New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[bookwormde]

Jdg345

That was my immediate reactions also, pretty funny.

bookwormde

 

[Kathi OD]

And if DBD booking, in your opinion, "morphed" into this huge problem...why wouldn't walking?

See, that's what I don't understand from those saying "oh, well...walking won't be a big problem. People just THINK it will.". That's the crux of the problem!

How do you think DBD booking became so popular? People started to think it WAS NECESSARY for every stay. It was a "culture of DBD booking".

I can't fathom why people think "walking" won't take the same route....

If you've read carefully, I never said that walking would not be a problem. I totally think it will be a problem, BUT I think it will be a bigger problem than it might have been because many people believe that they are going to need to walk, when in fact they don't. Exactly the same thing that happened with DBD booking.

 

[dvcdisney]

Perhaps I misunderstood your post, however the above is where I disagree.

I don't see how a Member with less than a weekends worth of points has the same opportunity to walk.
I know that's not overly common, but I'm thinking of the 50 point add on at AKV so the Member can do a Sunrise Safari. They can't walk simply because they have too few points.

MG

They can't "walk" but it doesn't mean that the opportunity to "walk" isn't there for them. The restriction is put there by themselves and not by MS or the policy.

(Just because one doesn't have money to purchase ice cream doesn't mean the ice cream isn't there for them to purchase. )

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you've read carefully, I never said that walking would not be a problem. I totally think it will be a problem, BUT I think it will be a bigger problem than it might have been because many people believe that they are going to need to walk, when in fact they don't. Exactly the same thing that happened with DBD booking.

Even though I will hold my head high when I walk, I do believe it will be a bigger problem than DBD. There will be more phione calls, not less. It will also tie up rooms that will be cancelled.
-- That's one reason I hate this policy.

Now, I may not *need* to walk, but I need to bid my vacation time almost a year in advance. In addition, I my wife needs to coordinate her time to coincide with mine.

So, do I choose NOT to walk and leave my entire vacation to chance, or do I walk and pretty much lock in my vacation?

I will indeed walk..

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

They can't "walk" but it doesn't mean that the opportunity to "walk" isn't there for them. The restriction is put there by themselves and not by MS or the policy.

(Just because one doesn't have money to purchase ice cream doesn't mean the ice cream isn't there for them to purchase. )

Yes, but now we're giving advantage to the Porche again..

MG

 

[Kathi OD]

Even though I will hold my head high when I walk, I do believe it will be a bigger problem than DBD. There will be more phione calls, not less. It will also tie up rooms that will be cancelled.
-- That's one reason I hate this policy.

Now, I may not *need* to walk, but I need to bid my vacation time almost a year in advance. In addition, I my wife needs to coordinate her time to coincide with mine.

So, do I choose NOT to walk and leave my entire vacation to chance, or do I walk and pretty much lock in my vacation?

I will indeed walk..

MG

And there in lies the problem....people doing things that they don't necessarily need to do, causing problems for everyone else.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And there in lies the problem....people doing things that they don't necessarily need to do, causing problems for everyone else.

I'm sorry, but if taking steps to assure myself of getting my vacation after I spent tons of money on DVC (1100 points) is causing problems, than I have the perfect solution...

Go back to the old policy. With the old policy rooms were never out of inventory due to walking, and EVERYONE had a fair shot at booking.
That IS the problem... Right??

MG

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm sorry, but if taking steps to assure myself of getting my vacation after I spent tons of money on DVC (1100 points) is causing problems, than I have the perfect solution...

Go back to the old policy. With the old policy rooms were never out of inventory due to walking, and EVERYONE had a fair shot at booking.
That IS the problem... Right??

MG

Not really because with that system we had people calling DBD who didn't need to either. Both cause problems within the system. Just because you spent TONS of money on DVC doesn't mean you should deliberately screw everyone else out of their vacation, either by walking or booking DBD when it isn't needed.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not really because with that system we had people calling DBD who didn't need to either. Both cause problems within the system. Just because you spent TONS of money on DVC doesn't mean you should deliberately screw everyone else out of their vacation, either by walking or booking DBD when it isn't needed.

Please tell me how DBD is screwing anyone else out of their vacation?

MG

 

[Dean]

I have to disagree with you on this. The best feature of DVC has always been it's flexibility....much of which is lost with this new system and with what you advocate. Futhermore, favoring 7 day reservations may be appropriate for most other traditional timeshare systems....but DVC was never sold as a traditional timeshare system. Disney had something that was different, something somewhat unique, something very flexible, and something that allowed members to enjoy above average success rates in obtaining the timeshare vacations they wanted.......and yet Disney saw the need to fix the system? to make it more like all the other myriad timeshares offered out there? As with many things Disney this past decade, that just makes no sense.

We disagree on the import and effect of this change but that's OK. IMO, this is a minor change, maybe even just an adjustment.

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

Agreed, but the exact same argument holds true for changes over time, many of which a specific group (or even everyone in some cases) may not like.

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.

They only used the lottery option once but used the special season preference list a few times with varying results it appears.

Except, well...that's NOT the definition many are using. They're using the one you cite further back: equal access to inventory.

As you say, getting or not getting your ressie isn't what makes it fair. That's as true at the end of your explanation as it would be earlier on, when you use it as the barometer of the "old way".

Actually when you cut through the rhetoric, I think that is the exact issue, that some feel they will have a reduced chance of getting what they want. I've never actually argued for equal access, at least not in the way some would like to define it as every unit available each day. IMO, the equal chance to get the entire exact reservation reservation as a whole would be more applicable if one wanted to go that route and I'm perfectly OK with giving priority to 7 day reservations.

 

[waltfan1957]

If you've read carefully, I never said that walking would not be a problem. I totally think it will be a problem, BUT I think it will be a bigger problem than it might have been because many people believe that they are going to need to walk, when in fact they don't. Exactly the same thing that happened with DBD booking.

we want xmas day to jan 13th next year(HC room) same as we have booked DBD for this year,(and the last 4 years) are you trying to tell me under the old sytem we never needed to book DBD when DVC MS told us to do this years ago,

I cant believe you have ever tried to book at peek times so really you have no idea of the problems getting the room you want

 

[keishashadow]

Well, they need to define abuse.
At least with commercial renters they put a number on it.

MG

true, yet you still find prime time holiday weeks up for bid on ebay...which i mentioned to MS & was told that they are aware and do their best to have the listings pulled. Makes me wonder how well they will do monitoring walking, will we all get 1 bye? X number per year? will there be a formula or is it subjective enforcement? Should be all or nothing.

Please tell me how DBD is screwing anyone else out of their vacation?

MG

DBD was mentioned by MS as 'a problem' as it kept the MS phone lines overly busy (primary reason things were changed). Supposedly, members cannot get thru to make their ressies . Personally, I don't think i've ever waited longer than a half hour & that was early afternoon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving last year.

I mentioned that DBD at least gave all the same opportunity to call (regardless of how many points they had @ their disposal). She stated that they felt the ressie + 7 method would work better for the majority of the membersI responded it would certainly work better for those that hold a majority of points .

I'm beginning to think that the rental periods need to be re-evaluated as to popularity/sell out & that holidays/F&W, etc. may need to be a sep category that fall under the restrictions, perhaps including a change fee TBD, say $50 a day?

OT aside, Universal's onsite hotelier, Loews, recently revamped their reward program, vastly changing the gimmies to loyal guests...must be something in the water

 

[pilferk]

If you've read carefully, I never said that walking would not be a problem. I totally think it will be a problem, BUT I think it will be a bigger problem than it might have been because many people believe that they are going to need to walk, when in fact they don't. Exactly the same thing that happened with DBD booking.

Your words:

I don't think that nearly as many people will consider walking their ressie as the people on this thread seem to think will.

Now, the context following that, in the post it's taken from, doesn't, at least, explain what you've said above.

So, what you're saying, above, is exactly my point:

The NEW system's issue (walking) isn't any less likely to occur, and is possibly more "unbalancing", than the old system's "issue" (DBD).

So the question begs...how is this any better? And how is it not worse?

I just don't see it....

 

[pilferk]

Actually when you cut through the rhetoric, I think that is the exact issue, that some feel they will have a reduced chance of getting what they want. I've never actually argued for equal access, at least not in the way some would like to define it as every unit available each day. IMO, the equal chance to get the entire exact reservation reservation as a whole would be more applicable if one wanted to go that route and I'm perfectly OK with giving priority to 7 day reservations.

I know you think it is...that's where you disconnect from the alternate point of view being presented. You seem to think the alternate POV is one big selfish "I'm not gonna get what I want". But, in fact, you're incorrect. It's your lack of understanding of the alternate POV argument that makes you uncharacteristically unable to sum up, or "restate" the opposing viewpoint. You can't/don't understand it. So you portray it incorrectly.....

It's not your fault, exactly, but it belittle's the opposing viewpoint....and doesn't portray it accurately. When you do that, honestly, you only detract from your OWN points....because you look like you're just stirring the pot and heckling those who disagree with you.

 

[simzac]

Has anyone been denied a reservation yet due to the new system?

 

[jade1]

Has anyone been denied a reservation yet due to the new system?

Yes, I have-and it was "provable" the AM I reported it. Back quit a few pages now but feel free to look it up.

DVCBELLE grabbed BWV FEB 7 (Sat) for 7 nights and reported with great success. This was right at 7 months out. I called the next AM for arrival FEB 8 (SUN) and could not aquire Tues Feb 10-it had been booked by earlier callers.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

But the 7 months walkers could gain themselves an advantage on the 11 month "non-walkers", thereby making walking more necessary for the 11 month people, and perpetuating that "culture of walking" we've talked about before.

Sort of a vicious circle.

Actually, 7 month walkers will never have an advantage over 11 month non-walkers. An 11 month non walker can book Oct 13 on Nov 13. On Nov 13, a 7 month walker can start walking by booking June 13 and then calling back 6 days later then every 7 days after that to extend the reservation.

But unlike walking at the 11 month window, where you are guaranteed you can extend as long as you call 6 days later then every 7 days after that, there is no guarantee that the 7 month walker will not be shut out by a member using home resort advantage.

For example, after walking from June 13, the 7 month walker calls for a reservation that includes July 4. If that day is already fully booked by home resort points, then our 7 month walker will need to start all over, calling on Dec 5 to book July 5 (competing with all other 7 month bookers) and begin the trek again. So the May 13 - July 3 reservations (and the effort that went into making them) were a total waste of time.

As a result, I would suspect that walking a 7 month reservation will be much more limited.

This makes me think that the new policy implemented for the 7 month window would actually work pretty well in cutting down on calls to MS. Limited or no walking and, as a bonus, fewer involuntary split stays as members would know whether they could get at least 7 days of their reservation at the new resort before they had to give up their 11 month reservation at their home resort.

Maybe a different policy for each booking period makes sense: 11 months out at check-out day (with DBD option) and 7 months out at check-in day + 7 (or 14 or whatever). -- Suzanne

 

[Dean]

I know you think it is...that's where you disconnect from the alternate point of view being presented. You seem to think the alternate POV is one big selfish "I'm not gonna get what I want". But, in fact, you're incorrect. It's your lack of understanding of the alternate POV argument that makes you uncharacteristically unable to sum up, or "restate" the opposing viewpoint. You can't/don't understand it. So you portray it incorrectly.....

It's not your fault, exactly, but it belittle's the opposing viewpoint....and doesn't portray it accurately. When you do that, honestly, you only detract from your OWN points....because you look like you're just stirring the pot and heckling those who disagree with you.

I'm sure there are both (philosophic and otherwise) but there have been quite a few on this thread that have complained about reduced chances of getting their reservation (esp NYE), selling, abandoning possible add ons, etc. I perfectly understand the view that DBD was fair, it was to a degree. But the new system is also fair IMO, just in a slightly different way.

 

[pilferk]

Actually, 7 month walkers will never have an advantage over 11 month non-walkers. An 11 month non walker can book Oct 13 on Nov 13. On Nov 13, a 7 month walker can start walking by booking June 13 and then calling back 6 days later then every 7 days after that to extend the reservation.

But unlike walking at the 11 month window, where you are guaranteed you can extend as long as you call 6 days later then every 7 days after that, there is no guarantee that the 7 month walker will not be shut out by a member using home resort advantage.

Yeah, I gotcha. The 11 month person will always get priority.....sorry.

The complexities of this sometimes make my head spin. I feel a bit like I'm back in Sophmore Geometry at times...

 

[pilferk]

I'm sure there are both (philosophic and otherwise) but there have been quite a few on this thread that have complained about reduced chances of getting their reservation (esp NYE), selling, abandoning possible add ons, etc. I perfectly understand the view that DBD was fair, it was to a degree. But the new system is also fair IMO, just in a slightly different way.

But you ONLY talk about the selfish motive, and pigeonhole THAT as the overwhelming viewpoint.

That's just not the case. I've seen far more postings indicating they flat out just don't think it's fair....not that they are upset they might not get what they want. It almost seems like you stick to it because it's an easier way to discount the alternate viewpoint because you can't understand it.....I'm not saying that's exactly what's going on, but I'd bet it's a common perception of those opposite you in the discussion.

Again, it just seems you don't "get" the alternate viewpoint...which, again, is fine. It's a valid disconnect. But when you try to "explain" the alternative, you return...time and again...only to the one position...and it's not an accurate depiction of MANY of the posts I've seen in this thread.