Possible MS changes to changing names on reservations

[keishashadow]

Huh? You were told that you couldn't give an existing reservation for October, 2008 to your SON?!? And that it would be canceled if you or your DH were not in the room? Or, am I misunderstanding something?

no; you've got it correct.

DH thought that the "fly in the ointment" could be that my oldest "adult" son has a different surname, is married & has a home of his own (different DL address that me).

I didn't press it since i'm probably not going on the cruise.

However, i do have a theory about Walt Disney World, in general, that may apply here:

if you don't like the answer you get the first time you call...

if you keep calling; you'll eventually hear what you want to hear

anyone else told their ressie would get cancelled?

(disclaimer - i've only booked a ressie for my adult children thus far)

 

[jekjones1558]

This thread is getting scarier all the time!!

 

[Chuck S]

When did you call, Keishashadow? I wonder if this is a CM that normally works for CRO but perhaps is temporarily at MS because of the December booking window...do they cross from CRO to MS?

If so, I don't think you can change reservation names on a cash reservation, so the CM may have been applying the same rules.

If this truly is a new rule, this is something I object strongly to, as well. While I haven't had to change names yet on an existing reservation, I can foresee the possibility of needing to do so at some point in the future. I would hate not to be able to gift an existing reservation to friends or family. I'd never charge them "rent" for my points, when we take people with us, they always have their own room, and I give them their points, they are my guests.

 

[CarolMN]

This is one I'd like to see in writing! If that happened to me (couldn't give my October 2008 reservation to my adult child and his family), I'd be sending an email off to MS asking why!

 

[keishashadow]

When did you call, Keishashadow? I wonder if this is a CM that normally works for CRO but perhaps is temporarily at MS because of the December booking window...do they cross from CRO to MS?

If so, I don't think you can change reservation names on a cash reservation, so the CM may have been applying the same rules.

If this truly is a new rule, this is something I object strongly to, as well. While I haven't had to change names yet on an existing reservation, I can foresee the possibility of needing to do so at some point in the future. I would hate not to be able to gift an existing reservation to friends or family. I'd never charge them "rent" for my points, when we take people with us, they always have their own room, and I give them their points, they are my guests.

It was either last thursday or friday, during the day

i am in agreement as to what i think is an unreasonable policy, always thought if something unforseen did happen I could bank my points (no longer feasible for our standard summer vacation & my UY) Even when banking was not longer allowable; at least I could gift it to somebody

starting to think perhaps the CM was indeed wrong, and that this isn't now policy based on the comments here; at least i hope so

IMO booking a prime time ressie with the intent to sell is a totally different thing than gifting a ressie to family.

while i understand DVCs interpretation of "immediate family" for AP discounts (must have the same address); i think it should be expanded in scope for allowing immediate family to use a reservation under any circumstances.

I'd be inclined to think as baby boomers get older, they will be taking less trips to WDW yet hope to permit their family (whether immediate or otherwise) to utilize their membership points.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Disney Cruise Line (like most all cruise lines) has a cancellation policy. It is similar to the airlines. If you had booked airfare on United, you could not just call and change the names on the flights. You have to cancel and rebook. It is the same way with the cruise. This would not be a DVC policy, but a DCL policy.

 

[lenshanem]

That's typical Disney consistency for you! Maybe you just have an honest face, Shan!

This is funny, maybe I do?!?

I noticed this past trip that every time I went thru the parks security they never even looked into my bag and I carry EpiPens and all kinds of stuff for DD. Twice I saw them make a woman ahead of me pull out everything out of their backpacks! and yet they just waved me on thru and told me to have a good day...

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I cannot believe they said it would be cancelled!

I have 2 studios for 1 night next Oct, my mom is the primary on the 2nd one, different last name, different address. Should it be cancelled, I will NOT be happy, since it will leave me without a room for my mom and 2 of the kids.

We always get the DDP and usually, only I have to show ID at check-in, since I am primary on the reservation. My sister usually comes in on a later flight and they just give me her room key with charging.

<sigh> Consistency. Is it just a pipe dream??

 

[keishashadow]

Disney Cruise Line (like most all cruise lines) has a cancellation policy. It is similar to the airlines. If you had booked airfare on United, you could not just call and change the names on the flights. You have to cancel and rebook. It is the same way with the cruise. This would not be a DVC policy, but a DCL policy.

I wouldn't be using DVC points for the cruise, cash thru DCL direct; while retaining the original DVC ressie

just wanted to keep said ressie; so as not lose my banked points or have to mess with a rental (to strangers) and be nice to my kids

 

[JimMIA]

I cannot believe they said it would be cancelled!

I have 2 studios for 1 night next Oct, my mom is the primary on the 2nd one, different last name, different address. Should it be cancelled, I will NOT be happy, since it will leave me without a room for my mom and 2 of the kids.

Well, the way I read our speculation on the possibility of a rumor concerning name changes...

I don't think anyone's said they would cancel a reservation just because you made it in someone else's name. I think they're talking about making a ressie in your name and then wanting to change it to someone else. They're not trying to stop the practice of reserving for other people; what they are really trying to stop (I think) is speculative bookings by commercial renters during peak time periods.

My read on the speculative possibility of this rumor is they're saying they'll still change names, but it would be a cancellation and re-booking...which means subject to availability.

If there was no availability, I guess you'd keep the ressie and try again later -- or, if you were changing it for a reason other than rental (giving it to a relative, for example), you could ask for a supervisor and explain it to them.

If that didn't work, you'd just hang up and keep calling back until you got a CM who would give you the answer you wanted.

Disney inconsistency is not without its charms!

 

[Inkmahm]

If this rumor is true I will be quite mad with DVC. I make all the ressies and they are always under my name, but whatever relative that goes with us I just don't always know at 11 months out. If I lose my ressie at my home resort at BCV or VWL because I had to change a name and then all that is left is SSR my head would pop right off my body I'm sure.

Same here! Except my home advantage is at AKV, VWL and BWV. I don't think I've had one trip where the actual people who come with us are the ones I put on the reseration at 11 months out. Generally, I keep ADDING people!

 

[Inkmahm]

Really? My experience has been just the opposite. I don't think I've ever checked into DVC without showing photo ID. And when we've been on DDP, they have not only wanted to physically see my wife and daughter, they've wanted photo ID from my wife as well.

Maybe I've just been lucky -- or unlucky, depending on your point of view.

The only photo ID we've been asked for is mine because all DVC reservations are in my name. They've never asked to see ID for my husband, mom, sister, nieces/nephew, inlaws, etc. Just mine. We don't do DDP so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[DVC Mike]

Well, the way I read our speculation on the possibility of a rumor concerning name changes...

I think it's a bit funny how someone posts a rumor or some information, and without any verification of the information, we all have a good time debating the issue and bad-mouthing DVC.

Oh well, it certainly makes for a good read.

I'm waiting to hear if there really is a change and what it might be...

 

[JimMIA]

If this rumor is true I will be quite mad with DVC. I make all the ressies and they are always under my name, but whatever relative that goes with us I just don't always know at 11 months out. If I lose my ressie at my home resort at BCV or VWL because I had to change a name and then all that is left is SSR my head would pop right off my body I'm sure.

Hopefully, DVC won't get too heavy-handed with this -- if in fact anything happens. But they do have a bit of a history lately for using nuclear fixes for fly-swatter problems (the one-transfer rule certainly comes to mind).

With many of the changes they've made recently, it seems like they have some really myopic people who have no clue about how DVC is used by owners making decisions. They perceive some problem (which may or may not be serious enough to worry about) and they come up with the easiest (or cheapest) solution for them to implement.

The result of those poor decisions, in some cases, is a reduction in the value of DVC ownership.

I really hope prospective purchasers are not so blinded by pixie dust that they don't consider these issues, because this is the reality they will live with when the pixie dust fades away.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Okay, so I doubt this rumor is true, since it is definitely against the POS. Now as for the showing ID to check in....I have NEVER in 11 years of member ship had to do that!!! I usually walk up to the counter and present my DVC membership card and credit card, and have NEVER been asked for anything else.

 

[JimMIA]

Now as for the showing ID to check in....I have NEVER in 11 years of member ship had to do that!!! I usually walk up to the counter and present my DVC membership card and credit card, and have NEVER been asked for anything else.

That clinches it for me! I don't really mind showing ID, but I'm leaving my suicide-bomber vest in the car from now on.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

On the "other board" users are having the same discussion on the policy change...

Today I called to update some DME flight info, and she told, me that very shortly (once the 'NEW' computer system is up and running) that name changes will no longer be allowed for existing reservations!!!

Specifically, that the software will not permit name changes/additions or deletions to existing reservations. Confirmation letters will now list each guest, and any errors must be reported to MS where a supervisor can make spelling corrections. I expressed my great concern about this policy, as we have never yet had a vacation where all 5 of us were listed correctly, and this last vacation, my DD Rebecca, was not on the ressie at all. (BTW, the conf. letter indicated 5 guests, at check-in Guest # 5 was a blank).

I also said, I expect this to create much more work for the MS-Advisors, correcting all the errors and misspellings.

My Advisor replied, that this is specifically being done to prevent speculation bookings of the Holidays, and if names need to be added or deleted, the ressie will be cancelled, and only rebooked if available.

Note this is not a change to the lead check-in name, it will be to any names on the ressie.

 

[DebbieB]

That is totally crazy, especially when you are booking 11 months out. I am going to send an e-mail.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

OMG, this is crazy!! I have 3 young adult children, and they change their mind like the wind!! I already had to change the ressie twice since Dec. for my April trip! This is upsetting.

 

[JimMIA]

I think it's a bit funny how someone posts a rumor or some information, and without any verification of the information, we all have a good time debating the issue and bad-mouthing DVC.

Yep, it's amusing to watch us sometimes!

OTOH, often it's one of those "Where there's smoke, there's fire" things. It's one thing when one person comes up with one little rumor, but it's something else again when we start hearing the same rumor, from supposedly reliable sources like MS advisors, from numerous people, on several websites.

I remember the big dustup last year over DDP. At first, there was some information that got out somehow and people said it was "just a rumor." Then, the actual details appeared in the union contract which was voted down, and people said it was "just a rumor." Then, it showed up in another contract which was approved, and people said it was "just a rumor." Then Virgin Travel in the UK started selling travel packages which specifically included the changes and people said it was "just a rumor." Even when Disney Dining formally announced the changes, some people said it was "just a rumor," and demanded proof! When posters gave them links to the official Disney documents, they said, "Oh. I didn't know that. "

I hope -- if there is a change -- that it will not be as Draconian as some posters are talking about. If the info BostonDisneyKid posted is correct, a number of folks who bought addons in order to take friends and relatives to WDW simply won't be able to do that any more.