Raise Your Voice: Guaranteed Booking Categories at SSR

[DebbieB]

just curious (not being combative- truly just curious) at your home resort BWV- do you wish all the rooms were the same number of points and they were not categorized into standard/prefered/boardwalk view- the way the resort was originally set up- You just get whatever room they give you at check-in giving non-boardwalk owners and late bookers an equal chance of the BWV rooms-- or do you like the guaranteed room categories there.

As a BWV owner, I like the categories there. One of the reasons I bought at BWV in 1999 was I was told I would get first crack at a boardwalk view if I booked at 11 months (at that time they pre-assigned rooms by date of reservation, standard & preferred, no guaranteed boardwalk view). Well, my first trip I got quiet pool view, very disappointing. So after that I booked standard view because I would rather save the points than take a chance of paying higher points and not getting the BW view. Especially when they started "room ready" and I rarely checked in early. I think after they went to "room ready" it caused chaos at check-in because of the limited number of boardwalk view rooms and the high demand. Especially when you pay higher points for the preferred view.

I've never stayed at SSR, so I don't know how much difference there is between the areas. The question is there a vast difference and is there a much higher demand for one area. I've stayed at OKW and don't see the need for separate categories even though it seems that rooms closer to the HH are more requested. I've preferred to stay away from the HH there (Turtle Pond).

 

[sjdisneywedding]

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!

each time we go we tend to spend more and more time at the room and the resort and less time at the parks at out about. I expect that trend to keep steady as we are able to go every year and I expect many dvc'ers are that way.

a room with a view in NYC or Philly is quite a different thing altogether. i dont know anyone who has ever gone to NYC to sit at a hotel all or most of the day.

 

[lisaviolet]

At least you're honest but I guess I'm having several issues with this. 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.

I already said the new system wanted is probably more fair numerous times. And that I'm being selfish. So "it doesn't seem to be a fair tradeoff" you are preaching to the knowing. And as for "the owners at YOUR (my) resort not having an option that would benefit them" well geez it's not like I'm writing DVC to beg them not to listen to you all. Yet!?! Kidding. Kidding. Kidding.

Only my thoughts. That's all. Obviously, I am the minority.

 

[mello]

but I'd like to re-emphasize that I'm not so much concerned with the view (I think the vast majority of views at SSR are very nice, there's so much water and lovely landscaping), as I am concerned with the actual location and amenities offered in the different neighborhoods of SSR. Although I'll admit honestly that I would prefer a lake view to a dumpster view (who wouldn't?), and that a DTD view is very nice; the thing I'm really concerned with, the thing that would have potential to put a damper on our vacation, would be to be stuck out in the Carousel with say, my parents along, (dad can walk, but gets quite worn out by evening as he's had a hip replacement), and have everyone want to go for a swim or sit in a hot tub, but feel like we couldn't do it for poor ol' dad's sake, just as an example. This would be especially so if I knew that A. I had called well before 7 months to make my reservation and B. I am spending the same amount of points as those in the sections with more amenities. In that situation, I would like to be able to feel like I had a good chance of getting into the Springs or Grandstand if I planned ahead and called early enough. This is just an example, but I've noticed lots of people developing preferences for one area or another of SSR, not just for a certain view.

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



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

 

[Madi100]

Disney promotes being members. It's the best kept secret. But, really, that's not true. The best kept secret is that if you want to get the room you want at SSR, you have to be the first to arrive in the morning. What behavior is Disney promoting?

To me, it shows that it at some of the resorts the members are special enough to get to request where they stay. At SSR, you might possibly be last on the list.

 

[BroganMc]

it's not like I'm writing DVC to beg them not to listen to you all. Yet!?! Kidding. Kidding. Kidding.

Only my thoughts. That's all. Obviously, I am the minority.

Yeah, I understood that. But if the movement for booking neighborhoods comes to fruition, I hope you understand my lack of sympathy for your losing position. Turnabout is fairplay.

 

[Sammie]

I already said the new system wanted is probably more fair numerous times. And that I'm being selfish. So "it doesn't seem to be a fair tradeoff" you are preaching to the knowing. And as for "the owners at YOUR (my) resort not having an option that would benefit them" well geez it's not like I'm writing DVC to beg them not to listen to you all. Yet!?! Kidding. Kidding. Kidding.

Only my thoughts. That's all. Obviously, I am the minority.

You might be in the minority in this particular discussion. However since Room Ready was instigated due to member request; I would doubt you are in the minority of the total membership.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yeah, I understood that. But if the movement for booking neighborhoods comes to fruition, I hope you understand my lack of sympathy for your losing position. Turnabout is fairplay.

Holy crap. Too funny. I wouldn't expect one moment of sympathy.

All the best to you all. Maybe we can have a slumber party at CP one day. If booking hasn't changed I already know my flight plan and I'll book you all in. If not, and it's GB, who will allow me to crash? Any takers? At least pick me up at the Carousel.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

You might be in the minority in this particular discussion. However since Room Ready was instigated due to member request; I would doubt you are in the minority of the total membership.

As Dean pointed out GB and Room Ready are not opposites. It does not have to be one or the other. BWV has guaranteed categories, and uses 'room ready' at check-in. My understanding is that preassigning rooms is the alternative to room ready. GB stills allows flexibilty at check-in and can work with a room ready system.

 

[minnie61650]

As Dean pointed out GB and Room Ready are not opposites. It does not have to be one or the other. BWV has guaranteed categories, and uses 'room ready' at check-in. My understanding is that preassigning rooms is the alternative to room ready. GB stills allows flexibilty at check-in and can work with a room ready system.

Keep writing to MS and Disney if GB is what you really want but just remember that changes are often very slow at Disney. Most the time Disney will only make a change when Disney thinks that the changes will create more income for Disney rather than just customer satisfaction.
------------------------------------------------------------
Case in point:

As a mother of 4 I have been writing to Disney since the late 1970's (3 or 4 letters a year) asking for more affordable options for larger families.

As a mother of 4 (All grown now. My oldest is in her 30's and my youngest is 23) I often wished Disney had more options for larger families.
When the children were younger and we would go to Disney they did not have DVC or the Family Suites. In fact Disney did not have a Moderate until CBR opened in the late 1980's so if we wanted to stay onsite we either rented 2 rooms at a deluxe or stayed in the cabins.

I wrote to Disney many times over the years asking for more options for families so when I heard they were building the New Family Suites at All Star Music (in 2006--almost 30 years later mind you) it just made me so happy!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm a planner, so this idea would work for me. I book at 11 months, and it would be nice to know that I have a room in a particular area. I'm also an early flyer, so I usually get to SSR before noon. I've been able to choose rooms at all 3 of my visits. I've stayed in Paddock twice and Springs once and have been happy with both. I'd like to try Grandstand, but I certainly won't be unhappy in December if I don't get that. Status quo is fine with me, but I can certianly see the appeal in the early booking.
I'm still a fairly new DVC member, and I'm still excited that I get to go to WDW every year and stay in such nice accomodations. Talk to me in a few years, I may be over the honeymoon.

 

[Merylj]

Up until last week I would have supported the need for reallocation of points for location and views. That was until I read a report from a fellow disser about their stay in the Carousel section, the views were really nice and although I know its a longer walk to most amenties we can cope with that.
DH does have mobility problems and we`ll use a wheelchair.

 

[cobbler]

So who wants to undertake the task of getting and listing names and addresses for us to send letters to (per Dean's post on page 10)?

I would contribute to the cause of getting guaranteed booking areas. I think it is a perk that will make SSR more desirable.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Disney Vacation Club
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747

This is the only address I know of right now. Letters can be addressed to Jon Garcia, your guide, and [gasp] Jim Lewis if you want to go that high.

You can spin it to your guide or a sales manager (if we can the name of one) that it gives a value add to SSR- it will help them sell those final points.

I think it would be important to ask in the letter "What do we need to do to get this item on the agenda of the next owner's meeting?"

 

[Beaniebug]

Be careful of what you wish for ....sometimes you might get it and it wasn't what you thought it would be. Why mess with a good thing. I have never had any trouble booking and staying where I wanted at SSR. I am not for it.

 

[tjkraz]

Be careful of what you wish for ....sometimes you might get it and it wasn't what you thought it would be. Why mess with a good thing. I have never had any trouble booking and staying where I wanted at SSR. I am not for it.

Then I'd say it's only a matter of time before you are denied the area that you favor. This thread (and many others) are filled with posts from people who booked 10-11 months ahead and couldn't get a room in their preferred area. You'll be able to add your name to that fraternity soon enough.

Other than vague "it wasn't what you thought it would be" comments, do you have any specific reasons for thinking the proposal might backfire? It's the same sort of arrangement they have at the BoardWalk and I don't see anyone there suggesting that the BoardWalk, Pool and Garden View categories all be thrown back together again...

 

[Madi100]

Then I'd say it's only a matter of time before you are denied the area that you favor. This thread (and many others) are filled with posts from people who booked 10-11 months ahead and couldn't get a room in their preferred area. You'll be able to add your name to that fraternity soon enough.

Other than vague "it wasn't what you thought it would be" comments, do you have any specific reasons for thinking the proposal might backfire? It's the same sort of arrangement they have at the BoardWalk and I don't see anyone there suggesting that the BoardWalk, Pool and Garden View categories all be thrown back together again...

The only benefit that I see people talking about is the removal of the unexpected surprise. We like Congress Park. We don't to stay anywhere else. If we decide that we always want Congress Park and get it, we might never have the chance to try the Springs. IF we did, we might just find that we'd love that so much better. So, by giving us the chance to select the area we stay in, then we are sacrificing the chance of trying something new.

 

[BroganMc]

The only benefit that I see people talking about is the removal of the unexpected surprise. We like Congress Park. We don't to stay anywhere else. If we decide that we always want Congress Park and get it, we might never have the chance to try the Springs. IF we did, we might just find that we'd love that so much better. So, by giving us the chance to select the area we stay in, then we are sacrificing the chance of trying something new.

In that case the only one keeping you from trying a new area is you. Simple to fix. Just throw a dart at a map of the resort and ask for that area when you book.

I kinda did the same for my Marriott stay in October. Though we always stay at Grand Vista and Cypress Harbour (and love them), I decided to give Horizons a shot. Of course it's new so I've had those pangs of worrying I won't be happy, but it passes.

The only potential issue I can see with this is if folks have their heart set on a particular neighborhood for an extended stay and the area is booked. Then you get into waitlisting and such. But the only area small enough to warrant such consternation is probably the Carousel (with two buildings and 104 units). I just can't see that area being overbooked unless the whole resort is booked.

 

[Dean]

You might be in the minority in this particular discussion. However since Room Ready was instigated due to member request; I would doubt you are in the minority of the total membership.

I know that's been said by many but I'm not sure it's accurate. It may or may not be in response to member requests to get into rooms but I'm quite confident that DVC members never intended to be left up to the whims of the person checking you in where an exchanger could get the best room and a member who booked 11 months out the worst. My assumption from the get go was to eliminate a position as a cost saving measure. Still, I think it's workable if done correctly, the problem is it's a haphazard system with little consistency or forethought most of the time and appears to be more for the benefit of the system itself rather than the members.

I already said the new system wanted is probably more fair numerous times. And that I'm being selfish. So "it doesn't seem to be a fair tradeoff" you are preaching to the knowing. And as for "the owners at YOUR (my) resort not having an option that would benefit them" well geez it's not like I'm writing DVC to beg them not to listen to you all. Yet!?! Kidding. Kidding. Kidding.

Only my thoughts. That's all. Obviously, I am the minority.

My main reason for responding to you directly Lisa was to point out that the minor benefit you MIGHT receive under the current system is smoke and mirrors and at best, you are at the mercy of the person across the counter from you at check in. That, and to say that room ready within a category would still work even with direct booking of different sections, esp at a larger resort like SSR.

 

[DebbieB]

As Dean pointed out GB and Room Ready are not opposites. It does not have to be one or the other. BWV has guaranteed categories, and uses 'room ready' at check-in. My understanding is that preassigning rooms is the alternative to room ready. GB stills allows flexibilty at check-in and can work with a room ready system.

Anytime I have stayed at Boardwalk before and after room ready (many times), my room was always preassigned.

I agree with Dean, I don't remember there being any member outcry for room ready. I preferred the old system of room assignment by date of reservation.