Walking Solutions Contest

[DougEMG]

So lets see if as a group we can come up with a solution on how to stop walking with the minimal impact to non-walkers. So all suggestions are welcomed. Then feel free to point out the problems with the suggestion. If we come up with something reasonable someone can always send it off to Disney.

Here's my idea to get started.

When making a reservation, keep track of the original check-in date when the reservation was first made. Then if any modification changes the check-in date of the reservation by more than 7 days after the original check-in date, don't allow the modification.

So basically I could walk for just under 1 week, but after that I would have to cancel the reservation. This would still allow people to make adjustments due to flights. Here my assumption being that people just modify their reservation by a couple of days either way when booking their flight.

This then doesn't involve adding any fees per modifications or limiting the number of modification you could make. It just limits how far away your final check-in date can be from your original check-in date.

 

[ziravan]

Any reservation made that includes dates outside the 11 month window must be a cancel/rebook to modify until all dates fall within the 11 month window. After all dates are within the window, current rules apply.

With one caveat: you can extend the reservation to a total of 2 weeks but you cannot change the first date until all dates are past the window.

So. If you originally book Dec 1-7, you can add the 8-14, but if you do, it’s a cancel/rebook to modify until Dec 15.

If you wanted more than 2 weeks, you have to book again - first come, first served - on the 15th and link the reservations into one after all dates are within the 11 month window. The downside is that once you secure the first day, that only gets you a maximum of two weeks and if you want a longer stay in the same room, you have to compete again for those extra dates past two weeks.

You are allowed a maximum of 30 nights stay per POS, but if you allowed more than two weeks, you’d give an unfair advantage to large point owners. Two weeks seems like a fair balance.

 

[ziravan]

Let me say that I believe that walking is a perfectly legitimate strategy.

It’s within the rules as implemented by DVC.

I’m just fine with walking and will use that tool when it fits my plans.

But.

I’m just fine if DVC eliminates walking, too. Just so long as the playing field is fair. Many argue that walking isn’t fair now. No. NOT WALKING is unfair to the individual not walking when it’s allowed for everybody else.

 

[Pooh12863]

If you want to add to your existing reservation you need to secure those days on the open market at 8 am with everyone else and then merge your reservations.

RIP walking.

 

[Pooh12863]

Many argue that walking isn’t fair now. No. NOT WALKING is unfair to the individual not walking when it’s allowed for everybody else.

If this is the case, they should lay out walking in the contracts, so everyone is aware of it. Those who don’t visit Internet forums are at an unfair disadvantage.

 

[Marionnette]

If this is the case, they should lay out walking in the contracts, so everyone is aware of it. Those who don’t visit Internet forums are at an unfair disadvantage.

People who don't read internet forums are at a disadvantage for a number of things...room discounts, ticket deals, special events, etc. That doesn't make the disadvantage "unfair". It makes the user "uninformed".

 

[Pooh12863]

People who don't read internet forums are at a disadvantage for a number of things...room discounts, ticket deals, special events, etc. That doesn't make the disadvantage "unfair". It makes the user "uninformed".

Yes honest people who follow the rules are usually at a disadvantage. We don’t all look for ways to game the system. Congratulations, you know the loophole.

 

[Marionnette]

If you want to add to your existing reservation you need to secure those days on the open market at 8 am with everyone else and then merge your reservations.

RIP walking.

I disagree.

Allowing someone with a 7-night reservation to extend it to additional nights reduces the need for housekeeping to turn over villas more frequently. If I'm going to be there for 10 nights, doesn't it make more sense to allow me to stay in that same villa for all 10 nights instead of moving after 7 and then leaving the second villa after 3? If I can't add on those last 3 nights to an existing reservation, it's quite possible that I may have to move to another location to complete my stay.

With housekeeping being one of the largest line items in the budget, I would hate to see my dues increase because members are only being permitted to book 7 nights at a time.

 

[Pooh12863]

That’s why I said merge your reservations.

Or they could lock out modifications until 8am the day after your last day.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes honest people who follow the rules are usually at a disadvantage. We don’t all look for ways to game the system. Congratulations, you know the loophole.

I'm not talking about "gaming the system", as you put it. You're the one who suggested putting an explanation of walking into the POS so that everyone knows about it instead of just those who go to internet forums. I merely pointed out that there's a lot of information to be gleaned from the internet and if someone doesn't seek out that info, then it's not unfair.

There are plenty of discussions on how to get that 4th or 5th FP of the day by constantly refreshing the app. Is it unfair to the thousands who are unaware that this is possible? Should Disney provide every guest with a written blueprint on how to do it? Walking is no different. I'm not a fan of it but I know how to do it.

 

[Marionnette]

That’s why I said merge your reservations.

Uh...that would only work if the member was successfu in scoring the next nights at 11 months.

 

[Pooh12863]

Uh...that would only work if the member was successfu in scoring the next nights at 11 months.

Exactly.

 

[Pooh12863]

I'm not talking about "gaming the system", as you put it. You're the one who suggested putting an explanation of walking into the POS so that everyone knows about it instead of just those who go to internet forums. I merely pointed out that there's a lot of information to be gleaned from the internet and if someone doesn't seek out that info, then it's not unfair.

There are plenty of discussions on how to get that 4th or 5th FP of the day by constantly refreshing the app. Is it unfair to the thousands who are unaware that this is possible? Should Disney provide every guest with a written blueprint on how to do it? Walking is no different. I'm not a fan of it but I know how to do it.

Let's face it "walking" is gaming the system. People don't drop large sums of money signing contracts for fast passes.

I'm in this conversation technically as an outside bystander, walking will never affect the vacation I want, if I ever get blocked out of the DVC reservation I want I'll call my Disney travel agent and book a cash room and use my points later, more Disney for me.

 

[Marionnette]

Exactly.

And that's my point.

Is it better for members to be able to add on extra nights beyond 7? Or should they be required to attempt to book that same villa again when the 11-month window rolls around for the next night they need to reserve? If they fail to secure it, it means moving to a new villa. Which means villa #1 needs turnover service. And when they vacate villa #2 a few days later, another turnover service needs to be performed. I don't want my dues paying for all of that unnecessary housekeeping when the same member can stay in villa #1 with only 1 turnover cleaning under the current system.

BTW, being able to add nights at the end of a reservation has little to do with walking. It's the dropping and subsequent addition of nights that constitutes walking. Preventing members from being able to extend their vacation beyond the first seven nights will hurt more people than it helps.

 

[Pooh12863]

And that's my point.

Is it better for members to be able to add on extra nights beyond 7? Or should they be required to attempt to book that same villa again when the 11-month window rolls around for the next night they need to reserve? If they fail to secure it, it means moving to a new villa. Which means villa #1 needs turnover service. And when they vacate villa #2 a few days later, another turnover service needs to be performed. I don't want my dues paying for all of that unnecessary housekeeping when the same member can stay in villa #1 with only 1 turnover cleaning under the current system.

BTW, being able to add nights at the end of a reservation has little to do with walking. It's the dropping and subsequent addition of nights that constitutes walking. Preventing members from being able to extend their vacation beyond the first seven nights will hurt more people than it helps.

Someone is going to get hurt either way, how about the guy that can't get his first 7 because you've blocked him out booking your ninth? Someone is always going to be unhappy, it's the nature of the system.

 

[Marionnette]

Let's face it "walking" is gaming the system. People don't drop large sums of money signing contracts for fast passes.

I'm in this conversation technically as an outside bystander, walking will never affect the vacation I want, if I ever get blocked out of the DVC reservation I want I'll call my Disney travel agent and book a cash room and use my points later, more Disney for me.

Situational ethics. Just because the FP didn't cost large sums of money, that doesn't make it more ethical to refresh, refresh, refresh in order to get the additional FPs when some poor uninformed soul has no idea that this works. Right? All any guest is guaranteed is a shot at FPs, not that the ones they want will be available for when they want. So if Clueless Joe didn't get his FOP FP because he wasn't online at 7 AM EST T-60 days, is it unfair? After all, the information is not spelled out clearly on Disney's website. Or if he stands in the standby line for 2 hours to ride FOP, while I refresh, refresh, refresh and end up snagging a 4th FP to ride, is it unfair? I mean, we both paid the same price to get into AK. We should have equal experiences, right?

The same with walking. If I know how it works and Clueless Joe doesn't, I'm not "gaming the system". I'm using the system in the way that it works. DVC allows it. It has been going on for years. Some MS CMs even suggest it. They have not come up with a solution that doesn't harm more members than it helps.

I'm glad that you have alternatives to using your DVC if you can't get the room you want. More Disney can't be a bad thing.

 

[Marionnette]

Someone is going to get hurt either way, how about the guy that can't get his first 7 because you've blocked him out booking your ninth? Someone is always going to be unhappy, it's the nature of the system.

Again, why should everyone pay with higher dues for additional housekeeping so that someone else is "happy"? The net result is no different with one happy member and one unhappy member.

 

[Pooh12863]

Again, why should everyone pay with higher dues for additional housekeeping so that someone else is "happy"? The net result is no different with one happy member and one unhappy member.

I don't agree with your point on more housekeeping, your 10 day trip will use 3 rounds of housekeeping 4, 8, and 10. Your possible split stay will use 3 rounds of housekeeping 4, 7 and 3 on the second room.

 

[Marionnette]

I don't agree with your point on more housekeeping, your 10 day trip will use 3 rounds of housekeeping 4, 8, and 10. Your possible split stay will use 3 rounds of housekeeping 4, 7 and 3 on the second room.

Two turnovers with a split stay. Additional time is needed to accomplish a room turnover. That means either hiring additional personnel or paying existing employees additional hours.

 

[Pooh12863]

Situational ethics. Just because the FP didn't cost large sums of money, that doesn't make it more ethical to refresh, refresh, refresh in order to get the additional FPs when some poor uninformed soul has no idea that this works. Right?

They pretty much tell you you can get more after you first three are done.

"After you enjoy your third FastPass+ experience, you’re free to make another selection at an in-park kiosk or on your mobile device. Use that one, then get one more (based on availability)―and repeat!"

I was using this "loophole" last June before I ever visited any Disney forums.