Should longer stays be given a booking priority?

[bobbiwoz]

I wouldn't want to see this happen.

 

[Chuck S]

I couldn't support any change that gives a booking priority for one member over another, for any reason.

In a way, we already have that. With the ability at 11 months to walk a reservation, it certainly gives a priority to owners with more points vs those with small contracts.

Why should someone have a priority because they are booking a 7 night stay once a year over someone who is booking 4 or 5-5 night stays.
What about those booking 7 nights split stays, should they be penalized.

And we do already have that, as the split stay, even if at two home resorts at the 11 month window, can not be booked in one phone call, each part of the reservation can not be booked until their respective 11 month window opens.

All I expect is that members are treated equally when it comes to booking a room be it for 1 night or 10 nights.

But technically, we aren't now, again, with walking reservations, a one day stay could be unavailable (extremely unlikely but technically possible), even at the 11 month window, if everyone else had called earlier and booked a multi-day reservation.

When they take away my ability to decide when I can go and for how long I have to stay it will be time to sell.
I don't think they would care one bit, because whoever buys my points will be buying into the new rules.

Absolutely, I would think everyone would sell if DVC was no longer viable for them, and the next owner would be assuming the dues and taxes. Disney really doesn't (nor really should) care who pays the dues, as long as they get paid.

 

[skelooch]

In a way, we already have that. With the ability at 11 months to walk a reservation, it certainly gives a priority to owners with more points vs those with small contracts.

And we do already have that, as the split stay, even if at two home resorts at the 11 month window, can not be booked in one phone call, each part of the reservation can not be booked until their respective 11 month window opens.


But technically, we aren't now, again, with walking reservations, a one day stay could be unavailable (extremely unlikely but technically possible), even at the 11 month window, if everyone else had called earlier and booked a multi-day reservation.

Absolutely, I would think everyone would sell if DVC was no longer viable for them, and the next owner would be assuming the dues and taxes. Disney really doesn't (nor really should) care who pays the dues, as long as they get paid.

You don't necessarily need more points to walk a reservation.

Of course it can be booked with one call.

I never suppored the current booking policy and never will, I don't like the idea of having to walk a reservation, but if I have to I will. I didn't make the rule they did. I was perfectly happy calling every day under the old system knowing that I was guaranteed to get what I wanted, but they told me the new system was better for all members. Tell that to the ones who can't get what they want when they call exactly 11 months out.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The majority of our stays are for 7 nights or maybe a few more. I feel no need to have a priority over anyone else nor do I wish for that to happen. If it ever ended up being a new "enhancement" that was "requested by the members" it didn't come from here!

 

[Chuck S]

I was perfectly happy calling every day under the old system knowing that I was guaranteed to get what I wanted, ...

But you weren't guaranteed to get what you wanted. There where occasional reports of people being locked out, and the phone lines being busy for hours during peak holiday travel booking windows, here on the DIS Boards.

 

[skelooch]

In all the years before the new system that I have been on the boards, I don't recall hearing about someone losing a reservation because of the phone being busy, I'm not saying it couldn't happen. But a far less chance than today. I've seen many posts in the last couple of years.
Which system do you prefer?

 

[keishashadow]

Verbal representations mean nothing, they are not legally enforceable in real estate and owners agreed to this in writing by signing that verbal representations were not binding or by agreeing to the same as a condition of a resale purchase. Realistically timeshares can't be held to every option that was promised in a sales presentation or they wouldn't ever be able to change anything.

im a realtorfully aware on no verbal representations

While they may be 'technically' un-enforceable, any reputable salesperson/realty company realizes that word of mouth & reputation is everything in the real estate market. So many DVC'rs i have spoken to have indicated the tipping point to buy was the ability to take several shorter trips a year.

Even a company as big as DVC needs to stand behind it's claims (real or sprinkled in pixie dust) if not the word, the intent jmho.

 

[Dean]

im a realtorfully aware on no verbal representations

While they may be 'technically' un-enforceable, any reputable salesperson/realty company realizes that word of mouth & reputation is everything in the real estate market. So many DVC'rs i have spoken to have indicated the tipping point to buy was the ability to take several shorter trips a year.

Even a company as big as DVC needs to stand behind it's claims (real or sprinkled in pixie dust) if not the word, the intent jmho.

But that doesn't mean it has to stay the same or even the way you or I want it to be. It has changed, we already have a de-facto 7 day min for high demand times. It will change and most members probably won't like many of the changes. I stand by my original premise that the fact that a particular angle was used in a given sales presentation means nothing. Obviously the aggregate information does mean something but given the reallocation, reservation changes, valet parking issue and the 3 times they've had to relocate guests (AKV * 2 and BWV) and how they've handled it, I haven't seen them timid lately in making changes that would upset a certain % of the membership.

 

[pnyltwk]

No I would not support that. I would also like to see the day by day/walkers limited too.

 

[arthur06]

About the only change I wouldn't mind would be 11 month from check-out. This would give a 2 week vacation a 1 week head start over those with a 1 week vacation!

I would also like to see that a limitation on how long after your reservation is made before it can be changed. That would eliminate walking!

Really though, I don't think any changes are needed.

 

[keishashadow]

But that doesn't mean it has to stay the same or even the way you or I want it to be. It has changed, we already have a de-facto 7 day min for high demand times. It will change and most members probably won't like many of the changes. I stand by my original premise that the fact that a particular angle was used in a given sales presentation means nothing. Obviously the aggregate information does mean something but given the reallocation, reservation changes, valet parking issue and the 3 times they've had to relocate guests (AKV * 2 and BWV) and how they've handled it, I haven't seen them timid lately in making changes that would upset a certain % of the membership.

sadly, so true. I'm sure that the changes will keep on coming for maximum profit

I just hope they 'magically' decide to keep what i consider one of the core foundations of DVC: the flexibility factor as to several mini-trips vs week long ones (this benefit has been featured prominently - albiet, orally - in several DVC promotional DVDs over the years...wonder if it's still in the recent ones?)

OT - the DVC resorts are busy indeed. i tried to book a 2 night stay in any studio or 1BR for last week of this month. Only one open was SSR. Passed & decided to use bounceback offer i had on hand.Will keep checking though up until the cancellation period kicks in, probably one of the things they'd love to eliminate - repeated calls by members for this sort of res request. In my defense, the CM was the one who told me to call daily vs wait listing.

 

[castleri]

You don't necessarily need more points to walk a reservation.

Of course it can be booked with one call.

I never suppored the current booking policy and never will, I don't like the idea of having to walk a reservation, but if I have to I will. I didn't make the rule they did. I was perfectly happy calling every day under the old system knowing that I was guaranteed to get what I wanted, but they told me the new system was better for all members. Tell that to the ones who can't get what they want when they call exactly 11 months out.

ITA It would be interesting to know how many people are on waitlists for Christmas and NYE who called at 11 months and couldn't get their dates. Hopefully it is zero -

 

[Dean]

sadly, so true. I'm sure that the changes will keep on coming for maximum profit

I just hope they 'magically' decide to keep what i consider one of the core foundations of DVC: the flexibility factor as to several mini-trips vs week long ones (this benefit has been featured prominently - albiet, orally - in several DVC promotional DVDs over the years...wonder if it's still in the recent ones?)

This board has taught me that even fairly minor and appropriate changes get the members blood boiling. DVC members are a passionate lot as a group. It's just like the request issue. DVC had so many inappropriate requests and upset people based on those requests, that they officially quit trying. Having members ranting/raving at check in because they didn't get a specific room or building, who could blame them when this and similar happened over and over. We're our own worst enemy.

I don't think the flexibility will go away but I do think it'll change over time. And I'll predict a backlash on DIS and similar locations when it does. We do need to know that the flexibility comes with a cost and that DVC can quantify that cost. Dues are higher, likely by between 20-30% compared to a system that was mainly directed at full weeks. Up to a point that's the cost of doing business but we've already seen costs bump up against the willingness for the system to support those costs. This will likely get worse over time, not better and something will have to give. Whether they go to extra housekeeping fees for shorter stays, a system to further encourage more efficient use and longer trips or other cost control measures, other pay to play fees like banking/borrowing or even a yearly club fee, I don't know. But mark my words, something will have to change in the next few years related to cost and those that are generally upset about the changes we've seen will be so again.

 

[keishashadow]

dean - u r very knowledgeable, however; i do hope u r wrong this timere future looming changes as to flexibility & possible nuisance fees. Although disney could justify said fees/appease many by offering 'heavier' discounts on APs/MYW tix or event discounts, etc., anything but cheap litho prints

"if" the day comes where i find myself truly unable to enjoy my membership, believe I can sell it more readily than most other TS out there...not much solace, but some.

imo, it's a double-edged sword when DISrs post the special accommodations CMs sometimes provide. It's informative, yet many read the account then think it's the norm & adjust their expectation levels unrealistically.

 

[JimMIA]

About the only change I wouldn't mind would be 11 month from check-out. This would give a 2 week vacation a 1 week head start over those with a 1 week vacation!

Huh?

You and I are both booking reservations starting on the 1st of the month -- I'm staying one week, checking out on the 8th, you are staying two weeks, checking out on the 15th.

Going 11 months from check-OUT as you suggest, I can call on the 8th 11 months ahead.

You can't call until the 15th.

The one-week stay is the one which gets the advantage.

 

[TDC Nala]

No, out of personal preference, as I rarely do long stays.

A minimum stay requirement of more than three nights would likely force me to sell. I don't have short contracts except one for 100 points at SSR but I do a lot of short stays rather than a few long ones.

 

[Dean]

dean - u r very knowledgeable, however; i do hope u r wrong this timere future looming changes as to flexibility & possible nuisance fees. Although disney could justify said fees/appease many by offering 'heavier' discounts on APs/MYW tix or event discounts, etc., anything but cheap litho prints

"if" the day comes where i find myself truly unable to enjoy my membership, believe I can sell it more readily than most other TS out there...not much solace, but some.

imo, it's a double-edged sword when DISrs post the special accommodations CMs sometimes provide. It's informative, yet many read the account then think it's the norm & adjust their expectation levels unrealistically.

I remember an indident about Whispering canyon where someone read about the antics that had happened and people had reported. They were upset that EVERYTHING that had been reported didn't happen to them, reminds me of a subset of the DVC members sometimes.

I doubt there will be any substantual changes to the core issues but given the experiences here, even minor changes will see uproar. IMO every change we've seen so far is a minor change to the system though I realize there were affects to a subset of the membership.

 

[deebits]

I would hate to have a restriction put on us. When we go on DCL, we need one night prior to use leaving for the boat and I want to be able to book my home resort at the cheapest room possible since I will not be in the room for a long stay.