OKW - No Luck Booking at 11 Months!

[DisDaydreamer]

Actually, to walk you only need enough points to book 2 weekend nights, so the reallocation actually made it accessible to more members. -- Suzanne

Yes, you can do it, but someone with enough points to book ahead 7 days has a great advantage over the ones who don't. In theory it works, but someone booking two days out by the second call may find no availability.

I agree with the assertion (not yours) that DVC wants to cut down on calls, but now we are finding that people are "walking", which is just the same as calling day by day (just a week ahead). The end result will be some fewer calls because many people with fewer points will give up when nothing is available on that 2nd or 3rd call.

And I agree with Maistre Gracey. The old system was what leveled the field between the mega owner and the little owners. It is the only way to make it equitable. It was one of the best things that made DVC better than many other timeshares (for us).

Bottom line is DVC has figured this into the equation and know that making prime time bookings favor the ones with more points... should cause more people to buy more points.

This is how it works now. Not very pretty.

 

[tjkraz]

I agree with the assertion (not yours) that DVC wants to cut down on calls, but now we are finding that people are "walking", which is just the same as calling day by day (just a week ahead). The end result will be some fewer calls because many people with fewer points will give up when nothing is available on that 2nd or 3rd call.

These little pockets of dissatisfaction immediately following holiday bookings were predictable. When you have insufficient supply to meet demand, obviously some are going to be left out in the cold.

But let's keep things in perspective, here. The thread created specifically to track feedback on the new booking system shows success percentages in the high 90s. Those who didn't get what they wanted were looking for things like AKV concierge which would have been trouble under the old system.

When you take into account the incredibly high degree of success, thousands of member calls eliminated, HOURS of time saved collectively by DVC members, and removal of the needless fear which drove people to DBD bookings throughout the year, the new policy has been a godsend.

And I agree with Maistre Gracey. The old system was what leveled the field between the mega owner and the little owners. It is the only way to make it equitable. It was one of the best things that made DVC better than many other timeshares (for us).

No, it created a level of preferential bookings for people who happened to read about DBD bookings on-line, or had it mentioned to them by a Member Services rep or their mailman. There was nothing equitable about day-by-day bookings because there were tens-of-thousands of owners who were never aware of the possibility.

Bottom line is DVC has figured this into the equation and know that making prime time bookings favor the ones with more points... should cause more people to buy more points.

Members are not going to spend thousands of dollars on additional points just to "walk" a reservation.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Yes, you can do it, but someone with enough points to book ahead 7 days has a great advantage over the ones who don't. In theory it works, but someone booking two days out by the second call may find no availability.

The 2 day walker has the exact same gauranteed ability to extend their reservation as the 7 day walker. The only difference is that the 2 day walker must call every day; the 7 day walker can call every 7 days.

Example: Member A books a room for Day 1 and Day 2 at 11 months out for Day 1. Member B books a rooms fro Days 1 - 7 at 11 months out for Day 1. All rooms for Day 1 and Day 2 are now booked.

Member C calls at 9 am at 11 months out for Day 2 and wants to book Days 2-8. Member C cannot book a room since Day 2 is already fully booked. Day 3 is available, but Member C will need to call back the next day to book it.

Member A calls back at 11 months out for Day 2 and wants to book Day 3. He is allowed to do so because he already has a reservaiton for Day 2. So he books Day 3 and cancels Day 1.

Member C calls back at 9 am at 11 months out for Day 3 and wants to book Days 3-8. Member C cannot book a room since Day 3 is already fully booked. Day 4 is available, but Member C will need to call back the next day to book it.

Member A calls back at 11 months out for Day 3 and books day 4 and cancels Day 2. And so on, until Member A gets the reservation he wants.

What about Member B, who booked Days 1-7? She calls back at 11 months out for Day 7 and wants to book Day 8. She is allowed to do so becuase she already has a reservation for Day 7. Anyone else calling that day without an existing reservation for Day 7 will need to call back the next day to book Day 8. So Member B books Day 8 and cancels Day 1 -6.

-- Suzanne

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just as "day by day" calling was known only to some...so is "walking." Member Services has not issued a statement specifically allowing this. So, if one was unfair, then this system is as well.

I bought in '03 specifically for a Birthday party for DM. I need 4-5 villas during December, I needed SV BWV rooms, and I knew to do "day by day" for that most important reservation and I was successful.

If those were the two choices for booking, I prefer day by day, but if walking is what it takes to get a Beach Cottage, or a room for NYE, I must admit that I am very tempted to do it.

Bobbi

PS. I would also be happy if MS puts in some sort of safeguards for members who don't do either. I bought a Disney timeshare, not something that needs a "game plan" to book what I want with a fair chance to get it.

 

[fishermouse]

All this dicussion aside I have to admitt that I have almost never had trouble getting a room, so it may not be fair for me to judge the way some folks feel they have to book. Maybe the smaller resorts or special request have more trouble. I've booked BWV for the marathon at around 2 months out, and have never had trouble getting FWF at SSR or AKV, recently booked July SSR no problem. The only time I was unable to get a resi was trying to get late June about 5 weeks out no suprise there. I just don't want DVC to make a decision based on the needs of a few members, I supose as long as it's not a huge problem they'll just ignore it.