Walking a reservation

[BeachClub2014]

Here's a copy of an email that I sent to Bill Diercksen, the Senior Vice President and General Manager in charge of DVC. I encourage others who believe that reservation "walking" is detrimental to do the same. It may not help, but it can't hurt.

Dear Mr. Diercksen,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the ongoing issue of reservation “walking” and to respectfully request that DVC take meaningful action to address this practice.

As a long-time member, I deeply value the unique vacation experiences that Disney Vacation Club offers. However, the current booking environment—especially for high-demand room categories and seasons—has become increasingly frustrating due to members who exploit system loopholes by “walking” reservations. This practice effectively allows certain members to monopolize availability by repeatedly modifying their bookings day by day to gain an unfair advantage over others who are attempting to book within the rules.

Reservation walking undermines the spirit of fairness that DVC was built upon and significantly disadvantages members who follow the intended booking procedures. It has made securing reservations at popular resorts and room types far more difficult, even when booking precisely at the appropriate window.

I respectfully request that DVC leadership implement policy updates or system constraints to prevent reservation walking. Potential solutions may include:

• Limits on the number of consecutive modifications within a short time frame
• Restrictions on shortening or shifting bookings within the 11- or 7-month windows
• System logic preventing continuous day-by-day date adjustments
• Clearer policy language in the Membership Terms and Conditions addressing this issue

Taking action on this concern would help restore fairness, improve member satisfaction, and ensure that the booking system operates in the way it was originally intended.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that DVC will recognize the impact reservation walking has on the member community and will prioritize meaningful reform.

 

[Sandisw]

Here's a copy of an email that I sent to Bill Diercksen, the Senior Vice President and General Manager in charge of DVC. I encourage others who believe that reservation "walking" is detrimental to do the same. It may not help, but it can't hurt.

Dear Mr. Diercksen,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the ongoing issue of reservation “walking” and to respectfully request that DVC take meaningful action to address this practice.

As a long-time member, I deeply value the unique vacation experiences that Disney Vacation Club offers. However, the current booking environment—especially for high-demand room categories and seasons—has become increasingly frustrating due to members who exploit system loopholes by “walking” reservations. This practice effectively allows certain members to monopolize availability by repeatedly modifying their bookings day by day to gain an unfair advantage over others who are attempting to book within the rules.

Reservation walking undermines the spirit of fairness that DVC was built upon and significantly disadvantages members who follow the intended booking procedures. It has made securing reservations at popular resorts and room types far more difficult, even when booking precisely at the appropriate window.

I respectfully request that DVC leadership implement policy updates or system constraints to prevent reservation walking. Potential solutions may include:

• Limits on the number of consecutive modifications within a short time frame
• Restrictions on shortening or shifting bookings within the 11- or 7-month windows
• System logic preventing continuous day-by-day date adjustments
• Clearer policy language in the Membership Terms and Conditions addressing this issue

Taking action on this concern would help restore fairness, improve member satisfaction, and ensure that the booking system operates in the way it was originally intended.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that DVC will recognize the impact reservation walking has on the member community and will prioritize meaningful reform.

I have to guess that it will come up at the meetings next month too!

 

[Cfabar1]

My view is the whole situation could be most easily rectified by having a points chart that accurately reflected demand trends...

December - particularly early December is "too good a deal"... which results in this feeding frenzy and pandemonium... The points chart needs to be redone - December is too low for example.... and other seasons - including parts of the summer - are too high in my view.

Much of the year doesn't have this problem. It's these few times that the demand and points are completely out of alignment.

I do not believe they have the ability to adjust the relationship between studios and 1 bedrooms, but that is another part of the problem as well...

 

[AstroBlasters]

Here's a copy of an email that I sent to Bill Diercksen, the Senior Vice President and General Manager in charge of DVC. I encourage others who believe that reservation "walking" is detrimental to do the same. It may not help, but it can't hurt.

Dear Mr. Diercksen,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the ongoing issue of reservation “walking” and to respectfully request that DVC take meaningful action to address this practice.

As a long-time member, I deeply value the unique vacation experiences that Disney Vacation Club offers. However, the current booking environment—especially for high-demand room categories and seasons—has become increasingly frustrating due to members who exploit system loopholes by “walking” reservations. This practice effectively allows certain members to monopolize availability by repeatedly modifying their bookings day by day to gain an unfair advantage over others who are attempting to book within the rules.

Reservation walking undermines the spirit of fairness that DVC was built upon and significantly disadvantages members who follow the intended booking procedures. It has made securing reservations at popular resorts and room types far more difficult, even when booking precisely at the appropriate window.

I respectfully request that DVC leadership implement policy updates or system constraints to prevent reservation walking. Potential solutions may include:

• Limits on the number of consecutive modifications within a short time frame
• Restrictions on shortening or shifting bookings within the 11- or 7-month windows
• System logic preventing continuous day-by-day date adjustments
• Clearer policy language in the Membership Terms and Conditions addressing this issue

Taking action on this concern would help restore fairness, improve member satisfaction, and ensure that the booking system operates in the way it was originally intended.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that DVC will recognize the impact reservation walking has on the member community and will prioritize meaningful reform.

I wouldn’t trust Disney IT to get any of that right….

 

[muppets3d]

Walking is really a studios problem. I don't know that I've ever seen evidence of 1 bedroom walking - well, except for the AKV value and concierge 1 bedrooms (because there are so few and they are unique). I've definitely seen them be gone at the 7 month window, but 11 month availability for 1 bedroom villas is typically not an issue.

 

[Cfabar1]

Walking is really a studios problem. I don't know that I've ever seen evidence of 1 bedroom walking - well, except for the AKV value and concierge 1 bedrooms (because there are so few and they are unique). I've definitely seen them be gone at the 7 month window, but 11 month availability for 1 bedroom villas is typically not an issue.

That's because 1 Bedrooms are a terrible deal in DVC... Especially for those who are trying to game the rental market....

Said by someone who pretty much exclusively books 1 bedrooms!

 

[BeachClub2014]

I wouldn’t trust Disney IT to get any of that right….

Perhaps not. But the state of Disney IT is a different issue. I wouldn't avoid trying to solve one problem for fear of a different one.

 

[Sandisw]

Walking is really a studios problem. I don't know that I've ever seen evidence of 1 bedroom walking - well, except for the AKV value and concierge 1 bedrooms (because there are so few and they are unique). I've definitely seen them be gone at the 7 month window, but 11 month availability for 1 bedroom villas is typically not an issue.

That is true…and at least for VGF owners, we have more options for those early December dates now!!

 

[Cfabar1]

My solution is very simple. Go back to the old way DVC did this... If you want additional days of the trip, you can go online and add them each day, or wait until the trip is over.

They'll never do it because for those who call it means folks will need to call daily.... which means more $$$ for staff (the wait times are already unacceptable).

The other way to do it is a hard limit of modifications for one reservation - say no more than 4 or 5. After that you have to rebook, or call for a member exception which is documented.

 

[Sandisw]

My solution is very simple. Go back to the old way DVC did this... If you want additional days of the trip, you can go online and add them each day, or wait until the trip is over.

They'll never do it because for those who call it means folks will need to call daily.... which means more $$$ for staff (the wait times are already unacceptable).

The other way to do it is a hard limit of modifications for one reservation - say no more than 4 or 5. After that you have to rebook, or call for a member exception which is documented.

The board did state last year that they would be open to changes to booking rules if they could find a better way without unintended consequences.

But, they did say that owners having to call MS more often was definitely something to avoid and why they changed the rules back in 2008 to begin with…

 

[Sandisw]

And, just to remind everyone that this topic can be discussed as long as posts do not become personal when it comes to people’s opinions or practices.

 

[melissa70]

Are two bedrooms easier to book than one bedrooms?

 

[muppets3d]

Are two bedrooms easier to book than one bedrooms?

It depends. Two bedroom lock-offs are affected by walking, because part of the lock-off is a deluxe studio. And if the deluxe studios are walked, then the 2-bedroom lock-offs are not available. Dedicated two bedrooms are not affected by this issue, but not all resorts offer them (for example Jambo House and Boardwalk only offer lock-offs).

I think you will be fine to book your 1 bedroom without needing to worry about walking. But keep an eye on the booking site and if you start to see 1 bedroom villas go away as your dates get closer, feel free to start walking. As has been said it's part of the game, for better or worse.

 

[PolyRob]

I wouldn’t trust Disney IT to get any of that right….

The board did state last year that they would be open to changes to booking rules if they could find a better way without unintended consequences.

But, they did say that owners having to call MS more often was definitely something to avoid and why they changed the rules back in 2008 to begin with…

Yes, it's been discussed here ad nauseam. Every suggestion bulleted in that email sent to Bill Diercksen could have potentially negative outcomes for other members doing different things. Vaguely updating terms and conditions doesn't go over well either as proven recently by the rental change threads.

End of the day MS wants the least calls possible. Why else would our online window open an hour before MS is even open? Would members want their dues going up to pay for more MS to book on the phone? I doubt it. More potential negative outcomes.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, it's been discussed here ad nauseam. Every suggestion bulleted in that email sent to Bill Diercksen could have potentially negative outcomes for other members doing different things. Vaguely updating terms and conditions doesn't go over well either as proven recently by the rental change threads.

End of the day MS wants the least calls possible. Why else would our online window open an hour before MS is even open? Would members want their dues going up to pay for more MS to book on the phone? I doubt it. More potential negative outcomes.

Just to add, the fee we pay MS to manage the program is fixed…it’s 12% of the operating budget.

So, the more costs, the less cushion DVC has within their budget.

Meaning, owners can’t pay DVC more…DVC would have to take it from that same 12% they get now.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Walking is really a studios problem. I don't know that I've ever seen evidence of 1 bedroom walking - well, except for the AKV value and concierge 1 bedrooms (because there are so few and they are unique). I've definitely seen them be gone at the 7 month window, but 11 month availability for 1 bedroom villas is typically not an issue.

@VDH, I’m walking the 1 bedroom. They have PLENTY of studios (253), but very few 1bd (19) and 2bd (20). And right now they are not all declared… exacerbating the issue.

The four nights I am looking at:

SV Studio: 58 points
PV Studio: 68 points
1BD: 134 points
2BD 192 points

VGC for the EXACT same nights:

Studio: 121 points
1BD: 245 points
2BD: 348 points

We got blocked out of the 1bd at 11m on the dot for Jan 2026…..so…. I’ll walk the reservation for 4 months to lock in those points costs and gladly pay the TOT.

It’s the same issue…. too much demand because they under built supply of one thing and overbuilt supply of another. If they would have made 50 1BDs and 50 2BDs then walking would not have been an issue. If the point chart difference between VGC and VDH for that week wasn’t astronomically different then walking would be less of an issue. But…. they did…it is…I will….

 

[muppets3d]

@VDH, I’m walking the 1 bedroom. They have PLENTY of studios (253), but very few 1bd (19) and 2bd (20).

The four nights I am looking at:

SV Studio: 58 points
PV Studio: 68 points
1BD: 134 points
2BD 192 points

VGC for the EXACT same nights:

Studio: 121 points
1BD: 245 points
2BD: 348 points

We got blocked out of the 1bd at 11m on the dot for Jan 2026…..so…. I’ll walk the reservation for 4 months to lock in those points costs and gladly pay the TOT.

It’s the same issue…. too much demand because they under built supply of one thing and overbuilt supply of another. If they would have made 50 1BDs and 50 2BDs then walking would not have been an issue. If the point chart difference between VGC and VDH for that week wasn’t astronomically different then walking would be less of an issue. But…. they did…it is…I will….

Wow, it's wild how different those points charts are!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow, it's wild how different those points charts are!

It is!

 

[BeachClub2014]

Yes, it's been discussed here ad nauseam. Every suggestion bulleted in that email sent to Bill Diercksen could have potentially negative outcomes for other members doing different things. Vaguely updating terms and conditions doesn't go over well either as proven recently by the rental change threads.

End of the day MS wants the least calls possible. Why else would our online window open an hour before MS is even open? Would members want their dues going up to pay for more MS to book on the phone? I doubt it. More potential negative outcomes.

I'm sure the braintrust at DVC can figure out the details of any changes to be implemented to reduce/eliminate walking without harming the average member.

Not sure where the reference to phone calls to member services originates, but not from me. I try to avoid calling them at all.

End of the day, stopping walking is easily accomplished, should DVC desire to do so. That is why I emailed them with my opinion as opposed to just complaining about it here.

 

[Cfabar1]

I'm sure the braintrust at DVC can figure out the details of any changes to be implemented to reduce/eliminate walking without harming the average member.

End of the day, stopping walking is easily accomplished, should DVC desire to do so. That is why I emailed them with my opinion as opposed to just complaining about it here.

The way to fix it is to right-size supply and demand with point cost... There's a reason why this isn't an issue every day....