New Reservation Policy : Please Report Results Here ...

[Inkmahm]

Called at 11 months but at 11 am, not 9 am. I got 3 nights studio at VWL, just what I wanted for Dec 2, 3, 4.

 

[maminnie]

Very glad to see that Thanksgiving bookings seem to be going well so far.

It may be appropriate to keep in mind that bookings may not be quite typical or as high as usual as people, even DVC members, adjust their future vacation plans due to the issues with the economy.

I know we and many family members and friends around us have adjusted our thinking and plans relative to future vacations even those having/using timeshare.

Hoping that all continues to go well throughout the year with this new booking policy.

maminnie

 

[Dean]

It may be appropriate to keep in mind that bookings may not be quite typical or as high as usual as people, even DVC members, adjust their future vacation plans due to the issues with the economy.

I know we and many family members and friends around us have adjusted our thinking and plans relative to future vacations even those having/using timeshare.

Indications are that WDW is busier this year during typically slower times. It also appears that curtailing longer trips has actually increased occupancy at WDW.

 

[maminnie]

Indications are that WDW is busier this year during typically slower times. It also appears that curtailing longer trips has actually increased occupancy at WDW.

I certainly hope this is true as it is good for DVC members, cast members, etc. as it would hopefully prevent cut-backs in staff, service, park upkeep, and park/resort special entertainment, etc. like was seen after 9/11.

I have only read a few reports thus far of these problems and hope that we will not see such cut-backs during our visit this year. Maybe the aggressive 4/3 promotion, free dining, etc. is working during this troubled economy.

maminnie

 

[jpolak]

Called yesterday at 9 a.m. and got right through. Booked a 1 bdrm at SSR for 12/2-12/7. Wasn't really anticipating a problem getting the reservation considering the size of SSR. I might call at the 7 month window just to see if anything is available elsewhere.

 

[bjakmom]

Success for Dec 3rd '09 ck in - 4 nights BWV 2 bedroom b'walk view.
Taking DD and our future Son-in-law (wedding in Sept) and his 'newbie' parents - he is so excited to be taking his mom to Disney for her first time ever - all adult trip for a change - and at Christmas time, no less!!

 

[simzac]

I wonder if the OP is still walking their test reservation

 

[zulaya]

Called today (1/5/09) for Dec 5-12 at BCV in a Dedicated 2BR with 2Q in 2nd BR. Was on hold for about 7 minutes, calling at 9am.

Got what I wanted.


So, I guess I'm eating crow. Calling at 9am on the first day, I wasn't shut out of one of the 25 units available and got my whole reservation. I guess it's working if you are calling first thing in the morning.

Call me crazy, I still don't like the concept. But it is working and I guess will be here to stay.

Hopefully the rest of the early December people are having good results and Xmas/New Years will be workable as well.

 

[wildernessDad]

VWL
11 month window, to the day of check in
Arrive 12/2/09, a Wednesday
Depart 12/7/09
2-bedroom
Dedicated
Reservation successful

 

[jbrowna]

AKV
11 month window: Checkin Sunday 12/6, 4 nights
Grand Villa at Jambo House

Had about a 20-minute hold time, but had no problem booking what we wanted.

 

[TLinden16]

I called right at 9:00 this morning to try to get a Boardwalk view studio in the BWV for Dec. 6-13. I went through all the prompts, and the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing, never picked up.

I tried off and on all day, and just finally got through. After a 20 minute wait, there were no Boardwalk view studios available, and no standard view studios available for the night of Dec. 6th, so I had to book a garden/pool view.

This is the first time that I've booked at 11 months out that I was not able to get a Boardwalk view studio for December.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I called right at 9:00 this morning to try to get a Boardwalk view studio in the BWV for Dec. 6-13. I went through all the prompts, and the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing, never picked up.

I tried off and on all day, and just finally got through. After a 20 minute wait, there were no Boardwalk view studios available, and no standard view studios available for the night of Dec. 6th, so I had to book a garden/pool view.

This is the first time that I've booked at 11 months out that I was not able to get a Boardwalk view studio for December.

I'm sorry! I won't be trying for a BWV Boardwalk View December/Christmas reservation until next year, but I already have nightmares about not getting it.

 

[keishashadow]

I called right at 9:00 this morning to try to get a Boardwalk view studio in the BWV for Dec. 6-13. I went through all the prompts, and the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing, never picked up.

I tried off and on all day, and just finally got through. After a 20 minute wait, there were no Boardwalk view studios available, and no standard view studios available for the night of Dec. 6th, so I had to book a garden/pool view.

This is the first time that I've booked at 11 months out that I was not able to get a Boardwalk view studio for December.

hopefully, ur near the top of the WL

i need to call Friday for WL , which i hope to switch over to BLT in March

 

[jamstew]

Did you call at the 11 month window, 7 month window or other?
11 months

What dates were you calling to reserve?
12/6-11

What is the day of week of your arrival day? ie: M, T, W, R, F, Sa, Su.
Sunday

What size unit, category, and/or view were you trying to reserve?
Studio

Did you get what you wanted on the first call or were you shutout?
First call

Misc Comments:

I was also able to cancel/rebook an October trip at 9+ months. I had a 2BR/2Q for 10/18-23, cancelled that (after checking studio availability) and booked a studio for 10/18-24.

 

[DebbieB]

I called right at 9:00 this morning to try to get a Boardwalk view studio in the BWV for Dec. 6-13. I went through all the prompts, and the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing, never picked up.

I tried off and on all day, and just finally got through. After a 20 minute wait, there were no Boardwalk view studios available, and no standard view studios available for the night of Dec. 6th, so I had to book a garden/pool view.

This is the first time that I've booked at 11 months out that I was not able to get a Boardwalk view studio for December.

I'm sorry! I had a feeling that the first problems with this new policy would come with this date. That week has always been popular at BWV. I booked it yesterday, arriving 12/5 (but it was a 1 bedroom bw view). I would try again tomorrow, maybe you can get the rest of your dates and just waitlist for the 6th. I started dialing at 8:58, kept hitting redial and hitting 1-1 until it went through (did not get the closed message).

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sorry! I had a feeling that the first problems with this new policy would come with this date. That week has always been popular at BWV. I booked it yesterday, arriving 12/5 (but it was a 1 bedroom bw view). I would try again tomorrow, maybe you can get the rest of your dates and just waitlist for the 6th. I started dialing at 8:58, kept hitting redial and hitting 1-1 until it went through (did not get the closed message).

That first Sunday is the day that I couldn't get for points at AKV for this past December...why did you feel that it would be so hard to get?

Bobbi

 

[maminnie]

I called right at 9:00 this morning to try to get a Boardwalk view studio in the BWV for Dec. 6-13. I went through all the prompts, and the phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing, never picked up.

I tried off and on all day, and just finally got through. After a 20 minute wait, there were no Boardwalk view studios available, and no standard view studios available for the night of Dec. 6th, so I had to book a garden/pool view.

This is the first time that I've booked at 11 months out that I was not able to get a Boardwalk view studio for December.

Sorry to hear that you did not get what you wanted and have always gotten in the past.

Despite many success stories thus far (from a minimal representation of the DVC community), I do believe that there may be further issues such as this for other high travelled periods for sought after accommodations and resorts at the 11 month window. At the 7 month window I feel issues such as this may be quite frequent; members not getting what they have gotten for years due to being shut out by those who simply have a check-in date earlier then another. Time will tell. But as some other members have expressed on these boards.....in any system there will be winners and losers. Fairness is what I personally agree with versus just the winners and losers being re-adjusted and I remain steadfast that the former day-by-day system was more fair to all.

As I have stated before, the economy may also be having an impact on the number of reservations taking place. People may be reluctant to book (especially when having to borrow points) due to the economic uncertainty and may be waiting things out before actually booking. This may have helped ones ability to reserve during the Thanksgiving travel period.

Hoping that the new system continues to yield many more positive then negative results.

maminnie

 

[TLinden16]

I'm sorry! I had a feeling that the first problems with this new policy would come with this date. That week has always been popular at BWV. I booked it yesterday, arriving 12/5 (but it was a 1 bedroom bw view). I would try again tomorrow, maybe you can get the rest of your dates and just waitlist for the 6th. I started dialing at 8:58, kept hitting redial and hitting 1-1 until it went through (did not get the closed message).

That's exactly what I intend to do. You never know

I think the main reason I'm a bit disappointed in it is more because of the ringing phone that never got sent into the system, and wondering if that would have made a difference. I let that phone ring for about 10 minutes this morning, all the while trying to get through on my second line.

I know I'll have a great time no matter what room type I'm in. Any room at the Boardwalk is preferrable to being home during the cold Boston winter. hehe. But I do get spoiled with the Boardwalk views, and it's harder to threaten the Jellyrolls pianomen that I'm going to throw water balloons at them if I'm staring at the clown pool

 

[zulaya]

I think phones have been busy not only for December calls but the RCI thing. Talk about bad timing.

Someone asked why the first Sunday in December would book faster. People who want to save on points will book in Value Season and only Sun-Thurs. Therefore, since December is Value Season, and December 6 is the first Sunday that someone can book Sun-Thurs completely in that Value Season, of course that day will book up faster.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Did you call at the 11 month window, 7 month window or other?
7 months

What dates were you calling to reserve?
01/24-31

What is the day of week of your arrival day? ie: M, T, W, R, F, Sa, Su.
Saturday

What size unit, category, and/or view were you trying to reserve?
2 bedroom, VWL

Did you get what you wanted on the first call or were you shutout?
Got what I wanted on first call