Odd booking issue with VGF

[Marionnette]

Oh, it does not seem to explain it all, but it has happened before where rooms were removed and then back and the reason given was they were working on the schedule, etc, and took all before releasing back the number of rooms not scheduled for those days.

What the online system doesn’t show is how many rooms were taken via DVC or an owner.

For GW, those never show online because they are taken first. It is possible that they booked those first, and then did something else with what was not showing online,

Again, there was definitely some weird things going on, but it is only at VGF which is scheduled for soft goods...some of it could be that and because we don’t know if a room being available is one or 20,

I understand what you’re saying. However, the online system was showing rooms as “wait list” only that were beyond the booking window. Another owner or DVC could not have booked those nights because technically, they were not supposed to be available for anyone to book. As I illustrated up thread, there is no reason that all 17 dedicated 2BR villas could have been booked for Dec. 14th at 6:30 AM EST on Jan. 8th. The only explanation is that DVC did not load them into inventory. Was it an error in programming them or have they pulled each and every one of them for 3+ weeks in order to do the refurb?

At this point, it’s all academic for me. I only needed one night at the end of my stay. It’s waitlisted. If the rooms ever become available in inventory, maybe I’ll get to stay one night longer. Otherwise, I’m sure that Disney won’t care if we depart a night earlier than planned.

 

[mlayman7]

Or it could be the multitude of other reasons that Terri mentioned ... Hopefully there are not a multitude of other reasons in which her condescending response indicated because that is the only one I have seen mentioned in the past and cannot think of any other explanation for this occurring. Maybe that call from member services will enlighten my limited knowledge soon enough.

 

[Sandisw]

I understand what you’re saying. However, the online system was showing rooms as “wait list” only that were beyond the booking window. Another owner or DVC could not have booked those nights because technically, they were not supposed to be available for anyone to book. As I illustrated up thread, there is no reason that all 17 dedicated 2BR villas could have been booked for Dec. 14th at 6:30 AM EST on Jan. 8th. The only explanation is that DVC did not load them into inventory. Was it an error in programming them or have they pulled each and every one of them for 3+ weeks in order to do the refurb?

At this point, it’s all academic for me. I only needed one night at the end of my stay. It’s waitlisted. If the rooms ever become available in inventory, maybe I’ll get to stay one night longer. Otherwise, I’m sure that Disney won’t care if we depart a night earlier than planned.

I understand but saying the ones outside would be DVC and other ones going and coming back could be a mix.

It does not explain every instance but because it is only VGF, then it is possible the refurb is some is it and some GW.

 

[Jelly563]

OR...... its for vip use. Disney tapes their Christmas program or prob holds all kinds of rooms for celebrities / performers in and around that time that cant completely commit yet (due to scheduling) but certainly want to stay at VGF.

 

[Sandisw]

OR...... its for vip use. Disney tapes their Christmas program or prob holds all kinds of rooms for celebrities / performers in and around that time that cant completely commit yet (due to scheduling) but certainly want to stay at VGF.

The hotel side has plenty of rooms for this, Plus, it was established that DVC or DVD is held to the same 11 month window for booking, They can not book VIPs ahead of time.

I have been watching closely and I think it is a combination of all factors happening right now...renovations, fixed weeks, failed inventory, and other potential glitches.

I did think of a way the fixed week and pulling rooms for renovations make it possible to have the gap,

Lets say there are 20 studios and 10 fixed weeks for one week, Those are pulled ahead of time, DVC pulls the rest of the studios during that week for renovations starting Wednesday.

That could leave the studios not part of fixed weeks open Sun to Tuesday, but explain why the rest of the week is booked...10 with fixed weeks guests, and QS now under renovations,

I am not saying it explains it all, but if one of weeks that had issues did include a lot of fixed weeks, then it may be technically possible.

 

[jscottnc]

Update on my sad saga: I got a callback from a DVC representative, yesterday January 18th (a bit of a surprise being a holiday when DVC MS is closed). She had a sympathetic ear but had fallen for the waitlist/modify explanation that Terri had given. I calmly explained that the reservation modify, on which the whole argument rested, is NOT permitted by the rules. I went on further to outline why VGF exactly fit the needs of my extended family gathering and why other resorts at which I own are not an option for me at this time. I did request an explanation for the booking issue. The only tangible gain from this call is a direct dial number for the representative working on my reservation.

 

[Marionnette]

Go! Go! Go!

Availability opened up for early December. I was able to add the night of the 6th before my waitlist filled. Anyone who has been trying to book early December might want to jump on the website pronto!

 

[Cyberc1978]

Go! Go! Go!

Availability opened up for early December. I was able to add the night of the 6th before my waitlist filled. Anyone who has been trying to book early December might want to jump on the website pronto!

Thanks I was able to modify my reservation and get some of those days

ETA: and now they are gone, only the 5th is left

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks I was able to modify my reservation and get some of those days

ETA: and now they are gone, only the 5th is left

They’re going fast. Everything was available for the 5th through the 26th when I was doing some stalking. I‘m guessing that maybe the wait list went through and pulled some nights?

I guess enough of us contacted Member Services to register our concerns because suddenly everything from studios to grand villas showed availability.

 

[jscottnc]

I ALMOST made it. I needed two villas. My alternate was 12/12 - 12/17 but I noticed that 12/5-12/10 was available. I got one villa for 12/5 and one villa for 12/12. ARGH!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Go! Go! Go!

Availability opened up for early December. I was able to add the night of the 6th before my waitlist filled. Anyone who has been trying to book early December might want to jump on the website pronto!

Interesting just as it is every time this happens somewhere. I wonder if anyone still has a conversation with Terri Schultz coming up and what might be explained. I suppose that people must have cancelled which is certainly possible that some gave up on it but very coincidental that all had availability. Perhaps it was simply an inventory glitch they found.

 

[Grumpy Mouse]

They’re going fast. Everything was available for the 5th through the 26th when I was doing some stalking. I‘m guessing that maybe the wait list went through and pulled some nights?

I guess enough of us contacted Member Services to register our concerns because suddenly everything from studios to grand villas showed availability.

Unless one ascribes to the possibility that this 'issue' was some diabolical plan on the part of DVC to save rooms for VIP's or Disney Insiders, etc., etc., there is really only one rational explanation for it all:

This is DVC's 'clumsy' (read: bad) fix to the walking problem.

All of the other possibilities end in a class-action lawsuit - that Disney won't win. However, the TEMPORARY removal of inventory on key dates for high-demand rooms to disrupt walking might not even be a violation of covenants in the POS documents. Yes, a lot of ticked-off members, but maybe not even illegal.

 

[Matty B13]

They’re going fast. Everything was available for the 5th through the 26th when I was doing some stalking. I‘m guessing that maybe the wait list went through and pulled some nights?

I guess enough of us contacted Member Services to register our concerns because suddenly everything from studios to grand villas showed availability.

Yep, same thing happened with AKV value units last year. You would think by now they should know that this will get caught by members.

 

[Sandisw]

Unless one ascribes to the possibility that this 'issue' was some diabolical plan on the part of DVC to save rooms for VIP's or Disney Insiders, etc., etc., there is really only one rational explanation for it all:

This is DVC's 'clumsy' (read: bad) fix to the walking problem.

All of the other possibilities end in a class-action lawsuit - that Disney won't win. However, the TEMPORARY removal of inventory on key dates for high-demand rooms to disrupt walking might not even be a violation of covenants in the POS documents. Yes, a lot of ticked-off members, but maybe not even illegal.

I think the fact that they have renovations going on would provide enough of a temporary reason to explain away what happened...even if it’s not.

Last night everything, in every rooms size was booked for December up to and include Dec 21st.

And then this morning, things were back. I really wish there was a way to see how many rooms were there.

 

[JETSDAD]

Unless one ascribes to the possibility that this 'issue' was some diabolical plan on the part of DVC to save rooms for VIP's or Disney Insiders, etc., etc., there is really only one rational explanation for it all:

This is DVC's 'clumsy' (read: bad) fix to the walking problem.

All of the other possibilities end in a class-action lawsuit - that Disney won't win. However, the TEMPORARY removal of inventory on key dates for high-demand rooms to disrupt walking might not even be a violation of covenants in the POS documents. Yes, a lot of ticked-off members, but maybe not even illegal.

That would also violate the rules.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is DVC's 'clumsy' (read: bad) fix to the walking problem.

All of the other possibilities end in a class-action lawsuit - that Disney won't win. However, the TEMPORARY removal of inventory on key dates for high-demand rooms to disrupt walking might not even be a violation of covenants in the POS documents. Yes, a lot of ticked-off members, but maybe not even illegal.

Since MS actually will suggest walking I think it's pretty unlikely that they then would turn around and try and restrict it. Or they are really being unfair to members if they are. However it would likely be a violation of the POS.

 

[poofyo101]

Still nothing available for 19-23rd for VGF 2 bedrooms..

 

[Ssplashhmtn]

Update on my sad saga: I got a callback from a DVC representative, yesterday January 18th (a bit of a surprise being a holiday when DVC MS is closed). She had a sympathetic ear but had fallen for the waitlist/modify explanation that Terri had given. I calmly explained that the reservation modify, on which the whole argument rested, is NOT permitted by the rules. I went on further to outline why VGF exactly fit the needs of my extended family gathering and why other resorts at which I own are not an option for me at this time. I did request an explanation for the booking issue. The only tangible gain from this call is a direct dial number for the representative working on my reservation.

@jscottnc Did you hear back from Terri S when you called her out on her explanation, which was simply inaccurate? I wonder if you could once again reply to her email and demand an explanation. I think it’s the only way to get her to roll up her sleeves and understand what her staff is doing and fix it.

 

[gisele2]

Follow-up: On the DVC member site this morning and did a search for GV at VGF for 12/5-12/10. 12/5 was open but the rest were available by wait list only (same results I got on 1/5). MS phone line was slammed (I guess the ticket offer was a big deal) so I spent a few unproductive minutes on chat.

Info at 11:34, Jan 6:

One moment while we route your chat to a Disney Vacation Club Cast Member.

She did not understand a thing that you wrote .

Info at 11:35, Jan 6:

You are now chatting with Kierra.

Kierra at 11:35, Jan 6:



Welcome Home! My name is Kierra. How may I assist you today?

John at 11:36, Jan 6:

I was logged in yesterday to make a GV reservation at VGF starting December 5th through December 10th. Only Dec. 4th and Dec. 5th showed available (same as today). How can that happen? Is the villa being taken off-line?

John at 11:37, Jan 6:

BTW, I have a wait list for the dates I want.

Kierra at 11:38, Jan 6:



Good morning!

John at 11:38, Jan 6:

Right. Good morning!

Kierra at 11:38, Jan 6:



If is possible that other members who own at this resort may have already booked these dates.

Kierra at 11:38, Jan 6:



*It

John at 11:39, Jan 6:

Yes, but not on Jan. 5th, yesterday, when I logged on and made my wait list.

John at 11:39, Jan 6:

That would leave a hole in the reservation.

Kierra at 11:40, Jan 6:



If they started their trip for 7 nights they could have booked those nights, it just depends on how they booked their vacation. Some members do book split stays as well.

John at 11:41, Jan 6:

Please described the steps necessary to book rooms that leave an open space. I was not aware of a method to do this.

John at 11:42, Jan 6:

Oh, at 11 months

Kierra at 11:43, Jan 6:



Members can book a split stay, this can be done for a number of reasons. They may want to try out different resorts (and if they own in more than 1 resort they would have an 11 month booking window for each resort). Some members book stays for before and after a cruise, there are any number of reasons why members may want to split their stay.

Kierra at 11:44, Jan 6:



If you would like to double check the inventory Member Services can take a look for you, would you like that number?

John at 11:45, Jan 6:

I could believe that the GV is being taken off-line beginning on a Monday. I have some difficulty believing that a member could book Jan. 3rd through Jan. 10th then somehow release Jan. 4th and Jan. 5th. I have the number for Member Services and it is currently busy. Thanks for asking.

John at 11:47, Jan 6:

I was not aware one could book the second half of a split stay after the 11th month mark. I suppose that requires a call to MS to make happen. I cannot do that on-line. Interesting.

Kierra at 11:47, Jan 6:



I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you.

John at 11:48, Jan 6:

No worries. I have work going in another window.

Kierra at 11:48, Jan 6:



You would still have to be in the 11 month window to book, it really just depends on how they booked and availability.

John at 11:51, Jan 6:

Exactly my point. To have happen what you suggest, the start of the second half of a split stay would have to be in the 11 month window, it is a separate reservation. Strangeness is going on.

John at 11:52, Jan 6:

Thanks for reading my rant Kierra. I'll call when I can wait on hold.

Kierra at 11:52, Jan 6:



No problem! Were there any other questions today?

John at 11:53, Jan 6:

If you would pass the transcript up the chain I would appreciate it. Nothing else for today. Thanks.

Kierra at 11:53, Jan 6:



You are very welcome!

 

[jscottnc]

@jscottnc Did you hear back from Terri S when you called her out on her explanation, which was simply inaccurate? I wonder if you could once again reply to her email and demand an explanation. I think it’s the only way to get her to roll up her sleeves and understand what her staff is doing and fix it.

From Terri? No. My last e-mail to Terri pointing out the error in her explanation got a DVC callback from a CM who was courteous, sympathetic, and unable to actually do anything. No explanation on availability despite my repeated requests.