A news bulletin posted to DVCMember.com recently revealed that enhancements are in the works for the Disney Vacation Club reservation system. There has since been some debate as to whether certain policy changes were mandatory or optional.
The Spring 2010 issue of Disney Files Magazine sheds additional light on the new reservation system dubbed "Wishes." According to Disney Files, the new system will "enhance" other recent changes such as the Online Check-In System and Mobile Room Ready Notification which sends text messages to guests when their room is ready.
Disney Files also restates previous commitments to track all activity related to a single vacation plan under a single confirmation number and the ability to email booking confirmations.
But some members may ultimately find themselves paying more for their DVC vacations in the form of mandatory pre-payments for the Magic Your Way dining plan and any cash reservations booked through Member Services. According to Disney Files:
"...Wishes will require Members to pay for their Disney Dining Plan upon booking (rather than upon check-in), and Member making cash reservations must pay for one night plus tax upon booking."
Previous statements were more ambiguous--suggesting that pre-payment of Dining Plan rates was an option rather than a mandate. Fortunately members are not required to add the Dining Plan at the time of the initial booking. The bulletin on DVCMember.com states:"Members who don't wish to pay in advance will still have the option of adding their Disney Dining Plan to their reservation as many as 48 hours prior to arrival and paying for the plan just prior to the start of their vacation."
While members will be required to pay for their Dining Plan prior to arrival at the resort, payment can be made as little as 48 hours in advance.
However, members appear destined to lose some flexibility in payment options. When paying at the front desk, guests can presently pay cash for the Dining Plan, spread the fee among multiple credit cards (in the case of different groups sharing a villa), use a Disney Visa Reward card, a Disney Gift card or any combination of the above. It appears unlikely that a pre-payment system will fully mirror this level of flexibility.
Additionally, with payment being processed through Member Services, it remains to be seen how guests of a Disney Vacation Club member will be able to pay their Dining Plan fees, as well as those renting DVC points.
A credit card is presently required in order to hold villas booked at cash rates, but charges are not applied until the guest arrived at the resort. The manadatory deposit will be applied at the time of booking--up to 11 months in advance for cash reservations.
No timeline has been provided for the implementation of the Wishes reservation system.
