New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[dvc_john]

They sent out an email to all registered with them...

If you got an email, that's good. But don't say everyone got an email, as that's simply NOT TRUE!

My email has been registered with DVC for many years, and I've gotten dozens of emails from them over the years. But I never received an email about this policy change!

 

[jdg345]

If you got an email, that's good. But don't say everyone got an email, as that's simply NOT TRUE!

My email has been registered with DVC for many years, and I've gotten dozens of emails from them over the years. But I never received an email about this policy change!

I did not receive one either, fwiw.

 

[jdg345]

I wanted to clarify. This was in response to the suggestion that one could have called under the old system by waiting and calling from the end of your stay and get the entire reservation. With no other changes except for this system change, the chances of getting 7 days or less under this system must be better than under the old system because with the evolution of DBD, those times you could have called from the end of your stay were ONLY lower demand options. Now as a separate note, it is my opinion that it will be just as easy or easier to get a full week under the new system as it was DBD under the old system but that is where the debate should lie given the forces involved but that is partly related to my belief that we haven't seen the last iteration of the policy and that walking will not be a mainstream option.

Understood, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thank you for contributing to the discussion.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I would disagree that DVC doesn't care, only that they aren't going to make the decisions in haste based on limited responses either way. I don't believe they did that with the new policy and I don't believe they were idiots not realizing the issues overall going in like some seem to think. Now that's not to say they thought of every possibility and variation, you never do. And I'd venture that most average members ARE going to be happy with this change. It's only the micro-managers that might be unhappy.

Like I said before, we could debate if DVC cares or not. But, imho, DVC doesn't care if members are unhappy about this change in policy. It's just not important to them. So far, based on all the inaction from DVC managment since the policy change I would say that they are showing just how much they don't care about individual members or the membership as a whole being unhappy. Maybe some long time DVCers can comment but, before this, has there been a a previous topic that anyone can think of which has generated so much work for the Member Dissatisfation Team? And still not a word from Jim Lewis.....I guess he is too busy caring to address the members concerns himself. Some people were responding to say they were happy but likely more were unhappy. We will never get the real scoop from MS on this.

On a side note, since this all went down, I've noticed the last few times that I have called that I haven't been "randomly" selected to participate in a survey after my phone call is finished. I'm betting that they discontinued the survey for a time so as not to generate negative responses.

 

[Dean]

If you got an email, that's good. But don't say everyone got an email, as that's simply NOT TRUE!

My email has been registered with DVC for many years, and I've gotten dozens of emails from them over the years. But I never received an email about this policy change!

Sorry, I assumed all registered had it sent and don't recall anyone on this thread saying they didn't get it till now. Some said they did.

Like I said before, we could debate if DVC cares or not. But, imho, DVC doesn't care if members are unhappy about this change in policy. It's just not important to them. So far, based on all the inaction from DVC managment since the policy change I would say that they are showing just how much they don't care about individual members or the membership as a whole being unhappy. Maybe some long time DVCers can comment but, before this, has there been a a previous topic that anyone can think of which has generated so much work for the Member Dissatisfation Team? And still not a word from Jim Lewis.....I guess he is too busy caring to address the members concerns himself. Some people were responding to say they were happy but likely more were unhappy. We will never get the real scoop from MS on this.

On a side note, since this all went down, I've noticed the last few times that I have called that I haven't been "randomly" selected to participate in a survey after my phone call is finished. I'm betting that they discontinued the survey for a time so as not to generate negative responses.

I'm sorry you feel this way but I thought I was the cynical one of the group, not pessimistic though, just realistic. That must take all the fun out of it for you and others that feel like you, kind of like when a hero falls from grace.

 

[Bopsmom]

I did not receive one either, fwiw.

Sorry, We didn't get on either. I usually stay on DIS for DVC information.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I'm sorry you feel this way but I thought I was the cynical one of the group, not pessimistic though, just realistic. That must take all the fun out of it for you and others that feel like you, kind of like when a hero falls from grace.

I'm so confused that I don't know what to say, so I won't say anything.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Regarding the apparent inactivity of DVC to respond to the complaints....

Is it possible that, while receiving many negative opinions, they have received an overwhelming number of positive opinions ?

Maybe there is a large number of members who like the change....maybe, as members are calling in and booking their week under the new rules, DVC is noting that the member is happy they were able to book and thus loves the new system?

(As a former DBD booker and one who kept multiple reservations when we could have multiple bookings, I'm not sure that I'm going to like these changes but I am unwilling to stress myself out over this !!)

 

[jarestel]

So far, based on all the inaction from DVC managment since the policy change I would say that they are showing just how much they don't care about individual members or the membership as a whole being unhappy.

We don't know that the membership as a whole is unhappy, just that some individual members are not pleased at the moment.

And still not a word from Jim Lewis.....I guess he is too busy caring to address the members concerns himself.

Jim Lewis has never made it a policy to personally address concerns of individual members. Nor do the heads of any of the other Disney divisions. I wouldn't read too much into this.

 

[Dean]

Regarding the apparent inactivity of DVC to respond to the complaints....

Is it possible that, while receiving many negative opinions, they have received an overwhelming number of positive opinions ?

Maybe there is a large number of members who like the change....maybe, as members are calling in and booking their week under the new rules, DVC is noting that the member is happy they were able to book and thus loves the new system?

From what I'm hearing they are getting a lot of positives as well but I don't know the mix. The reality is that even in the worst situation this change will benefit most owners. It's only the times where you had to call DBD or you'd lose out that will even be an issue for discussion.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Maybe what we're hearing is that booking DVC reservations is two separately different animals....one for the hard to get reservations (Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving) and all the rest. Any rule/policy will not accomodate both situations. In fact, it may affect the two situations in opposite manners. Especially if the rule/policy is designed for the hard-to-get reservation.

I personally think that many of the recent changes are gearing up for on-line reservations. They are removing some of the quirks to make the programming of that system easier. Right or wrong? I don't know. But fact of life it is....haven't there been many posts that are pushing for on-line reservations?

that will be a whole new debate on fair or not?

Here on the boards we have to accept that we are probably a minority of members and our opinions may or may not be those of the majority. Don't stop making your voice heard when you disagree but don't expect that just because we complain changes will be made. And I certainly don't expect we will hear Jim Lewis directly respond other than in the regular corporate fashion. That just isn't his role. I think he is already quite a bit more accessible (at member cruises and events etc) than is the norm for someone at his level.

 

[pnyltwk]

I would like to see a waiting period of seven days before a change can be made to an existing reservation. And a seven day wait before another change can be made. And so on and so on and so on. And all of this would be ended and we would all truly have have equal access to the resorts. This is what I recommended to MS in my last e-mail to them. DBD was not known to all of us. I thought that I was following the rules.

 

[dvc_john]

I personally think that many of the recent changes are gearing up for on-line reservations. They are removing some of the quirks to make the programming of that system easier. Right or wrong? I don't know. But fact of life it is....haven't there been many posts that are pushing for on-line reservations?

I don't know why this policy change would be necessary for on-line booking.

fwiw, I also belong to Hilton Vacation Club (HGVC). Their reservations are based on check-out date, and are available on-line. They recently added more flexibility. Before, for a change, you had to cancel and rebook. Now you can change a reservation on-line without cancelling. They are even recommending dbd on-line bookings for reservations that may be harder to get (read Hawaii holiday times).
Just call up your existing reservation, add a day, and you're done! Simple.

 

[jdg345]

I would like to see a waiting period of seven days before a change can be made to an existing reservation. And a seven day wait before another change can be made. And so on and so on and so on. And all of this would be ended and we would all truly have have equal access to the resorts. This is what I recommended to MS in my last e-mail to them. DBD was not known to all of us. I thought that I was following the rules.

Curious, did you ever not get a reservation you wanted?

Also, this solution would affect those that want to vacation longer than 7 days.

 

[jdg345]

I don't know why this policy change would be necessary for on-line booking.

fwiw, I also belong to Hilton Vacation Club (HGVC). Their reservations are based on check-out date, and are available on-line. They recently added more flexibility. Before, for a change, you had to cancel and rebook. Now you can change a reservation on-line without cancelling. They are even recommending dbd on-line bookings for reservations that may be harder to get (read Hawaii holiday times).
Just call up your existing reservation, add a day, and your done! Simple.

Soo ... wait ... The Hilton Vacation club is becoming more like DVC was and DVC is becoming more like a Traditional Timeshare?

 

[pnyltwk]

I have had to change dates and room size. I have also had to WL on all but one reservation. Under the new policy don't you have to wait 7 days to add on additional nights?

 

[jdg345]

I have had to change dates and room size. I have also had to WL on all but one reservation. Under the new policy don't you have to wait 7 days to add on additional nights?

Wow ... did you book at 11 months? Or later than that? What time of year were the reservations for?

And no, you don't have to wait, you can add on day-8 the following day.

 

[Chuck S]

I have had to change dates and room size. I have also had to WL on all but one reservation. Under the new policy don't you have to wait 7 days to add on additional nights?

Nope. You can call the day after you make the initial reservation to add a day, and so on. Or you can wait until day 6 to call, and you will have your room (assuming you are calling at the 11 month mark), as in theory the room is not re-added to the pool until 11 months prior to your check-out day.

 

[pnyltwk]

Wow ... did you book at 11 months? Or later than that? What time of year were the reservations for?

And no, you don't have to wait, you can add on day-8 the following day.

We go at different times of the year. I usually book something at 11 months and then try get what we really want at seven months.

 

[jdg345]

We go at different times of the year. I usually book something at 11 months and then try get what we really want at seven months.

So even at 11 months booking by departure you almost always were shut out? Or did that occur mostly when swapping at 7 months?

btw, thank you for joining the discussion!