New Preferred View Booking Categories At BWV

[Frank in WI]

The discussion about the different point structures for BWV is a moot point since BWV were sold with this structure in place. Owners that bought in knew about the point differences when they purhased and made their decision with this is mind. Owners at BCV/VWL etc. also knew that there were no differences in view point structure and made their purchase decision with that in mind. DVC was very open with this and we all knew.

As for first come, first serve, I don't see a change here. At 11 months, any BWV owner could request BW view. If there are 15% BW view rooms and 25% requested it, 10% were going to be disappointed. At 7 months, if a OKW owner requested BW view, they have a CHANCE of getting it, but it was NEVER guaranteed. Nowhere in any of the written material does it ever say that checking in early negated everyone else's request. Anyone that thought that was really making a long leap of faith. I'm sure a ton of the slow check-in problems were based on owners being disappointed and trying to convince the clerk to move them.

If you think this all the way through, it is an excellent attempt to try to keep some sense of an owners opportunity of getting a boardwalk view. As others have said, you know when you call whether you have a shot at BW view. For those of you that already have reservations that are caught in the change, you're now given the opportunity to know before you arrive and can either change your reservation to another resort with added knowledge, or reduce your stress when you arrive. I would prefer to know before I arrive so both the check-in clerk and I can make the check-in process as quick and painless as possible.

There has to be advantages to own at a higher member dues resort or they might as well change the dues to the same amount at all resorts. BCV has Stormalong Bay. BWV has boardwalk view. OKW has larger units. VB has the beach. HH has access to tons of golf courses and the beach. Owners at the given resort need to have advantages to justify their choice. Owners outside the resort need to have that understanding just as I know I can't use Stormalong Bay when I'm at BWV.

I think the changes make perfect sense.

 

[married@wdw]

Originally posted by Frank in WI
Nowhere in any of the written material does it ever say that checking in early negated everyone else's request. Anyone that thought that was really making a long leap of faith. I'm sure a ton of the slow check-in problems were based on owners being disappointed and trying to convince the clerk to move them.

Pardon me -- a long leap of faith. Say what you will, but this is what MS told me -- twice! Once when booking the preferred view studio and again when we upgraded to a one-bedroom. There is a better chance of pressing your case if you check-in early because they have more inventory to choose from. I knew it might not work out, but with the way things were, I was willing to take my chances.

Now I know in advance that I've spent 88 points from my 2004 use year on a room that has no chance of being what I want. I can't change to a lower point room because I can't bank borrowed points. I'm stuck. If I'd known when I booked that I COULDN'T get the boardwalk view, I wouldn't have used the extra points, but I didn't have all the information when I booked and that's what seems so unfair.

 

[jimh13432]

Oh the joys of staying where you own.......

Just called and confirmed that the Boardwalk View reservation we made 11 mths ago is now Boardwalk View Confirmed.....

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

First off - you CAN get a standard view if you're not a BWV owner. We booked using the 7-month window and got a 1-BR SV for 7 days this upcoming September. Maybe travelling in the slow season had a hand in that, maybe it didn't. As an OKW owner, we've stayed at HHI, BWV, and VWL as well as our home resort. You just have to be flexible and go with the program. Most of the time, you can get ressies pretty much anywhere using the 7-month window. If you don't, try again for your next trip.

I personally agree with many that think owners should have a perk at their home resort - whatever that may be: the ability to get a BW view, ressies at BCV to use SAB during peak season, a boat ride from MK at VWL, bigger rooms at OKW, etc. I just don't get all the hullabaloo over rooms and views in general.

I also agree a little bit with Richyams about this whole thing - since when has the "view" been the reason you stay at a particular resort? I don't mind having the extra category for booking purposes, but I don't like the way that it became that much of an issue that MS had to address it with a separate category. (I know, I'm kinda talking outta both sides of my mouth....)

 

[WDWguru]

I agree, Frank. To me it's no different than the alleged policy they had before in which rooms were assigned according to reservation date. It simply takes out the opportunity for the front desk to pull a switch to accomodate a squeaky wheel.

I was worried when I heard the rumor they had changed to first come, first served at check-in. Unless we come a day early and stay elsewhere, we can't get to BWV to check in until about 5:00. So even though we are BWV owners at make our reservations at 11 months out, I had resolved myself to the fact that we would likely never get a boardwalk view. It really ticked me off, to be honest.

With this change it simply solidifies the policy that was supposedly in place to begin with... in order of reservation date and by preference. We simply know ahead of time whether we've gotten our request and know that it can not be given away at the desk simply because some loudmouth gets there a few hours ahead of us. It reduces the concern and allows us to adjust our plans if we don't like what we're getting.

As married@ said...

I follow the rules and was prepared to check-in by 8 a.m. the day of arrival...

I also followed the rules as explained by MS when I made MY reservation, which was supposedly the date of reservation took priority on requests. The problem came up when they kept giving out different information and confused everyone. This way, to me, seems fair. At least we know where we stand now at BWV.

As an owner at VWL as well, I do think they need to rectify the situation at the other resorts. Solidify the policy of matching requests in order of reservation date and it's set. That will automatically give priority to owners as they are the only ones who can make reservations at 11 months out. Then make it a strict rule that no assignments are to be changed by the desk unless medical reasons or extraordinary circumstances are involved. Period. Put a method in place by which the front desk staff can deal with the complainers and make the policy crystal clear from the start. If everyone knows they can't "work" the front desk to get a better room, nobody will try.

 

[married@wdw]

I do agree, WDWGuru, that this way seems more fair than the old way --I'd want it this way too if I were a BWV owner. I'm generally happy with my OKW investment -- we bought there knowing we'd want a GV every other year and so far have been happy thrilled with it! But I made reservations at BWV with information that has now changed. I'm still waiting to see if MS will do anything for me and I may still get my BW view, since I called first thing this morning and I'm probably the one of the first on the waitlist for my dates. That leads to my question for you BWV owners...

Playing devil's advocate, does it upset you as a BWV owner that they put people in BW view rooms starting with 11 months out until those BW view rooms were filled, but that MS didn't keep going down the list to start a waitlist? While it may have helped me given the situation, it would certainly be a reason to complain as an owner, especially if I was an owner who didn't keep up with the boards and member web site. It could be a week or more before those that are unplugged get the news and by then the waitlist could be too long to have a chance for busier times.

 

[Frank in WI]

It does not bother me in the least that they went down the list of reservations and those that requested BWV were given their request until they ran out. Makes perfect sense to me.

I do suggest that if they are going to start a waitlist, they go back to those that requested it before the 7 month window opened and give them first shot at it. DVC may come to this conclusion despite what they say today since you're correct that those other BWV members do have a case over yours. They shouldn't be penalized for not knowing about a policy change and their request was in before yours. That's why I don't see this as a policy change since member reservation requests were always supposed to take priority over check-in requests. The check-in request idea was the real policy change if it stuck.

 

[sgtdisney]

I would think that if the DVC and Member Services has ability in their system to confirm/guarantee specific room views, that they could do the same with the smoking/non-smoking and handicapped/non-handicap room issues and solve a lot of issues there as well.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Frank, you said it perfectly.

As a BoardWalk owner, I'm thrilled with this new room category. It gives BWV owners a home resort preference when booking at the 11-month window. I've always wanted to stay at the BWV with a BoardWalk view, and we'll finally be able to do it without worrying about getting our view. We bought the BoardWalk, we pay annual dues for the BoardWalk, we should get some preference at the BoardWalk. And, I don't care if we have to walk down a very long hallway to get to our tiny room, it's where we want to stay.

Like others have said, BCV gets access to SAB, OKW gets the huge unit.. Buy where you want to stay. That's the key.

 

[TheWho]

Let me get this straight, I just happen to book a week for July 2004 this morning and I requested non-smoking, BW view. MS said, we have a new category and said there is availability for what I requested.
Does this mean, I am guaranteed a BW view next year? Sounds too good to be true. I had a BW view this past July and it was outstanding.

 

[Frank in WI]

TheWho,

Based on what I've read on the Members site, you are guaranteed a BW view next July.

Congrats!!!

 

[crisi]

I just checked on my October ressies (made eleven months out with the BW View and non-smoking requests) and they had already swapped mine.

Maistre Gracey (and others), I have been dreaming about a VWL trip (not in the near future, but eventually) for those coveted first two weeks in December. And a BCV trip to use SAB during early June. Or maybe a OKW low point GV for a family reunion. I'd be willing to trade an eleven month window for the BW view for someone else's eleven month window to secure a coveted time/place at another resort - and I'm probably not the only member who would be willing to do a swap. This isn't a current offer (have my points quite used up), but a possiblity for the future.

 

[JOC]

Playing devil's advocate, does it upset you as a BWV owner that they put people in BW view rooms starting with 11 months out until those BW view rooms were filled, but that MS didn't keep going down the list to start a waitlist? While it may have helped me given the situation, it would certainly be a reason to complain as an owner, especially if I was an owner who didn't keep up with the boards and member web site. It could be a week or more before those that are unplugged get the news and by then the waitlist could be too long to have a chance for busier times.

I'm a BWV owner but wasn't able to make my upcoming December reservation at 11 months out, so of course when I called this morning to ask about my reservation I wasn't one with a guaranteed boardwalk view.

However, I was told that I was automatically put on the wait list for a boardwalk view after all the boardwalk views were passed out, so that contradicts what you were also told this morning (that there were no wait lists created yet).

I wonder how we can ever get the "real scoop" when different people in Member Services are giving out different information?

 

[married@wdw]

I think that's a great idea Crisi. Wish that idea had come up sooner - I could have booked my BWV at 11 months out instead of 7 months.

As for buying where you want to stay, that's a nice idea, but you can only buy what's available. When I bought into OKW, Boardwalk was sold out and the OKW points available were from the destruction of the hospitality house. I had the choice of OKW, HH or VB, so we took the obvious choice (resales weren't an option for us because we were CMs and that discount an cheap financing is what made it possible for us to buy in). Little did I know they'd be offering VWL, BCV and more BWV in future years -- of course, we left being CMs right after we bought in and with prices going up, it would be tough to recoup our money to get one of these newer resorts. And while I love the newer DVCs, I wouldn't want to give up my GV priority at OKW. So I'll just have to wait until I can afford an add-on! I think for a lot of families the draw to DVC is being able to stay all over, not just at their home resort.

 

[married@wdw]

Originally posted by JOC
I'm a BWV owner but wasn't able to make my upcoming December reservation at 11 months out, so of course when I called this morning to ask about my reservation I wasn't one with a guaranteed boardwalk view.

However, I was told that I was automatically put on the wait list for a boardwalk view after all the boardwalk views were passed out, so that contradicts what you were also told this morning (that there were no wait lists created yet).

I wonder how we can ever get the "real scoop" when different people in Member Services are giving out different information?

Hmmmm. While I think this is the more fair way of doing it, that definitely concerns me. She put me on the waitlist this morning and told me they were just starting them today, but more importantly, I'm wondering if my original request was overlooked -- it didn't say "Boardwalk view", it said "requested view of Atlantic Dance or Beach Club."

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

"There has to be advantages to own at a higher member dues resort or they might as well change the dues to the same amount at all resorts. BCV has Stormalong Bay. BWV has boardwalk view. OKW has larger units. VB has the beach. HH has access to tons of golf courses and the beach. Owners at the given resort need to have advantages to justify their choice. Owners outside the resort need to have that understanding just as I know I can't use Stormalong Bay when I'm at BWV."

These are ammenitities of each resort regardless of the view. VB has the highest dues. I don't see the correlation between dues and guaranteed views. You will still have plenty of BW owners who pay the same dues who will not have BW view.

Views are one of the most talked about issues on these boards. While I don't begrudge BW owners the right to obtain a BW view before a non BW owner, I now expect preferential treatment of my requests for a specific view at my home resort.

I'd like to see, in writing, what the policies are regarding view requests for each DVC resort. If BCV is first come first serve on day of arrival but BW is a guaranteed BW view then that is unfair. I believe it is entirely possible that I will not get the view requests I have made for my trip in Sept and a BW owner who checks in the same day as I do will get the view I requested. It is for that reason that I now believe all owners of all the DVC resorts should demand equal rights in terms of view guarantees on day of reservation. BW owners were successful. We just need to make more noise.

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by married@wdw
I'm wondering if my original request was overlooked -- it didn't say "Boardwalk view", it said "requested view of Atlantic Dance or Beach Club."

I bet that's exactly why. The way the lady at MS explained it to me this morning, she said the computer sorted out all the reservations with "Boardwalk View" in the requests. I am assuming the way they did that was to run a search on the reservation database for those words (or the word "boardwalk") in the requests field. They then sorted those in order of reservation date and began assigning the new categories accordingly. Yours probably did get missed because it didn't have the actual word "boardwalk" in the request field.

I called to ask whether my reservation for next May (made at 11 months out, requested boardwalk view) had been assigned to the Preferred:Boardwalk category. It HAS been, which I was quite excited to hear! MS indicated they'd taken a lot of calls about it already, and this was only at about 9:20 their time. She explained the whole process very patiently and said basically they did what the assigner would do, but just handling the one request and in advance.

 

[Frank in WI]

These are ammenitities of each resort regardless of the view. VB has the highest dues. I don't see the correlation between dues and guaranteed views. You will still have plenty of BW owners who pay the same dues who will not have BW view.

The correlation is not dues to guaranteed views. The correlation is 11 month booking window versus 7 months booking window. Since requests made when the reservation is booked take priority, then owners of the resort that book at 11 months will have their request met more often than those that book at 10 months or non-owners of that particular resort.

Views are one of the most talked about issues on these boards. While I don't begrudge BW owners the right to obtain a BW view before a non BW owner, I now expect preferential treatment of my requests for a specific view at my home resort.

You will have preferential treatment if you book before another member. Another member should not be able to negate your request at check-in.

I'd like to see, in writing, what the policies are regarding view requests for each DVC resort. If BCV is first come first serve on day of arrival but BW is a guaranteed BW view then that is unfair. I believe it is entirely possible that I will not get the view requests I have made for my trip in Sept and a BW owner who checks in the same day as I do will get the view I requested. It is for that reason that I now believe all owners of all the DVC resorts should demand equal rights in terms of view guarantees on day of reservation. BW owners were successful. We just need to make more noise.

All DVC resorts have the 11/7 month booking windows (in writing). As stated on the members site, the time to make requests is at booking. Those are the requests that will have the best "chance" of being met. It has always been stated that no request in "guaranteed". Again, BWV and VB (deluxe inn rooms have different points for garden view and ocean view) are the only resorts with differentiated views. I believe this is what is meant by first come/first serve and it holds true at all DVC resorts.

Since BW view is a HUGE issue at BWV for owners and non-owners, member services has decided to take some of the frustration out of the check-in process. I applaud them.

 

[married@wdw]

Sure enough, just talked to a very nice manager at MS and she said they did overlook our January reservation because it didn't specifically say Boardwalk View. They put together waitlists on Saturday as well, and the girl I talked to this morning obviously hadn't been filled in on everything before she started taking calls. I still don't have a Boardwalk View but they fixed the oversight and put us where we should be on the waitlist and she said "you're very close to the top of the list so don't lose hope." Very sweet, so I guess that makes me feel a little better. But if anyone who has a reservation for a 1-bedroom Boardwalk View for January 4-8, 2004, wants to cancel and give me hand, I'd appreciate it !

Actually, her apologizing over and over again is what made me feel better -- she knew it was a lousy situation since we were so hoping for that view for our special trip. And she'd looked at previous reservations before she got on the phone with me and noticed that all we ever ask for is non-smoking at our home resort. So I think she felt really bad that the one time we asked for something special, we got zonked with what (to me anyway) are big changes.

Oh well. My type-A planning pesonality (already have two pages on my "trip schedule" and it's only August) needs to tone it down a bit and get back to work!

 

[MeekoB]

I applaud Disney for addressing this problem of the Boardwalk views. I am a BWV owner but did not get assigned a Boardwalk view (I'm on the waitlist) for my next trip, however, I know that in the future I can call earlier and hopefully get a view. Now that I know I won't have one, I can concentrate on having fun and not worrying and complaining about a view that in the grand scheme of things is NOT why I go to WDW.

I want to make it clear that the following IS NOT directed toward anyone here...just a general observation as to what I've seen and heard about check-in.

I understand that they started having serious problems as soon as it went out on the internet that they had a first come/first served policy starting in the morning. People were rejecting rooms and camping out in the lobby waiting for a Boardwalk room. If there is any blame for these problems, I think it is the members who act as if every trip is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME and demand the best accommodations every time.

There are only so many rooms in each category. To whine and complain and think that you can bully castmembers so that you can get a specific room, view or request every time you visit is childish.