Raise Your Voice: Guaranteed Booking Categories at SSR

[Mokat76]

Partially quoting back at you.

Then why would you care either way?



On two occasions above you stated that it really shouldn't matter where one stays. Now you're apparently concerned with all of the "good" rooms getting taken by those who can plan far in advance. So which is it?

I care because I think the elitist attitude of some DVCers is over the top.

It can be both. Maybe I'm looking at the bigger picture of more SSR owners who aren't willing to plan their lives around the 11-month magic date, but who just might want one of the "better" rooms.

And by the way, am I not allowed to disagree w/o eye-rolling smilies?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Partially quoting back at you.



I care because I think the elitist attitude of some DVCers is over the top.

It can be both. Maybe I'm looking at the bigger picture of more SSR owners who aren't willing to plan their lives around the 11-month magic date, but who just might want one of the "better" rooms.

And by the way, am I not allowed to disagree w/o eye-rolling smilies?

It's unclear to me why this proposal is elitist.

As with many things in life, first come first served is the norm.
If you want to buy the only blue car on the lot, buy it now or don't complain in two months because someone else bought it.

Yes, I'm sticking my nose where it doesn't belong...

MG

 

[mamaprincess]

Now, if I KNEW 11 months out that I would absolutely have the room that I want (DTD view, golf course view, The Springs, etc.), it would have a dramatic impact on my desire to book elsewhere.

In my opinion, such a system would unquestionably increase the percenatage of SSR owners staying at their Home resort.

I wholeheartedly agree. My SSR points will probably be building up now that I own at AKV and know I will be able to book the room category of my choice because of my 11mos window advantage. I really wish I could do the same at SSR. I have only gotten my location request once since owning at SSR. It would be lovely to know that I would be able to stay in my favorite location. Right now because of the competition with everyone else it is usually almost impossible.


At SSR, clearly there are locations that are more desirable than others. IMHO this needs to be acknowledged.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

In my opinion, such a system would unquestionably increase the percenatage of SSR owners staying at their Home resort.

This is SO true for me. I own at SSR and love the resort- but I have 2 future trips planned that I will try to switch out at 7 months because of the possibility that we will land in an area/section that I do not think my guests will enjoy. However, if I knew I would be in Congress Park- I would keep my SSR res for certain.

 

[mwehttam]

I think I'd be more in favor of room assignment at time of booking (then home resort priority would really mean something) or even (dare I say it) being able to select your room a la DCL.

I agree 100%.

As a owner at SSR I do not want a two tier point structure based on view. Where do you draw the line? More points for DTD only? Not enough rooms to make that worth it. Add golf course views to the list? What about water? By then you have the majority of the rooms. I see leave it the way it is.

-Matt

 

[tjkraz]

I care because I think the elitist attitude of some DVCers is over the top.

It can be both. Maybe I'm looking at the bigger picture of more SSR owners who aren't willing to plan their lives around the 11-month magic date, but who just might want one of the "better" rooms.

Sorry, but I don't get how that is "elitist". As MG said, it's first come, first served.

The Contemporary resort has Tower rooms with MK views and Bay Lake views. If you want the MK view and don't book in time to get one, you don't get it. Does that make it an elitist system? Of course not.

 

[mamaprincess]

As a owner at SSR I do not want a two tier point structure based on view.
-Matt

Those who want it changed are not asking for a two tier point structure based on view just room assignment at time of booking like the person you quoted suggested.

 

[Sammie]

I think DVC would be willing to go to a selected category based on a difference in points. I do not see them going to a booked guaranteed reguest, with no point differences.

At BW, at AKV and all the Disney resorts that offer different views, you pay for that selection. Would it be fair to make BW pay extra points for the preferred view, but not at SSR?


I can see the appeal of wanting to book a certain location. I don't think it is reasonable to expect them to give it for nothing.

 

[Madi100]

Partially quoting back at you.



I care because I think the elitist attitude of some DVCers is over the top.

It can be both. Maybe I'm looking at the bigger picture of more SSR owners who aren't willing to plan their lives around the 11-month magic date, but who just might want one of the "better" rooms.

And by the way, am I not allowed to disagree w/o eye-rolling smilies?

If you care about where you stay, you either make your plans 11 months in advance. The way it is now, don't they give the room requests to the people who get there first? Honestly, I care enough about what section I stay in that if I'd been thinking that way, I would have booked the earlier flight to get me there sooner then to book the flight that we are on.

Either way it's a game. You either plan ahead or you get there early. Planning ahead gives the advantage to those that own there. Getting there early opens it up to anyone.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

At BW, at AKV and all the Disney resorts that offer different views, you pay for that selection. Would it be fair to make BW pay extra points for the preferred view, but not at SSR?

Except a Boardwalk view. That is the same number of points as a scary clown view.

MG

 

[MrsNick]

Basically we're just letting members have some forehand knowledge and input into their room assignments. Certainly anything that keeps members from having to race over just to have a chance of getting a room location they prefer is just nuts.

Exactly! I'm sick of scheduling flights for which I have to wake up at the crack of dawn just so I can get to the resort early enought that I don't end up with the crappiest room that's left.

 

[castleri]

Exactly! I'm sick of scheduling flights for which I have to wake up at the crack of dawn just so I can get to the resort early enought that I don't end up with the crappiest room that's left.

Sometimes even that doesn't work. I checked in at 8am on NYE and did not get the room until later in the day - It was in CP facing the parking lot by the bus stop. My DH liked it a lot as he sat on the balcony and watched and listened to all the people coming and going to the bus. I liked it because I could watch wishes from the balcony. For those who want CP for the preceived DTD view you don't always get it and have to be prepared for the parking lot resort view. I have owned SSR since presale and have yet to get any requests except non smoking and upper floor met and have still been happy with the room. The same bus stop view room we have had on both stays and my daughter was in the paddock section and actually liked the peace and quiet of the pool there. If it could be accomplished easily so if you request a section and it isn't available and they can tell you which section is I guess I would be in favor of it. I do think when they do free upgrades from other resorts they should use the less favorite locations (as preceived by members) for those upgrades.

 

[tjkraz]

I think DVC would be willing to go to a selected category based on a difference in points. I do not see them going to a booked guaranteed reguest, with no point differences.

At BW, at AKV and all the Disney resorts that offer different views, you pay for that selection. Would it be fair to make BW pay extra points for the preferred view, but not at SSR?

I can see the appeal of wanting to book a certain location. I don't think it is reasonable to expect them to give it for nothing.

They wouldn't be giving it for nothing. It's an administrative function--part of what 12% of our dues go to support.

If they wanted to have higher points for certain views, they could have instituted that years ago. I don't see their lack of action in that regard as having any direct bearing on creating different room categories.

BW already has the two different "preferred" classes for the same points.

AKV will have Savanna rooms at Kidani and Jambo that are materially different in their make-up, yet the points are the same AND members are able to book one location over the other. Same for Standard view rooms at AKV.

Vero even has Deluxe Inn Ocean View rooms and Studio rooms--same point charts, different booking class.

 

[drakethib]

I think you should be able to choose your view, but I think the "better views" should cost more points.

At regular hotels preferred views cost more.

As a point miser, I will gladly stay at a parking lot view room if the points or less.

Don't get me wrong, I love nice views, but a bad view at WDW is better then a good view at work. YMMV

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Either way it's a game. You either plan ahead or you get there early. Planning ahead gives the advantage to those that own there. Getting there early opens it up to anyone.

very well put, Madi100

 

[TDC Nala]

I couldn't care less where my room is, but I can understand that some do.

I think I'd rather have more rooms available at a lower point rate than get stuck shelling out the points for a preferred booking if I have to make one at the last minute.

 

[Dean]

I think they should just go back to room assigners at all the resorts. With non-smoking no longer being a required request, the only requests left are HA status and location/view. I think that gives more flexibility than coming up with categories.

That's likely not necessary, esp now that view and location are the only main components left. HA units are actually hard booked if you need one so that's out of the mix. I'll repeat that anything that adds value to the owners at that resort is a good thing and in this case, with no significant loss to other DVC members. While one could adjust the points, I don't think there's any reason to do so. Certainly adding different pools of rooms to the mix does complicate unit assignments somewhat but in this situation the larger size of the resort and number of rooms in each category is a plus and not a liability. As always, resort reserve the right to put you where they can, even for a BW view unit or a 2 Queen bed two BR at BCV. It is not necessary to deal with every scenario and detail to make this change work. The fact one person many not end up getting the area they were booked into does not have to kill the viability of the change.

But see that is the problem, the more rooms you have the greater the difficulty. It is very easy to block off the smaller amount. The larger amounts will mean less rooms available on any given day due to the process of assigning rooms.

If they do this you are going to decrease your inventory of rooms available. I for one do not want that. You could end up with guests having to move in the middle of stay simply because of room availability. I will gladly take Carousel over moving midweek.

I think this is an unfounded concern.

 

[BroganMc]

Exactly! I'm sick of scheduling flights for which I have to wake up at the crack of dawn just so I can get to the resort early enought that I don't end up with the crappiest room that's left.

I know I was shocked on my first ever SSR trip last December when I encountered this "room ready" business. I dropped off my dad's scooter at midnight before check-in and asked the lone Front Desk CM about check-in the next day and our desire to stay somewhere closer to the main pool. She told me I'd have to come early that morning and "see what was there" as they were very busy at the time.

I figured no problem. My Marriott checkout was at 10 so I'd be there by 10:30 or 11. She told me it'd be better if I was there before 9am instead and they'd see what they could do. So like an insane woman I race back to my hotel, get a whopping 3 hours sleep then do the mad dash to pack and checkout by 8am, all so I'd have some chance of staying somewhere I chose.

Meanwhile with Marriott, I just call ahead and get to pick my building.

Disney has some broken parts in its reservation system. This business of putting members on hold while they talk to Special Needs for you is just begging for screw-ups. (Something I did experience in May when they pre-assigned the wrong HA room for me. I won't touch the Wait List now because of that.)

I really don't see how it would hurt membership if owners were allowed to book particular sections. I wouldn't alter the point charts because they does affect how many points people bought and planned to use.

 

[jjohnson]

I am definitely all for this. I'm also willing to use more points to stay in the preferred sections.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I dont really care what they do to change, just that they do something.

It really seems like a no brainer to give room guarentees at the time of booking. Home members get a great benefit.

If you care where you stay, book early.

If you dont care, then whats the difference to you if they institute this or not?