New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[jdg345]

i did not buy at VB to have a BC ever, but was able to secure one, DBD at 11 months out, with a Sunday arrival. Now, people will be ahead of me at 11 months, and I can't imagine getting one again. I hope so.

"Walking" means what? Are you booking before you really want to be there? If that is the case, will MS let you get rid of those extra days?

Bobbi

Walking means what you suggest, booking before you really want to be there and adding/dropping days accordingly DBD. And yes, MS let's you do this without issue (at this time).

 

[dvcdisney]

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.

I hope you know that I don't think you are unsympathetic. I, myself, very much understand your views. To be honest, I do not have any plans on going during Christmas and NYE, so I am not in complete panic mode. And I know you are probably tired of hearing about the idea of "fairness" and it is obvious that we are seeing this concept from different views. But I just don't think it's right that one member has any priority over another member in the same boat.

Although, I hope that I will not have any problems with this new system, I can forsee myself getting upset with MS if/when I don't get the reservation I wanted. I will now always assume these problems will be as a result of DVC's new policy (which I believe is unfair). I cannot see how I can do any better to control my reservations. I don't think I want to "walk" the reservation, so I'm quite upset that I may consider it (and I know this is a personal choice).

I think all the disagreements are based on different points of view and I think we can all respect that. But it doesn't mean we will be satisfied with it. I am not surprised that other members, like yourself, like the new system. I was surprised that DVC had changed it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Wow the Disney info was written by a real spin master. Nothing is a lie but it does not tell the whole truth.

Yes everyone is “excited” about the new program; they just fail to mention that much of the excitement is about how unfair the new system is.

I was thinking that DVC was taking our concerns seriously but after reading this I have serious doubts, it just sound like they are trying to justify a poorly thought through decision.

I guess I just went to somewhat patient to significantly annoyed.

bookwormde

I'm with you. What a load of **** they are trying to feed us.

 

[dvcdisney]

I didn't call....but I sent a letter telling MS that I am indeed happy with this change. I also mentioned some of the concerns that were brought up here.
Kerri

I do believe that there are those who are happy with the new system, but I cannot see it being the majority. Now I don't have any stats and that's why I wished they could publish the percentage of those who does or doesn't like it. I am just curious. Just because I do not like the new system and do not agree with the reason for changing the system doesn't mean that I don't empathize with those who do.

 

[dvcdisney]

I'm with you. What a load of **** they are trying to feed us.

I just don't think they can say anything else. I believe if they showed any inclination that it was not well liked, they would look foolish in their decision to change it and would fuel further complaints about it.

 

[Debi]

I sent an e-mail to DVC on Sunday, and got a phone call this morning about my e-mail. From what the DVC rep told me (I think her name was Joy?), all concerns are being forwarded to 'DVC leaderhsip' and is under review. According to the CM I spoke with, DVC has received many concerns similar to mine, and are 'looking in to a resolution.' As to whether or not that resolution will ever come is another story, but for me, it was nice to hear that DVC has received a lot of complaints about this.

Only time will tell what happens!

 

[Kathi OD]

That confirms my point. You have decided not to use all the options available to you, and that’s all right but should you force others to conform with you because of your reluctance to add a Associate Member for the purpose of booking your choice in vacation days. You can delete that associate as soon as the reservation is made. All I was trying to say is that there are other options that you have opted out of for personal reasons and that’s OK but don’t say it could not be done.

It can be done at the risk of someone abusing your membership. Not something I think is wise, but hey, if you're ok with that, then good for you. It shouldn't be something that is necessary, and proves that this way is just as fair as the old way.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just had another conversation with member satisfaction. She told me that they ARE looking at this and will see how it plays out and change where they may need to. Of course, all of this will be VERY important when on-line booking comes into play. When that happens, someone in California can call at 8 PM and book December 25-Jan.1 while the poor guy in New York is getting up at midnight to make sure he gets his 11 month booking window on-line at 12:00:01 AM. In fact, I see this new policy making on-line booking a LOT more difficult when it comes to getting what you want.

The other thing I told her was that I think people were defensive because there was no communication ahead of time about this new policy change. People don't like to be side swiped by things like this. She agreed, and said they KNOW that was a mistake and that it wont happen again.

Now, I for one want to stop reading and replying to this thread!!! Let's all take a break and go enjoy our nations Birthday!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just don't think they can say anything else. I believe if they showed any inclination that it was not well liked, they would look foolish in their decision to change it and would fuel further complaints about it.

Very true, but there's a way around that too......just post the FAQ's about it and skip all the other spin.

By posting what they did I feel their working to convince people who disagree with the change that they are out of sync. If a member who didn't read any message boards went there they'd probably think they were just getting something wrong and that everyone else, though confused, must like it. I hope their not burying their heads in the sand and have decided to ignore the complaints and just market the idea without really listening to and really acknowledging the problems the change causes at certain key times. Just have to wait and see.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When that happens, someone in California can call at 8 PM and book December 25-Jan.1 while the poor guy in New York is getting up at midnight to make sure he gets his 11 month booking window on-line at 12:00:01 AM.

Oh yes.....finally....something I can feel that's very fair!!!!!!

JK!

 

[jdg345]

I just don't think they can say anything else. I believe if they showed any inclination that it was not well liked, they would look foolish in their decision to change it and would fuel further complaints about it.

I agree ... one of the priorities of any marketing group is to make any changes or annoucements appear as though they were something wanted by those reading the same.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

As few as? Keep in mind that the folks who bought points for a Sun-Thurs vacation would almost need to double their points to get two weekends. . . .

After just quickly checking at various resorts, I think that the times when 5 nights during the week won't buy you 2 weekend nights in the same season are few and far between. One of these example would be a Beach Villa during Premier Season at VB, where the weeked would require 392 points and 5 nights during the week would require only 390 points. If you only bought 130 points at VB to book these 5 nights every 3 years, you could not walk a reservation for this unit. I believe that this example is one of the few, however, where this is true.

I will concede that if you plan to split seasons, such as at Thanksgiving or NYE, this is more problematic. To book a SV 2BR at BWV for Dec 30-31 and Jan 1-3 (assuming Sun-Th), you would need 160 points. Two weekend nights in the same accomodation in Premier Season would require 206 points. So, yes, 54 points purchased for every 3 years Sun-Th including NYE would leave you unable to walk.

As to your point that allowing walking would be an extreme burden on MS, you may be right. However, if the system is generally fair, maybe that would be worth it to the members.

-- Suzanne

 

[ransom]

The other thing I told her was that I think people were defensive because there was no communication ahead of time about this new policy change. People don't like to be side swiped by things like this. She agreed, and said they KNOW that was a mistake and that it wont happen again.

That's nice to hear!

Now, I for one want to stop reading and replying to this thread!!! Let's all take a break and go enjoy our nations Birthday!

What's that? Mickey's birthday?

[Snaps out of it.]

Oh. Oh, yeah. The world outside of DVC. I'd forgotten. I've been living in the DVC bubble for so long, I'd forgotten about everything else!

I wonder how my 401(k) is doing. Last October, it was doing great. I must be up another 20 or 30 percent by now! I'm gonna go check on it, to get the weekend started on a positive note.

Have a great one, fellow DVCers!

 

[DVC92]

The bottom line is the new policy is here to stay regardless of the number of complaints or concerns. Yes, they might tweak it, but unless there is an actual or perceived threat to their bottom line (decrease in the # of add-ons), it won't be changed.

 

[zulaya]

I just don't think they can say anything else. I believe if they showed any inclination that it was not well liked, they would look foolish in their decision to change it and would fuel further complaints about it.

Then I say, man up and ADMIT that you made a mistake. Is that what adults are supposed to do? Isn't that what a responsible company should do? Shouldn't you suck it up, take one for the team, deal with any brouhaha and then move on with pleased members who will quickly forget about this because you've made them happy?

Of course we'd all be annoyed that it happened at all. BUT, I think that once the dust settles, people would think to themselves, "Yeah, Disney knew they made a mistake and they owned up to it. You just don't see that kind of integrity anymore. Cool." Or something along those lines.

The point is people would have a huge warm fuzzy feeling about it if they admitted they messed up and fixed it back to the way it was.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

I would anticipate restrictions coming that prevent walking a reservation based on this announcement. Walking reservations will require many phone calls to MS, and I think they will use the member feedback they just received about this potential abuse to justify that restriction. My guess is they will put in some type of cancellation policy to prevent dropping days on the front-end as well - at least for a period of time.

In a way we are hurting ourselves by complaining about the way the new system can be used to one's advantage. We are basically complaining about the very thing we need to possibly ensure our reservations - especially if you book at peak times or peak units.

Again I think DBD was being used when it was not needed - like for non peak times and non peak units. My guess is it was also pretty crazy at the 7 month window. I think walking a reservation is actually a plus (not that I want to do it) but I think ultimately people will be using it when it is not needed resulting in additional calls to MS, etc...and they will use our own feedback to eliminate it.

 

[zulaya]

I agree ... one of the priorities of any marketing group is to make any changes or annoucements appear as though they were something wanted by those reading the same.

I guess I feel miffed that they think I'm stupid enough to not realize what they are doing.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Lets be clear here:

You "can't" because you choose not to...for whatever good, valid, and
You have the opportunity to. You have (I assume) a phone. MS is open. personal reason you have.
They will take your call and give you your room (provided you're toward the front of the line). The reason you can't take the opportunity has nothing to do with the system. The SYSTEM is fair. Life might not be...

With the new system, you simply don't have the opportunity to, based on an event completely out of your control (how many have booked with MS, and for how long, during the preceeding 7 days). In this case, the reason is because the SYSTEM isn't affording you the opportunity. The SYSTEM doesn't appear to be fair. Life still might not be...

I think that's a remarkable point as to the "fairness", here.

Here, here. Excellent!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The bottom line is the new policy is here to stay regardless of the number of complaints or concerns. Yes, they might tweak it, but unless there is an actual or perceived threat to their bottom line (decrease in the # of add-ons), it won't be changed.

Please be aware that what you just said sounds like what was apparently said by people previously about the old system. And we still don't actually know how the feedback is really coming in. Any good business will evaluate feedback and the really good ones will reverse decisions if they are deemed to be mistakes. But only they have the actual feedback to know where this is going.

 

[jdg345]

It can be done at the risk of someone abusing your membership. Not something I think is wise, but hey, if you're ok with that, then good for you. It shouldn't be something that is necessary, and proves that this way is just as fair as the old way.

It wasn't necessary, I believe that's the point he was trying to make. It was an option. If you don't have anyone you can trust to make the reservation for you, then it's an option you probably would not exercise. If you just don't feel like it, that of course, is your option too.

Another option would be to add them and then remove them later in the day and you could correct anything at that time.

Remember that associate members can only affect reservations, they cannot access any of the financials of your account.

As someone else posted, the SYSTEM allowed for it, and it made the SYSTEM more fair, regardless of whether or not your personal situation was fair. Now the system, imo, is less fair and your personal situation is just as unfair as it was before. And based on the changes to the system, it will likely be more difficult for you to be successful.

Again, I don't understand how someone can complain DBD was unfair because someone might be able to book a few hours before they could, but think that people being able to book more than 7 days before them is okay.