Possible new DVC-Board feature....Would you be interested?

[Caskbill]

PLEASE READ BEFORE VOTING! This is a multiple response poll, meaning you may vote for more than just one item.

For some time we have been thinking about having some type of user feedback system to report availability at the various DVC-Resorts. The moderators have been discussing this and we are interested in your thoughts.

It might work something like this:

1. There would be a new DVC-board strictly for this, but with special rules applicable.

2. There would be 12 basic threads, one for each month of the year. The top post would summarize all information gathered, showing all resort/villa combinations with the dates that have been reported by yourselves as not being available.

3. We would track the date you called MS and give some statistics on availability at the 11-month (maybe 7-month) windows.

4. As a DISboard member you would submit a reply post into the appropriate thread whenever you make a report. We will have custom software to read the reports and update the information in the thread's lead post.

At this point we're seeking your thoughts on this. Please vote in the poll above. YOU MAY VOTE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE! Feel free to make reply posts if you'd like to add comments.

Thanks,

Your DVC-Board moderators

 

[50 years Too!]

I'd like that information.
Thanks, Caskbill.

Deb

 

[dvcdisney]

That would be great and very informative.

Thanks.

 

[Claire L]

Sounds like a great idea

Claire

 

[DaveH]

Sounds like a very interesting idea. Right now we have not needed this. I can see this being helpful. I got the impression that developer points are changing the way rooms are available now. I think this could help allot of folks make better informed decisions on vacation planning.

 

[iluvdisney]

Sounds like a great idea!

 

[snappy]

I voted very interested. I failed to also vote yes, I would contribute to make a report.

I think in view of the onging complaints about securing reservations this would be a very timely board to add, benefitting borth potential buyers on the fence about buying as well as owners trying to plan future stays.

 

[Laurabearz]

I would contribute, but I think it's kind of an exercise in futilitly lol

 

[WDWLVR]

Sounds interesting. I'd be willing to contribute.

 

[doconeill]

I had thought about writing something that would take this information, and provide statistics on the likelyhood of being able to book a resort at a particular time...then I realized the amount of data necessary for it to be meaningful would probably be hard to obtain. Hopefully with the full might of the DISboards it is doable.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Awsome idea! Wish i had Access to help you out!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We will probably only be traveling once a year on points, and we tend to travel the same couple of weeks every summer.

I would obviously be very interested in seeing availability for "my" weeks, and I would happily contribute the info I get. It just would be pretty narrow in scope!

 

[Laurabearz]

I think it's important to have what day of the week they tried to begin their vacation.

 

[BCV23]

Voted A and a.

 

[doconeill]

I think it's important to have what day of the week they tried to begin their vacation.

Oy, I've got a headache now just thinking about how to correlate date and day...

 

[disneynutz]

I see it as a lot of work with little benefit. There are too many variables. For the system to work it would require constant updates and I don't see active DISers booking everyday. I wouldn't make my WDW plans based upon the DIS data so what's the benefit?

The DIS tells me that there is availability, I make my plans and call MS. Sorry, not all of your dates are available, why bother?

It's a nice thought but I just don't see it working as envisioned.

 

[ACDSNY]

I don't book WDW very often and I've never had any problem with availability, but I'm willing to contribute data.

 

[wisbucky]

Bill, I think this is a wonderful idea!!

 

[wildernessDad]

Exactly what would we report about availability, that we got a certain reservation, didn't get it or either?

 

[Caskbill]

Exactly what would we report about availability, that we got a certain reservation, didn't get it or either?

The process would be heavily automated using specifically created software. We already do similar automatic processing of threads on the Rent/Trade board.

The report would of course give all the 'warnings', that the information gathered is only what has been submitted by our users and may or may not represent the true status of availability at the listed resorts, etc.

There would be a special format for users to submit data so that it could be 'read' by the computer. Directions would be furnished. For example, suppose a member called today and found out there were no Studios available at BCV for his/her requested dates of Dec 5th through the 9th.

They would make a 'reply post' to the December thread using special text:

Example: 7-26-2008,BCV,NA,ST,5,6,7,8,9

Since it's in the December thread, the computer would interpret this report that a call to MS on 7/26/08 was told that there is No Availability for a BCV studio for Dec 5, 6,7, 8 or 9th.

The main page showing everything for December, would have a line item for BCV studios, with the dates. A date in red would mean someone reported it was not available. A date in Blue would indicated someone reported it was available. A report in Black would mean no one has reported on this date yet.

It might look something like this:

Beach Club Villas
..Studio 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
...1-B/R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
...2-B/R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

We would update the report every several days so at most the data might be up to a week old. If someone had reported availability (blue) but no one reports the same date again within the week, the color would revert back to black. This way if you see blue it would mean someone had checked with MS and reported and that resort was available at least within the past week.

Of course everything depends on everyone submitting information.

Everything collected will be stored into an Access database which the program will read to create the output data report. We would make this available (via email) if someone wanted to do a specific study and report the results.

Keep in mind everything is still in the concept stage. At this point we're looking to see if this is really feasible and will be accurate enough to be of benefit to you, our users.

Bill