the day 2 and 3. If they are giving me, say Room B, then who's in my room on DAy 2 and 3. If room B was available for day 1, how then was anyone else able to get this room for day 2 and 3. The only way this makes sense is if they don't "assign" rooms.

Was I given the wrong information?

 

[mrdiscranky]

I couldn't do that with the old system, that's why I ahve to change rooms twice in December because on my 2nd day, someone called before me and took the room out before I could.

You only got in trouble because you tried to book day by day. Under the old system, you could have waited until your checkout day, called in, and either gotten the whole reservation or gotten nothing.

That's what you like about the new system - you call in and either get the whole reservation or nothing. Exactly like the old system. Both have the same problem - while you are waiting to call in, somebody else can grab the rooms you need. That could happen under the old system, it can happen under the new.

 

[mrdiscranky]

It doesn't work like that cuz "my" studio cannot be filled until I am out of it.

They can grab "your" studio before you even call in under the new plan.

 

[jdg345]

Nope, that's not how it works.

100 Studios available on Day 1:
Day 1: 60 people call to book D1 - D7, 40 Studios remain for check-ins between Day 2 - Day 7.
Day 2: 30 people call to book D2 - D8, 10 Studios remain for check-ins between Day 3 - Day 7.
Day 3: 20 people call to book D3 - D9 but only 10 of them can book because all the people who called on Day 1 and Day 2 already have the other 90 units booked. No Studios remain for check-ins between D4 - D7.
Day 4: 30 people call to book D4 - D10, none of them can book, no Studios remain for check-ins between D5 - D7.
Day 5: 20 people call to book D5 - D11, none of them can book, no Studios remain for check-ins between D6 - D7.
Day 6: 20 people call to book D6 - D12, none of them can book, no Studios remain for check-ins starting D7.
Day 6: pyrxtc calls to extend her reservation made on Day 1, booking D8-D12. That unit would come from the 60 Studio pool booked on Day 1 and blocked from being booked on D2 - D6 by new guests.

There seems to be some different information on this. According to what the Member Satisfaction Team told some of the callers, the system just looks to see if there is a room available that day in that category, it doesn't lock up a particular unit at all.

 

[bookwormde]

I would really doubt that they do individual room allocations. It is really quite easy to keep people in the same room without doing this, unless you overbook or loose a room for maintenance. I am reasonably sure they just have a total room count that they whittle down. The only complexity is how they handle the lock offs (when they allow them to be “broken up”.

bookwormde

 

[jdg345]

I couldn't do that with the old system, that's why I ahve to change rooms twice in December because on my 2nd day, someone called before me and took the room out before I could. If they had this new rule already, I could ahve booked the room I wanted for the next 3 night and been secure instead of calling DBD to "try".

Not necessarily, what if that room wasn't available on day 1, what would you have done then?

 

[DisneyFreaks]

So in theory, someone who wants to book a 10-night stay can call 11 months prior to check in and book the first 7 nights and call back anytime in the next 6 days to book the remaining nights. For example, they could call back on day 2 and book night 8, call again on day 3 and book night 9, etc. or wait three days and book the last 3 nights they need all on one call. As long as they call back before day 8, they should be OK. If they wait until day 8 then they are competing with people trying to book a stay that begins on their night 8 and they could get shut out.

What do you do if you are staying more than 7 nights but want to split your stay between more than one resort? Each reservation is separate but less than 7 nights so can you still call 11 or 7 months from check-IN for each one?

 

[jdg345]

What do you do if you are staying more than 7 nights but want to split your stay between more than one resort? Each reservation is separate but less than 7 nights so can you still call 11 or 7 months from check-IN for each one?

Yes, from each one ... so you can call today and book +3 and then call in 3 days and book the next +4.

 

[Dean]

Dean, am I correct that you still think that the new system is better even if the above change is never made? Because, of course, at this time there has been no such change and there may never be such a change. -- Suzanne

Overall yes. I think it will take a few months for this to all sort out. DVC has to see what's going to happen and to adjust. The members have to figure out the system and adjust as well. I see nothing wrong with the change though I think there are some inevitable adjustments that will have to be made, I've posted some of those. I do not think it will change back. I would not be surprised if 7 days were changed to 14 nor would I be surprised if it were 7/14 or nothing under this rule and otherwise the same old DBD rules.

Personally, I don't think either will likely have much of an effect on me, as an OKW owner, even though I do book early December most of the time (we could go in January if December is booked).

This has been part of my point, I don't think it'll really have much of an impact on anyone after it sorts itself out. NYE may be the only exception but even then, we'll have to see and I'm not going to be convinced unless we start to see multiple posts of people that know the system and still couldn't get what they've been getting in the past 11 months out.

Clearly, this is where we disagree. Don't get me wrong, it would be upsetting if I had a vacation booked and I had the first few days and couldn't get the next few days because someone else called before me. And if you call at exactly the same time as I do and so happens that you get it before me is by chance and luck. There is nothing unfair about that. But if I call at 10am and you call at 9 am. It is thoroughly my fault that I didn't get that reservation. This is fair. However, if you call at 9am and was told that there are no rooms available because they have reserved this room for me to call at 10am, then that is clearly not fair. Before you say that this is not the new rule, I just want to give this example as being fair or not fair. Just because I booked a vacation date before someone else doesn't give me the right to all the dates because I am beginning my vacation before them.

I see it this way, in terms of points usage and reservations, (for example) my 1pt BCV is equal to your 1pt BCV (given this is both our Home Resort at 11mths out). I do not believe that I or you or anyone else on the same boat has any more rights to that room. We both own it equally, just because I have a vacation planned a few days before yours doesn't mean that it gives me the right to get that room before you. You SHOULD have every right to that room if you call in first. First come, First Serve. It is completely unfair for me to assume that my vacation needs are more important that yours (giving me priority). I shouldn't be allowed to finish my vacation in the expense of you STARTING yours.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand your view. I just don't consider it fair. As I said, my 1pt is equal to your 1pt (in terms of booking and Home Resort Priority), so I should have the same chance to book that room. And the only way to do it is to give everyone a chance to book it at EQUAL footing, which is day by day, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

(I know that this is a ridiculous analogy, but if I came in a food line and said, I was here yesterday and I am planning on coming for the next 6 days at this time, I should be able to bypass anyone else in line. This clearly would be outrageous! So to be fair to everyone, I would have to go to the back of the line. First come, first serve.)

And I see the other side as well and am not unsympathetic. I made a reservation for mid Dec DBD getting the first 2 days and not getting the next 2 calling when they opened at 9 am and the wait lists haven't come through. I haven't posted it because that's the way the system worked at the time and I understood that. There really are two sides to a reservation system, the wants/needs of the members and the needs of the system itself. IMO this change will serve the system better at minimal to no expense to the members and ultimately, IMO, to the advantage of the members as a whole both in terms of less phone calls, getting the entire reservation and controlled costs.

 

[Dean]

I believe we all may have bought our points differently had we known this is how the system was going to be. I definitely would not have two contracts at two different resorts which is now going to be difficult to handle. For the record, I did not buy to get a home resort advantage at a new resort but rather I simply did not buy enough the first time and had to buy more. My resort was sold out at the time I made the second purchase through DVC.

I bought DVC because it was flexible. This new system is far from flexible unless one is able to book vacations the way you do. Good for you that you can work the system to your advantage, but for others who can't, the system is extremely unfair.

maminnie

The system is different but not unfair. We also all bought knowing the system could change, we may not have expected this change but change (actually I did in some form and posted in in past years) is inevitable in timeshares including DVC.

You always had the ability to waitlist for the whole time if you didn't want to take a chance at not getting your 2-3 missing days in the middle. You were not required to WL day-by-day.

True and the best way to get it was DBD wait list. But under the new system, wait listing for the entire time will have a greater chance of success than under the old policy.

 

[LisaS]

But the reason why I'm confused is because I was told something else or maybe I misunderstood, but I thought I was quite clear about the question.

Anyways, my understanding was, that there is still an possibility of holes in the reservation because if for example, I called on my Day 1 and it was available, and my day 2 and 3 wasn't and the rest was (Day 4-7), then I can waitlist the day 2 and 3. If they are giving me, say Room B, then who's in my room on DAy 2 and 3. If room B was available for day 1, how then was anyone else able to get this room for day 2 and 3. The only way this makes sense is if they don't "assign" rooms.

Was I given the wrong information?

I don't see how that situation could occur, assuming a constant supply of rooms for your dates. If you call 11 months prior to check in and your first night is available, the rest of the nights should also be available. If day 1 is available and day 2 is not, then either there was less inventory to start with on day 2 or they have allowed someone to book a stay starting on day 2 even though the booking window for that date hasn't opened yet.

 

[DVC Mike]

Wow! 100 pages of discussion so far...

 

[pyrxtc]

Not necessarily, what if that room wasn't available on day 1, what would you have done then?

Then I start my vacation on a different day or grab a different room category.

 

[maminnie]

I just don't understand how people cannot see that the new system is unfair. Maybe these people have the luxury of not travelling during busy vacation periods. Under the old system each person could choose to call day by day or not choose to do this. Under the new system, if I am not booking until the middle of a busy vacation week, by the time I am able to book the first days of my stay, inventory may already be gone by those who have check-in dates sooner then mine. This was clearly demonstrated in previous posts using a studio as an example.

Also for the many people who have multiple contracts/multiple resorts, you will not be able to book the second part of your trip with your second home resort until the second check-in date. Let's say you book a reservation for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday at one resort using one home resort 11 month window and then plan on booking Wednesday and Thursday using another, you will not be able to begin the second reservation until 11 months from that check in date. By then those days could very well be gone by those who have one large contract and booked the entire busy vacation week with a check-in date earlier then yours.

This is also going to effect waitlists at the seven month window. One will not be able to start their waitlist until their check in date whereas those that have an earlier check in date for a busy vacation week will have been able to get on the waitlist sooner. This will also be difficult for those with multiple contracts/resorts. Sounds as if those with multiple contracts may face more split stays and moving between resorts.

Once again I would not have bought a second contract at a resort other then my first home resort had I known this was going to be the reservation system. I would have simply purchased more at my original resort via resale rather than through DVC.

 

[Dean]

I just don't understand how people cannot see that the new system is unfair.

From my standpoint there are a couple of reasons. One is I don't believe the nay-sayers. The other is that I don't define fair as the chances of a given person getting a given reservation. No system is completely fair (as it seems defined in this thread) in that not everyone will get what they want every time and in some cases, they won't get it any of time. Also, I personally consider what is "fair" to the system and what is fair to the members as a whole and realize there must be a balance. There will always be people the system doesn't work for and when there are changes, always be people in the system that the new system won't work for. IMO, that are OK situations.

 

[AKV707]

Wow! 100 pages of discussion so far...

It is hard to believe.

 

[jdg345]

Then I start my vacation on a different day or grab a different room category.

Oh, so if you missed a fill on a DBD, you could pick a different day or grab a different category there too. So if your Day-3 was unavailable, you could book something else and just waitlist for the whole period where your hole was?

 

[maminnie]

Dean:

Once again I am simply asking to be on the same playing field as everyone. Not being able to get a reservation because I cannot check in until Tuesday of a busy vacation week versus the Friday before is not fair to me.

When I was researching purchasing my initial DVC contract I took a lot of time and effort to make sure I understood how I would have to make reservations for busy times. As I said I do not pull my children out of school to go on vacation and knew that I would have to stick with very busy vacation times. I even had my vacation guide tell me about booking day by day as well as Member Services reservationists over the last ten years. There is nothing that reads that one cannot book day by day and it was in reality an unwritten guideline as Member Services would ask you if you were going to book day by day and held the final confirmation until your last day was reserved.

Changing the system to benefit someone who simply can travel a few days before another member is absolutely ridiculous if you do not want to use the word unfair.