New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[crisi]

You are both assuming that if (or when) we get online booking that the window would open at Midnight, Eastern time. Makes more sense to me that the online booking window would open at 9 am Eastern - the same time it opens now. Do you think they will allow online booking to have a "head start" over the callers? Of course, they could, but I would be surprised if they did (even after this last change). Just my opinion. OK if you disagree.

They could stagger the release of rooms across a 24 hour period across time zones - fair for member is Europe and Asia as well.

 

[jdg345]

I've been in and out of this thread over time. Can someone who has talked with MS about this specifically summarize basically what the rules are now and what we can and cannot do? I've heard that 'walking a ressie' will be frowned upon, but don't know what the consequences will be if one does that.

If by 'frowned upon', you mean they'll say something like, "You're all set, is there anything else I can do for you today? No? Have a Magical Day; Thank you for Calling Disney Vacation Club."

Then yes, they're really frowning upon it.

 

[Dean]

They could stagger the release of rooms across a 24 hour period across time zones - fair for member is Europe and Asia as well.

Technically not feasible I suspect, same for holding some units for DBD bookings.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Systems change, anyone buying in should both know and expect this. Certainly if one had posted this info a year ago, they would have gotten an overwhelming response suggesting it would never happen. I've personally posted this exact item as one thing that DVC could and possibly would do and those that responded all said "no way". What was Doc's comments on a thread where I posted a list of similar items, that he wouldn't buy in to such a system and labeled it "Dean's Vacation Club".

I've enjoyed your comments on this thread Dean! Just think what the response would be IF they reallocated the points for the existing resorts! And this is a very real possibility....we may very well see this starting with BLT.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yeah, but right now it's a pain in the butt for those of us out West. I have to get up and call at 7am (those in CA have to do so at 6am) if I want to get in when MS opens. For me personally, staying up until midnight would be EASIER than getting up and calling at 7.

Oh, and booking the Illuminations and Wishes cruises I've had to call on was really fun - on the phone at 4:55 AM! Thank goodness we couldn't find a time to fit one in for October!

I frankly don't see a difference at all. As it is you either get up early or go to bed late, and that wont change with online booking. Just WHO does which will change.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You are both assuming that if (or when) we get online booking that the window would open at Midnight, Eastern time. Makes more sense to me that the online booking window would open at 9 am Eastern - the same time it opens now. Do you think they will allow online booking to have a "head start" over the callers? Of course, they could, but I would be surprised if they did (even after this last change). Just my opinion. OK if you disagree.

Carol, I asked the member satisfaction person who called me a direct question about online booking. I posed the question of the 11 month booking window being at 12:00AM and was told that yes, that would be the booking window. Now I suppose that too could change, but what else would be fair? Anything else would have the same inequities of the new system.

 

[Dean]

I've enjoyed your comments on this thread Dean! Just think what the response would be IF they reallocated the points for the existing resorts! And this is a very real possibility....we may very well see this starting with BLT.

Thank you. I am frankly surprised we've not seen more changes over time including a true minimum stay and reallocation. Also, I have wondered if DVC would ever join the ranks of formally giving retail buyers and/or higher point owners a formal preference or even limiting benefit for resale buyers. Obviously the internet was less of an issue at the time but my impression with the last reallocation was a similar response, esp from CAN members.

 

[Dean]

Carol, I asked the member satisfaction person who called me a direct question about online booking. I posed the question of the 11 month booking window being at 12:00AM and was told that yes, that would be the booking window. Now I suppose that too could change, but what else would be fair? Anything else would have the same inequities of the new system.

Marriott restricts online bookings to the same time as the phone system opens. Either is workable but a MN option certain shifts away from phone calls.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

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 agree with you on this except for one thing. How is this not a lie...

"The previous policy REQUIRED members to call daily at the beginning of their booking window, piecing together their reservation one night at a time."

How do they get away with saying that? I am very disturbed with the way they are spinning this. What an insult to us members. :-(

 

[crisi]

I've enjoyed your comments on this thread Dean! Just think what the response would be IF they reallocated the points for the existing resorts! And this is a very real possibility....we may very well see this starting with BLT.

Technically, pretty simple - I've project managed similar code (I don't code myself - but staggered random releases are not something that throw coders when its a business requirement).

From a business standpoint - a nightmare. Wouldn't do it. I'd do it at 3:00am Eastern.

 

[bookwormde]

Luigi’s Girl

Good point

I was being generous, since I could not prove intent. The only problem with that is that the alternative is ignorance or incompetence.

I try to think the best of everyone until they prove otherwise.

bookwormde

 

[Starr W.]

Thank you. I am frankly surprised we've not seen more changes over time including a true minimum stay and reallocation. Also, I have wondered if DVC would ever join the ranks of formally giving retail buyers and/or higher point owners a formal preference or even limiting benefit for resale buyers. Obviously the internet was less of an issue at the time but my impression with the last reallocation was a similar response, esp from CAN members.

That's my guess on "major" changes(min. stay and reallocation). I know DH would like to see something along the lines of BG's preference level(silver, gold).

Other than ROFR and the 13 month window for 2+ week owners does Marriott really hose resale buyers(I own a voluntary non SVN Starwood resort and my head spins when Tomandrobin and the Starwood gang were talking about 5* elite and how he would have to requalify a Kierland week(spend x on a developer week and other hoops to jump through ).

 

[Dean]

That's my guess on "major" changes(min. stay and reallocation). I know DH would like to see something along the lines of BG's preference level(silver, gold).

Other than ROFR and the 13 month window for 2+ week owners does Marriott really hose resale buyers(I own a voluntary non SVN Starwood resort and my head spins when Tomandrobin and the Starwood gang were talking about 5* elite and how he would have to requalify a Kierland week(spend x on a developer week and other hoops to jump through ).

The only differences for Marriott between resale and retail are the ability to trade for points and in some cases, the prevention of sales options and trade ins for sales on new retail purchases. They're rumored to be planning more, we shall see. They have ROFR on some properties, not on others. The 13 month reservation option is not tied to retail but is simply a matter of reserving concurrent or consecutive weeks. Apparently BG Platinum and Bronze levels went into effect today from what I'm hearing, yahoo. Can you imagine this thread if DVC did something like that.

 

[Starr W.]

The only differences for Marriott between resale and retail are the ability to trade for points and in some cases, the prevention of sales options and trade ins for sales on new retail purchases. They're rumored to be planning more, we shall see. They have ROFR on some properties, not on others. The 13 month reservation option is not tied to retail but is simply a matter of reserving concurrent or consecutive weeks. Apparently BG Platinum and Bronze levels went into effect today from what I'm hearing, yahoo. Can you imagine this thread if DVC did something like that.

So they added 2 more levels? I just bought a fixed week that BG manages up at Boyne. It's not in the point system, but it's wk 32. We've been looking for years to find something like that(fractionals rule N. Mich.).

It would be really scary if DVC implemented metal levels! DH would love it.

 

[Dean]

So they added 2 more levels? I just bought a fixed week that BG manages up at Boyne. It's not in the point system, but it's wk 32. We've been looking for years to find something like that(fractionals rule N. Mich.).

It would be really scary if DVC implemented metal levels! DH would love it.

I'll email you some additional info rather than boring the people here.

 

[Starr W.]

I'll email you some additional info rather than boring the people here.

Thanks

 

[LisaS]

Carol, I asked the member satisfaction person who called me a direct question about online booking. I posed the question of the 11 month booking window being at 12:00AM and was told that yes, that would be the booking window. Now I suppose that too could change, but what else would be fair? Anything else would have the same inequities of the new system.

What's this about online booking??? Did you pick up any other information?

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Thank you. I am frankly surprised we've not seen more changes over time including a true minimum stay and reallocation. Also, I have wondered if DVC would ever join the ranks of formally giving retail buyers and/or higher point owners a formal preference or even limiting benefit for resale buyers. Obviously the internet was less of an issue at the time but my impression with the last reallocation was a similar response, esp from CAN members.

Dean, at what point would one be considered a higher point owner? If you didn't have them all at the resort then you may be in the same boat as most owners. What would be considered a higer point owner if they were all at the same resort?

 

[Dean]

Dean, at what point would one be considered a higher point owner? If you didn't have them all at the resort then you may be in the same boat as most owners. What would be considered a higer point owner if they were all at the same resort?

Your guess would be as good as mine. Mind you we're just discussing the issue and I don't expect this is really something that would happen My assumptions would be it would be based on total points. It really depends on how exclusive they want to make it. Assuming one level I'd guess anywhere from 600-1000 points total. If multiple levels, maybe starting at 400-500 points likely. Possible benefits would be things like

• paying maint fees, tickets, etc with points.
• Some sort of advanced reservation and/or wait list priority.
• Discounted cash reservations.
• Better exchange rates for II, DC, DCL, etc.
• A special phone number to call that was easier to get through with a higher level of staff training.
• Better Banking and borrowing options.

There are many more. I honestly don't see DVC going this route but you never know for certain. And one could argue against many of these and similar options citing the POS. The more interesting list would be to discuss resale restrictions such as no trading to other DVC resorts, no exchange options and the like.

 

[jdg345]

I've enjoyed your comments on this thread Dean! Just think what the response would be IF they reallocated the points for the existing resorts! And this is a very real possibility....we may very well see this starting with BLT.

Point Reallocated, per the POS, is give and take, isn't it? So if they add points in one area, they have to remove them from another, correct?