Reservation changed to a HA one?

[Chuck S]

I just don't understand why you aren't told up front that the only villa left is a HA villa, would you like to book it? DVC obviously knows how many HA villas there are, and how many owners have requested one in the 11 - 7 month booking window. If there are HA villas left at the 7 month window, those trying to book the villas should be told up front that is the only type of villa left, and let them make the decision of booking it or not. It isn't rocket science, there should be a way to accomplish this in the booking process, and not have members being surprised right before check-in.

Because rooms are not, and probably can not be, assigned at time of booking. If a room goes out of service, then what? Say your assigned room has a mechanical problem, has had a fire or maybe even the previous guest trashed the room or smoked. They just can't assign a room that far in advance because of the constant inflow/outflow of guests and constantly changing conditions.

The new law requires it for HA rooms for those in need of them, but not for unused/unbooked HA rooms. They remain in the pool of available room for all guests.

In general, pre-assigning rooms for a point based timeshare, where there is no set stay requirement...unlike a week specific timeshare, prevents this. It isn't like a cruise ship where all the guests arrive and leave at the same time.

 

[disneynutz]

I just don't understand why you aren't told up front that the only villa left is a HA villa, would you like to book it? DVC obviously knows how many HA villas there are, and how many owners have requested one in the 11 - 7 month booking window. If there are HA villas left at the 7 month window, those trying to book the villas should be told up front that is the only type of villa left, and let them make the decision of booking it or not. It isn't rocket science, there should be a way to accomplish this in the booking process, and not have members being surprised right before check-in.

Disney wants full rooms so someone has to go into each room. The room assigner probably had someone who didn't want an HC room in one so they took bobbiwoz's room for them and gave bobbiwoz the HC room. They may have noticed a previous HC stay.

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

Disney wants full rooms so someone has to go into each room. The room assigner probably had someone who didn't want an HC room in one so they took bobbiwoz's room for them and gave bobbiwoz the HC room. They may have noticed a previous HC stay.

Bill

It isn't necessarily that Disney WANTS full rooms, with a point based timeshare, they are designed to be at nearly full capacity at all times. Otherwise there would be a lot of wasted points and allegations of illegal overselling of the property. Just the way point timeshares work.

 

[disneynutz]

It isn't necessarily that Disney WANTS full rooms, with a point based timeshare, they are designed to be at nearly full capacity at all times. Otherwise there would be a lot of wasted points and allegations of illegal overselling of the property. Just the way point timeshares work.

I don't understand "wasted points". If owners don't book a room and they expire, the dues are paid so why would anyone care? Keeping the rooms full causes more wear and tear.

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

I don't understand "wasted points". If owners don't book a room and they expire, the dues are paid so why would anyone care? Keeping the rooms full causes more wear and tear.

Bill

While Disney wouldn't care about "wasted points" as such, if enough are wasted it could lead to allegations (though unfounded) of overselling a resort, which could lead to a state inquiry. And also with the internet today, do you think Disney/DVC wants owners even suggesting overselling, or that they NEVER get the travel dates they want?

 

[disneynutz]

While Disney wouldn't care about "wasted points" as such, if enough are wasted it could lead to allegations (though unfounded) of overselling a resort, which could lead to a state inquiry. And also with the internet today, do you think Disney/DVC wants owners even suggesting overselling, or that they NEVER get the travel dates they want?

Still trying to see the big picture. Let the state inquire, I wish that they would. IMO they should have inquired about BLT and AKV and apparently they didn't.

Disney doesn't seem to care about what we say on the internet, even though we are told that they monitor the DIS, it doesn't seem to make them improve.

Based on posts and watching people line up to buy at WDW, it seems that there are plenty of buyers who don't check the internet. Many don't know that there is a resale market and assume that the only resorts available now are Aulani, AKV, and VGF because that is what the guide told them. 50% of members don't use the website to book so I don't think that the internet is a factor.

Bill

 

[LindaBabe]

We did not do on line check in, and when checking in at WL, at 4 pm, our assigned room wasn't ready.The desk agent said he'd see what he could do - I was riding an ecv and he got us an accessable room. I don't *need* it and expressed my concern that I might inadvertantly get in the way of someone who DID need it. He reassured me, and honestly - it was great.

The floor in the bathroom was not slippery and the water didn't go much beyond the shower stall -only the edge of the bathmat got wet. There was a convenient place for my owner's locker under the sink, and everything was reachable, unlike most villas.

The biggest downsides were the lack of a proper closet, and a shortage of counter space.

That being said, the positives outweighed the negatives, and I'd go in that room again in a heartbeat.

 

[Dean]

I don't understand "wasted points". If owners don't book a room and they expire, the dues are paid so why would anyone care? Keeping the rooms full causes more wear and tear.

Bill

There are several issues. These include that DVCMC has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to manage the resorts for the benefit of the entire membership, not just the few of us who want/don't want X. This is no different than a poor view or room that is a little worn. If it's there, it really must be used routinely. This is also an issue that's clearly more important to some of us than it is to the system. DVC doesn't preassign room at the time of booking like some systems do. The issue in this case is likely that this got changed at the time of room assignments for that time. The other issue this brings up is that DVC does a relatively poor overall job for prioritizing room assignments. Another isn't that DVC cares if points are wasted but rather that those points might get used otherwise and that those members might be less inclined to buy more.

 

[dcfromva]

Basically they assign them to people that need them, but if there are extras, someone has to get them because they are, legally, part of DVC and are included in the number of points sold for the resort. Resorts are required by the ADA to have a certain percentage of HA rooms. If Disney did not include those rooms in the point count, they could lose literally a million dollars in DVC sales. In essence, they'd have to hold all points represented by those units as part of the reserve for repairs...and still, if a regular unit needed repair, someone would be placed in an HA unit.

It seems that a lot of people find the accommodations less than optimal. If they were listed as a separate booking category, you could make a decision whether or not to book them.
Normally, we take the room assignment and suck it up assuming that over time everyone will get their share of HA rooms. But, I just had a HA room in August at the VGC (it was the same room that we were assigned 2 years prior) . We were also assigned a HA at BCV a couple of years ago (when we still owned points there). And, we have had a 1BR HA right next to the elevator at BWV.
I will say that the HA room at VGC was a better design than the one we were assigned at BCV. The BCV room didn't have any drawers in the bathroom (I am assuming this is so a wheelchair will fit), but they also didn't have any shelves anywhere in the bathroom. I can't believe this is a good design if you are in a wheelchair, either--where does anyone put their stuff?
The BCV HA studio didn't have sufficient counter space in the kitchenette--that could have been easily remedied by putting a counter on the other side of the wall of the kitchenette--there was ample space.
The VGC HA studio could have used some additional counter space, too. The toaster and the coffee maker had to be plugged in over the sink and there wasn't really enough space for them to be plugged in at the same time. (I guess it's great the outlet is GFI). A small shelf (for appliances) on the other side of the sink area at the VGC would have been a great solution as well.

 

[Dean]

It seems that a lot of people find the accommodations less than optimal. If they were listed as a separate booking category, you could make a decision whether or not to book them.

The rooms are there and sold and thus must be used regardless of need. The only way to do this would be to sell them separately and to sell fixed units or similar. In reality it's simply not possible with DVC.

 

[dcfromva]

The rooms are there and sold and thus must be used regardless of need. The only way to do this would be to sell them separately and to sell fixed units or similar. In reality it's simply not possible with DVC.

I don't think the rooms would go vacant. If no one has a need for the room category, the room category might be the last to be booked. (And, the person booking the room would know what they are getting).
It would be possible with a little programming change in the computer. DVC has changed booking categories after property has sold in the past--adding BWV view at BWV, changing MK view to STD view for some of the rooms at BLT for example. It is not impossible.
Otherwise, they could improve the design of the HA rooms to make them work better. For me, that would be more shelving in key areas.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think the rooms would go vacant. If no one has a need for the room category, the room category might be the last to be booked. (And, the person booking the room would know what they are getting).
It would be possible with a little programming change in the computer. DVC has changed booking categories after property has sold in the past--adding BWV view at BWV, changing MK view to STD view for some of the rooms at BLT for example. It is not impossible.
Otherwise, they could improve the design of the HA rooms to make them work better. For me, that would be more shelving in key areas.

But remember that shelving would have to be reachable by someone in a wheelchair, and that eliminates the under sink area in the bathroom to allow for the required turning radius and access by wheelchairs. Adding shelves above the sink would not be reachable by a seated person. They could maybe remove/modify the night stand between the beds (at OKW) to add some shelving...but studios are pretty limited when you consider the required turning radius. Studios at other resorts are even more cramped when you consider required turning radius. It may be possible to add some wheelchair accessible shelves/storage to larger units, though. But probably not in the bathrooms.

 

[jekjones1558]

The 1 bedroom BWV HA we stay in (2049) does have a long shelf the goes just above the toilet and stretches all the way across just above the sink. It provides lots of toiletry space. The kitchen counter space is very limited because it is narrower than average to allow for more floor space and because the microwave is full size and sits on the counter next to the sink. Also the shelf/snack bar that is usually on the other side of the sink is eliminated to allow for more floor space. We end up using the stovetop for counter space, since we never cook anyway.

I think that precious little design planning went into the HA units in the older resorts. There is a big lip on the threshold to the balcony in 2049 that makes it impossible to get onto the balcony with a scooter. The balcony is huge and could be used in a wheelie but the solid high wall prevents anyone sitting from seeing anything but the sky. It is my pet peeve about this unit. It is really a waste of points to book the HA BW view room for DH but at least I can stand to look out at the BW.

 

[dcfromva]

But remember that shelving would have to be reachable by someone in a wheelchair, and that eliminates the under sink area in the bathroom to allow for the required turning radius and access by wheelchairs. Adding shelves above the sink would not be reachable by a seated person. They could maybe remove/modify the night stand between the beds (at OKW) to add some shelving...but studios are pretty limited when you consider the required turning radius. Studios at other resorts are even more cramped when you consider required turning radius. It may be possible to add some wheelchair accessible shelves/storage to larger units, though. But probably not in the bathrooms.

Chuck,
I am not suggesting shelves that are out of reach of a wheelchair. I am suggesting shelves the same height as the existing counters so a wheelchair could roll in underneath and the appliances such as coffee maker and toaster could be put on the shelf. I wish I had a blue print of the room. The BCV HA studio room that I was assigned had plenty of space for it. The entryway leading into the unit was enormous.

The bathroom also had plenty of space for a shelf right next to the sink that you could roll a wheelchair under that would not cut into the turning radius of a wheelchair. The bathroom was huge. The tub, sink and toilet were all in the same room in this HA room configuration. As big as the bathroom was, there wasn't any place to put even a tube of toothpaste. So, what do you do with your tube of toothpaste when you are brushing your teeth? Where do you put your toothbrush when you are done? Walk over to the kitchenette and put your stuff on the counter there? ( Even if that was your strategy, there was little space on the counter in the kitchenette. )

The thing that I find aggravating is that I have been assigned HA rooms at other hotels before and I have found they have given some real thought to the design.

 

[dcfromva]

I think that precious little design planning went into the HA units in the older resorts.

I agree with you. It seems to me like they just checked the boxes off.
I watch this HGTV show called, "Love It or List It" I was thinking it would be great if they got Hillary (the designer) in to make these spaces work better for everyone.

 

[Dean]

I don't think the rooms would go vacant. If no one has a need for the room category, the room category might be the last to be booked. (And, the person booking the room would know what they are getting).
It would be possible with a little programming change in the computer. DVC has changed booking categories after property has sold in the past--adding BWV view at BWV, changing MK view to STD view for some of the rooms at BLT for example. It is not impossible.
Otherwise, they could improve the design of the HA rooms to make them work better. For me, that would be more shelving in key areas.

In essense that's what they do now at least technically though with DVC, since they don't assign rooms, it's really what they've done all along. Since the room must be booked and may be booked to those who don't need a HA room, in essense this is a room assignment issue if one is going to fix it. Not only does DVC and the resorts not do a good job (in my view) in this area, the've consciously moved away from prioritizing or guaranteeing room assignment priority. Previously they prioritized and assigned by date of reservation, now it's room ready (whatever that really means since it's not consistent).

As for making it a separate booking category, I don't see it as feasible and likely isn't legally possible in some cases. Realize you already have booking categories including size, dedicated, views, etc. It's therefore not as simple as carving out a few rooms from one group but fitting them in to each and every group. It might be workable at Kidani, SSR or OKW but would not be so for Jambo, VB, HH, BCV, VWL, CA or GF. For BLT, HI & BWV it would depend. It is not reasonable to try to carve it out for some resorts, it simply makes it too complicated and again, might not be legal to do so. As for the designs, those are pretty set by law so there may not be much flexibility. One of the issues of making changes is sometimes you lose your grandfathered status and thus might have to meet the newest codes and laws adding significant cost and even further difficulty.

Ultimately someone has to get those rooms and there has to be a system to do so. No system will be perfect and micromanaging it really isn't reasonable.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have stayed in HA rooms several times (I actually don't find anything wrong with them) and have never gotten the bathroom floor wet while taking a shower.

I realize that they are 'unacceptable' on the DIS and I always wonder how folks who need them must feel when they read about how bad it is that Disney has to have rooms that meet their needs

And I believe in you reap what you sow. So those of you who have a fit when assigned one because they are "inferior" will someday be the one's having a fit because someone in your party needs the room and it's not available.

 

[DonnaL]

While I do understand that on some occasions HA rooms must be assigned even though they are not needed, I certainly hope it doesn't happen to us again. Several years ago, about five months after BLT opened, we arrived on New Years Day to a 2 bdrm lake view....room wasn't ready upon check-in, but, we received text notification a few hours later that it was now ready. Our oldest son (adult) was battling a sinus infection and flying hadn't helped it, so he opted to go for a nap as soon as we were notified the room was ready. Unfortunately, he never really looked at the rooms when he entered, just went into to the lock-off studio portion to take a nap. So, when the rest of our group arrived to the room a few hours later, we discovered we had been assigned a HA room. If we had realized this earlier we would have at least tried to be changed. The problem is my DH is over 6' tall and the bed in the master was so low it was almost comical to see him trying to get low enough to sit on it. He had a terrible time with the countertops in the bath and kitchen as well.......almost had to bend/lean down . Needless to say it wasn't a very comfortable stay for us and we've been lucky not to have been assigned a HA room since then. But, if it were to happen again, I would definitely at least try to have it changed, since IMO putting someone in a HA room who doesn't need it.....pretty much is adversely affecting that person the same as trying to place a person who needs a HA room in a regular room.

 

[Chuck S]

.....pretty much is adversely affecting that person the same as trying to place a person who needs a HA room in a regular room.

I have to disagree here. For an able bodied person in a HA room, it may be an inconvenience. And I do understand the inconvenience, I've been put in unneeded HA rooms. But for a non-ambulatory wheelchair-bound people an HA room is a requirement, a non-HA room would not be inconvenient, it would be impossible for them to shower, get into bed, possibly even use the restroom.

 

[dcfromva]

I have stayed in HA rooms several times (I actually don't find anything wrong with them) and have never gotten the bathroom floor wet while taking a shower.

I realize that they are 'unacceptable' on the DIS and I always wonder how folks who need them must feel when they read about how bad it is that Disney has to have rooms that meet their needs

And I believe in you reap what you sow. So those of you who have a fit when assigned one because they are "inferior" will someday be the one's having a fit because someone in your party needs the room and it's not available.

I'm glad that you found the room you were assigned worked for your needs.
I don't understand your point, though. Do you think making some changes to make the rooms work better for all concerned would put HA rooms more in demand?

There are some very specific reasons folks find that HA rooms don't work for them. Another reason that I can think of is the lack of a tub for small children. I don't know how that could be fixed.

My point is that even if I needed a HA room, I don't think (some) of rooms would work very well. jekjones1558's point about older resorts does make sense--and maybe the larger units work better than the studios. Though, even the newer VGC studio I was assigned could have been improved (with a shelf for the appliances).