Sad day .. Just Sold our DVC Membership..

[Sandisw]

Changing the system so you can't drop days at the beginning of the reservation for some period of time isn't a big change to the system. Its a policy change that isn't any different than the change from "day by day" booking to book the whole thing at eleven months from the check in day (which they stopped not because you could get locked out mid trip, but because it was increasing their costs dramatically as people had to make a phone call for each day of their stay - I do not buy that it had anything to do with the members - it wasn't sustainable for Disney). Or giving us access to online booking (which was a pretty major change because online booking has different hours than phone booking - and that extra hour is not at all at a convenient time for West Coast members). Its much less of a change than making Fall more expensive. Or changing the point cost of studios. Or even putting the bedding for five in a studio which has decreased storage and increased room wear and tear. But hey, for people who want five in a studio, its been great.

People aren't happy with the walking situation. A lot of us don't want to waitlist (in 20+ years of ownership, I have never waitlisted, I either make the reservation I make, or I move on. I don't trust the waitlist, since we know its possible for me to get a room by stalking that you have a waitlist already in place for - it disturbs my sense of fairness and justice. They could fix that as well - again, that's a pretty simple data base change to add a room status "open" "reserved" and "released" - released rooms aren't available for booking - i.e. don't change to open - until the wait list has been run against them - but they haven't) Disney isn't likely to do anything about it. But they COULD do so and saying they can't without ruining the system isn't at all accurate - its an excuse either on behalf of Disney or on behalf of the members who like walking.

It is quite possible that the members who like the situation with walking outnumber those who are not happy, and change it would not increase member satisfaction. Personally, I would lay money on it being the case of more members would be happy with a change such as the one I proposed and the virtual end of walking (as has been pointed out, a few members with a ton of points might still choose to do it, but honestly, when it isn't necessary because so few people do it, those people aren't very likely to bother for anything other than VAKL Concierge rooms or something like that).

Just to clarify, I am indifferent to walking and don’t use it very often.

I am happy with the system that allows all modifications at any time without a penalty outside of 31 days.

So, changes that can’t be made for X days is some level of a penalty IMO.

And that is why I think changes to curb walking would have a far reaching negative impact on owners.

Obviously we all have to deal with what DVC decides, but rest assured any change that they come up with will result in some owners finding strategic ways around it yo get what they want.

 

[TiszBear]

OP I honestly understand how you feel. I had 3BWV contracts and 1VGF contract and last fall I sold one of my BWV contracts. I actually cried when I signed the papers.

I first bought in in 1999 and I never thought I would sell. I don’t have kids but I used my points for so many amazing adventures with family and friends. But the decision to sell was for me due to the changes that were happening that I didn’t and still don’t agree with. Of the points I have left I decided that I’m going to use them for DCL and a day or two before the cruise. Using my points for DCL, too some make no sense but too me it does.

I realized that my DVC contracts have given me so much happiness but I’m changing. Not growing up but I miss being able to park hop like I did pre-covid, I miss the old fast pass system, not having to be tied to my cell phone. I miss the spontaneous parts of my vacations. I don’t have those feelings now. It is different since covid and Chapek.

Disney has been apart of my life since I was 5 (44 years). Been to DL, WDW, experienced all holidays at WDW, been to AK on opening day, experienced New Fantasyland before it opened to the public, experienced the updated Pirate’s of the Caribbean (with Johnny Depp surprising guests as Captain Jack Sparrow before it reopened after the refurb when the first movie came out) and used my points for places I dreamed of outside the parks. I’m not sure what’s next for me or my points. For the OP and any others not sure if you should sell or not, you’ll know when the time is right.

 

[mort1331]

Changing the system so you can't drop days at the beginning of the reservation for some period of time isn't a big change to the system. Its a policy change that isn't any different than the change from "day by day" booking to book the whole thing at eleven months from the check in day (which they stopped not because you could get locked out mid trip, but because it was increasing their costs dramatically as people had to make a phone call for each day of their stay - I do not buy that it had anything to do with the members - it wasn't sustainable for Disney). Or giving us access to online booking (which was a pretty major change because online booking has different hours than phone booking - and that extra hour is not at all at a convenient time for West Coast members). Its much less of a change than making Fall more expensive. Or changing the point cost of studios. Or even putting the bedding for five in a studio which has decreased storage and increased room wear and tear. But hey, for people who want five in a studio, its been great.

People aren't happy with the walking situation. A lot of us don't want to waitlist (in 20+ years of ownership, I have never waitlisted, I either make the reservation I make, or I move on. I don't trust the waitlist, since we know its possible for me to get a room by stalking that you have a waitlist already in place for - it disturbs my sense of fairness and justice. They could fix that as well - again, that's a pretty simple data base change to add a room status "open" "reserved" and "released" - released rooms aren't available for booking - i.e. don't change to open - until the wait list has been run against them - but they haven't) Disney isn't likely to do anything about it. But they COULD do so and saying they can't without ruining the system isn't at all accurate - its an excuse either on behalf of Disney or on behalf of the members who like walking.

It is quite possible that the members who like the situation with walking outnumber those who are not happy, and change it would not increase member satisfaction. Personally, I would lay money on it being the case of more members would be happy with a change such as the one I proposed and the virtual end of walking (as has been pointed out, a few members with a ton of points might still choose to do it, but honestly, when it isn't necessary because so few people do it, those people aren't very likely to bother for anything other than VAKL Concierge rooms or something like that).

It is quite possible that the members who like the situation with walking outnumber those who are not happy, and change it would not increase member satisfaction.

As has been said many times before,,,the members on here are a small % of the overall pool. The majority of owners have no clue what walking is. I have friends that have been members for 20 years and close to 1500 points. When we did have TIW, I asked them in 2018 how they like it,,,,they had no idea. Bought one after I explained it to them,,,1st night at Tiffins it payed for itself.
Most owners do not know all the things their smart phones can do,,,they sure dont know how all the things on their timeshare works.

 

[lowlight]

I just want to point out that some of those defending walking and making it seem like stopping it would punish everyone are the same people who walk reservations regularly, so take that with a grain of salt. Walking is to DVC reservations what double booking and triple booking (still possible with not much effort) is to ADR’s. The system was not set up with that in mind, and the more people who do it, the more it breaks and those who miss out decide to join in. There are clear and easy ways to stop it, but DVC is taking a path of least resistance approach. If enough of us got together and made the case we were being materially harmed (zero chance of AKV club level unless walking, etc), they may do something about it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Don’t want walking??

Old. Booking. Method.

Fair and impossible to walk.

I would not have brought this up (again), but the thread has morphed into how to eliminate walking.

 

[Sammie]

We bought in 2000 and are just as pleased as ever. By booking at 7 months we have stayed at every resort on property. As to perks, we have so much more now than we did when we bought. Not sure what everyone is referencing when they say, loss of perks. I think as we age we either accept change and adapt or give it up. I have no intention of giving it up.