Strange Booking Experience

[SamR]

I called Member Services this morning to begin a day-by-day reservation starting March 25, 2006 for a 2 BR dedicated villa at BCV. The 11-month window opens today, so I called to book the first night, with a plan to call back daily until my 7-night reservation is complete.

Here is the strange part: The person at MS quickly booked my room for 3/25 and then asked how many nights I would eventually be booking. When I said 7, she replied that I would have a problem: There is no 2 BR availability for 3/28 and 3/29 (a Tuesday and a Wednesday). Taken quite off-guard, I hesitated, then asked how there could be no availability when the 11-month window was not even open yet. Her answer was something about DVC not controlling room inventory...

She wasn't particularly clear, but it seemed that it was a 2 BR problem in general, not just the dedicated, two-queen, BR type I was asking for. How could BCV have NO 2 BR villas in DVC inventory?

I'm going to keep calling back day-by-day, and see what happens.

Does anyone have a similar experience to share, or a (better) explanation?

 

[CarolMN]

Seems very odd to me as well - maybe you just got an inexperienced CM.

If it were me, I'd call back later today and ask another CM why you were told there wasn't going to be availability for the dedicated 2 bedroom for days that aren't even available to be booked yet. Ask for a Supervisor if you don't get a good explanation.

And we all love to know what you find out, LOL!

Best wishes -

P.S. They couldn't possibly be rehabbing all the 2 bedrooms at once, could they? And if they are, how they do it in only two days? That's the only logical/legal explanation I can think of to remove all of one particular type of unit from member inventory.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Sounds like an in-experienced CM to me too. Call back today to help alleviate your worries (and ours) and then do your day-by-day booking. I am sure all is well

 

[BillPA]

It could just be that being more than 11 months out, nothing is showing up as 'available' in their system. I wouldn't worry about it, it may just be a misunderstanding.

Have a great trip.

 

[SamR]

They couldn't possibly be rehabbing all the 2 bedrooms at once, could they?

I think with a rehab that they would take out some percentage of the rooms (probably well under 50%) on a rotating basis, rather than drastically deplete room inventory, even for a short time.

The only other possibility that occurred to me was some big planned event where Disney was blocking off some rooms well in advance. But two-bedroom villas? And all of them at one resort? It doesn't make much sense.

So, for now, I'll go along with the "clueless CM" theory.

I don't see the urgency in calling back today...I'll be calling at 9:00 AM tomorrow to book the next night anyway. Odds are I'll get a different CM, and I'll see what they have to say. I'll post an update then (unless someone else hits the same problem, gets more info, and posts it sooner).

 

[SamR]

Bill,

It could just be that being more than 11 months out, nothing is showing up as 'available' in their system.

That would make sense, except for the fact that of the next six nights that I still need to reserve, she was very specific about those two nights (which are in the middle of the seven nights that I ultimately want to reserve). Wierd!

I wouldn't worry about it, it may just be a misunderstanding.

That's what I'm assuming (hoping) at the moment. We'll see what they tell me when I call tomorrow!

 

[CarolMN]

I think with a rehab that they would take out some percentage of the rooms (probably well under 50%) on a rotating basis, rather than drastically deplete room inventory, even for a short time.

I agree, but it was the only reason I could think of.

The only other possibility that occurred to me was some big planned event where Disney was blocking off some rooms well in advance. But two-bedroom villas? And all of them at one resort? It doesn't make much sense.

I'd be livid if this is what is happening. I don't see how they could block out rooms for something ahead of the 11 month window without violating a whole bunch of rules/laws.

So, for now, I'll go along with the "clueless CM" theory. ....(snip)......

Me, too!

Looking forward to hearing what MS has to tell you tomorrow.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I'm curious to see if you are able to book more days throughout the week. It doesn't make sense that all of the rooms would be gone and the 11 month window isn't even here yet. Annmarie

 

[SamR]

Looking forward to hearing what MS has to tell you tomorrow.

OK, just got off the phone with MS, reserving the second night of the day-by-day stay I'm booking. That "clueless CM" theory is looking pretty good right now! I asked the CM I talked to this morning to look ahead and see if there were likely to be any problem with me booking 3/28 and 3/29. I explained to her what I was told yesterday about those days being "unavailable". She was baffled. She said that obviously the room type I was asking for (2 BR dedicated with 2 queen beds) was very limited, but as long as I continued my day-by-day calling, she didn't anticipate any problems. She saw no blocks on room availability or anything like that.

So, I'll know for sure when I call this Friday to reserve 3/28, but for now it certainly looks like I can chalk this one up to CM misinformation!

I'm just glad I can proceed with making my reservation as planned!

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for reporting back! I do know you can sometimes get a CM who sounds like they haven't a clue!

 

[lllovell]

Everyone has to start somewhere I suppose, but it can lead to a few "oh no!" moments for us huh?

Glad things are working out for your vacation plans!!!

 

[Dean]

Everyone has to start somewhere I suppose, but it can lead to a few "oh no!" moments for us huh?

Glad things are working out for your vacation plans!!!

Frankly, I think in many ways DIS members know far more about the system than most MS employees. And compared to other similar systems I've familiar with, this is not isolated to DVC, nor is it necessarily unexpected.

 

[granmanh603]

A little off topic but when my husband booked our Oct reservation a few weeks ago he also had a clueless CM. She booked Aug instead of Oct but thank heavens my husband cought her before it was made final. He said she seemed totally confused. I hope they keep track of these problems with the booking people!!!!!

 

[SamR]

So, I'll know for sure when I call this Friday to reserve 3/28, but for now it certainly looks like I can chalk this one up to CM misinformation!

Probably not necessary, but just for the sake of closure...

I completed my day-by-day reservation this morning. After the first day, I never again encountered any problems during my day-by-day booking. All of the subsequent MS CMs were very efficient at updating (and today completing) my reservation.

I still have no idea , and probably never will , as to what that CM was looking at on that first call when she told me that two days in the middle of the week I was starting to reserve would not be available. It will just have to remain one of those Unsolved DVC Mysteries...

 

[CarolMN]

Well I guess everyone is entitled to a "senior" moment or two every now and again - even DVC MS CMs. I know I use my full entitlement most every day!

Thanks for letting us know how it all turned out - glad to know for sure that you got all your days. It just wouldn't be right if we couldn't get first choice if of accomodations when we call day by day!

Best wishes -

 

[msdis]

It could just be that being more than 11 months out, nothing is showing up as 'available' in their system.

Had a similar experience in the past. Bill is correct. They cannot see it. Add that to an inexperienced CM and "it doesn't exist". Keep calling day to day.