Overbooking DVC Resorts

[Dean]

The only thing I've experienced with II has been notices of maintenance to be done at the resort. Of course, I exclusively stay at Marriott's so perhaps they have different policies to protect guests.

What troubles me is the number of such cases reported recently and at the smaller resorts. Perhaps VWL, BCV and BWV management is just overwhelmed with the demand these days.

It happens with II for Marriott's and non Marriott's. Mistakes and miscommunications happen. I once had an exchange for my Mom then after they had made all the arrangements, II decided they really didn't have the week we were confirmed to and couldn't get another. Had to change to a much less desirable week but fortunately she was able to change her plans. I've seen similar issues reported on TUG over the years and both II and RCI don't really seem to care. Last year I had a week I own at Surfwatch and a week I traded for (GO to Surfwatch) but the trade was 1 day off. II called me and said that the member had deposited by mistake or something to that effect. They asked if I could change but made it clear I didn't have to. They offered me the same week that started the same day as my owned week so I took it. Having the extra day had some advantages but this was fine too. My only concern was that they messed it up but things worked fine. Also, II's policy says that if they give you an exchange and the resort blows away (for example) they have no obligation to you.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I am the OP of that thread and no, it was not a rental transaction.

Sorry to disturb... I was meaning to suggest that non owners would not know how to get the best results in the time of a problem. Renters and owner guests are pretty much on the same field of ignorance when it comes to knowing what to demand for. As I would be at any other timeshare...

 

[DisDaydreamer]

As I understood it, DVC can never overbook. That's all spelled out in the contracts in how X number of points sold equals X number of rooms. They balance out their points based on a first come first serve reservation list. And any rooms available to CRO are only there when owners exchange points for cash rooms (hotels, outside Disney or cruises).

So these incidents of "overbooking" make me think something is very hinky about the system. Something that needs to be corrected.

I agree with you... not just the contracts, but DVC resorts are NOT profit centers... (as Crisi turned my light bulb onto) so they don't have any reason to overbook. They don't make any more money with a fully booked resort than a 50% booked resort. The sales are done, no enticing needed. So there would be no reason to overbook... in fact, it would actually save DVC money in operational costs (electric, laundry, etc.) to book short... The only other part of the equation is that Disney gets more people at the parks when the DVC resorts are full.... So, I don't really know what is going on.

 

[BroganMc]

It happens with II for Marriott's and non Marriott's. Mistakes and miscommunications happen. I once had an exchange for my Mom then after they had made all the arrangements, II decided they really didn't have the week we were confirmed to and couldn't get another.

Ok, but that's not really an overbooking issue as much as a data entry problem. And yes those happen all the time everywhere. That's when you get the call in advance of your leaving for the vacation. I've yet to see someone show up at a Marriott resort on an II exchange and told they don't have room so will be moved to the Residence Inn or Courtyard down the street.

It just seems like in this case, CRO is getting too agressive in its bookings of DVC rooms. They may be overbooking and the resort front desks are not handling the situation correctly. Namely that points reservation guests are not moved while paying guests are.

Now we may have had a situation of check-ins the day before causing the problem with poor management of the next day's bookings. i.e. if paying guest X checks in on Saturday for 6 days and takes the last of 5 rooms, then points guest Y checks in on Sunday and there are no rooms changing over.

Also it may be that this is popping up at the bundled hotel DVCs because the Front Desk staff aren't educated properly about the various amenities of each. If they presume two hotel rooms are the same as a 2 bedroom condo with kitchen and laundry, you know something is amiss.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Another poster just had their boardwalk view room changed to garden view!!! This is very disturbing...I hope they post the problem on this thread. Now I am really paranoid....

 

[GusMan]

Another poster just had their boardwalk view room changed to garden view!!! This is very disturbing...I hope they post the problem on this thread. Now I am really paranoid....

While not specific to the thread in question, but with these reports starting to trickle in, Im not as much interested in how it happened but how was the problem ultimately resolved. And I am not necessarily referring to what kind of room they ended up in. Im talking about the post-vacation talks with Member Services, what happened to the points that were used, and what was provided for their trouble.

I think we know that overbooking, in theory, should pretty much never happen. But the end game will be most helpful in see what can be done after the fact in the hopefully rare event that this happens.

So far, I think what we are seeing are indeed rare instances and members do not need to panic about their upcoming vacations. I think the usual prudent pre-vacation checks will yield good fruit in making sure you are getting what is expected and also allow time to get any issues worked out before the journey starts.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

While not specific to the thread in question, but with these reports starting to trickle in, Im not as much interested in how it happened but how was the problem ultimately resolved. And I am not necessarily referring to what kind of room they ended up in. Im talking about the post-vacation talks with Member Services, what happened to the points that were used, and what was provided for their trouble.

I think we know that overbooking, in theory, should pretty much never happen. But the end game will be most helpful in see what can be done after the fact in the hopefully rare event that this happens.

So far, I think what we are seeing are indeed rare instances and members do not need to panic about their upcoming vacations. I think the usual prudent pre-vacation checks will yield good fruit in making sure you are getting what is expected and also allow time to get any issues worked out before the journey starts.

They posted on the operations thread....their points were put into holding!

 

[kimberh]

They posted on the operations thread....their points were put into holding!

I would pitch a fit! Put my points into holding for their mistake!!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

They were late arrivals at BWV and it looks like they probably gave their room away earlier in the night. I would dispute this with MS and demand compensation, myself.

They need to be held accountable to the DVC Members for keeping reservations made months prior, and for not changing anything regarding Members' points without their knowledge and permission.

 

[Dean]

Another poster just had their boardwalk view room changed to garden view!!! This is very disturbing...I hope they post the problem on this thread. Now I am really paranoid....

I wouldn't worry too much, things happen. There was a run of 2 or 3 similar items about 5 or 6 years ago at BCV. I don't think there's any concern for a system trend here and I'm probably about the most distrustful of DVC of anyone here. The time to handle these type of issues is at the point of impact and for several of the issues we've seen, that was not done or known at the time for various reasons.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I wouldn't worry too much, things happen. There was a run of 2 or 3 similar items about 5 or 6 years ago at BCV. I don't think there's any concern for a system trend here and I'm probably about the most distrustful of DVC of anyone here. The time to handle these type of issues is at the point of impact and for several of the issues we've seen, that was not done or known at the time for various reasons.

Thanks for easing my mind! My April Boardwalk ressie is my first as a DVC member......I am just hoping all goes well. All these new issues are just making me real nervous.

 

[GusMan]

They posted on the operations thread....their points were put into holding!

Yes, I saw that. But without going back to the thread and rereading everything, I got the impression that they still needed to contact MS and get things straightened out. (By all means, correct me if I am wrong or if it has been already discussed somewhere else.) Its thats conversation that I am interested in, as well as what happens as a result and I think others would be as well.