New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[SuzanneSLO]

So back to that great question- where do you start your day one, or how soon do you walk? And my follow up- how does this create less calls than DBD?

It might result in less calls if you are successful in getting the first day you need on the first call you make. Of course, if that is the case, you probably didn't need to call DBD for such a vacation under the prior rules.

Otherwise, you roll the dice and chose a day to call that balances the risk of starting too late with the limit of your willingness to call MS to extend your reservation. At the 11 month window, once you call and the first night is available, you will then need to call 6 days later, then every 7 days thereafter, to cancel some dates and then to book new days until you get the reservation you need. Availability of later days does not help you until you are able to actually book (not just WL) the day which is 11 months prior to the day you are calling.

Between the inevitable uncertainty and the fact that many members of this board see walking as unethical, you may be unlikely to find many who will suggest a specific strategy for your vacation.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Dean]

That is just NOT accurate. It's been my experience that you cannot buy airline tickets 11 months out from the date of your flight. Checking Jet Blue today, you can only buy tickets for about 7 months out from now. Please tell me which airline you book tickets for 11 months out?

Let me clarify. I wasn't saying you can buy the tickets exactly at 11 months out but that for DVC locations you would know you could get them, just not what the cost or itinerary would be.

There is NO benefit to me if DVC decides to require 7 day stays! Period. I would NOT have purchased DVC if that were a requirement.
Many of us purchased BECAUSE we could book a few days here and a few days there, not a strict 7 day period starting on a Sat or Sun. I HATE "standard" timeshares that require such things. Rather than make DVC like the rest of your time shares, why not just sell DVC and buy more of the others? Let the rest of us be!

This is really funny, I didn't make any of these changes. I love DVC and I love the rest of my timeshares as well, each for a different purpose. All are different from each others and several MORE flexible than DVC for the purposes I use them for. I am merely pointing out that there is a "cost" to that flexibility and that a balance is needed and this MIGHT be one of the reasons DVC has made this small change. But no, I'll remain an owner unless something happens that DVC no longer works for me, if it bugs you that I am and cont to post, all the better.

under this brilliant plan of yours, (cancelation complete rebook or pay for change) who do you call 1st DVC or the airline, call DVC then cant get the flight, get the flight then cant get the room, either way we lose under your way

Your choice but I'd likely call DVC first as not getting an airline is far less likely for many options. If DVC were 12 months lead time instead of 11 it'd never be an issue, you'd have had to make that choice for every visit. I'm doubting DVC chose 11 months for your airline options.

 

[Dean]

But DVC was specifically selling that they weren't every other predictable timeshare, with uniform points usage, with a predictable week every year. DVC was not only an on-site timeshare option, it was a different, better, more flexible option. Yes, having such a system may have created some challenges (i.e. - orphan days, etc.) but such challenges were just part of the unique system that was being sold, the unique system that resulted in above average success rates for members getting the vacations they wanted. The old system may not have been perfect in every way, but it worked. DVC hasn't changed anything because of overwhelming member complaints, or to make the system more user friendly. They changed things to try and cut costs.......and in the process they are turning DVC into something other than what was sold to members. I sure as heck don't want a traditional timeshare that encourages and rewards week long vacations. That isn't what DVC was sold as in the past.

You can chose to believe this is simply money as their main or only motivation, I don't believe that's so. Timeshares change and one knew or should have know going in that any flexibility might change or even go away. The POS clearly says that a minimum stay up to 5 days is possible and that they can change the reservations system without input on their whim. I believe DVC is successful because they are on site and have a good product. While some may not have bought if it had been different, others that didn't buy might have bought if it were different.

I know that you express a belief that the one week timeshare is "da bomb", but I do think there are advantages to the membership with having flexibility (as it was sold to be). After reading your posts I keep feeling like I am missing something-or at least that one of us is. You keep repeating that DVC would be better off with the changes.

I think you've missed the essence of what I've intended to post. There are many types of timeshares and even the ones that are similar are different in many ways. There are advantages and disadvantages of each one and those issues may be different for you than for me. I've never said that DVC should be a week timeshare, only that there are considerations and positives in some ways if it is slanted a little more that way. I love DVC and I love the 5 day stays avoiding weekends but I am realistic in knowing that each item that may be a benefit may also be a negative in some way. And more specifically I find myself surrounded by people that won't/can't see DVC in any other way than it was before and trying to give explanations as to other aspects.

Now who's jumping the gun. Aren't we supposed to believe that DVC really thought this out and wait and see how it works b/c it's going to be good for the membership?

I don't think so, I've said all along DVC would gather enough info and make decisions and then make changes. I've also said that I expected a change to each change in these reservations being a cancelation and rebooking. I think both DBD and walking are inherently bad for the system but as long as they're allowed, one would have to indict the system and not the members.

 

[jdg345]

It might result in less calls if you are successful in getting the first day you need on the first call you make. Of course, if that is the case, you probably didn't need to call DBD for such a vacation under the prior rules.

Otherwise, you roll the dice and chose a day to call that balances the risk of starting too late with the limit of your willingness to call MS to extend your reservation. At the 11 month window, once you call and the first night is available, you will then need to call 6 days later, then every 7 days thereafter, to cancel some dates and then to book new days until you get the reservation you need. Availability of later days does not help you until you are able to actually book (not just WL) the day which is 11 months prior to the day you are calling.

Between the inevitable uncertainty and the fact that many members of this board see walking as unethical, you may be unlikely to find many who will suggest a specific strategy for your vacation.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

Aside from the actual reservation booking, the new waitlist policy almost requires you to call more often -- something you didn't have to do before. Any call volume reduction due to a member getting a 7 days and not having to call DBD is going to be nullified by all the other members who now call 2,3,4 or 5 times per day to see if they can maybe get a day or two on their period WL. Plus, anyone that wasn't able to book Day-1 is likely going to call the next day, and the next, etc.

 

[Inkmahm]

Let's try this with actual days ...

Let's say you really want the 14th to the 21st ... so you want to start booking from the 7th, right?

So you call on the 7th, and the day is not available. You can WL the period.
So you call on the 8th, not available, so you can WL the period as a separate 7 day reservation -- I don't know if they will let you adjust the first WL ... never tried this; or you cancel the first WL Period and just have a second.

This is the thing, if they don't allow the former option (which could give you a DBD waitlist), then there's no point in WL for the days you don't want as the WL won't become active until the last day anyways, which in your case would be the 21st. The earliest you could WL for the 21st would be the 14th, aka your actual desired LOS.

If you end up in that situation, you can call DBD (several times per day) and try to book the 14th through the 21st a day at a time and manually fill in your WL. This means, of course, that you could book days that someone else WL for days or weeks before hand -- and you still get the days before they do. FCFS Indeed.

So you call on the 9th, not available, etc.
So you call ont he 10th, available! So you book +7, cancel any WL's.

Now you're in ... you own the 10th thru the 17th, so you can just keep walking.

What if you only want to use enough points for 5 nights. It still pays to start a 5 night reservation early and walk it to get to the nights you actually want, correct? It doesn't have to be a 7 night walk?

 

[Mich Mouse]

Wow! Is this the longest thread ever?

Can someone explain in a nutshell? I understand the calling in only once instead of day to day, but I am wondering how this effects waitlists?

We are currently on the list for BCV for October..What do I need to know?

(Three thousand posts is a lot to read!!!)

Thanks for any information you may provide!!

 

[jdg345]

What if you only want to use enough points for 5 nights. It still pays to start a 5 night reservation early and walk it to get to the nights you actually want, correct? It doesn't have to be a 7 night walk?

It can, it depends on whether or not that room is truly locked out of inventory. We've had some conflicting information. IMO, it should be fine, as long as you're consistent in doing so.

 

[jdg345]

I had a problem yesterday and I am devastated! We were planning our first trip to Vero Beach. I bought a Vero on resale about 4 months ago. I planned and planned.

I was the first caller of the day(9am. I wanted to book June 21st for 7 nights. They told me that it was sold out until June 26th. I asked her how that could be since it was the first day of the booking window( I missed the change on here). She said that I should have called sooner. I was very upset. I told her that this is not a fair plaing field anymore and that this was ruining my trip. She said everyone else is thrilled the change. I asked for a manager.

The manager said that I was the only complaint that they ever had from anyone who owns DVC. That they informed everyone. I said that I never got any notification. She said that it was been on the web site for weeks. I explained that I have never successfully gone on the web site and that was not a way to notify people. I also told her that people will start complaining as soon as they are unable to get something they want.

I am considering reselling my Vero. The only reason I want it is for the Beach Cottage and I am disgusted with Disney right now.

Day by Day booking may have been a pain, but it is fair. This is not.

Something you might want to consider is to call every day and see if any of your days are available. WL for the period, and then try to fill it in manually. You could be affected by a walker who has tied up these days and doesn't really want them.

If this is the case, it's likely someone calling after you could get the days depending on what time the walker calls to change. FCFS Indeed.

 

[Mich Mouse]

When exactly shoud we be calling in for regular and waitlist ressies to get exactly what we want?

Can someone please, please, please post the best strategy?

 

[zulaya]

I had a problem yesterday and I am devastated! We were planning our first trip to Vero Beach. I bought a Vero on resale about 4 months ago. I planned and planned.

I was the first caller of the day(9am. I wanted to book June 21st for 7 nights. They told me that it was sold out until June 26th. I asked her how that could be since it was the first day of the booking window( I missed the change on here). She said that I should have called sooner. I was very upset. I told her that this is not a fair plaing field anymore and that this was ruining my trip. She said everyone else is thrilled the change. I asked for a manager.

The manager said that I was the only complaint that they ever had from anyone who owns DVC. That they informed everyone. I said that I never got any notification. She said that it was been on the web site for weeks. I explained that I have never successfully gone on the web site and that was not a way to notify people. I also told her that people will start complaining as soon as they are unable to get something they want.

I am considering reselling my Vero. The only reason I want it is for the Beach Cottage and I am disgusted with Disney right now.

Day by Day booking may have been a pain, but it is fair. This is not.

PLEASE emailed the Member Satisfaction team with this detailed report.
They need to know it, but especially:

1. They need to know you followed the rules and were shut out at 9am on this first day you could call.

2. They need to know the rep told you to call earlier, which to me says they are instructing you to WALK the ressie.

3. They need to know that the manager outright LIED to you about no one complaining.

That is just ridiculous to lie and say no one has complained.

 

[dvcdisney]

When exactly shoud we be calling in for regular and waitlist ressies to get exactly what we want?

Can someone please, please, please post the best strategy?

The new policy states that you can call in 11 months for home resorts or 7 months for non-home resorts from the date of check in and be allowed to book 7 nights. It seems simple enough, but the problem here is that anyone who has a trip planned a few days earlier than you can get the dates you want (and maybe lock you out of those dates) simply by having an earlier start/arrival date. The idea of it being fair or unfair have been exhaustively discussed and I believe most have resigned to agree to disagree.

However, a lot of members have been proposing strategies throughout the thread, namely, "walking" your reservation which would inevitable give a member an advantage over another by booking before your intended vacation dates and then walking them. As I said before, I do not plan on doing this since I do not call on peak periods, but I can understand why many would for Christmas/NYE/Thanksgiving etc and any difficult to get days.

A few have posted that they have had no problems booking with the new system, while others have posted the contrary. I have read quite a few are "walking" or plan to "walk". Members are discussing implementation of restrictions that could or should cut down on "walking" or eliminate them all together. Some members (like myself), believe that "walking" is a product of the new policy where some members feel they have no other choice.

There are a few interesting discussions in this thread that you may want to glance over. I think it's important to see all sides.

 

[slaclandry]

Wow, I guess I need some help too!! Not sure how I need to manage my vacation reservation. I booked 5 days at the BCV in a 2 bdrm (my home resort). I had to get a transfer to complete the reservation. Those points are boardwalk. I did make the reservation at boardwalk just in case for the last 2 nights. When can I call to switch the reservation to 7 full nights at the BCV? We are checking in 4/19/09, which I think will be a pretty busy time. We also have a dedicated 2 bedroom (queen and sleeper in the other bedroom) if that makes a difference!

 

[Mich Mouse]

Thanks, DVC Disney! This change is extremely important to my family as I teach and travel during peak times.

Is it the same for the wait list? Call on the day of check in, 7 months out?

Also, How many days prior do the strategists suggest walking the ressie?
I guess 7 days prior to the intended resssie?

Thanks again!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks, DVC Disney! This change is extremely important to my family as I teach and travel during peak times.

Is it the same for the wait list? Call on the day of check in, 7 months out?

Also, How many days prior do the strategists suggest walking the ressie?
I guess 7 days prior to the intended resssie?

Thanks again!!!

Are you sure you understand all the ramifications associated with this policy? Many Members think it will be great... until they understand the negatives.

MG

 

[dvcdisney]

Thanks, DVC Disney! This change is extremely important to my family as I teach and travel during peak times.

Is it the same for the wait list? Call on the day of check in, 7 months out?

Also, How many days prior do the strategists suggest walking the ressie?
I guess 7 days prior to the intended resssie?

Thanks again!!!

Since you will be travelling during peak season, I can understand your concern. I, for one, do not travel during very high seasons and I am very upset about the change.

As far as calling for the waitlist, I do believe that the only way you can get the waitlist is if the first date is available, but not all the dates. So you would get the first date and any others that are available and then be waitlisted for the others. However, it is my understanding (posts from others) that if you do not get the first day, you cannot waitlist for the whole time, you have to wait the next day to call to see if the next day is available. (If I am wrong, please correct me.)

I believe that the new policy has produce numerous problems with the waitlists. For example, if you are waitlisted for a few days, it will not pick up the waitlist until they are all available instead of each day, one by one. (This is my understanding based on numerous posts here.) Another problem is that if you waitlist, you may need to call each day to try and fill your own waitlist because cancellations doesn't necessarily go directly to the waitlists. So if someone cancels that one night, before the system can bring it to the waitlist, it may be picked up by someone who is currently calling for that day or week. Again, this creates a larger problem.

And in terms of when is the best time to call to walk a reservation, I honestly do not know. Some say they will walk a few days, some a week, some for months and still others are saying they will do it for a year. It's just a complete mess.

Since you are restricted to peak season for your trips, I can forsee some difficulties if/when someone walks in order to get the same dates as you. I am not trying to scare you or upset you, unfortunately this is the new policy. And as much as some may be fine with it, I see others who are very upset and will find ways to give themselves advantage.

I don't know if you are for or against the new policy. But, you should definitely call or email MS to get all your questions answered and hopefully, this will give you an idea of what you would need to do in order to plan your vacation.

I, myself, am still in uncertainty. As many have said, it appears that the only major impact is on those who are in the same position as yourself, who want peak season dates. However, if members do decide to walk, it appears that they would inevitable walk over my dates as well. I do not know for sure, so I'm a little on edge. However, if you see some of my posts, I have said many times, that the impact would probably not be to severe in my case, since I don't travel during very high season, but I believe, and still do (but again, that's been an exhaustive topic that many of us have left alone) that the new system is unfair to all members.

For those who are in opposing view, please to not get upset with my comment about fairness. I do not want to bring this discussion up again. I am just responding with my opinion

I think in the end, you have to decide what you need to do since everyone's needs, circmstance, priorities, and choices are all different.

 

[PamOKW]

Wow! Is this the longest thread ever?

Can someone explain in a nutshell? I understand the calling in only once instead of day to day, but I am wondering how this effects waitlists?

We are currently on the list for BCV for October..What do I need to know?

(Three thousand posts is a lot to read!!!)

Thanks for any information you may provide!!

I don't know if they've gone back to current waitlist names but waitlist going forward can no longer be "day by day" your entire reservation days have to be available. DVC claims they had too many partial reservations that were cancelled or something along those lines. They did change from the original announcement when they said you could not waitlist one day -- this is allowed if it's filling out a reservation.

I really wish they had left the system that worked for the past 15+ years alone.

Pam

 

[jdg345]

No More Confirmations

As an update: Supposedly, I should not get any more confirmations for my running reservation ... until I tell them I'm done with changes, that is.

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
I really wish they had left the system that worked for the past 15+ years alone.

Pam

Me too!

Bobbi

 

[dvcdisney]

No More Confirmations

As an update: Supposedly, I should not get any more confirmations for my running reservation ... until I tell them I'm done with changes, that is.

That's great!

Thanks for posting. Hopefully, they are listening to those of us who made the suggestions.

 

[jdg345]

Since you will be travelling during peak season, I can understand your concern. I, for one, do not travel during very high seasons and I am very upset about the change.

As far as calling for the waitlist, I do believe that the only way you can get the waitlist is if the first date is available, but not all the dates. So you would get the first date and any others that are available and then be waitlisted for the others. However, it is my understanding (posts from others) that if you do not get the first day, you cannot waitlist for the whole time, you have to wait the next day to call to see if the next day is available. (If I am wrong, please correct me.)

Correction: If the first day is not available, you can waitlist the first day and call the next day and try again or you can waitlist the whole period. If you choose the latter, the WL becomes active after the last day.

I believe that the new policy has produce numerous problems with the waitlists. For example, if you are waitlisted for a few days, it will not pick up the waitlist until they are all available instead of each day, one by one. (This is my understanding based on numerous posts here.) Another problem is that if you waitlist, you may need to call each day to try and fill your own waitlist because cancellations doesn't necessarily go directly to the waitlists. So if someone cancels that one night, before the system can bring it to the waitlist, it may be picked up by someone who is currently calling for that day or week. Again, this creates a larger problem.

Correct, though to be clear, you can have multiple waitlists that fill individually, you just can't have DBD waitlists. For example, you can have one WL for the 3rd and one WL for the 5th - 7th. If the 3rd is available, it will fill that WL. If the 6th is available [only], it will not fill or hold the second wL. The 5th, 6th, and 7th all need to be available at the time the process runs in order for your WL to fill.

And in terms of when is the best time to call to walk a reservation, I honestly do not know. Some say they will walk a few days, some a week, some for months and still others are saying they will do it for a year. It's just a complete mess.

Agreed, yet another issue with the new policy. At least with the old policy, people were booking for days they wanted instead of wasting MS resources.

Since you are restricted to peak season for your trips, I can forsee some difficulties if/when someone walks in order to get the same dates as you. I am not trying to scare you or upset you, unfortunately this is the new policy. And as much as some may be fine with it, I see others who are very upset and will find ways to give themselves advantage.

I think with any system, there will be those that will do more than others, within the rules, of course, to get the dates that are most important to them. And, frankly, I think that's okay. If you go through more effort than someone else, then you should be more entitled to those days. That's what was nice about DBD -- those that wanted to bother with the extra effort and any extended hold times were rewarded accordingly. Unfortunately, some felt that was unfair and since they weren't willing to go through the trouble, they felt that other people shouldn't be allowed to either.

I don't know if you are for or against the new policy. But, you should definitely call or email MS to get all your questions answered and hopefully, this will give you an idea of what you would need to do in order to plan your vacation.

Agreed; plenty of good info in this thread as well.

I, myself, am still in uncertainty. As many have said, it appears that the only major impact is on those who are in the same position as yourself, who want peak season dates. However, if members do decide to walk, it appears that they would inevitable walk over my dates as well. I do not know for sure, so I'm a little on edge. However, if you see some of my posts, I have said many times, that the impact would probably not be to severe in my case, since I don't travel during very high season, but I believe, and still do (but again, that's been an exhaustive topic that many of us have left alone) that the new system is unfair to all members.

For those who are in opposing view, please to not get upset with my comment about fairness. I do not want to bring this discussion up again. I am just responding with my opinion

I think in the end, you have to decide what you need to do since everyone's needs, circmstance, priorities, and choices are all different.

Agreed!