New policy for reservations based on check IN date

[abeyst]

Two concierge would be difficult but I think she as upset she could not book day 2-6 and just waitlist day 1 which was available when she called back on day 2 but then 2-6 were gone.

Denise in MI

See, now that's just messed up.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

Two concierge would be difficult but I think she as upset she could not book day 2-6 and just waitlist day 1 which was available when she called back on day 2 but then 2-6 were gone.

Denise in MI

But if day 1 was unavailable when she called and day 2 through 6 were available no one else should have been able to book day 2 through 6 on that first day anyway - correct? Which then says that someone must have beat her dialing the next morning I think unless day 1 opened up later in the day and someone got it. I wonder if she should have waitlisted day 1 through 6 on that first call, and then when day 1 opened up maybe she would have gotten the whole thing?

 

[maminnie]

She was trying to book two Concierge rooms. She booked the 2BR first (and got that one) and then when she tried to book a Studio there were none available for her check-in day. I think even with the old system, this would have been a problem. Concierge Studios are very popular and at times were booked solid by 9:01 am. Trying to book two Concierge rooms is going to be extremely difficult under either booking system unless you have two people call in right when MS opens and have each of them book one of the rooms.

LisaS:

Agreed but I do think it is rather odd that day one was not available and the rest were. The next day, day 1 became available and the rest were gone. As someone else mentioned, walking could have possibly contributed. Who knows what may have happened.

Laurabearz:

IMHO, I feel that the new reservation policy may cause problems for some members who have been successful for many years in securing reservations at the 11 month and 7 month window. (Those with smaller contracts, those with multiple contracts/multiple resorts, and those who travel at peak times may have more difficulties then others.) One's ability to walk or not walk based on the number of points they have may also effect one's ability to secure a reservation during a peak time. Once again this is only my opinion and I really hope I am entirely wrong. I only posted as it was a failure at the 11 month window on or around 9:00am and also an example of how the member lost days that were available the first day that she called. Day 1 even became available by the next day and the other days were then gone. Unfortunately we will never know the actual reason that it happened.

maminnie

 

[dvcdisney]

But if day 1 was unavailable when she called and day 2 through 6 were available no one else should have been able to book day 2 through 6 on that first day anyway - correct? Which then says that someone must have beat her dialing the next morning I think unless day 1 opened up later in the day and someone got it. I wonder if she should have waitlisted day 1 through 6 on that first call, and then when day 1 opened up maybe she would have gotten the whole thing?

I agree, the only way that I can see that someone else was able to book Day 1 was that it opened up after she called. So then that person was able to book the whole week.

In terms of waitlisting the whole time, it would make sense to do this. But as some have already mentioned, the waitlist doesn't come up immediately. So in the meantime, someone else (as it was possible in this case) could call before it is put aside for the waitlist and take that day. And that's the reason why many suggests that calling each day is better in order to fill up your own waitlist.

 

[dvcdisney]

She was trying to book two Concierge rooms. She booked the 2BR first (and got that one) and then when she tried to book a Studio there were none available for her check-in day. I think even with the old system, this would have been a problem. Concierge Studios are very popular and at times were booked solid by 9:01 am. Trying to book two Concierge rooms is going to be extremely difficult under either booking system unless you have two people call in right when MS opens and have each of them book one of the rooms.

I agree. However, I think she was upset because when she called the first day wasn't available and was not allowed to book the ones that were available (which is clearly the policy). And when she called the next day, the rest of the days were no longer available. I would be very about that. That is definitely a very frustrating experience. And it only takes one of those experiences to change/amplify your view of this new policy.

 

[adminjedi]

LisaS:

Agreed but I do think it is rather odd that day one was not available and the rest were. The next day, day 1 became available and the rest were gone. As someone else mentioned, walking could have possibly contributed. Who knows what may have happened.

Laurabearz:

IMHO, I feel that the new reservation policy may cause problems for some members who have been successful for many years in securing reservations at the 11 month and 7 month window. (Those with smaller contracts, those with multiple contracts/multiple resorts, and those who travel at peak times may have more difficulties then others.) One's ability to walk or not walk based on the number of points they have may also effect one's ability to secure a reservation during a peak time. Once again this is only my opinion and I really hope I am entirely wrong. I only posted as it was a failure at the 11 month window on or around 9:00am and also an example of how the member lost days that were available the first day that she called. Day 1 even became available by the next day and the other days were then gone. Unfortunately we will never know the actual reason that it happened.

maminnie

Each of you have grasped the issues that I raised with the supervisor. I was one of the first callers within the first minute of operations opening, and the concierge studio was gone. They assured me that they did not make an exception to the rule for someone else the day earlier, but who knows. My points is this: if someone is booking multiple rooms for one party, and one view is not available the first day, they should consider it a continuous booking and allow you to book the following days at a different view. (Booking DVC reservations is a separate issue from how the hotel manages the room changes.) We could have dealt with one night apart and the rest of the stay together, but now we are apart the entire length of stay. And regarding the thought that I should have booked the one day and waitlisted the rest - I couldn't waitlist the rest because it wasn't at the 11 month window of the bookin date yet!
Whatever way you look at it, we were penalized by the new booking rule for being a large family and needing two rooms.

 

[Laurabearz]

LisaS:

Agreed but I do think it is rather odd that day one was not available and the rest were. The next day, day 1 became available and the rest were gone. As someone else mentioned, walking could have possibly contributed. Who knows what may have happened.

Laurabearz:

IMHO, I feel that the new reservation policy may cause problems for some members who have been successful for many years in securing reservations at the 11 month and 7 month window. (Those with smaller contracts, those with multiple contracts/multiple resorts, and those who travel at peak times may have more difficulties then others.) One's ability to walk or not walk based on the number of points they have may also effect one's ability to secure a reservation during a peak time. Once again this is only my opinion and I really hope I am entirely wrong. I only posted as it was a failure at the 11 month window on or around 9:00am and also an example of how the member lost days that were available the first day that she called. Day 1 even became available by the next day and the other days were then gone. Unfortunately we will never know the actual reason that it happened.

maminnie

Yes but just because someone was lucky enough in the past to get what they wanted, doesn't mean they would have always gotten what they wanted. And now... anytime anyone doesnt get what they want, they blame the new system.

 

[dvcdisney]

Exactly. The fact that they couldn't book two of the hardest rooms to book does not mean the new system is a failure, but as we can see, many are already adding that failure to their cause as proof that the new system is messed up....

I don't consider this proof of the new system being flawed. But it is just one more nail.....

 

[adminjedi]

Yes but just because someone was lucky enough in the past to get what they wanted, doesn't mean they would have always gotten what they wanted. And now... anytime anyone doesnt get what they want, they blame the new system.

What I was asking for is logical, but the new policy does not allow for it and the old policy did.

 

[jeankeri]

I agree, the only way that I can see that someone else was able to book Day 1 was that it opened up after she called. So then that person was able to book the whole week.

In terms of waitlisting the whole time, it would make sense to do this. But as some have already mentioned, the waitlist doesn't come up immediately. So in the meantime, someone else (as it was possible in this case) could call before it is put aside for the waitlist and take that day. And that's the reason why many suggests that calling each day is better in order to fill up your own waitlist.

The waitlist would not have been activated until the last day of the reservation, so this would not have helped secure the reservation in this case.

 

[dvcdisney]

And regarding the thought that I should have booked the one day and waitlisted the rest - I couldn't waitlist the rest because it wasn't at the 11 month window of the bookin date yet!

If your Day 1 was at the 11 mth booking window, (it is my understanding) then you can waitlist the first night and the rest of the reservation up to 7 nights).

And, technically, you can call the next day and see if any of the Day 2 is available. If so, then you can book Day 2 and any other nights available from Day 2 on (up to 7 nights). And if Day 1 was available, then you could have booked that also.

 

[ransom]

I agree, the only way that I can see that someone else was able to book Day 1 was that it opened up after she called. So then that person was able to book the whole week.

Or....

The day she called was someone else's day 7 on their reservation, and they called that day to extend it. This may simply be an example of the principle behind reservation walking.

 

[LisaS]

What I was asking for is logical, but the new policy does not allow for it and the old policy did.

With the old policy you would have had to call day by day for each day for both rooms. You may have gotten lucky and booked all of the nights you needed for both rooms but I would say the odds were against you getting both rooms that way. People are reporting that all concierge studios are gone within the first minute. It's quite likely you would have ended up getting some but not all nights for both reservations with one or more holes in one or both reservations. Somebody else (or maybe three or four others) booking the same dates would have had the days you didn't get and vice-versa. Then you would all be waiting for someone else to give up their nights and if that didn't happen, you would have had to move rooms multiple times during your stay.

As AKV membership increases, those 5-10 Concierge rooms are becoming increasingly difficult to book. If you want your whole group to be together book Savanna View (the easiest room type to book) and ask to be close to one another. If you don't trust the room assigner to honor that request then book Standard View at Jambo House since all of those rooms are quite close together and worst case you will be a short walk from one another.

I'm sorry it didn't work out but trying to get two Concierge rooms or two Beach Cottages at VB or two of anything that is so limited is a long shot no matter what booking method is in effect.

 

[dvcdisney]

The waitlist would not have been activated until the last day of the reservation, so this would not have helped secure the reservation in this case.

It would have helped if the waitlist did what it was suppose to do. If her Day 1 wasn't available, she could waitlist for the whole week. So if it does come up, assuming that Day 2 and on was still available, then the only thing that would trigger the waitlist to coming up is if Day 1 became available. The system was suppose to see that Day 2 and on was already available and if Day 1 came up, that's all it needs for the waitlist come up.

However, I do see several problems since, as many have mentioned, a date opening up does not necessarily go directly to the waitlist. Someone else who called before it is can be made available for the waitlist, can get that date.

I think this was an option for her. But I, personally, do not think the all or none waitlist is useful. If I had to waitlist something, I would have to call each day to check since, unless all of the dates are available, the waitlist will not come up. I think the suggestion was given because there was nothing else to do but waitlist.

 

[dvcdisney]

Or....

The day she called was someone else's day 7 on their reservation, and they called that day to extend it. This may simply be an example of the principle behind reservation walking.

Yes, that is true. Someone could have called and added the next week to their reservation.

Sorry, I can't believe I forgot about that. I should give my head a shake.

 

[kimberh]

I am sorry she didn't get her complete reservation, to say that to say this, under the old booking system, I have been waitlisted for 2 nights for a Concierge Studio since May 4th. I called at 9. This is a just about impossible room to get. I reported this when I was waitlisted. I did get the last 3 nights. I was booking using DBD. I just called MS after reading that calling may help, nope. I am still waitlisted. She is lucky to have booked the 2 bedroom Concierge for the entire stay. I don't know how important it is to be all together for her family trip, but to try and get two concierge rooms is always going to be hard, if not impossible. There are multiple families calling at the same time she is. It is going to be extremely hard to get this cat. I am only hoping this is not my last stay in Concierge. I am flexible with my schedule, I just may keep calling until I find a opening in the future.

 

[jdg345]

I agree that the policy is very unclear.

But I was choosing to do the first part of my trip because it was I thought I had a better chance of getting the second part. For example, if I book the Sat-Tues nights at 11 mths, at 7 mths, if someone was to try and start booking for that week, they would not be taking my room. So if they were able to book Sat-Fri nights, it would be a different room. And so, if I have to wait to book the wed -fri nights at 7 mths prior to WED, then I would just be competing for my room with those who are calling on WED as well. This seems better odds, not best, but better.

If I book the wed-fri nights first, there is a better chance that someone else could call on Sat 7 mths prior and get those dates before I can. And on top of this, others who has a trip a week before mine, could have priority over these days as well.

So if I am sucessful in booking the first part at 11 mths, I have a better chance for the second at 7 mths (assuming my competition would be significantly more since 7 mths opens up for all members). But if I wait to book the first part until 7 mths, I believe my chances will be far less since any member can book that Sat night since technically, my room is still available until I check in on Wed.

I hope this makes sensel. I don't know if I explained it as well as I should.

And I definitely agree that the confusion and overthinking of many strategies are all due to the fact that the New Policy (as many of us have mentioned) had not been well thought out.

I agree the odds would be better, but keep in mind you're also competing with anyone else within their 11 month window.

 

[jdg345]

I guess that we really don't know for sure. Some people think that it's a continuation of an existing reservation and others think that it will be treated as a NEW reservation.

As long as it is not a 'split-stay' and the same room/category is being booked, it would be an extension of the existing reservation. It is *not* a different reservation just because different point pools are being used.

 

[jdg345]

I see the reporting thread on the mouscellaneous board has already turned into a discussion about the new policy instead of what it way intended for. Guess it won't work after all.

It's just going to end up being more work for the mods. Discussions should all be pointed here. I suspected that as soon as someone ended up with a failure, it would go nuts over there. The mods may end up spending more work cleaning up that thread than is worth it for them.

 

[jdg345]

She was trying to book two Concierge rooms. She booked the 2BR first (and got that one) and then when she tried to book a Studio there were none available for her check-in day. I think even with the old system, this would have been a problem. Concierge Studios are very popular and at times were booked solid by 9:01 am. Trying to book two Concierge rooms is going to be extremely difficult under either booking system unless you have two people call in right when MS opens and have each of them book one of the rooms.

Perhaps, but what I found interesting is that on Day-1, Day-2+ was available. On Day-2, Day-2+ was booked, but Day-1 was available.

Sounds like a walked reservation to me.