July QotM -- Reservations system changes?

[administrator]

And now for July's Question of the Month, which was inspired by recent changes to the DVC reservation system.

If you were given the chance, what changes would you make to the DVC reservation system? Would you change booking windows? Add online booking? Abolish wait-lists? Allow for special season lotteries?

If DVC were looking for feedback about the system, what would you tell them?

[Blue&Gold]

Online booking would be the biggest thing, but I'd even be happy with the ability to view inventory online. Heck... Even some kind of color-coded thing like Shades of Green does on their website... I've burned up more than a few minutes of MS time calling to check availability and then have to call back after discussing our options with the lady of the house. If I could look at inventory, plan what we're after, then the phone call would just be the booking rather than a game of 20 questions.

[DVC Mike]

If they allowed members whose first name started with an "M" to book 12 months in advance, I would be happy.

[crazywig]

Online booking would be the biggest thing, but I'd even be happy with the ability to view inventory online.


I'd like this, plus go back to the old 11m from check out date (former day by day booker here).

[Kynna]

I would LOVE online booking!!!:kickingco
Also I would like to here about when a waitlist comes through by Email the minute it happens rather than Snail Mail.

[vwl mom]

Definitely online booking - with some kind of safety feature ( "Type the word you see in the box", etc.) to prevent automated programs from booking, and a reasonable time limit like 10 or 15 minutes to accept or release the rooms so you could compare other possibilities and then choose the one that works best for you. I think the official term for this is "Blue Sky".....

[spiceycat]

well if they want to sell to offsite places - can see the lottery back again.

know the people who own at VB and HH were sad to see it go.

especially if booking for the Christmas week continues to be a big deal.

now it wasn't and i still don't see the need - but hey if others do - great!!!

like the new system but only if they say - you cancel any part you have to start again. Now that would be fair and would stop members from grabbing on Friday - when they only wanted Sun-thurs.

now that would work for me.

[JimP]

like the new system but only if they say - you cancel any part you have to start again. Now that would be fair and would stop members from grabbing on Friday - when they only wanted Sun-thurs.

now that would work for me.

Spiceycat,

I do not agree overall. It would help part of the problem (the ones created by moving to the new model)... but it would create a whole new problem that would affect a huge percentage of DVC membership.

You make your reservations 11 months in advance... but most people make their flight schedules later (especially since airline reservations dont typically open till just under 11 monts (330 days)). When people make their flight reservations... they often have to modify their vacation days as a result. Also... some people have work or family committments that arise that require a minor change to schedule.

The issue is that DVC came up with a new process that introduced a new set of flaws. Covering those flaws with a set of new policies that further impact members is the wrong approach. If the new system doesn't work... then repeal it... don't apply band-aids that make the problem worse.

/Jim

[lenshanem]

I want day by day back and no lottery. I want to be able to call at my home resort eleven month out for holidays and know I'll have a chance, not have to pray I win some lottery or hope everything is not already booked once I call with my check-in date. I might as well not have DVC and just book at the other non-DVC WDW resorts...

[suecait]

I agree with the online booking with the ability to play around and check availability at different resorts at slightly different times before actually booking. However, I do have to admit that I called MS today & got a really good CM (Diane) who was able to answer all my what if this resort & what if I changed the date. (Have to admit I stressed 3 times to her at this time I did not want to change my current ressie til talking with DH, based on some other scary stories on another thread.) She was helpful, friendly and overall the call didn't take too long but still would like to do all that for myself online.

I also wouldn't mind if they changed the days booked from 'up to 7' to around 10-14 for those of us who want longer vacations. (I know this probably wouldn't be so popular.

Ok, I just looked at the clock & I guess technically I called yesterday. Man I gotta go get some sleep!

[Don13875]

I would add on-line booking that would be great and I think would in the long run save money. DVC would need less people fielding ressie

[Ransom]

Yup. Go back to the old day-of-departure timing, and add online booking. Saves money, and brings sanity back to the system.