New wait-list process designed to improve Member experience

[jdg345]

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!

Okay, seriously now ... I want a list of who these members are and where to find them ... Because of all the members I know, none of them want less flexibility while gaining nothing in return.

I guess there was a super secret survey for this too.

 

[bookwormde]

Theoretically a complaint to the state timeshare regulatory agency would require that they “justify” that the change was in the best interest of the majority of owners as required by the statute.

In practice I do not know if it would happen

Since this rule will exponentially increase the number of calls for room classes that can not be waitlisted for, how long until DVC limits the number of calls members can make.

bookwormde

 

[jdg345]

I don't know the answer but it's a good question. They did away with the day by day WL, but then kind of allowed it again by telling people to call back and grab individual dates as they became available. So if I WL for, say, Dec 3-7 and manage to fill in Dec 4 by calling MS, do I now have 2 WLs, one for Dec 3 and and another for Dec 5-7? I would expect that I do. So if I then manage to get Dec 6 by calling MS, then I need to WL for Dec 3, Dec 5 and Dec 7, so that might be considered 3 active WLs and I would be over the limit.

I actually think that the reason for this new 'improvement' is partially to stop this practice. I guess they finally realized that disallowing DBD WL wasn't going to reduce call volumes (duh). Now this reduces your incentive to try to manually fill in those days, because you could get stuck.

That said, you can always book Dec 4 and Dec 6 under a different name and leave the WL intact -- or maybe just the 6th -- and continue to call trying to fill in the days.

Since waitlists are slow to fill anyways, it's still in our best interest to try to fill them ourselves anyways, calling DBD (multiples) if necessary.

This just seems like another poorly thought out rule ... as another posted said, "Who knows what they're really trying to accomplish?".

 

[Simba's Mom]

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

Bobbi

I think you're right. I know that DVC has the right to limit people to staying at their home resort (I think that's in the fine print of our contract somewhere), but there's been discussion that they'd never do that. While I agree that they wouldn't go that far, they do seem to be making it a little harder every day to book at a non-home resort. I'm so glad we own at the 3 resorts we want to stay at, and am now glad that we did the "sell/buy" to get to have the right home resort.

 

[dzorn]

Has MS given any further clarification on this? Has anyone else confirmed you will not be allowed to wait list if you have an existing reservation?

Denise in MI

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Has MS given any further clarification on this? Has anyone else confirmed you will not be allowed to wait list if you have an existing reservation?

Denise in MI

On another post, a member said they were unable to get a GV at OKW for late Dec/NYE, so they booked a 2BR and studio and WLed for a GV. There has only been a single report of not being allowed to WL with an existing reservation and it is not supported by any of the announced changes to the WL policy. It sounds like a CM giving one member bad info. -- Suzanne

 

[jarestel]

Based on the posted information from the DVC site regarding active wait lists - a member may have 2 active wait lists per membership, per use year - it doesn't sound like wait listing under another name will work. The wording doesn't specify member but rather membership. Note this doesn't affect the ability to make reservations under another name, just wait lists.

At this point, information from MS may be considered suspect and likely to be taken with a grain of salt since these changes are as new to them as they are to us. However, I did speak with a rep from MS recently regarding the definition of an active wait list.

Example 1: I want to stay at SSR for one week but all of the days are not available. I choose to wait list the entire week. This is defined as one active wait list.

Example 2: I want to stay at SSR for one week but all of the days are not available. I book the days that are available and wait list for Tuesday & Thursday which are not currently available. This is defined as two active wait lists and I have reached my limit until one of these wait lists become inactive, either by filling in the day or by dropping the request.

I didn't ask the question regarding the ability to make wait list requests while holding an existing reservation as I didn't read this thread until afterwards. However, this would make no sense and I agree with previous posters that this is probably misinformation from MS as they struggle to adapt to new rules & policies.

 

[dzorn]

Quite frankly I wondered if they wanted to discourage people from booking at 11 months then switching at 7 months.

Denise in MI

 

[bobbiwoz]

I do think this is better for owners of resorts. You have to decide which of the small resorts you want, say X, and you can't waitlist for X, Y and Z. So, an owner of Y can perhaps get a villa because no one was on a waitlist for it when it was freed up.

Sometime people who change, get one of the desired, and then still go on a waitlist for an even more desirable choice. Even if this can still happen, there's a period for owners of the resort to get in between waitlists.

Bobbi

 

[HookdonWDW]

I do think this is better for owners of resorts. You have to decide which of the small resorts you want, say X, and you can't waitlist for X, Y and Z. So, an owner of Y can perhaps get a villa because no one was on a waitlist for it when it was freed up.

I think I would like the new waitlist policy more if they had changed it in the following manner:

1. If you already have an existing reservation, you can only have up to two waitlists at a time. This way, you already have *somewhere* to stay in the system.

2. If you don't have an existing reservation, you could make a "first available" reservation, and get a reservation for the first room that matches your needs. This could allow for more than two waitlist choices. This would help members to get in the system. I might prefer AKL, but if I didn't have any room at all, SSR would start to look pretty good!

3. If the reservation is being made in the name of another party, you are limited to one waitlist request. This would give reservations for non-members/guests lowest priority for waitlists, and perhaps open up more rooms for members.

JMHO. YMMV

 

[granmanh603]

Ok a year ago I delayed making a reservation for 3 weeks in OCT...when called could only get SSR for that time with 3 separate 2 to 3 days WL (MID week by the way)during that period ....what would I do now....???? Anyone know...boy this has been a terrible month for me and my DVC magical feelings. (I am booked right now for 3 weeks at SSR and just last week got a letter that the main pool will be closed....but there are 3 other smaller "leisure pools" for that huge resort....and the new point charts posted...this does not feel good...

 

[jdg345]

Ok a year ago I delayed making a reservation for 3 weeks in OCT...when called could only get SSR for that time with 3 separate 2 to 3 days WL (MID week by the way)during that period ....what would I do now....???? Anyone know...boy this has been a terrible month for me and my DVC magical feelings. (I am booked right now for 3 weeks at SSR and just last week got a letter that the main pool will be closed....but there are 3 other smaller "leisure pools" for that huge resort....and the new point charts posted...this does not feel good...

As long as you call before Feb 1st, the 'old rules' still apply.

 

[dis-happy]

First, I hope it still lets you have an existing reservation and con't to waitlist (as in 11/7 booking). But will admit that if you read closely what is written on the website there is room in the text to include what dclfun was told. Can't wait to see what Feb. 1st brings.

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.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

First, I hope it still lets you have an existing reservation and con't to waitlist (as in 11/7 booking). But will admit that if you read closely what is written on the website there is room in the text to include what dclfun was told. Can't wait to see what Feb. 1st brings.

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.

I still think it's ridiculous to do it by membership. We have 510 points so we can share our "vacation home" with friends and family. We frequently try to reserve three-four different types of accomodations for the same time period in the same resort. I can't tell you how many times they were all available when our call started and then "poof" disappeared by the time each reservation was processed. This past January trip was a perfect example of us reserving some nights while waitlisting others so we could all be in the same resort at the same time.

If I had only 160-200 points and was only planning one trip a year, no problem - but we don't and we're not.

We split our membership into three separate 170 point contracts - we should be allowed to use them separately.

I am so royally annoyed by this change. If, when I call at 11 months out and say I need 1 2bd and 2 studios and they're all available and they can "lock" them right then and there, fine. But, when you can't do that and you're trying to coordinate friends and family - this is really, really infuriating. So, I can't reserve ANYTHING if I want to waitlist something? Am I really, really reading this correctly?

 

[lisareniff]

I finally called MS and talked to a CM (not supervisor) and as others have reported, I recieved the same information. You may only have 2 active waitlists at a time for each UY.

I did ask about what was considered a wait list. And my suspicions were confirmed. Any room type is considered a waitlist. That does include the lock-offs vs. decicateds for 2 bedrooms, 2 Q rooms at BCV, dedicated vs. lock-off studios at AKV, Kidani vs. Jambo, etc. She did verify there are 9 posssible waitlists for a AKV studio.

I think this list is complete.

Shall we list the possible waitlists from which we can choose 2????

Grand Villas
AKL Jambo
AKL Kidani
BLT Magic Kingdom View
BLT Bay Lake View
BWV
OKW Near HH
OKW
SSR
HH
VB

2 Bedroom
AKL Jambo Savannah View Dedicated
AKL Jambo Savannah View Lock-off
AKL Jambo Standard View Dedicated
AKL Jambo Standard View Lock-off
AKL Jambo Value Dedicated
AKL Jambo Value Lock-off
AKL Kidani Savannah View Dedicated
AKL Kidani Savannah View Lock-off
AKL Kidani Standard View Dedicated
AKL Kidani Standard View Lock-off
AKL Concierge
BCV Dedicated
BCV Dedicated w/2 Queens
BCV Lock-off
BLT Magic Kingdom View Dedicated
BLT Magic Kingdom View Lock-off
BLT Bay Lake View Dedicated
BLT Bay Lake View Lock-off
BLT Standard View Dedicated
BLT Standard View Lock-off
BWV Standard View
BWV Boardwalk View
BWV Pool/Garden View
OKW Near HH Dedicated
OKW Near HH Lock-off
OKW Dedicated
OKW Lock-off
SSR Dedicated
SSR Lock-off
SSR Treehouse
VWL Dedicated
VWL Lock-off
HH Dedicated
HH Lock-off
VB Dedicated
VB Lock-off

One Bedroom
AKL Jambo Savannah View
AKL Jambo Standard View
AKL Jambo Value
AKL Kidani Savannah View
AKL Kidani Standard View
AKL Concierge
BCV
BLT Magic Kingdom View
BLT Bay Lake View
BLT Standard View
BWV Standard View
BWV Boardwalk View
BWV Pool/Garden View
OKW Near HH
OKW
SSR
VWL
HH
VB

Studios
AKL Jambo Savannah View Dedicated
AKL Jambo Savannah View Lock-off
AKL Jambo Standard View Dedicated
AKL Jambo Standard View Lock-off
AKL Jambo Value Dedicated
AKL Jambo Value Lock-off
AKL Kidani Savannah View
AKL Kidani Standard View
AKL Concierge
BCV
BLT Magic Kingdom View
BLT Bay Lake View
BLT Standard View
BWV Standard View
BWV Boardwalk View
BWV Pool/Garden View
OKW Near HH
OKW
SSR
VWL
HH
VB Ocean View Inn Room
VB Garden View Inn Room
VB Studio

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Wow this is so complicated. I am glad that we usually stay where we bought in (BCV's). There aren't any view choices based on points so it is relatively easy. The only other way now is to get your room without using a waitlist Last year in early Dec. I needed a ressie in early in January and I believe they waitlisted me( I had no idea what they were doing) at several resorts because there was no availibility anywhere. I finally got 2 days at SSR in a one bedroom and two nights at BWV's in a studio. If the new rules were in effect I wouldnt have had a room at all Is there whatever becomes available choice?

 

[DisneyWalker44]

I think this list is complete.

Are studio and 1BR walkoff/dedicate separate booking categories at VWL/BCV/BWV?

 

[lisareniff]

Are studio and 1BR lock-off/dedicated separate booking categories at VWL/BCV/BWV?

I have never heard that they were separate categories. It is possible, but in the 6 years of reading the boards have never heard any hint of this distinction. That is why it surprised me so that AKV was separating the dedicated and lock-off studios into different booking categories.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Are studio and 1BR walkoff/dedicate separate booking categories at VWL/BCV/BWV?

I had asked about this on the DIS for VWL and the response I received is they are not booking categories. Just something you can request for assignment at check-in.

 

[toocherie]

maybe this has been brought up previously, but won't this actually increase calls to member services? If I've booked at my home resort at 11 months, and then want to switch to another resort at 7 months--I can't do that unless I call to check if the other reservation is available--can't waitlist it (because I have a back-up reservation at my home resort)--so presumably I would be calling EVERY day to see if the availability has opened up at the resort I really want to stay at that trip?