Room Ready System!!!!!!

[DebbieB]

When I bought BWV in 1999, the guide told me that requests were filled by date of reservation. He told me if I made my reservation at 11 months, I would have a good chance of getting the boardwalk view (this was before they split it out). My first trip to BWV was about a year later, made my reservation at 11 months, got quiet pool view. After that, I started booking standard view to save points rather than chance spending more points and not getting the boardwalk view. I think this was part of the reason they split out boardwalk view when they started the room ready system. Too many people were trying to compete for that boardwalk view. It seems fair to make it a booking category, that way the people know when they make their reservation what they are getting.

 

[jade1]

Where are most of these "view/request" problems happening?

Like I said BW View was the only one worth the effort for us and now its a non issue, I think using fewer points for std view would elliminate expectations on a view and the last gatergory of preferred is a water view so most likely not an issue also. Now I am reading these were "mistakes" on a thread about getting a bad view at check in. BWV seems to me to be the only one this thread is not about, and is way ahead in "view" expectations and also "rewards" BWV owners because they can get what they want at 11 months. WHY IS THIS A BAD THING?

Is it the few rooms at BCV that "may" be able to see EPCOT "if" you are high enough? Doesn't seem worth the effort and you cant reserve it anymore anyway. VWL is all woods-maybe the pool is slightly better, OKW-not much difference there that I remember, SSR for DTD I assume?

 

[jarestel]

Where are most of these "view/request" problems happening?

You're right in that "views" are in many cases not all that spectacular anyway. But a few examples of where location requests make sense for certain people:

Some prefer the back side ( lake ) of VWL, not for it's great lake views, but because the bus noise is less from the balcony than on the front side of the building.
Any pool view - Some enjoy watching others cavort in a pool while others find the noise and lack of privacy from the balcony less than relaxing while spending time on the balcony.
Close to elevators - some like the ability to step off the elevator and be at the room, while others would prefer rooms further away from the noise generated by excited guests entering/exiting the elevators all day and night long.
Most OKW guests tend to prefer certain areas of the resort over others for various reasons, with views being way down the list in many cases. SSR will probably turn out this way as well.

I'm sure I could go on and on, but you get the point. Requests aren't always, and probably not even usually, so much about views as they are preferring certain areas of the resort. I guess I don't see the harm in people "requesting" things that might make their stay a wee bit more enjoyable.

 

[jade1]

Thanks jarestel, I can see what you are saying, I just have not heard why the BWV is frowned upon for almost eliminating this issue IMO.

 

[Daitcher]

I don't see anything wrong with GENERAL requests. For example, at OKW we like water views. A friend of mine likes golf views. Why not try to satisfy that? Of course, it's not guaranteed.

Why not try to satisfy that? Because you can't satisfy everyone. There are only so many water/golf views available. Everyone can't get them. This leads to stomping, yelling, complaining guests unhappy with there stay. Lets restore the good DVC member name by doing away with these requests and using room ready. The "whiners" make us look bad as a group. I feel the "oh boy here comes another DVC member" when I check in. It is as if they are waiting for me to demand and berate. I feel embarrased to be a DVC member at times. Don't think for ne second that "we" aren't known as the worst guests at WDW. This is too bad because most members truly are "magical". Really this post has run its course. All I really want is to voice this to DVC and on here ( the Dis is a powerful forum). Maybe the system will change, maybe not. At the very least I hope members wil start to realize there behavior effects us all as a group. Thanks for your thoughts.


DAVE

 

[Daitcher]

But I do like it when the pot gets stirred to frenzy level. Thanks, Dave!

You're welcome. I didn't really intend to stir it up but a good pot stirring is always fun. This post brings out my true intentions, this is a problem that affects many.


DAVE

 

[jarestel]

Why not try to satisfy that? Because you can't satisfy everyone. There are only so many water/golf views available. Everyone can't get them. This leads to stomping, yelling, complaining guests unhappy with there stay. Lets restore the good DVC member name by doing away with these requests and using room ready. The "whiners" make us look bad as a group. I feel the "oh boy here comes another DVC member" when I check in. It is as if they are waiting for me to demand and berate. I feel embarrased to be a DVC member at times. Don't think for ne second that "we" aren't known as the worst guests at WDW. This is too bad because most members truly are "magical". Really this post has run its course. All I really want is to voice this to DVC and on here ( the Dis is a powerful forum). Maybe the system will change, maybe not. At the very least I hope members wil start to realize there behavior effects us all as a group. Thanks for your thoughts.


DAVE

I haven't experienced any negative treatment due to being a DVC member, so I can't comment on that. If you have, it's a shame and I think it's more of a reflection on the CMs poor attitude. I'm embarrassed to think CMs who make judgments about an entire group based on the actions of a few are given any credence by us ( DVC members ) at all.

But the thing is, you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. People rob banks, but it would be silly to propose the closing of all banks in order to eliminate bank robbery. And the goal isn't to create a system that makes everyone happy either, because if someone came up with such an idea, it would be the first time in all of human history that everyone was in total agreement about something. So utopian satisfaction, though nice to think about, isn't an achievable goal either.

What is achievable and realistically attainable is to create a room assignment system that is predictable and uniformly fair. That does mean, as you said previously, that Guest A no longer gets to throw a hissy fit and get Guest B's room, thereby leaving poor old Guest B in a state of hissiness when he arrives. If rooms are assigned on a basis that all members are aware of and the assignment rules are consistent, MOST of us would be happy. As I said, it's not realistic to assume any system will make everyone happy, but as long as members feel they are treated fairly, the vast majority will be happy as clams.

Great thread, Dave! Keep up the interesting topics!

 

[Daitcher]

I haven't experienced any negative treatment due to being a DVC member, so I can't comment on that. If you have, it's a shame and I think it's more of a reflection on the CMs poor attitude. I'm embarrassed to think CMs who make judgments about an entire group based on the actions of a few are given any credence by us ( DVC members ) at all.

But the thing is, you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. People rob banks, but it would be silly to propose the closing of all banks in order to eliminate bank robbery. And the goal isn't to create a system that makes everyone happy either, because if someone came up with such an idea, it would be the first time in all of human history that everyone was in total agreement about something. So utopian satisfaction, though nice to think about, isn't an achievable goal either.

What is achievable and realistically attainable is to create a room assignment system that is predictable and uniformly fair. That does mean, as you said previously, that Guest A no longer gets to throw a hissy fit and get Guest B's room, thereby leaving poor old Guest B in a state of hissiness when he arrives. If rooms are assigned on a basis that all members are aware of and the assignment rules are consistent, MOST of us would be happy. As I said, it's not realistic to assume any system will make everyone happy, but as long as members feel they are treated fairly, the vast majority will be happy as clams.

Great thread, Dave! Keep up the interesting topics!

Thank you for those great thoguhts.

DAVE

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

I just have not heard why the BWV is frowned upon for almost eliminating this issue IMO.

Was wondering this also, seems to be the best resort on what to expect and thats bad?

 

[Dean]

When I bought BWV in 1999, the guide told me that requests were filled by date of reservation. He told me if I made my reservation at 11 months, I would have a good chance of getting the boardwalk view (this was before they split it out). My first trip to BWV was about a year later, made my reservation at 11 months, got quiet pool view. After that, I started booking standard view to save points rather than chance spending more points and not getting the boardwalk view. I think this was part of the reason they split out boardwalk view when they started the room ready system. Too many people were trying to compete for that boardwalk view. It seems fair to make it a booking category, that way the people know when they make their reservation what they are getting.

That was actually accurate at the time. And, IMO, DVC failed not due to the priority but due to the fact they allowed people to make requests that were set up for failure. Plus they allowed people who were of lower priority to complain their way into the room they had assigned to you.

 

[Dean]

Dean,

You know I'm usually with you on most things, but I can't get on board here. I do not believe your system would work and would do nothing to eliminate the unhappy guests. Lets say priority is given to owners based on how far out they book. Now lets say 40 owners book a top floor Epcot view non smoking room at BCV 11 months out. There might be only 20 of those rooms available. Under your system, 20 people go away frustrated with the potential for complaints. I can hear the yelling now " I'm a BCV owner and I booked this room 11 months out!" DVC is far to complex to implement this. Room ready when operated correctly is the fairest system IMO. Now one thing could be done at SSR, that is to make the rooms with a DTD view premium or preferred view and make them more points and a seperate booking category like they do at BWV. That is really the only other resort besides BWV where there is even a decent view anyway. OKW, BCV, VWL the view is terrible anyway. This is part of the reason DVC won't do much about view requests. They realize there are no "great views" at those resorts. They snicker at those complaints for views. At BWV they realized the BWV was worth a seperate booking category. Honestly how could you break down views at BCV, OKW or VWL? Good thoughts and I liked the Marriott info. because I stay there on cash a lot.

DAVE

It's not simply trying to make every member happy. Obviously there are people who you refund all their points and feed them for free and they'd find something to complain about. And I believe most people try to make reasonable requests and don't worry about it after that and wouldn't complain regardless. But lets take your example. If DVC give priority to when one booked and eliminates all frivolous requests, You can make almost everyone happy that are at all reasonable. You simply tell them up front what to expect and what NOT to expect and that's the key. For example, one now knows they will not get a BWV BW view or standard view unless that is reserved. And one knows they should get a BCV 2 queens in the second BR because it is a reservation type if they have it reserved. That doesn't mean things won't happen that make it impossible to meet every request, they do.

But I'm convinced that most people would be happy if DVC has a defined set of criteria, tell people up front that frivolous (specific room or building, etc) requests aren't accepted and if DVC actually tries to fulfill requests. Under the current system, all 40 of the guests in your example could be unhappy instead of just 20.

As for Marriott, that list is for Grande Ocean though my experience is most Marriott Timeshares follow a similar pattern.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Lets restore the good DVC member name by doing away with these requests and using room ready. ....

I still don't understand why room ready is the end all, be all for you. I don't need my room ready when I check in. It's nice if it is, but I can still find lots to do until that time. If your system requires that people come back to see what is now available (if they don't like what's available when they check in), that would only increase the length of the lines and get more people unhappy. I can hear the whiners in line now. I prefer to have a room assigned to me ahead of time and I get that room when it is ready.

What's wrong with that concept? If I can't make a request for an area at OKW (sorry you don't see the differences in the areas), why should someone else be able to request the 2 bedroom with the two queens or the BW view? Did I purchase at an inferior resort (that's a rhetorical question, by the way)?

 

[TeresaNJ]

I never make room view requests, I like to be surprised, but I was not happy with what happened on my last visit at the BCV. We arrived at 10:30 am to check in. We were asked by the CM if we had any preferences. I asked if any rooms were ready now. He said no. I said, okay, then do you have any rooms on the first floor, he said yes, handed me our keys, told us to call later to see if the room was ready, and off we went. We tried to use our key to charge lunch and it didn't work. We called the resort to see if our room was ready at about 1:30, it wasn't, we didn't mention about the charge not working, figured we would straighten it out when we went back to the resort. Called again an hour later, room not ready. Called at 3:30, told to come to front desk. Got there at 4, took our keys away, gave us new keys, told us our room was on third floor. Confused, but whatever. Went to room, it is HA, I'm pissed. Obviously someone checking in after us complained and got the room we were already given keys to. I call front desk, told "too bad", everyone has already checked in for the day, no other rooms available. Huh??? It is 4:30, EVERYONE couldn't have already checked in. Disappointed, but decided to live with it, rather than spoil our first day.BTW, the room did have a great view of the pool, but I would have much preferred a non-HA room.

What angers me is that if a HA room was the only room available when I checked in I would have been okay with that. The fact that I already had a room, but somehow it magically disappeared really bugs me. Now I do request non-HA room and hopefully will get it, although I know it is not guaranteed.

Funny story, I did request a first floor room at OKW several years ago, and got it. Only problem was that the patio was right next to about six air-conditioning units. OMG, the noise. Learned then and there not to make room requests and hope for the best!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

I never make room view requests, I like to be surprised, but I was not happy with what happened on my last visit at the BCV. We arrived at 10:30 am to check in. We were asked by the CM if we had any preferences. I asked if any rooms were ready now. He said no. I said, okay, then do you have any rooms on the first floor, he said yes, handed me our keys, told us to call later to see if the room was ready, and off we went. We tried to use our key to charge lunch and it didn't work. We called the resort to see if our room was ready at about 1:30, it wasn't, we didn't mention about the charge not working, figured we would straighten it out when we went back to the resort. Called again an hour later, room not ready. Called at 3:30, told to come to front desk. Got there at 4, took our keys away, gave us new keys, told us our room was on third floor. Confused, but whatever. Went to room, it is HA, I'm pissed. Obviously someone checking in after us complained and got the room we were already given keys to. I call front desk, told "too bad", everyone has already checked in for the day, no other rooms available. Huh??? It is 4:30, EVERYONE couldn't have already checked in. Disappointed, but decided to live with it, rather than spoil our first day.BTW, the room did have a great view of the pool, but I would have much preferred a non-HA room.

What angers me is that if a HA room was the only room available when I checked in I would have been okay with that. The fact that I already had a room, but somehow it magically disappeared really bugs me. Now I do request non-HA room and hopefully will get it, although I know it is not guaranteed.

Funny story, I did request a first floor room at OKW several years ago, and got it. Only problem was that the patio was right next to about six air-conditioning units. OMG, the noise. Learned then and there not to make room requests and hope for the best!!

This is what makes me really nervous about the check in process. I've seen examples of this posted on the boards before.

How can this happen? How can you be checked into a room/given a keycard and then later come to find that someone else has been given the room that you were given?????

Anyone else have experience or answers for this?

Maybe Room Ready could fix this? As in no more waiting for your room all day.

 

[lisareniff]

What is achievable and realistically attainable is to create a room assignment system that is predictable and uniformly fair. That does mean, as you said previously, that Guest A no longer gets to throw a hissy fit and get Guest B's room, thereby leaving poor old Guest B in a state of hissiness when he arrives. If rooms are assigned on a basis that all members are aware of and the assignment rules are consistent, MOST of us would be happy. As I said, it's not realistic to assume any system will make everyone happy, but as long as members feel they are treated fairly, the vast majority will be happy as clams.

Totally agree

 

[cdy16zz]

It's not simply trying to make every member happy. Obviously there are people who you refund all their points and feed them for free and they'd find something to complain about. And I believe most people try to make reasonable requests and don't worry about it after that and wouldn't complain regardless. But lets take your example. If DVC give priority to when one booked and eliminates all frivolous requests, You can make almost everyone happy that are at all reasonable. You simply tell them up front what to expect and what NOT to expect and that's the key. For example, one now knows they will not get a BWV BW view or standard view unless that is reserved. And one knows they should get a BCV 2 queens in the second BR because it is a reservation type if they have it reserved. That doesn't mean things won't happen that make it impossible to meet every request, they do.

But I'm convinced that most people would be happy if DVC has a defined set of criteria, tell people up front that frivolous (specific room or building, etc) requests aren't accepted and if DVC actually tries to fulfill requests. Under the current system, all 40 of the guests in your example could be unhappy instead of just 20.

As for Marriott, that list is for Grande Ocean though my experience is most Marriott Timeshares follow a similar pattern.

You tell 'em Dean!!!!

Us old timers remember when ressies were made this way! Room Ready just promotes too many DVC members trying to get there too early. Never before have I seen soooooo many people sitting around waiting like I have in the recent years.

Check-in is at 4 o'clock. We all know this............. If you plane comes in early check your bags and go, come back around 4 or 5. This is all possible if they went back to the old system. Relax, because you already know where your room will be!!! Down with Room Ready!!!

 

[Glorydaz]

hey Dave, great thread! I have to tell you though, before I found the Disboards, I didn't know squat about what rooms to request! lol...I just took whatever I was assigned.....our last trip ( 3 weeks ago) at WL we were assigned a room that overlooked the parking lot....I must admit, we went down to the front desk and very nicely requested a better view...yes, I had paid for a woods view and that is what we finally got...

...my point is, maybe it's just all of us Disboard junkies that get squirmy about our room assignments... I do like your idea though - I just don't want to look at a parking lot (and yes, I understand ultimately someone has too) especially not for the prices we pay...

as it was so well stated by someone else on this board, you can't make all the people happy all the time ...now that would be "magic"!

Michelle

 

[jade1]

I'd agree that the standard view is likely a mistake in hind sight.

So its a bad thing.

For example, one now knows they will not get a BWV BW view or standard view unless that is reserved.

So its a good thing?

 

[Dean]

So its a bad thing.



So its a good thing?

It depends on where you're coming from. From DVC's standpoint I'm sure the standard view a bad thing and that was my reference to it being a mistake. From a member standpoint, the more choices that can be locked in the better but there again it depends on where you're coming from. It means that an owner at BWV is the only one who has a consistent chance of getting either BW view or standard view. So if you own elsewhere or book later, you have no chance with a direct booking system while you do with a request only system.

 

[jade1]

Thanks Dean, my whole point is just as you are saying. IMO The BWV are not really in this discussion because you basically know what you are getting (as a member) before you arrive and therefore when you arrive no matter what time. I would think working the check in would also be easier because of this. It also "rewards" the owner of the points that can plan ahead-which seems to be a concern to some owners of the smaller resorts. Owners of the larger resorts are excluded in these choices until 7 months and they are looking for any leverage to level the playing field by the room ready system because all chances become equal on the day of check in. Cant blame them, its hard enough to get in the smaller resorts at all, much less the "preferred" rooms, but thats where owning where you want to stay come in to play.