Reservation Walking Banned by Disney

[Sandisw]

I don't know if charging is the answer, but I would definitely be willing to make things a little more difficult on myself, if it meant that the whole system was on a more even playing field in terms of competing for room.

And I guess that is why people on each side of the concept are where they are. The only even playing field that can happen to stop walkers is to prohibit modifications for any reasons.

I just went on the site and there is not one resort today that is fully booked up for an 11 mpnth booking. Not one owner is being shut out of their home resort. Might not be the ideal room size or view, but you are getting a room at your home resort.

That indicates that it is only a few specific rooms this practice impacts and why the system has never been changed to penalize people.

Now, DVC has rebalanced the charts to make that time of year cost more points to help, but the holidays are the holidays and nothing can change that…

 

[tx911]

And I guess that is why people on each side of the concept are where they are. The only even playing field that can happen to stop walkers is to prohibit modifications for any reasons.

I just went on the site and there is not one resort today that is fully booked up for an 11 mpnth booking. Not one owner is being shut out of their home resort. Might not be the ideal room size or view, but you are getting a room at your home resort.

That indicates that it is only a few specific rooms this practice impacts and why the system has never been changed to penalize people.

Now, DVC has rebalanced the charts to make that time of year cost more points to help, but the holidays are the holidays and nothing can change that…

So why do you walk reservations?

 

[BeachClub2014]

And I guess that is why people on each side of the concept are where they are. The only even playing field that can happen to stop walkers is to prohibit modifications for any reasons.

I just went on the site and there is not one resort today that is fully booked up for an 11 mpnth booking. Not one owner is being shut out of their home resort. Might not be the ideal room size or view, but you are getting a room at your home resort.

That indicates that it is only a few specific rooms this practice impacts and why the system has never been changed to penalize people.

Now, DVC has rebalanced the charts to make that time of year cost more points to help, but the holidays are the holidays and nothing can change that…

.....and back in the day of legacy FP you could walk into any park on any day and still get an FP. It may not have been the park you wanted or your preferred ride, but they could still be had so nobody was being shut out.

I keep going back to the old FP arguments because the parallels are striking. Fairness is always about whether it impacts the individual and their world view.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm fine with that if your argument must be that extreme. I've made a crap-ton of reservations over the last 20 years and can think of only twice that I HAD to modify one. I'm willing to bet that absent walking, most people never HAVE to change a reservation. They may CHOOSE to do so.....

Plus, I'm not arguing fair. I think it's a silly argument to try and make. I do think you are underestimating the impact of walking, which is fine. I just don't agree that a loophole in the rules should be routinely exploited to the disadvantage of others.

As I just posted, not one person going on to the DVC website right now to book a trip exactly 11 mpnths from today is going to be shut out of their resort.

So, it’s not a huge problem with the exception of a handful of rooms. And, that is the whole point of the flexibility of the system…you can make, modify, and change rooms all the time without having to worry.

 

[davidhr]

I can add a bit to that availability point. Next year my trip is planned to start on Black Friday until 12/07. I was able to log in this morning and book a CCV Studio, a notoriously walked room, right when the window opened. Granted, it was sold out a few minutes later (like it’s expected for Christmas for that resort). No walking needed. So yeah, there are definitely walkers for that category but, even without a walk, it’s possible.

Even Riviera at this moment has all studios available. The standard and the tiny room are tough to book during the holidays.

Now I need to add more days to my reservation to complete my trip. Let’s just say I’m very happy about not having to pay to modify my reservation

 

[Sandisw]

So why do you walk reservations?

I don’t. I follow behind or book a higher category and then waitlist and stalk…and flex my dates some to make it work.

But, I have no problem with people doing it because I would rather have the system like it is so I can make as many reservations as I want and modify/cancel without a penalty.

 

[tx911]

I don’t. I follow behind or book a higher category and then waitlist and stalk…and flex my dates some to make it work.

But, I have no problem with people doing it because I would rather have the system like it is so I can make as many reservations as I want and modify/cancel without a penalty.

Then consider it a rhetorical question.

The obvious answer is: So I can get the rooms I want when I want them at the expense of anyone who doesn't walk.

 

[BeachClub2014]

As I just posted, not one person going on to the DVC website right now to book a trip exactly 11 mpnths from today is going to be shut out of their resort.

So, it’s not a huge problem with the exception of a handful of rooms. And, that is the whole point of the flexibility of the system…you can make, modify, and change rooms all the time without having to worry.

So all room categories are available at all the resorts? How do you define whether the problem is huge, medium, or small? What's the metric? The argument that because there is availability of some sort means walking isn't really a problem is a leap. But hey, leap away. Then again, I don't have a problem with charging people to change reservations to discourage walking. We can agree to disagree on that point.

 

[walt34]

So, it’s not a huge problem with the exception of a handful of rooms. And, that is the whole point of the flexibility of the system…you can make, modify, and change rooms all the time without having to worry

And DVC is arguably already less flexibel than a cash booking (e.g. cancellation fewer than 30 days before arrival). Restricting modifications further would probably impact many more people negatively than walkers do today.

 

[Sandisw]

Then consider it a rhetorical question.

The obvious answer is: So I can get the rooms I want when I want them at the expense of anyone who doesn't walk.

Nope… not it at all…you are missing the point. The point is that the system is good because it allows us to have a lot of flexibility.

And, I just think all owners have the right to book whatever room they want, regardless of why they booked it and should be allowed to keep or cancel it on their own timeline.

To me, that is what the term first come, first serve means. If we both try, and you end up with it and I , then it’s the nature of the program.

 

[Sandisw]

So all room categories are available at all the resorts? How do you define whether the problem is huge, medium, or small? What's the metric? The argument that because there is availability of some sort means walking isn't really a problem is a leap. But hey, leap away. Then again, I don't have a problem with charging people to change reservations to discourage walking. We can agree to disagree on that point.

What I said is that no one gets shut out of their home resort at 11 months. Yes, there are categories gone but not only because of walkers…it’s because peoole are booking as well.

Yes, we can agree to disagree that charging for any and all changes would be a good thing for the memvership. It would not.

 

[tx911]

What I said is that no one gets shut out of their home resort at 11 months. Yes, there are categories gone but not only because of walkers…it’s because peoole are booking as well.

Yes, we can agree to disagree that charging for any and all changes would be a good thing for the memvership. It would not.

This is a circular argument that is futile to continue.

I'll just come back to a central point.

You are booking rooms that you have no intention (and never did have) of staying in. And in that process, are blocking others from getting rooms that they do want to stay in.

It's looking out for number one, and to hell with everyone else. Looks wrong, feels wrong, is wrong.

 

[BeachClub2014]

What I said is that no one gets shut out of their home resort at 11 months. Yes, there are categories gone but not only because of walkers…it’s because peoole are booking as well.

Yes, we can agree to disagree that charging for any and all changes would be a good thing for the memvership. It would not.

Deal. I just don't agree that just because something can be done, it should be done. Especially to the detriment of others. but hey, that's just me and my sense of right and wrong. I'm naive that way.

 

[bakerworld]

I few years ago on another forum a poster actually had the nerve to complain that a villa walked for 2 months (!!!) was taken by Disney - actually called and found this out. I couldn't believe the nerve. I've not the patience to walk although I have - many times, just did it this month for our May reservation - adjusted days. I'm a WL/villa stalker.

 

[walt34]

You are booking rooms that you have no intention (and never did have) of staying in. And in that process, are blocking others from getting rooms that they do want to stay in.

But only temporarily. If I remember correctly, this whole thread was started because you wanted to book a VGF STD Deluxe or Resort Studio from a specific date in November. It seems that the walkers have cleared the area or are in the process of doing so. Did you get your booking?

Not even a walker can hold more rooms than they have points for. Their impact on the weeks before the high demand period is temporary.

 

[DebbieB]

As I just posted, not one person going on to the DVC website right now to book a trip exactly 11 mpnths from today is going to be shut out of their resort.

So, it’s not a huge problem with the exception of a handful of rooms. And, that is the whole point of the flexibility of the system…you can make, modify, and change rooms all the time without having to worry.

Right now, all 3 views for BWV studios are being walked. No 11/29 Open (yesterday it was 11/28 so obviously walking). Don’t have enough points for a 1 bedroom.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The funny thing about watching this entire discussion is the futility of it all. Nothing is going to change. Hard stop.

 

[BeachClub2014]

The funny thing about watching this entire discussion is the futility of it all. Nothing is going to change. Hard stop.

But wait! I've read many times here on the DIS that DVC monitors these boards to keep their finger on the membership pulse. So if that is true, then never say never!

 

[Chuck S]

This is a circular argument that is futile to continue.

I'll just come back to a central point.

You are booking rooms that you have no intention (and never did have) of staying in. And in that process, are blocking others from getting rooms that they do want to stay in.

It's looking out for number one, and to hell with everyone else. Looks wrong, feels wrong, is wrong.

Except, walking itself really it isn't blocking anyone. Just wait for the walker to pass your date, then start your reservation.

Or if people are walking towards the same dates and room you want, you are free to walk as well.

 

[tx911]

But only temporarily. If I remember correctly, this whole thread was started because you wanted to book a VGF STD Deluxe or Resort Studio from a specific date in November. It seems that the walkers have cleared the area or are in the process of doing so. Did you get your booking?

Not even a walker can hold more rooms than they have points for. Their impact on the weeks before the high demand period is temporary.

Well, that’s a question we can’t answer, isn’t it? If there is anyone walking through that week, and there is, someone booking at the correct 11 month opening missed out on a room because of it. And if the walker stops in that week, permanently so. I ended up having to book a more point-costly room.