New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[abeyst]

A VERY simple fix as a start would be to simply say that no reservation may be made for any night in Premier season until 11 months before the checkout for that night. IMHO, that would take care of most of the issues without throwing the baby out with the bath water. It also would be quite easy to program.

Whatever happened to the lottery type thingie they had for Christmas week? It ended right after I joined so I only saw 1 letter asking me if I wanted to sign up for Christmas week (and I never knew much about it), but would that type of system work? Seems like it might be more work, though, for MS.

 

[Bopsmom]

Actually, once they get on-line booking, that will be a moot point. Joy seemed fairly certain on-line booking was coming sooner rather than later.

On line booking would be nice. Makes you wonder why they would have had to change the policy at all if that was coming. That in of itself would cut MS calls.

 

[Doctor P]

Whatever happened to the lottery type thingie they had for Christmas week? It ended right after I joined so I only saw 1 letter asking me if I wanted to sign up for Christmas week (and I never knew much about it), but would that type of system work? Seems like it might be more work, though, for MS.

The way that they used to run the Special Seasons Priority List was even worse than the new system, IMHO. It actually allowed people access to non-home resorts at 14 months out at the time they did away with the system.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The way that they used to run the Special Seasons Priority List was even worse than the new system, IMHO. It actually allowed people access to non-home resorts at 14 months out at the time they did away with the system.

Yep, I'm glad they did away with that one!

 

[rantnnravin]

If one didn't want extensive rules and procedures to protect the collective one should never buy into a timeshare/vacation club program.

the "collective" (i thought i joined DVC, not the BORG) wouldn't need "protection" if they kept the playing field fair - as it had been.

and, FWIW- we bought DVC because it was sold to us as "not your traditional timeshare" -simple, flexible, etc. It's turning out not to be so simple and flexible. We bought DVC because we wanted to stay on Disney property whenever we chose to vacation. We can still do this. Just need to book spec reservations, walk them along to the most desired times, rent them out and use the cash to book what we actually want - the flexibility we actually paid for.
and yes, i'm

 

[dvcdisney]

Joy seemed fairly certain on-line booking was coming sooner rather than later.

Let's hope!

 

[dvcdisney]

Makes you wonder why they would have had to change the policy at all if that was coming. That in of itself would cut MS calls.

Exactly what I was thinking!

If online booking was available, what difference would it make if someone was to book DBD. They wouldn't need to call MS, they would just log into their reservation and see if they can add an extra day. Seems simple enough.

If they just wanted to reduce call volumes, this would be the simplest way. I think a lot of us have been requesting this type of booking.

 

[Bopsmom]

Exactly what I was thinking!

If online booking was available, what difference would it make if someone was to book DBD. They wouldn't need to call MS, they would just log into their reservation and see if they can add an extra day. Seems simple enough.

If they just wanted to reduce call volumes, this would be the simplest way. I think a lot of us have been requesting this type of booking.

I wonder if on-line booking could/would give an advantage to the people who "broker" reservations. Kinda like what the ticket brokers do to concerts? That could be terrible.

 

[granmanh603]

the "collective" (i thought i joined DVC, not the BORG) wouldn't need "protection" if they kept the playing field fair - as it had been.

and, FWIW- we bought DVC because it was sold to us as "not your traditional timeshare" -simple, flexible, etc. It's turning out not to be so simple and flexible. We bought DVC because we wanted to stay on Disney property whenever we chose to vacation. We can still do this. Just need to book spec reservations, walk them along to the most desired times, rent them out and use the cash to book what we actually want - the flexibility we actually paid for.
and yes, i'm

Boy that is the way we feel...this is just getting to complicate. We like to go 3 weeks at a time now....and that seems like it is going to be a mess and waaaay too much trouble. I hope they don't do this. Oh also we start our stay mid week .

 

[dvcdisney]

I wonder if on-line booking could/would give an advantage to the people who "broker" reservations. Kinda like what the ticket brokers do to concerts? That could be terrible.

Good question. I would hope that DVC provides restrictions to prevent this type of violation of the policy (and clearly state that IT IS a violation). But then again, who knows . I'm sure we will have a thread discussing the possible "loopholes" to online booking but hopefully, it would not be as problematic as the new system seems to be.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

I for one would love on-line booking, but I am hesitant to believe it will automatically solve the issues that some are having with the new reservation policy. There is nothing to gaurantee that on-line booking for DVC will allow day by day reservations that are linked - or the ability to open a reservation and add a day. There may be no ability to modify a reservation or to cancel individual days with on-line. It all depends on the programming.

 

[BeccaG]

I see several folks who are defending the new policy suggesting and even advocating to prevent walking that a policy should be put into effect that any reservation changes should require a cancellation or rebook. Can you really make plans 11 months out and never change or modify them? In my short 2 years as a DVC member, here are some of the reasons I have needed to or thought about making changes to my reservations:
1. prego-didn't really want to be puking my entire vacation so wanted to delay it a week or two
2. cheaper flights
3. work requirements/can't get days off
4. death in the family
5. better flight times
6. extending my vacation to visit with family

I for one think that the policy described above would lead me to sell. I don't like the new policy, but this fix would lead me to vacation elsewhere. My inlaws have a great timeshare with locations in Cabo, Vegas, and Tahoe among others and I got DL 35 miles away for my Disney fix. . .

As a side note, if you like the new policy, why do you care if someone who does not, or is scared they won't get their important dates does walk?

 

[keishashadow]

fyi, i called MS today to cancel the 1st 2 dates of AKV (10/18 & 10/19-should make somebody happy on the WL )

1st i asked if eliminating the 1st 2 days would cancel my whole ressie...

CM found it amusing and asked if i read the DISboards

she said even with enhanced policy, no problem to cancel any dates in any ressie w/i the normal 30 day rule that's in place ; despite what i may have read here

while i need to call & book for next year beginning the 28th of this month, unless somebody here posts issues with securing ressies in next week or so; don't think i'm going to bother walking it...even though it includes 4th of July...i'll be the test case

 

[BeccaG]

fyi, i called MS today to cancel the 1st 2 dates of AKV (10/18 & 10/19-should make somebody happy on the WL )

1st i asked if eliminating the 1st 2 days would cancel my whole ressie...

CM found it amusing and asked if i read the DISboards

she said even with enhanced policy, no problem to cancel any dates in any ressie w/i the normal 30 day rule that's in place ; despite what i may have read here
:

I don't think anyone has said it was the policy, just that they thought it should be.

 

[Laurabearz]

I see several folks who are defending the new policy suggesting and even advocating to prevent walking that a policy should be put into effect that any reservation changes should require a cancellation or rebook. Can you really make plans 11 months out and never change or modify them? In my short 2 years as a DVC member, here are some of the reasons I have needed to or thought about making changes to my reservations:
1. prego-didn't really want to be puking my entire vacation so wanted to delay it a week or two
2. cheaper flights
3. work requirements/can't get days off
4. death in the family
5. better flight times
6. extending my vacation to visit with family

I for one think that the policy described above would lead me to sell. I don't like the new policy, but this fix would lead me to vacation elsewhere. My inlaws have a great timeshare with locations in Cabo, Vegas, and Tahoe among others and I got DL 35 miles away for my Disney fix. . .

As a side note, if you like the new policy, why do you care if someone who does not, or is scared they won't get their important dates does walk?

I totally agree. Making each change to a reservation a cancel and rebook, would make me really think twice about our membership. Although we could always add a doy or two over at Universal to fill in here and there, we often shave a day off one end or the other after we book airfare.

 

[jodifla]

I see several folks who are defending the new policy suggesting and even advocating to prevent walking that a policy should be put into effect that any reservation changes should require a cancellation or rebook. Can you really make plans 11 months out and never change or modify them? In my short 2 years as a DVC member, here are some of the reasons I have needed to or thought about making changes to my reservations:
1. prego-didn't really want to be puking my entire vacation so wanted to delay it a week or two
2. cheaper flights
3. work requirements/can't get days off
4. death in the family
5. better flight times
6. extending my vacation to visit with family

I for one think that the policy described above would lead me to sell. I don't like the new policy, but this fix would lead me to vacation elsewhere. My inlaws have a great timeshare with locations in Cabo, Vegas, and Tahoe among others and I got DL 35 miles away for my Disney fix. . .

As a side note, if you like the new policy, why do you care if someone who does not, or is scared they won't get their important dates does walk?

I for one think things should be as flexible as possible!!!!

The problem I see is that "walking" a reservation is completely unnecessary a HUGE CHUNK of the time. It's just EXTRA WORK for EVERYBODY!

In 12 YEARS of ownership, I've only called day by day when getting my GV at OKW. Even then, it likely wasn't necessary.

But if everyone gets whipped into a frenzy, it just bogs the whole priocess down.

Like I said, I made a ressie for a 2 bedroom at OKW with no problem more than 7 months in on a holiday weekend just a few weeks ago.

 

[dvcdisney]

1st i asked if eliminating the 1st 2 days would cancel my whole ressie...

CM found it amusing and asked if i read the DISboards

she said even with enhanced policy, no problem to cancel any dates in any ressie w/i the normal 30 day rule that's in place ; despite what i may have read here

I believe the idea of cancelling/rebooking the whole reservation was only a suggestion that some have put forth in order to discourage "walking". I'm glad MS is not implementing this rule. I think most people do make changes to their reservation, that it would be very upsetting for those members who have legitimate reasons to change their dates. As I mentioned before, I do not plan on "walking", but I will admit that I can understand why others feel that it is necessary during peak times.

I don't believe that a penalty for adding/dropping days is the solution. I believe a lot of members enjoys the fact that the system is flexible and would not be satisfied with a restriction to remove this option.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Actually, once they get on-line booking, that will be a moot point. Joy seemed fairly certain on-line booking was coming sooner rather than later.

I would hope that it is well thought out if they go to online booking. It will be a disadvantage to those who have no daily access to a computer or have a dial-up modem rather than high-speed access. I know it is a computer age, but sometime the member may not be into computers or only uses the workplace or library computer giving them some of the same timing disadvantage you elaborate on here. It would still have to be a dual system but with no advantage given the computer over the phone. How do you work that out?

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think anyone has said it was the policy, just that they thought it should be.

And not everyone suggesting the cancel/rebook policy is advocating it. They are looking fr a solution to the perceived problem of people walking a reservation, and simply saying that is really the only thing that is truly enforceable.

 

[jdg345]

You got a little walking man?? I'll add it.

Perhaps some fellow walker with some graphic skill can make a walking thingy like the resorts club logos...

MG

Well, it's not little ... someone else posted it: