New wait-list process designed to improve Member experience

[erionm]

Last of the three updates to the news section on the member website:

New wait-list process designed to improve Member experience

Effective Feb. 1, 2009, Members may have a maximum of two active wait-list requests per Membership, per use year.

While Disney Vacation Club will continue to maintain and honor existing wait-list requests, as of Feb. 1, Members with two or more active requests will not be able to add to their wait lists until their existing requests are expired, matched, canceled or reconciled.

The updated policy is designed to improve the overall Member experience with the wait-list process by increasing available resort inventory (limiting the number of wait-list requests will free up more resort rooms for more Members, as Members will not be holding other rooms that may not be their first preference), improving overall response time (since waitlists will be shorter, Members on the list will receive confirmations more quickly) and boosting the efficiency of Member Services (Cast Members previously dedicated to the time-consuming creation and maintenance of extensive wait lists can focus on handling more calls and serving Members more efficiently.)

This change is just the latest move in a continuing effort to increase Member satisfaction, which earned a 91 percent "excellent" and "very good" rating in the 2008 Condominium Association Survey. Look for more survey highlights in the summer edition of Disney Files Magazine, scheduled to begin mailing in May.

 

[LVSWL]

Wow! I'm still trying to figure out if we have enough BLT points now with the other change and then this gets posted.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think that this underscores the "buy where you want to stay" idea!

Bobbi

 

[dis-happy]

Really glad now that I have 2 use years.

 

[vicki_c]

Does this mean that you can't waitlist "everywhere" at the 7 month mark -- and you would have to pick 2 resorts only -- does each count as an "active waitlist".

Or is a waitlist for "any resort" that becomes available considered one "active" waitlist?

This hasn't been an issue for me, but I could see that it could be for a short notice trip at a popular time. We waitlisted either BWV or BCV for our weekend Food & Wine trip, so would that count as 1 or 2 waitlists?

 

[JimMIA]

I think that this underscores the "buy where you want to stay" idea!

Bobbi

I think it underscores the idea that no matter where you buy DVC, you have no idea what your membership will entitle you to tomorrow.

If I were looking to buy a vacation timeshare in today's market, I would not even consider DVC with all the fundamental changes they are trying to pass off as "improving the member experience," "streamlining," etc.

One of the prime selling points for us was that many things would never change. Sure, they could, but in the long history of DVC they never had. Well, they certainly have now.

The truth is that the only thing you are really guaranteed with DVC is that you can use your points for your home resort. That's all we can really count on under the current regime at DVC, and that makes DVC a very unpredictable, unreliable choice for a vacation timeshare...IMHO.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does this mean that you can't waitlist "everywhere" at the 7 month mark -- and you would have to pick 2 resorts only -- does each count as an "active waitlist".

Or is a waitlist for "any resort" that becomes available considered one "active" waitlist?

This hasn't been an issue for me, but I could see that it could be for a short notice trip at a popular time. We waitlisted either BWV or BCV for our weekend Food & Wine trip, so would that count as 1 or 2 waitlists?

The wording does make me think that a waitlist would have to be resort specific and each resort counts. We'll see.

 

[jekjones1558]

For those who felt that the new 11 month from check-in policy favored those with more points (they could more easily "walk" a reservation), this may be pay back. This waitlist change may favor smaller owners who have fewer reservations to make each year.

 

[dclfun]

I don't like NOT being able to waitlist day-by-day if you have an existing ressie. For instance we have a "value" studio at AKLV but wanted to wtl concierge for any of those days. Now we have to waitlist the entire vacation or cancel my value studio and waitlist. I was told that "many members were then cancelling their vacations at the last minute when their entire reservation wasn't confirmed at the location/view requested". Since when?---Kathy

 

[lisareniff]

 

[DVCSAMNH]

I get the same feeling reading these boards tonight that I get checking the balance on my retirement accounts.

Make it stop!!!!!!!

 

[AnnaS]

Wow - two updates in one evening.

They must be pretty busy there now (DVC).

 

[dvc at last !]

Thanks for the info.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Someone at DVC has been drinking the Koolaid! 2 Significant changes in one day. I am sooooooooooooooooo glad we did not do our BLT add on! I am 100% that they will need to hire more personel for MS, since, their call volume will be going way up with everyone calling all the time to check on cancellations after using their 2 waitlists. I have friends currently considering buying 300 points at BLT, I will call them first thing tomorrow and tell them to reconsider it, this is getting to be too much!

 

[lisareniff]

The updated policy is designed to improve the overall Member experience with the wait-list process by ...blah, blah, having less choices, blah... blah, blah, less work for us, blah

This change is just the latest move in a continuing effort to increase Member satisfaction, .... blah, blah, pat self on back, blah....read all about the newest change next year!

 

[HookdonWDW]

One thing that will be interesting to watch...

Currently some of those who rent out points will book a certain resort for their renters, and then waitlist them for other resorts at their request. If members are only allowed two waitlists/UY, they may be more reluctant to accomodate these requests...

 

[toocherie]

that was my thought too--that the waitlist change was somehow aimed at the "mega-renters"--I haven't been a member long, and have only used waitlist once (and ended up cancelling it before it came through). It will be interesting to get clarification on whether a waitlist for "all resorts" will be counted as one or multiple waitlists.

 

[wildernessDad]

I took it to mean two active wait lists, so that if one were satisfied for some reason (became inactive), then you could make another wait list.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I have never waitlisted. What is different now as to before? Once you have even one waitlist, if you modify it in anyway (add or sub. a day), is the entire waitlist cancelled? Between typing with one hand and all the news, I can't keep up!

 

[Laurabearz]

I think it underscores the idea that no matter where you buy DVC, you have no idea what your membership will entitle you to tomorrow.

If I were looking to buy a vacation timeshare in today's market, I would not even consider DVC with all the fundamental changes they are trying to pass off as "improving the member experience," "streamlining," etc.

One of the prime selling points for us was that many things would never change. Sure, they could, but in the long history of DVC they never had. Well, they certainly have now.

The truth is that the only thing you are really guaranteed with DVC is that you can use your points for your home resort. That's all we can really count on under the current regime at DVC, and that makes DVC a very unpredictable, unreliable choice for a vacation timeshare...IMHO.

I am seriously considering selling off more points now and jumping into the Marriot system...