Recent experiences under revised booking policy?

[DisneyKidds]

Curious as to how people have been faring getting what they want. We are now into booking season for the summer. Past booking for spring vacations, Memorial Day, Fourth of July. Has anybody had trouble getting what they wanted under the new system. We'll be making reservations in a few weeks for our annual post Turkey Day trip and I'm wondering if I should be as worried as everyone was a few months ago.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm 3-for-3 under the new system. That includes two BWV Standard View reservations (one during Food and Wine) and an AKV Standard View booked at 7 months.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I also booked at the 7 month mark for BWV w/ view for June without a problem!

 

[zulaya]

There have been a lot of positive reports. But I honestly don't think a true test of the system has been made yet.

I'm reserving judgment until next month. Then everyone will be making the mad dash to book early December, then Christmas and New Year's.

We'll see if the positive reports hold true for home resort owners for the month of December.

I'll be one that will be calling for early December. I'm not "walking"...don't have enough points for it. But I am in need of one of those few BCV dedicated 2BR with 2 queens in the 2nd room.

I'll be honest. At this point, I do have some concern that even if I call at 9am the first day I can that I won't be able to complete my full 7 days. Just because I know a lot of people plan to call at 11 months for that time of year.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Yeah, I'm in the calling for early december 2009 boat, and I really don't know what to expect. Also, we'll be splitting the reservation between BWV and VWL, so we can't grab a full 7 nights from the get go. I could try and figure out how to make enough points available to walk a reservation for a period, but it would involve complicated borrowing and vacation planning beyond next December, and I'm not sure I'm up for that challenge. Of course I don't want to miss getting the reservations we need, especially considering we are bringing another family with us next year. We haven't had a problem in five years getting what we want that week, so I'm hoping the same holds true under this new system. If not, I'll be a very unhappy camper.........

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am one for two for Memorial Day. We wanted AKV and couldn't get all the days we wanted. So we got BCV instead.

 

[tjkraz]

We'll see if the positive reports hold true for home resort owners for the month of December.

I'll be one that will be calling for early December. I'm not "walking"...don't have enough points for it. But I am in need of one of those few BCV dedicated 2BR with 2 queens in the 2nd room.

I'll be honest. At this point, I do have some concern that even if I call at 9am the first day I can that I won't be able to complete my full 7 days. Just because I know a lot of people plan to call at 11 months for that time of year.

Whenever demand exceeds supply, there are always going to be people who are disappointed. But given the response to the new system thus far (the Annual Meeting thread claimed attendees openly applauded the new system), it seems like overall satisfaction has increased.

One could certainly argue that the old system was "fairer" (first-come, first-served for every individual day), but overall people seem to willing to make that concession in exchange for:

1. Greatly reduced number of phone calls.
2. The ability to guarantee the trip (up to 7 nights) in a single call rather than making the mad dash for the phone at 9am each day.

Even if there are reports of people being shut out at 11 months for a few days in December, I doubt that would reduce overall member satisfaction with the new system.

 

[DisneySJB]

I was able to book a 1BR at OKW during spring break at 5 months out. I was very surprised and happy!

 

[zulaya]

I know I'm being cynical. I acknowledge that hard to get units will be hard to get under just about any system. You quoted the overall member satisfaction party line for which there is no proof; but I'll save us all dredging up the old argument and we'll just agree to disagree. As I said, I have reservations, but we'll see how booking December goes. I'm willing to be convinced that the new system works for all times of year; I'm just not at that point yet.

I have read that somepeople at the Annual Meeting applauded the change. But those at the meeting booked their 2008 December reservations under the old system. For people who only go to WDW at this time of year, they haven't had to try and make a reservation under the new system for that popular time, now have they?

We'll see if at the Annual Meeting next year if everyone is still applauding. If it was as easy as it has been since implemented. Or if getting December turns out to be a bigger bear than it was under the previous system. In about a month, we'll have a good idea.

 

[pyrxtc]

I am 1 for 1. I got my requested AKV studio club level for the last weekend in September. I called a few days after I could have and got all the days I wanted. I was also able to call back a week later and add one more day to the begining.

 

[ldo]

I ONLY bought VWL to be able to stay at Christmastime once in a while--and 2009 will be our 1st year to try to go and stay at VWL. Otherwise, we book at 7 mths at other places. I'll report back next month--wish me luck! Elaine

 

[tjkraz]

For people who only go to WDW at this time of year, they haven't had to try and make a reservation under the new system for that popular time, now have they?

They haven't changed the number of rooms available--only the manner in which they are allocated.

Let's say there are 1000 rooms and 1200 people calling at 11 months. Last year 200 people didn't get what they want and next year 200 people won't get what they want.

Individual MEMBERS may have different feelings about the new system. But as a whole, I don't see any way that membership would be disappointed with the new rules. It's saved hundreds of phone calls and an overwhelming majority received exactly what they wanted upon calling.

 

[drusba]

I agree that real test is going to be those calling in January to get December time. The ultimate will be trying to get December 31, the highest demand night of the year-- will it be gone by the end of day January 25 with people booking 7 nights? Will those who like to arrive about Dec 30 and in past could get the 31st by calling day by day have no chance at all? If that is the case then the new system will deserve resounding condemnation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I did not get my AKV concierge at 11 months (to the day). It was the end of Jersey week. The next days were available but not the first day that I needed to start my reservation. No, I'm not shocked b/c it was concierge.....but I think we're going to see more with the real busy booking time coming up!

What I have no idea about is if it was even available on the morning of the day I could call - but I'm betting it wasn't.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...overall people seem to willing to make that concession in exchange for:

1. Greatly reduced number of phone calls.
2. The ability to guarantee the trip (up to 7 nights) in a single call rather than making the mad dash for the phone at 9am each day.

...

We never go for only 7 nights. We were trying for AKV for Memorial Day weekend and we couldn't get all 7 nights. So we took BCV for 7 nights. Then we had to call back three more times to add the 8th, 9th and 10th nights.

In the past, we only called once for our trip. This time we had to call four times. Didn't save me any phone calls.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We called MS for June 28-July 5 2009 trip and was able to book Garden View Studio the day after Thanksgiving, HOWEVER was advised that inventory was getting low for BWV there were no Standards at all no BW Views.

 

[jpolak]

They haven't changed the number of rooms available--only the manner in which they are allocated.

Let's say there are 1000 rooms and 1200 people calling at 11 months. Last year 200 people didn't get what they want and next year 200 people won't get what they want.

Individual MEMBERS may have different feelings about the new system. But as a whole, I don't see any way that membership would be disappointed with the new rules. It's saved hundreds of phone calls and an overwhelming majority received exactly what they wanted upon calling.

I disagree. The new system allows members who have more points than others the opportunity to book days ahead of other members. The day by day system made all members equal.

 

[dvcdisney]

As I had mentioned in the discussion of the New Policy when we were first made aware of it, that I didn't think I would be significantly affected by it. I book for March and August, which in essence is not the peak season. I was able to get both vacations at 11 mths out. I will however say, that I was quite nervous about it. And so after I booked my first 7 nights, I did call DBD for the next 7 nights. Did it make a difference? I don't know, but I didn't want to leave it to chance.

I am just hoping that I will not be disappointed when I book my 2010 vacations.

 

[Tozzie]

We never go for only 7 nights. We were trying for AKV for Memorial Day weekend and we couldn't get all 7 nights. So we took BCV for 7 nights. Then we had to call back three more times to add the 8th, 9th and 10th nights.

In the past, we only called once for our trip. This time we had to call four times. Didn't save me any phone calls.

Were you booking at the 7 or 11 month window, from your signature it appears you were booking at the 7 month window and even under the old system you may not hae been able to get what you wanted at the 7 month window.

I have 2 trips next year, both concierge at AKV the one for the middle of October I called two days late and was still able to get the dates I wanted in concierge.

 

[ACDSNY]

I didn't have any problem booking AKV 2 bdrm Savanna View for 11/8 - 11/15/09. We even have a dedicated 2 bdrm.

Sunday, I'll call to get a studio for 11/14/09 as my DS & family are coming for a night before the Wonder cruise.

I going to try to get a THV for 11/19 - 11/21/09, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Update - got AKV studio savanna view for 11/14/09.