Raise Your Voice - No changes to SSR booking categories

[CarolA]

There are threads and movements on this board and others to "get booking categories"

I am not trying to stir up the debate (it's already stirred up) but I think that what is happening is that only one side of the debate is letting Disney hear from them.

I did send DVC member service an email using the Contact Us link on the home page. And today a person called me back. So they are at least READING the emails.

I did volunteer to keep a list of members who don't want categories and have received some names, but to be honest I bet DVC ignores any "list" that I or anyone else shows up with. DVC is not a "democracy" and accepting these lists could create issues for them. Plus I can see them thinking "how do we really know these people said X"

So... I encourage you to contact DVC REGARDLESS of your views. That's probably going to be much more effective then "lists" or petetions presented at the "member meeting" Let's get real... petetions have not saved the Adventurer's Club or other things that people have tried to save. Disney is probably going to pay just as much attention to any other "on line" petetion gathering as it has the ones relating to the parks! LOL!

The request I also made was that the voices of ALL the members be heard and that they should remember that the fact that they aren't hearing from ALL of us may mean that a lot of us are just fine with the current situation, but that either way they needed to consult all the members not just the "vocal" ones! I pointed out that I was not happy with "no consult" before they changed OKW where I also own and that this type of change would cause me to consider if I would recommend friends join!

 

[DaveH]

Thanks Carol, I am like you and have had a pretty good debate/conversation on this on another thread. LOL I am afraid unless DVC is ready to enforce some way of doing request according to when book we are headed for categories. The problem is they are implying/making promises at sales that are not totally true. When we bought in 2001 our guide, who is still there, made sure we understood these are requests and we may never get any.

 

[DMKEDM]

I would prefer there be no guaranteed booking categories (other than THVs) at SSR...this is largely based on my experience booking at OKW w/the new "near HH" category...

It makes reservations made "at the last minute" much less likely to result in successfully getting just one villa for several days --

SSR, as the largest resort, is the place most likely to have availability deeper into the seven-month window...I understand that DVC is designed for advance planning, but sometime a "last-minute" opportunity to go does come up and it's nice that SSR and OKW will sometimes have space available...and even nicer when it can be in just one villa (no moves)...seems to me that "the whole resort" is more likely to result in a villa's availability a month or two prior to arrival than a resort divided into several sections, for booking purposes...

So, I would oppose booking categories for that reason...

There are other ways (I think) to address the issue of people who reserve early getting a better shot at the locations they prefer--one would be to make the request system more responsive to the requester...I don't know how Disney (DVC) allocates rooms, but it seems to me that if a request can be filled, it should be filled --pretty much as soon as the allocations for the day/week/month are done.

There does seem to be some "unfairness" involved in letting people who arrive early snare their requested spots over people who booked early but arrive late in the day...

Still, I much prefer the system that doesn't "divide up" (for purposes of booking) SSR into its various sections...

Not sure I care enough to get involved in the ongoing debate and I respect the feelings of those who do want guarantees for the section(s) they'll be staying in...and I do understand that the THVs will be (likely) a separate booking category...the difference between them and the Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park and Springs sections is MUCH greater...

Just my two cents...

 

[CarolA]

Well here's my thought. If the only people you let know your thougths are on this board (either way) then you really don't get to complain if and when a decision is made.

You don't have to get involved in a debate, just let the only ones that really matter know... the folks at DVC!

 

[Disney_Villain]

If the only people you let know your thougths are on this board (either way) then you really don't get to complain if and when a decision is made. You don't have to get involved in a debate, just let the only ones that really matter know... the folks at DVC!

Carol, you have just issued the wisest statement I've seen in a DIS posting.

Each of us needs to contact DVC directly to let them know directly what we think about our issues - venting on DIS boards (or forming little petition groups to save something) won't help.

I've contacted DVC several times since I first became a member, expressing my unhappiness over even small issues - like the glassware/studios issue (which really miffed me as even cheap hotels use ceramic mugs). To be fair, I've also sent them praise over some changes they've made.

Either way - complaint or praise - DVC has contacted me back both via e-mail and via telephone in each situation, and some of these issues have also been resolved. They do care to hear from members.

 

[Dean]

Certainly all owners there that care should let their wishes be known either way.

 

[Mischa]

We don't want to spend more points just to get a better "view" so we are against "catagories".

I do plan on sending a letter regarding this. We don't spend enough time in the room to justify having to spend extra points just for a particular view or location at SSR.

But what I'd really like to know is what's up with the bus service & SSR! This is the second time this has happened - we wait over an hour for a bus from one of the parks (after the park closes). Other resorts get 2 to 3 buses yet SSR gets none and we have a LINE!

 

[Tinker74]

i don't think it takes more points to book better views...it doesn;t at OKW

Maybe view is the wrong expression...I mean different catergories don't cost different points at OKW.
I think the points would remain the same at SSR it just means those booking early get the choice of catergories...

 

[Tinkerdreams]

No categories please. I will contact them and put my 2 cents in.

 

[hakepb]

I would prefer there be no guaranteed booking categories (other than THVs) at SSR...this is largely based on my experience booking at OKW w/the new "near HH" category...

It makes reservations made "at the last minute" much less likely to result in successfully getting just one villa for several days --

And that is why I would prefer booking categories. Other then THV and possibly the GV's, there is NO 11 month advantage to owning SSR. If there were categories, then SSR ownership would, finally have an 11 month advantage!

Although I somewhat think overall availability is somewhat artificially low right now as I think the developer points are just banked SSR points from before SSR selling out. There should be a good availability swing up as Kidani, BLT and THV get added into the system..

 

[Dean]

We don't want to spend more points just to get a better "view" so we are against "catagories".

While it's possible, I think it's dramatically unlikely that points would change with any booking categories for SSR. They didn't when OKW or BWV got an after the fact addition of a booking category plus it would not be especially feasible to do so even if they wanted. Certainly if your against them, send in your preference, that's the way it should be. I just wanted to point out that I feel this is a non risk issue.

 

[Tinker74]

Can anyone tell me what is the most popular place at SSR?...I see lovers of grandstand and congress park and the springs...which in your opinion would be "first to go" so to speak if catergories came out?

I honestly don't know which one I'd pick...they all seem to have pros and cons...Yet at OKW I would defo pick near HH.

 

[Pennyguy23]

We do alot of last minute booking. SSR is one that we can actually get into for a few days. If they change to cats then I pretty sure that will stop. I don't want to move 3 times on a 4 or 5 night stay. I vote no cats.

 

[delmar411]

I don't want to see booking categories at SSR...it makes no sense to have them there IMO. But how exactly should I let DVC know? Are they planning on putting them in or is this just being on the offensive and sending random emails about things I don't want to see?

 

[delmar411]

And that is why I would prefer booking categories. Other then THV and possibly the GV's, there is NO 11 month advantage to owning SSR. If there were categories, then SSR ownership would, finally have an 11 month advantage!

Although I somewhat think overall availability is somewhat artificially low right now as I think the developer points are just banked SSR points from before SSR selling out. There should be a good availability swing up as Kidani, BLT and THV get added into the system..

I'm not sure what advantage you'd have with booking categories?

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure what advantage you'd have with booking categories?

You'd get to select the section you want to stay in rather than rely on requests, which DVC by their own admission is putting little if any emphasis on. This would favor members who book early over those that book later or non members.

Can anyone tell me what is the most popular place at SSR?...I see lovers of grandstand and congress park and the springs...which in your opinion would be "first to go" so to speak if catergories came out?

I honestly don't know which one I'd pick...they all seem to have pros and cons...Yet at OKW I would defo pick near HH.

My info says CP and Grandstand followed by the Springs, then a wide gap to Paddocks and an even wider gap to Carousel. The Carousel especially leads by a wide margin on negative requests due to the distance, lack of view and no quiet pool there. Same for the Paddocks but to a somewhat lessor degree.

We do alot of last minute booking. SSR is one that we can actually get into for a few days. If they change to cats then I pretty sure that will stop. I don't want to move 3 times on a 4 or 5 night stay. I vote no cats.

As I noted on the other thread, I don't think it would be an issue to have orphaned days at a resort with a lot of rooms in each cat and that had relatively lower demand overall other than POSSIBLY after breakage inventory had been sent to CRO but unlikely even then. But it seems that since even a hard cat booking is not truly guaranteed, this would easily be fixable by taking the option of rearranging those last few reservations to accommodate this issue.

 

[DaveH]

I am against the categories. Now to bring up concerns that I understand. My DW has a very bad knee when it comes to walking all day long and do this over several days. We rent an ECV from off-site. Folks who are or bring who need to be close to certain things should have a way making sure they get them. We always hated not having non smoking as a category. DW is allergic to smoke. Not as bad as others but if we were in a smoking room it could make her sick for the vacation. The problem with the current system DVD is not willing to stay with the stated current policy on requests. I think us as members has made it that way. If you have some free time and just sit around the check-in area. You will find most members smile and have a good check in. Them there are the bad eggs that have to brow beat the CM at the front desk because they want a certain room or area no matter what. All of us have spent allot of money joining, but they are more special than the rest of us. I am afraid they are coming but I hope there are only a couple and not one for each area, I am one who feels if there is enough of a demand for categories you should pay for them with higher points. That is my opinion. If OWK or BWV do not that is those members choice. I just wish there is a better way without categories.

 

[CarolA]

I am against the categories. Now to bring up concerns that I understand. My DW has a very bad knee when it comes to walking all day long and do this over several days. We rent an ECV from off-site. Folks who are or bring who need to be close to certain things should have a way making sure they get them. We always hated not having non smoking as a category. DW is allergic to smoke. Not as bad as others but if we were in a smoking room it could make her sick for the vacation. The problem with the current system DVD is not willing to stay with the stated current policy on requests. I think us as members has made it that way. If you have some free time and just sit around the check-in area. You will find most members smile and have a good check in. Them there are the bad eggs that have to brow beat the CM at the front desk because they want a certain room or area no matter what. All of us have spent allot of money joining, but they are more special than the rest of us. I am afraid they are coming but I hope there are only a couple and not one for each area, I am one who feels if there is enough of a demand for categories you should pay for them with higher points. That is my opinion. If OWK or BWV do not that is those members choice. I just wish there is a better way without categories.

Actually I somehow doubt "booking categories" alone is going to deal with those "problem" members. They often tend to be expecting a specific BUILDING and/or room.

I have posted about the ALL time leader in "problem members" He threatened to "Beat the holy XXX out of you" to a CM when "HIS" Villa was not available. He told the CM to "get of your XXX and get those people OUT of MY VILLA" He used the 11 month booking claim the "I paid THOUSANDS of dollars" claim and then got to meet Disney Security and the Orange County police. He was escorted from the Hospitalilty House at OKW and the manager who had moved all of the rest of the guests out of the registration area told his sobbing wife that "DVC will be in contact with you"

Considering the "worst" case... I don't know what you do. I think it's a symptom of our current society.....

 

[delmar411]

Actually I somehow doubt "booking categories" alone is going to deal with those "problem" members. They often tend to be expecting a specific BUILDING and/or room.

I have posted about the ALL time leader in "problem members" He threatened to "Beat the holy XXX out of you" to a CM when "HIS" Villa was not available. He told the CM to "get of your XXX and get those people OUT of MY VILLA" He used the 11 month booking claim the "I paid THOUSANDS of dollars" claim and then got to meet Disney Security and the Orange County police. He was escorted from the Hospitalilty House at OKW and the manager who had moved all of the rest of the guests out of the registration area told his sobbing wife that "DVC will be in contact with you"

Considering the "worst" case... I don't know what you do. I think it's a symptom of our current society.....

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Hopefully DVC will consider the desires of SSR/THV owners in particular on this one. But as another thread pointed out putting some kind of draw into Carousel might alleviate the problem.