New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[dvcdisney]

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.

Thanks for correcting me.

So, let me get this straight. If I call and the first day wasn't available, I can waitlist the whole week, but I can't reserve any of the days that are available. For example if my Day 1 isn't available, but my Day 4-6 is available. Then I cannot reserve Day 4-6 until I call the next day to see if Day 2 is available and only if Day 2 is available correct? So if Day 2 is available, then I can book Day 2 and Day 4-6 (as long as this is still available). However if Day 2 is not available, I cannot book anything and I would need to keep all the days in the waitlist even if Day 4-6 is available. Do I have this correct? If so, this is definitely annoying.

 

[jdg345]

Me too!

Bobbi

Me Three!

 

[jdg345]

That's great!

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

Agreed; I'm hoping they implement a solution per the thread you started. My results could change depending on who I talk to tomorrow.

 

[dvcdisney]

Agreed; I'm hoping they implement a solution per the thread you started. My results could change depending on who I talk to tomorrow.

Sadly, that is true.

 

[jdg345]

Thanks for correcting me.

So, let me get this straight. If I call and the first day wasn't available, I can waitlist the whole week, but I can't reserve any of the days that are available. For example if my Day 1 isn't available, but my Day 4-6 is available. Then I cannot reserve Day 4-6 until I call the next day to see if Day 2 is available and only if Day 2 is available correct? So if Day 2 is available, then I can book Day 2 and Day 4-6 (as long as this is still available). However if Day 2 is not available, I cannot book anything and I would need to keep all the days in the waitlist even if Day 4-6 is available. Do I have this correct? If so, this is definitely annoying.

Correct, you would need the whole period to be available. If Day 2 was available, you should be able to get days 3+ also. If day 2 is not available, then you can WL that day too, and just keep calling DBD.

In fact, there was a PP that reported a very similar situation where they tried to book +7 and found that the first few days were booked, but the end was available. By the time they were allowed to book those days, poof, they were gone.

 

[dvcdisney]

In fact, there was a PP that reported a very similar situation where they tried to book +7 and found that the first few days were booked, but the end was available. By the time they were allowed to book those days, poof, they were gone.

(The three stages of new policy booking )

 

[jdg345]

(The three stages of new policy booking )

There were a few and comments though. Well, at least they'll feel that way under *their* reservations are affected. Then it will be the fault of the walkers.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Correct, you would need the whole period to be available. If Day 2 was available, you should be able to get days 3+ also. If day 2 is not available, then you can WL that day too, and just keep calling DBD.

In fact, there was a PP that reported a very similar situation where they tried to book +7 and found that the first few days were booked, but the end was available. By the time they were allowed to book those days, poof, they were gone.

If you are booking at the 11 month window, if Day 1 is available, then Days 2-7 will also be available. It is only at the 7 month window that gaps could (and probably will) exist due to earleir booking with the home resort advantage.

Even though I think the new policy is awful for the 11 month window, I do see the benefit at the 7 month window. Being able to look 7 days into the future may make it easier to decide between staying with your home resort reservation and moving at the 7 month mark.

-- Suzanne

 

[jdg345]

If you are booking at the 11 month window, if Day 1 is available, then Days 2-7 will also be available. It is only at the 7 month window that gaps could (and probably will) exist due to earleir booking with the home resort advantage.

Even though I think the new policy is awful for the 11 month window, I do see the benefit at the 7 month window. Being able to look 7 days into the future may make it easier to decide between staying with your home resort reservation and moving at the 7 month mark.

-- Suzanne

You can walk the 7 month window too though, it's just that you'll always be second to those at 11 months. They can still 'box out' their competition at 7 months though.

 

[Dean]

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?

In part it would depend on how many points you had available during that UY and where the points fall in regards to weekends/weekdays. Obviously it would take more points to walk a reservation if you had to walk over any weekend days that you did not intend to use.

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'd hope no one has a problem with opinions in general on either side but some of the emotional responses in this thread tell me otherwise.

My results could change depending on who I talk to tomorrow.

As has always been the Disney way.

There were a few and comments though. Well, at least they'll feel that way under *their* reservations are affected. Then it will be the fault of the walkers.

If there are any effects, my reservations WILL be affected. And mine were affected under the old system for 2008 as well, that's the way the systems work which could change again.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for correcting me.

So, let me get this straight. If I call and the first day wasn't available, I can waitlist the whole week, but I can't reserve any of the days that are available. For example if my Day 1 isn't available, but my Day 4-6 is available. Then I cannot reserve Day 4-6 until I call the next day to see if Day 2 is available and only if Day 2 is available correct? So if Day 2 is available, then I can book Day 2 and Day 4-6 (as long as this is still available). However if Day 2 is not available, I cannot book anything and I would need to keep all the days in the waitlist even if Day 4-6 is available. Do I have this correct? If so, this is definitely annoying.

and certainly not simplifying the process

imo, other than the peak periods; the 7 mo window is when it's going to get really hairy until people find out about the new procedure...many have bought into SSR and have been to be able to easily book elsewhere; think they are the ones who will be shut out when they call on day 5 or 7.

as for the information being readily available to all members, I never received the email notification; with all the advertising DVC churn outs (yes, i know it's not out of our dues), you'd think they could mention this rather dramatic change as a service.

 

[ITGirl50]

Okay, I've read through most of this thread and this just dawned on me...

What is the likelihood that a waitlist would come through at an 11 month booking? That's a long time. Don't you think there would be a cancellation before you have to stay and that you would get what you want?

 

[ITGirl50]

Good grief, folks: chill out!

That's what my DH told me. My type-A personality kicks in on everything I do. Even vacation planning! I just need to decide, I get what I get and move on.

 

[jdg345]

Okay, I've read through most of this thread and this just dawned on me...

What is the likelihood that a waitlist would come through at an 11 month booking? That's a long time. Don't you think there would be a cancellation before you have to stay and that you would get what you want?

It depends on how many people call in manually and scoop up the days from under your waitlist. It also depends on how long the contiguous period is ... the longer the period, the tougher to fill, imo.

 

[Doctor P]

FWIW, I did have a nearly hour long conversation with Member Satisfaction this morning. I raised many of the issues that I have raised in this thread and many issues others have raised. It was very evident that they took my concerns seriously--the representative I spoke to was shocked at some of the unintended consequences the new policy created (as implemented). I left the conversation with the distinct impression that at least some aspects of the policy might be rethought. One particular point I made was that once you had the first night + 7 you were absolutely guaranteed the future nights if you called DBD every day after that before the 11 month window for each subsequent day. After I explained that to the representative, she said a light bulb went off because that was not the way the system was intended to work but after hearing my explanation, she understood why what I was saying was actually correct.

It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

 

[zulaya]

Doctor P - thanks for your report. I'm glad you got through to someone with these concerns.

I have talked to two different people and while polite, I don't think they understood where I was coming from with my concerns. I thought I was being plain and direct enough, but maybe I wasn't explaining clearly enough.

Hopefully, this is just one application of a bat against the DVC management's head to make them seriously look at all the (perhaps) unintended ramifications this ridiculous policy has created for itself.

 

[jdg345]

FWIW, I did have a nearly hour long conversation with Member Satisfaction this morning. I raised many of the issues that I have raised in this thread and many issues others have raised. It was very evident that they took my concerns seriously--the representative I spoke to was shocked at some of the unintended consequences the new policy created (as implemented). I left the conversation with the distinct impression that at least some aspects of the policy might be rethought. One particular point I made was that once you had the first night + 7 you were absolutely guaranteed the future nights if you called DBD every day after that before the 11 month window for each subsequent day. After I explained that to the representative, she said a light bulb went off because that was not the way the system was intended to work but after hearing my explanation, she understood why what I was saying was actually correct.

It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Who did you speak to? Was it someone new?

 

[Chuck S]

FWIW, I did have a nearly hour long conversation with Member Satisfaction this morning. I raised many of the issues that I have raised in this thread and many issues others have raised. It was very evident that they took my concerns seriously--the representative I spoke to was shocked at some of the unintended consequences the new policy created (as implemented). I left the conversation with the distinct impression that at least some aspects of the policy might be rethought. One particular point I made was that once you had the first night + 7 you were absolutely guaranteed the future nights if you called DBD every day after that before the 11 month window for each subsequent day. After I explained that to the representative, she said a light bulb went off because that was not the way the system was intended to work but after hearing my explanation, she understood why what I was saying was actually correct.

It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Except you do not need to call BDB to extend your guaranteed reservation at 11 months, you only need to call the day before the last day of your original reservation. Your unit does not re-enter the available rental pool until 11 months from your original check-out day.

For instance, I could call and book day 1 to day 7, then call 6 days later and add day 8 to 13, then call another 6 days later and add day 14 to 19, etc. That is one positive point (IMO) to the new policy, but I still think the other problematic aspects outweigh the good.

 

[Doctor P]

Except you do not need to call BDB to extend your guaranteed reservation at 11 months, you only need to call the day before the last day of your original reservation. Your unit does not re-enter the available rental pool until 11 months from your original check-out day.

That's correct, Chuck. That was what I was trying to say but probably didn't state it clearly enough. The point was that you had to call before the eleven month window opened for check ins on the day you wanted to add.

 

[Doctor P]

Who did you speak to? Was it someone new?

No, not judging by what others have said. I really pushed the point that by allowing people to add on day 8 as of the day after they made the original reservation they had set up a system where I could call for a 7 night reservation tomorrow and walk it all the way to a guaranteed New Year's Eve reservation for December 31, 2009. She didn't believe me until I explained why I would absolutely be guaranteed to get the reservation. I used the example of a Grand Villa to really drive the point home. After hearing my explanation of why the person would never be in competition with other owners to get the reservation, I think she became a believer that I was right and was actually shocked.