Resort availability for my dates - more resorts available for longer vs. shorter stay

[Mle8308]

Revisiting this topic as I had to search online to confirm the stupidity of the Disney reservation system.

Background: I'm a DVC member, and I booked a studio for 6 nights at the Poly at the 11 month mark. My in-laws didn't originally want to go, but had a change of heart 2 months out from our vacation. Unfortunately, Poly's DVC rooms (on points) are 100% booked for the time we are there. No big deal because I'm willing to book them a cash room, which has availability.

Problem: The in-laws specifically want to stay 4 nights, Monday (check in) - Friday (check out); however, I can't book a cash room for just the 4 nights my in-laws want to stay. I can book them Monday (check in) - Thursday (check out) and I can book them Wednesday (check in) - Saturday (check out). Yet somehow the reservation system won't allow me to book their desired 4 nights despite the Poly clearly having availability with overlapping nights. This is absolutely infuriating. I'm trying to give Disney money for a 4 night stay at a $600+ a night hotel, and yet Disney is essentially telling me my money is no good and I either have to do a 3 night stay or a 5+ night stay, because Disney stands to make more money by withholding that last night for another family who is more likely to stay a few extra nights. So annoying. And yet they wonder why people have soured on Disney in the past 5-10 years!

That concludes my Ted Talk.

Did you call Disney? They may be able to book it for you. Disney IT is not the best and there are often weird glitches in the reservation system for guests, where if you call and speak to a CM, they can override it.

 

[hockeydad21]

Did you call Disney? They may be able to book it for you. Disney IT is not the best and there are often weird glitches in the reservation system for guests, where if you call and speak to a CM, they can override it.

I did call, and they were unwilling to override it.

 

[Mle8308]

I did call, and they were unwilling to override it.

That's crazy! Maybe ask for a supervisor/lead? Hope it eventually works out.

 

[brockash]

I did call, and they were unwilling to override it.

I'd call back...that's ridiculous. You may need to book both, then call and explain. I have found at times it's easier to get things done after I've booked. - Seems a little crazy and it is, but that's what I'd do. Good luck!

 

[Genie+]

This change is happening across the industry, WDW just isn’t making it obvious to see.

Many of the places we’ve booked over the years have changed but at least you see it in the reservation calendar. I had wanted a Fri and Sat nights for our regular beach trip and the only open said 3 day Fri-Mon. The year before the same type of change at another place we’ve been years prior.

It seems this is happening at destination resorts, not hotels in areas people often pop in and out. Camping in our large tri-state area is a similar story. If you want water/electric hookup, almost all have changed to weekly or seasonal the past few years.

I think the rationale is high demand seasons/places will eventually book up. In the case of my beach hotel not letting me book just 2 of the 3 nights, the chance someone else would book that last empty night was lower than the chance someone wanting all 3 nights would come along.

 

[mom2rtk]

This has been happening with Disney for some time, since well before the pandemic. My TA tried to drop a day off my booking and they wouldn't budge. I had to rebook in a different room category to still get what I wanted.