Raise Your Voice: Guaranteed Booking Categories at SSR

[SueM in MN]

Originally Posted by Dean
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.

This is not actually true as we have found out more than once

If you need one of the roll in shower (fully accessible rooms) the CM calls Special Reservations to make sure one is available for the time of your reservation. They do 'block' one for you at that time, but you usually don't know the location until you check in. Although the one that you end up with might not be the same that was originally blocked for you, unless a big mistake was made (which is rare), you will still end up in a roll in shower room. I have heard of a handful of times when they either overbooked the accessible rooms or something happened to put one out of commission. If the guest was blocked for an accessible room, the resort has to come up with one somewhere (which may not be in the original resort if all are full/out of commission).

A few years ago, we were staying in an accessible GV at OKW. We knew there are only a couple there, so we would either be in building 48 or in 62 (can't remember which one of those 60s numbers buildings has an accessible GV, but one does). The reservation CM had told DH over the phone that he would be able to grant our request to be in the 60s building and that he would block that room off for us, along with linking our additional studio to the GV.
When we got there, we were told that our request to for the location could not be granted and we would be in the accessible GV in building 48 instead. They would not say, but it sounded like the person that GV was blocked for checked in before us and asked for a closer location, so they ended up with the one that was blocked for us. It involved some switching around since our linked studio was still in the 60s building, but they did manage to get us all in Building 48.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Yes, besides arriving early to make the odds better, I do.

I've had some wonderful surprises this way. Not at SSR per se. But I've found areas of other resorts I never would have wanted, or requested, but ended up to be gems. At SSR, not area, but I always ask for high floor. I hated the thought of ground floor. I got ground floor once and it was so beautiful.

Obviously, it's chance. And chance means some poor locations/views. But in eight/nine stays I've only received one room that I didn't think "wow". Lucky I guess.

I can somewhat understand your last point....but this one makes no sense at all in this discussion

No matter what system is in place you can do this.... just call and tell them to book you in whatever is available. there you go you are surprised.

I would guess about 99.9 of vacationers dont think this way at all. I have never heard of anyone, personally, who wants to be surprised at where there room is

 

[BroganMc]

I'm really sorry to hear that. Not getting an HA room? That doesn't seem right.

Just to offer support for Walt, I wasn't pre-assigned the HA room I needed last time. That had put me in a 4th floor Congress Park unit with a tub. The week before, the CM at BWV told me a guest who had blocked a HA room with shower also lost his room. They ended up transferring him to another resort, away from his grand gathering of guests.

I got the necessary room only because I arrived at 9am and SSR had rooms available in Grandstand (which just opened a 3rd building a few days before).

So I'm thinking the hard booking of HA rooms is not as guaranteed as once thought. Not when "room ready" is at play and Front Desk staff are actively switching folks around based on filling those preferences.

FWIW, it's one thing not getting a view you want, but when you can't shower or they put you in another resort on check-in day... ?

 

[lisaviolet]

I can somewhat understand your last point....but this one makes no sense at all in this discussion

No matter what system is in place you can do this.... just call and tell them to book you in whatever is available. there you go you are surprised.

I would guess about 99.9 of vacationers dont think this way at all. I have never heard of anyone, personally, who wants to be surprised at where there room is

I was directly answering your post, on this thread, so I'm perplexed on why this makes no sense in this discussion. Answering your question. Not writing some "I don't mind surprises" chant in isolation just to stick it to all of your wants for a new system.

Someone said they "like room ready" and you said something to the effect of "why is that? Do you prefer to leave it up to chance what area you get?". So since I don't mind room ready I jumped in and answered your question directly. Why I like room ready and why I prefer to leave it up to chance. Your question. I don't think I said, "I want to be surprised". Actually, I didn't. So I'm not even that .1 of vacationers you mentioned. I do make some requests.

Actually, I go hoping for an area. Not I wonder what surprise DVC has for me today. Yes, GB would give DVCers an area. But, selfishly I know as I'm writing, it wouldn't work for me. I don't plan far in advance. And don't want to. I'm there early. So the system we now have works for me. I've learned how to work this system. Probably 8/9 stays I've got a room on arrival (early) and I've thoroughly enjoyed the room either b/c it is what or near I requested or surprised by something new and unexpected.

I was trying to communicate in that post why I don't mind room ready/or chance. That if I don't get what I want, or any of my requests it's worked out in the end, for me, in that I've discovered new areas at DVC resorts, and probably will at SSR, that I wouldn't have by guaranteed booking. Ie. I never would have booked them in a GB scenerio b/c I would have perceived they were not for me. Therefore why I don't mind being surprised/going by chance.

The floor analogy was just me sharing....

Forgive me if I misunderstood your why would you want room ready question but I hardly think giving my 2 cents on your question makes no sense in this discussion. Wow. Unless your question was facetious. I don't know. I assumed you really were curious. (no sarcasm on that)_

And to give more nonsensical chatter I'm sure there are DVC members that have found nice areas, room locations by being surprised by the room they are given. Not setting out to be surprised though.....

 

[lisaviolet]

Just to offer support for Walt, I wasn't pre-assigned the HA room I needed last time. That had put me in a 4th floor Congress Park unit with a tub. The week before, the CM at BWV told me a guest who had blocked a HA room with shower also lost his room. They ended up transferring him to another resort, away from his grand gathering of guests.

I got the necessary room only because I arrived at 9am and SSR had rooms available in Grandstand (which just opened a 3rd building a few days before).

So I'm thinking the hard booking of HA rooms is not as guaranteed as once thought. Not when "room ready" is at play and Front Desk staff are actively switching folks around based on filling those preferences.

FWIW, it's one thing not getting a view you want, but when you can't shower or they put you in another resort on check-in day... ?

I hate to hear these stories. It must be very frustrating to not get the HA that you need.

 

[BroganMc]

I hate to hear these stories. It must be very frustrating to not get the HA that you need.

Shocking and worrisome, actually. For someone who needs those rooms and doesn't get them, it's like finding out you get a great room without a toilet. Kinda sucks the life out of the vacation. One reason I'm leery about switching my long stays to one of the smaller resorts is because I fear I won't get the room I need even if I blocked it out 7 months before.

But on to another topic, I've been reading your most recent replies. You do understand that switching to confirmed booking neghborhoods does not eliminate the ability to surprise yourself. You simply take whatever comes up first. For me, I'd like to try all the areas at SSR eventually. So I'd just book Paddocks one trip and Congress Park the next.

 

[lisaviolet]

But on to another topic, I've been reading your most recent replies. You do understand that switching to confirmed booking neghborhoods does not eliminate the ability to surprise yourself. You simply take whatever comes up first. For me, I'd like to try all the areas at SSR eventually. So I'd just book Paddocks one trip and Congress Park the next.

I obviously suck at communication.

That is why I edit like an absolute crazy woman. I do not set out wanting to be surprised at all. And yes, absolutely, I understand that changing to confirmed bookings doesn't eliminate the ability to surprise myself. I would have to be quite slow not to get that.

GBs would not do it for me. And just for me obviously. First and most importantly, I like the system now. It works for me. Pointe finale on the debate side.

And an absolute aside with me:

If I had confirmed bookings I would ask for CP, or maybe Grandstand, over and over again (if I was even organized enough to plan in advance). Just my personality. Book what I know I like for sure. But, with room ready, I've experienced time and time again. When I don't get what I wanted, I trudge like a baby ( a polite one )to my room and time after time I think "hey this is not bad; never would have requested this..this is nice". And voila have a new, discovered place. Yet I can't seem to bring myself to request the perceived unwanted on my own. ie. Hmmm unknown vs. CP? CP. CP. CP. Crazy. Okay. No problem with that. Crazy is better than stupid and that's what I felt that was eluded on the other response. Hence the earlier novel.

 

[flyerron]

Whew---Is all this really important. Well i guess it is if you need a HA room. Otherwise ??? This is a great big world of fantasy &fun. Try getting a room with a view that you want in NY or Philly. The chances a re small & not very important. How much time do you spend in your room(s)?? I guess if that is important enough to worry about, all the big things are just fine & you need to nit pick about the small stuff. ENJOY WDW!

 

[minnie61650]

Whew---Is all this really important. Well i guess it is if you need a HA room. Otherwise ??? This is a great big world of fantasy &fun. Try getting a room with a view that you want in NY or Philly. The chances a re small & not very important. How much time do you spend in your room(s)?? I guess if that is important enough to worry about, all the big things are just fine & you need to nit pick about the small stuff. ENJOY WDW!

There was a thread on the Resorts Board a little while ago asking why DVC resorts do not get good views.

Most of the DVC'ers who posted on that thread said staying in the larger rooms was much more important than the view.

From this thread:

Why do people like the DVC resorts?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470689

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where I can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disney's best customers, so why give them the worst views?

I guess more DVC'ers are concerned about the view than I thought.

 

[Mischa]

I'll be honest upfront...I haven't read through ALL the posts, but I did read through some and would like to comment.

We've only been DVC members (at SSR) since May 2006. We've booked 2 trips since becoming owners and both times we've had excellent rooms. Both times at Congress Park. Both times with views of DTD (albeit our first trip home had a really lovely view of DTD, but we were staying in a studio; this last trip we could see DTD through the trees, but we were in a 1-bedroom). For our first trip I had requested Congress Park; this trip I did not make any request and we were put at Congress Park. We were happy!

I like the idea of being able to request a certain area/view but not if it means it would cost extra points. Having a particular area/view is not that important to us.

What we're more happy about is basically we can request any room, any time we want (not like a typical timeshare where you can only go during a certain week).

Besides, my vacation doesn't consist of staying in the room the entire time, we're out at the parks, at the pool or doing whatever, not sitting on the balcony looking at the view.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dean]

That is why I edit like an absolute crazy woman. I do not set out wanting to be surprised at all. And yes, absolutely, I understand that changing to confirmed bookings doesn't eliminate the ability to surprise myself. I would have to be quite slow not to get that.

Lisa, if I have read your posts correctly, you don't plan ahead as much as others do and want to protect a system that rewards you somewhat for that lack of planning at the expense of owners at SSR who do plan further ahead. For SSR, I think it's safe to say that even if you can book prior to the 7 month window the option being discussed in this thread would be a benefit to you. And as noted, it would not take away the sense of adventure, just alter the process somewhat. I think the direct booking categories is a no brainer given the size and set up of SSR. Even better, IMO, would be to make no changes in reservations and give members at the resort priority no matter when they booked. That would require a room assigner to accomplish.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I was directly answering your post, on this thread, so I'm perplexed on why this makes no sense in this discussion. Answering your question. Not writing some "I don't mind surprises" chant in isolation just to stick it to all of your wants for a new system.

Someone said they "like room ready" and you said something to the effect of "why is that? Do you prefer to leave it up to chance what area you get?". So since I don't mind room ready I jumped in and answered your question directly. Why I like room ready and why I prefer to leave it up to chance. Your question. I don't think I said, "I want to be surprised". Actually, I didn't. So I'm not even that .1 of vacationers you mentioned. I do make some requests.

Actually, I go hoping for an area. Not I wonder what surprise DVC has for me today. Yes, GB would give DVCers an area. But, selfishly I know as I'm writing, it wouldn't work for me. I don't plan far in advance. And don't want to. I'm there early. So the system we now have works for me. I've learned how to work this system. Probably 8/9 stays I've got a room on arrival (early) and I've thoroughly enjoyed the room either b/c it is what or near I requested or surprised by something new and unexpected.

I was trying to communicate in that post why I don't mind room ready/or chance. That if I don't get what I want, or any of my requests it's worked out in the end, for me, in that I've discovered new areas at DVC resorts, and probably will at SSR, that I wouldn't have by guaranteed booking. Ie. I never would have booked them in a GB scenerio b/c I would have perceived they were not for me. Therefore why I don't mind being surprised/going by chance.

The floor analogy was just me sharing....

Forgive me if I misunderstood your why would you want room ready question but I hardly think giving my 2 cents on your question makes no sense in this discussion. Wow. Unless your question was facetious. I don't know. I assumed you really were curious. (no sarcasm on that)_

And to give more nonsensical chatter I'm sure there are DVC members that have found nice areas, room locations by being surprised by the room they are given. Not setting out to be surprised though.....

ok I dont think we are on the same page:

I completely agree with and see where you are coming from your first reason and even said so, but I am sharing why I dont think the second reason is good enough to not make a system change

you said you were wonderfully surprised at times when your early arrival didnt pan out for your requests--my point is you can continue to be wonderfully surprised no matter what system is place. I mean if has worked out so great in the past then I guess it will always work out great

i dont know of anyone, personally, that really wants to be wonderfully surprised. I think most, if they had a choice, would prefer to be wonderfully happy and stress free well ahead of time knowing the area they are going to be in

 

[SueM in MN]

I hate to hear these stories. It must be very frustrating to not get the HA that you need.

Doing that is not legal, according to the ADA because, as someone stated, reserving an accessible room for someone who needs it and then not providing it would be the same as renting someone a room without a toilet or shower.

Hotels are required to guarantee accessible rooms to people who identify a need for one when making their reservation.
Here, from the ADA website, is an agreement from a suit from 1996.

** Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland -- The Department entered into a settlement agreement with Marriott International, Inc., establishing policies for reserving accessible rooms at all of its Courtyard by Marriott facilities throughout the country. This agreement serves as a standard for the hotel industry nationwide. Marriott will ensure that accessible rooms will not be reserved for nondisabled persons unless all other rooms in a facility have been reserved and only accessible rooms are left, and that the central reservations office will be able to guarantee accessible rooms for any Courtyard hotel at a customer's request, provided such rooms are available. It also requires that Marriott's Guest Relations Office maintain a list of accessible rooms at all Courtyard hotels and keep the list updated, and that employees at all Courtyard facilities receive training on the obligations of places of lodging under the ADA. Additionally, Marriott will undertake substantial barrier removal in the parking area, two public restrooms, and guest rooms of a Memphis, Tennessee, Courtyard by Marriott facility that was the subject of a specific complaint, and will purchase equipment to make five additional rooms at that facility accessible to persons with hearing impairments. The complainant alleged that although he and his wife, who has a disability and uses a wheelchair, were guaranteed an accessible room at the facility, they were assigned to an inaccessible room, and staff at the facility did not offer them adequate assistance with finding suitable accommodations elsewhere. Marriott will pay the complainants $10,000 in compensatory damages and will pay civil penalties of $7,500.

This is the summary of the case; in the actual report, it indicated that a clerical error apparently was made and instead of entering the accessible room 109 for the reservation, someone entered 107, which was not an accessible room. To make things worse, when the family complained and said the wife could not get into the bathroom, the front desk tried to insist it was an accessible room.

The bolded points of the ADA quote shows that it is a standard for hotels nationwide, so Disney not following the requirements more than 10 years later is especially disturbing. It's not like they just heard about it.
They may be using a loophole that DVC is a timeshare and not a resort, but that would be kind of a nasty way to get around providing something that they morally should be doing even if there was not a law. There may in fact, be a similar thing for timeshares, but I don't have time to look.

As some other posters noted, 'Room Ready' is probably making things worse. From what I have read on the Disboards and what we have seen when checking in, WDW is not fulfilling their obligation of keeping a list of accessible rooms and making sure that CMs are educated about it.
In the past, Member Services took care of all member requests, including the ones with special needs. Recently (don't know just when, but it was at least 2 years ago), those requests were routed thru the Special Reservations - as they are for CRO reservations. From what I understand, they are supposed to block the accessible room for the guest and the block is only supposed to be removed by Special Services. I don't know if there is some 'glitch' that is allowing the desk CMs to remove the block or what, but it should not be happening.

I would encourage anyone who has not gotten an accessible room when you reserved one to do a complaint to the Department of Justice so the problem gets fixed.

 

[lisaviolet]

Lisa, if I have read your posts correctly, you don't plan ahead as much as others do and want to protect a system that rewards you somewhat for that lack of planning at the expense of owners at SSR who do plan further ahead. For SSR, I think it's safe to say that even if you can book prior to the 7 month window the option being discussed in this thread would be a benefit to you. And as noted, it would not take away the sense of adventure, just alter the process somewhat. I think the direct booking categories is a no brainer given the size and set up of SSR. Even better, IMO, would be to make no changes in reservations and give members at the resort priority no matter when they booked. That would require a room assigner to accomplish.

Yes, you got it Dean. I'm selfish in this one. And have admitted that. No sarcasm. I don't mind room ready. The system works for me now. Yes, I want to protect a system that rewards me and my early morning drives to Buffalo and I guess, in that, at "the expense of owners at SSR who do plan further ahead". The GB system would never benefit me because I've never booked SSR anywhere near the seven months. Nor do I intend to. The "surprise factor" is just really about I'm always more than sastified with my rooms anyway. Not the surprise in itself. Once again, it's not a big deal to me. Rooms beyond just asking for a few things. Or surprise for that matter.

I was kidding around about "trudging to my room". I simply talked about wanting an area just to show that I'm not some crazy woman who says, " I'm Pollyanna. I don't care about anything. Just surprise me every time DVC!" (intense sarcasm). Just one small part of an answer to a question.

It's not a no brainer in my circumstances.

Way back in this thread before, unfortunately, I simply came back on to answer a direct question and talk about/challenge the "can be early" I stated,

Don't want it. Understand completely why all of you do. Realize that I'm selfish. Realize that the new system might be a more fair system. Know that. See that. And I am the situation that makes you all want to change to guaranteed booking area. But, in a friendly, cheeky tone, hope you don't get it. All with these !

 

[lisaviolet]

ok I dont think we are on the same page:

but I am sharing why I dont think the second reason is good enough to not make a system change.

I absolutely get that. And you are right. I don't think it's a good enough reason not to make a system change. Not for a minute. I never wrote it for that purpose. Never even entered my head. I wrote it to answer your question "why room ready?" and "do you want to leave area up to chance?".

If you had said, "Lisa, I don't think it's a good enough reason not to make a system change". I would have answered "it's not" "you're right" and that's it. .

But you wrote, doesn't make sense in this discussion hence my novel. And I felt patronized me by telling me, in what I saw as a sarcastic tone, how to be surprised in the new system. Ie. can figure that out and when being suprised really isn't a big deal in itself.

I don't have a good reason for the change not to go through. Only came back on to answer a question.

So I agree we are not on the same page. And honestly if the majority of SSR owners want this then the majority should rule; that's only fair. And me I will obviously deal, probably quite easily, with the change. No doubt with a cheeky smile on my face. And lovely rooms!!!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

How much time do you spend in your room(s)??

Interesting. Well, lots. I love to hang out on vacation. Usually back and forth. It's one reason why we bought DVC and love it. Got very tired of eating out and wanted to simply hang out. Cooking, napping, having a drink, reading, watching bball. And am still absolutely "wowed" by the rooms. Don't get me started on having a private balcony especially that OKW balcony.

 

[Dean]

Yes, you got it Dean. I'm selfish in this one. And have admitted that. No sarcasm. I don't mind room ready. The system works for me now. Yes, I want to protect a system that rewards me and my early morning drives to Buffalo and I guess, in that, at "the expense of owners at SSR who do plan further ahead". The GB system would never benefit me because I've never booked SSR anywhere near the seven months. Nor do I intend to. The "surprise factor" is just really about I'm always more than sastified with my rooms anyway. Not the surprise in itself. Once again, it's not a big deal to me. Rooms beyond just asking for a few things. Or surprise for that matter.

At least you're honest but I guess I'm having several issues with this. You really don't seem to be set on a specific area and happy with different room locations overall. Also, it doesn't seem to be a fair tradeoff so you MIGHT get a certain room location compared to a fairly large number of the owners at YOUR resort not having an option that would benefit them. Really at precious little cost or risk to you in the long run it appears to me. Plus if they gave owners at a given resort assignment priority (a different approach to the same issue), it would benefit you at the expense of non owner DVC members. That approach would require a room assigner which has a certain amount of cost associated with it and it is my opinion that cost is the real reason they made this change in the first place.

The third approach would be to rebalance the points, one I doubt DVC would do. This would also by default set up direct booking to some degree. I don't think there is enough difference to justify a change in the points structure at this point but I do believe there is enough difference to not only justify, but really push for, direct bookings of different areas. I think DVC could probably group Paddocks and Carousel into one category if they wanted to make it a little simpler but I think the other areas are distinct enough to make them all separate categories.

If I owned at SSR (I don't) and I cared about where I was (I really don't for most trips), I'd certainly be pushing DVC for this. And it'd be more than just writing to MS, that is likely the least efficient was to push for this change.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

If I owned at SSR (I don't) and I cared about where I was (I really don't for most trips), I'd certainly be pushing DVC for this. And it'd be more than just writing to MS, that is likely the least efficient was to push for this change.

What is the most effiective way to push for change?

 

[DisneyFreaks]

If I owned at SSR (I don't) and I cared about where I was (I really don't for most trips), I'd certainly be pushing DVC for this. And it'd be more than just writing to MS, that is likely the least efficient was to push for this change.

My DH and I are very much in agreement for this type of booking to happen at SSR. We have written our letter and received the standard form letter reply. I am very curious as to what your ideas may be to push harder for this Dean. Could you share them please?

 

[Dean]

What is the most effiective way to push for change?

If I were personally going to push this item forward, I would contact MS by letter, not email. I would talk to my guide and get them on board if possible and follow up with a letter to them with a statement indicating they could share with their superiors if they desired. I would send letters to several people at the management level. I would bring it up every time I talked to MS.

In those correspondence I would mention what I thought should be done including the benefits to members who own there and any benefits or neutral issues form DVC's and DVD 's standpoint. I would address the items I saw as possibly negative and any potential cost to the system as well as any possible complaints. I would subsequent discuss some of the alternatives and summarize why I thought they were workable or not.

In addition I would push to have it placed on the agenda at the annual meeting. As I read the rules it is likely possible to really force this issue to a vote if one jumps through the hoops well enough. While one could send fliers to all the members, I doubt it's worthwhile to do so. Legally DVC would have to do this in some situations but since it's not been done, I'm not sure the specifics of how that would work. They could, and likely would, ask you to pay for the cost of doing so which would make it unworkable I'd think.

One could also work through an attorney if you wanted. Just have them send the letters on your behalf. Not as a threat of legal action but simply to get their attention when they see a letter from a lawyer on behalf of a member. Personally I wouldn't go this route or would reserve it for round 2 or 3, but I know people who have.

I'd think most of the information one would need to include in such correspondence in contained in this and a couple of other recent threads. One would simply need to condense it to a about a page to page and a half well written letter. Then send it to each person addressed PERSONALLY to them. You'd also alter the contents of the letter as appropriate to the type of person you sent it to. You don't want it to look like a form letter.