New reservation policy!!!!!

[wedance6]

I just got off the phone this morning, and was able to book my ressie from the date of check in for up to 7 days. No more calling day by day!!!!!! This is good at the 11 month mark and 7 month mark. This was just implemented this morning. Got Concerige at AKL whole trip. So happy, I can sleep an extra hour now:sohappy:

 

[pacochran]

This is good, though we've always just waited till the period at the end of the vacation to book the whole vacation and never had a problem, though generally the time of year we go is not a problem.

 

[DVC Mike]

While I like that people won't have to book day-by-day, this change is actually open to abuse by certain members gaming the system to get a booking advantage over their fellow DVC members.

If I am booking Sunday - Thursday (5 nights), I can now call DVC and book Friday - Thursday (7 nights), and then call back a few days later and cancel just the Friday and Saturday night stays. I just got myself a 2-day booking advantage over those who waited until Sunday could be booked! That's not fair.

 

[fairetails]

No offense but i don't think it was such a good idea to tell people to do that. I think, yes some will abuse the new rule, but now others that didin't think of it on their own are going to do it now

Well, we can just plead to our fellow members to respect each other....

 

[ClemsonTigger]

People figure out angles like that quickly enough.
I think it was just last year that they changed the general reservation policy to prevent that kind of abuse.

If, say, you can't get the three days you want, book 5 or six days then call back and cancel to the original three days... used to be possible. I think you are now required to initiate a totally new ressie rather than modifying the old one.

 

[hansel1]

I love that disney changed this. I just got finished booking an 11 day visit day by day.

Next time I won't have to make so many phone calls at 8 a.m.

 

[DVC Mike]

DVC posted an expanded explanation of the new policy on DVCMember.com:

New policy enhances reservation bookings and waitlist procedure.
In response to ongoing Member feedback regarding our reservation processes, last week we introduced a new policy designed to enhance booking guidelines and waitlist procedures.

The new reservation policy now offers Members the opportunity to place one single phone call to secure an entire Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation for as many as 7 nights, beginning on the first day of their booking window (which is 11 months before check-in at Members' Home Resort, or 7 months before check-in at other Disney Vacation Club Resorts). The previous policy required Members to call daily at the beginning of their booking window, piecing together their reservation one night at a time.

As a result of this change, Disney Vacation Club has also streamlined the manner in which Members can make waitlist requests, now allowing Members to make requests for the consecutive nights they require to complete their desired length of stay (from one night up to as many consecutive nights needed or requested by the Member). Previously, Members would place requests on the waitlist for intermittent nights that historically had high cancellation rates and would tie up inventory in an inefficient manner, negatively impacting the overall booking process.

In addition to providing greater Member convenience, the simplification of the reservation process also provides the benefit of reduced call volume to Member Services, thereby shortening Members' wait times and making more efficient use of Member Services resources, which are supported by Members' Annual Dues.

Since the introduction of this new procedure, many Members have expressed excitement about the new policy and the greater convenience and time savings it provides. However, in the past week, some of you have contacted Member Services asking for additional clarification on how the new reservation policy works, the changes to the waitlist process, and Disney Vacation Club's plans to monitor Member activity.

Therefore, to provide additional clarification please review the following frequently asked questions and answers:

Q: Why were 7 nights chosen as the maximum length of stay permitted to book by check-in date at the start of the Home Resort Priority window?
A: Our research has shown that more than 92% of Disney Vacation Club Resort reservations are for a length of stay of 7 or less consecutive nights.

Q: What if a Member would like to reserve more than 7 consecutive nights at the start of the Home Resort Priority booking period?
A: This can be accomplished in more than one way. A Member may call at the start of the reservation booking period to reserve the first 7 nights, and then add to the reservation one night at a time until they reach their desired check-out date. Or, a Member may wait until 11 months and 7 days from their desired check-out date to reserve the entire length of stay in one call.

Q: Can Developer Vacation Points received as an incentive offer also be used to make reservations by the check-in date?
A: Yes. The change in booking guidelines applies to all reservations, including incentive reservations.

Q: Is there a minimum number of nights for which a Member can be placed on the waitlist?
A: No. Members can have a waitlist of only 1 night, if only 1 night is missing from their stay.

Q: Can you explain how Disney Vacation Club will address Member misuse of the policy?
A: Disney Vacation Club is committed to ensuring that rules and procedures are fair and balanced for the entire Membership. Therefore, as with all procedures, our Cast Members are closely monitoring reservation activity to ensure there is not potential misuse, and will modify the rules if needed to protect the overall Member experience.