Did anyone else get this email from MS?

[ITGirl50]

It is legit. As of now, it doesn't cost anything for this pilot program, but I think most people suspect that it will cost money in the future.

I have no idea why some people are getting asked to participate in this, but not others - maybe just a random lottery-type drawing? I don't think that's it, because I've never been drawn for anything in my life...

I sent them our requests. We want Ohana and that’s hard to get. We will see if we actually get it.

 

[J-Dog]

So, just to follow-up with this, today was our ADR day, and the first time we've used any system like this (where someone else made the reservations for us).

Overall, I would give the experience a B+.

Pros:

1) Did get almost everything that we wanted, including a few hard ones like Topolino's, Space220 (not sure we will keep that one or not), and CRT (which was DD's number 1 request). A couple of the time slots weren't perfect, but still reasonably close to what we requested.

2) MAIN PRO: I didn't have to get up at 2:45am! I basically did nothing until I got an email from them at about 8:00am Pacific time.

Cons:

1) Didn't get everything we requested. This was to be expected to some extent. Of those, the only thing we were bummed about not getting was BBB, which was already snatched-up in seconds, apparently.

2) Multiple of the ADRs that they booked were booked as 2 split reservations, rather than a single large table (we have 8 people going). Not really a big deal, but we might not be sitting together at times.

3) The process to confirm the ADRs after they have booked them is kind of annoying. They apparently place a "hold" on the ADR - basically the same idea as the hold time on MDE between when you book the ADR and the screen that you confirm your credit card - and then they are currently requiring you to call them to confirm that you want the ADR and then secure with a credit card.
The MS rep answered the phone in seconds, which was great, but then the process to confirm took FOREVER. I was on the phone for 45 minutes the first time, then I had an obligation to go to, so I then called back and was on the phone for another 20 minutes to follow-up. Both the reps I talked to were excellent - extremely cordial and knowledgeable. But the need to read them your credit card number 12 different times and then waiting for them to catch up was excruciating after a while. The second rep did mention that they are looking at ways to streamline the process.

All in all, I'm happy I went this route, and would probably do it again, even for a fee. As long as the fee was small...

 

[ITGirl50]

So, just to follow-up with this, today was our ADR day, and the first time we've used any system like this (where someone else made the reservations for us).

Overall, I would give the experience a B+.

Pros:

1) Did get almost everything that we wanted, including a few hard ones like Topolino's, Space220 (not sure we will keep that one or not), and CRT (which was DD's number 1 request). A couple of the time slots weren't perfect, but still reasonably close to what we requested.

2) MAIN PRO: I didn't have to get up at 2:45am! I basically did nothing until I got an email from them at about 8:00am Pacific time.

Cons:

1) Didn't get everything we requested. This was to be expected to some extent. Of those, the only thing we were bummed about not getting was BBB, which was already snatched-up in seconds, apparently.

2) Multiple of the ADRs that they booked were booked as 2 split reservations, rather than a single large table (we have 8 people going). Not really a big deal, but we might not be sitting together at times.

3) The process to confirm the ADRs after they have booked them is kind of annoying. They apparently place a "hold" on the ADR - basically the same idea as the hold time on MDE between when you book the ADR and the screen that you confirm your credit card - and then they are currently requiring you to call them to confirm that you want the ADR and then secure with a credit card.
The MS rep answered the phone in seconds, which was great, but then the process to confirm took FOREVER. I was on the phone for 45 minutes the first time, then I had an obligation to go to, so I then called back and was on the phone for another 20 minutes to follow-up. Both the reps I talked to were excellent - extremely cordial and knowledgeable. But the need to read them your credit card number 12 different times and then waiting for them to catch up was excruciating after a while. The second rep did mention that they are looking at ways to streamline the process.

All in all, I'm happy I went this route, and would probably do it again, even for a fee. As long as the fee was small...

Well that call back and giving CC number sounds so annoying. We will see if they get what we want. I still have a few days before our window opens.

 

[J-Dog]

Well that call back and giving CC number sounds so annoying. We will see if they get what we want. I still have a few days before our window opens.

Yeah. It was.

The first rep was excellent but extremely slow. He would take my CC number, and then literally I would hear nothing for 5 minutes, other than him saying things like "okay, that's entered correctly" and "still working on this here". After a while, I told him I had to go, and he apologized and said "no problem, just call us back when you can to finish this".

The second guy was also great, and a lot faster. He asked for my CC number about once every 30 seconds and then did some entering stuff in his computer after the fact.

Both of them explained that they aren't allowed to write down or memorize the CC number, that's why they have to ask separately for each ADR.

This whole thing sounds like it's in it's infancy. It will probably get better. But probably not before your ADR day.

 

[RivShore]

So, just to follow-up with this, today was our ADR day, and the first time we've used any system like this (where someone else made the reservations for us).

Overall, I would give the experience a B+.

Pros:

1) Did get almost everything that we wanted, including a few hard ones like Topolino's, Space220 (not sure we will keep that one or not), and CRT (which was DD's number 1 request). A couple of the time slots weren't perfect, but still reasonably close to what we requested.

2) MAIN PRO: I didn't have to get up at 2:45am! I basically did nothing until I got an email from them at about 8:00am Pacific time.

Cons:

1) Didn't get everything we requested. This was to be expected to some extent. Of those, the only thing we were bummed about not getting was BBB, which was already snatched-up in seconds, apparently.

2) Multiple of the ADRs that they booked were booked as 2 split reservations, rather than a single large table (we have 8 people going). Not really a big deal, but we might not be sitting together at times.

3) The process to confirm the ADRs after they have booked them is kind of annoying. They apparently place a "hold" on the ADR - basically the same idea as the hold time on MDE between when you book the ADR and the screen that you confirm your credit card - and then they are currently requiring you to call them to confirm that you want the ADR and then secure with a credit card.
The MS rep answered the phone in seconds, which was great, but then the process to confirm took FOREVER. I was on the phone for 45 minutes the first time, then I had an obligation to go to, so I then called back and was on the phone for another 20 minutes to follow-up. Both the reps I talked to were excellent - extremely cordial and knowledgeable. But the need to read them your credit card number 12 different times and then waiting for them to catch up was excruciating after a while. The second rep did mention that they are looking at ways to streamline the process.

All in all, I'm happy I went this route, and would probably do it again, even for a fee. As long as the fee was small...

Many thanks for the detailed followup. Hopefully they improve the CC nonsense quickly, what a waste of time for you and them!

 

[Sammie]

I don't know if we're just a cynical bunch, if Disney's questionable track record recently has us jaded, if it's their weird way of communicating things (or lack thereof), or a combo of those.

But man, it seems our little DVC community and Disney fans in general tend to pre-decide to hate literally everything that gets announced or even hinted at even if we know basically nothing about it. Not everyone obviously, but a strong tendency IMO. I've been guilty of it somewhat myself.

Not trying to tell anyone what opinion to have or share, just an observation/musing. We're all friends here, right?

I've said it for many years: Nobody hates Disney like hard core Disney fans. Same is true of hard core Star Wars fans (I am one). True of many enthusiast groups really.

Ah, human nature, you are a strange beast.

Actually many are satisfied, myself included. It's just that those not satisfied are louder. I am always wiling to wait and see how things work before condemning them.

 

[ITGirl50]

I sent them our requests. We want Ohana and that’s hard to get. We will see if we actually get it.

We had a split stay where our booking day was today. I sent an email and told them that we wanted to take advantage of that and to not wait for the second stay and sent them one desired reservation for that first stay. They replied ok and then we didn’t get anything booked. We booked our own this morning for the first stay. So, split stay booking is a failure.

 

[J-Dog]

We had a split stay where our booking day was today. I sent an email and told them that we wanted to take advantage of that and to not wait for the second stay and sent them one desired reservation for that first stay. They replied ok and then we didn’t get anything booked. We booked our own this morning for the first stay. So, split stay booking is a failure.

Yeah. It doesn't seem perfect.

For us, I have ended up switching a lot of the reservations that they made us. It's probably not their fault, because I gave them requested times for the bookings, but I was able to find multiple relatively-close times later on our ADR day for 8 people, instead of the 4 x 2 tables that they managed to get us.

They also have said that they will keep looking for the res's that they didn't manage to get, but so far I haven't heard anything. It's only been 4 days though.

I'm still glad that they did this so I didn't have to wake up, but at this point, I'm not sure that this service would ever be worth paying for.

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Yes. I agree.

It says "respond to the email" to share "vacation requests" - not sure what that means. How am I supposed to send them vacation requests if I have no idea what services, specifically, that they provide?

I did respond to the email, basically saying that I am interested and for them to let me know what they will do for us.

I'm not holding my breath.

I received the email and responded asking if they can book a Candlelight Processional package for us on a sold-out night. It will be interesting to see how they respond.

 

[lowe@massed.net]

Yes, actually we are. You might be on to something!

We have a 2-bed FW at RIV, but due to pandemic stuff, we had enough points to switch to a GV this year.

We got the email and we will be in a Copper Creek cabin. I wondered if it had anything to do with that.

 

[ITGirl50]

This did not work for us. We requested Ohana at 6:30 or 7 and got 8:00 pm. We can’t eat dinner that late. Also requested Brown Derby for lunch and got 1:50. That’s too late for lunch. We thanked them for the effort, told them to cancel and we just booked our own reservations without those restaurants. It’s a lot of money to spend on meals for times you don’t want.

 

[New Mouse]

I don't see why they wouldn't associate priority reservations for dvc members with this and use it as a membership perk. Why wouldn't you reward your most loyal customers? Don't forget they often complain dvc members don't spend as much per visit....if that's the case why not lock in their spending for meals?

 

[J-Dog]

This did not work for us. We requested Ohana at 6:30 or 7 and got 8:00 pm. We can’t eat dinner that late. Also requested Brown Derby for lunch and got 1:50. That’s too late for lunch. We thanked them for the effort, told them to cancel and we just booked our own reservations without those restaurants. It’s a lot of money to spend on meals for times you don’t want.

That sucks. Yeah, we didn't get a lot of our times and table sizes, either, and I have mostly since changed them myself.

Again, so far the biggest advantage for me was that I didn't have to wake up in the middle of the night on a work night to book my initial ADR's, but that is probably mostly valuable for me (on the West Coast), and less-so for people in the Eastern time zone.

 

[stampdame]

What room category are you staying at Riviera during your trip?

 

[FionaP]

So, this email arrived today. Not sure what it means.

Anyone else get this?

Sounds good, but I'm wondering what the catch is...

Dear ********* family, We are excited to share that Disney Vacation Club® is piloting an all-new Member Experience Specialist Team designed to enhance your Membership. You're invited to participate in this new program before arriving and during your upcoming stay at Disney's Riviera Resort, where you will have the chance to experience an elevated approach to Member Services. Along with existing pre-arrival and on-site support, the Member Experience Specialist team will help manage your vacation requests in a proactive, personalized way. To ensure that you arrive with ease and while on-property, this dedicated team can assist with dining reservations when available, search for recreation availabilities, organize your special events and so much more! This test program opportunity begins on 09/06/2022 and lasts through your vacation. Please respond to this email or call your Member Experience Specialist at 1-844-382-6772 to share your vacation requests with our team. We thank you for participating and helping us explore more ways to enhance your Membership. This email was sent to

We have a trip planned for next week, and did not receive this.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Key word "elevated" also means "Pay for Perks".

 

[ITGirl50]

We have a trip planned for next week, and did not receive this.

We have a CCV cabin booked that showed available last month. We did have BLT 1 bedroom and did not get the invite.
I’m thinking they were testing on high point rooms.

 

[J-Dog]

We have a CCV cabin booked that showed available last month. We did have BLT 1 bedroom and did not get the invite.
I’m thinking they were testing on high point rooms.

Yeah, I agree. We're in a GV. Probably the only time we will every be able to do a GV due to pandemic procrastination.

 

[heynowirv]

I just got off the phone with someone from that line. They were really pleasant and encouraging. We are not expecting miracles as I'm looking for a character breakfast for our 2 grand princesses.fingers crossed and little pixie dust will do it.

 

[FionaP]

Yeah, I agree. We're in a GV. Probably the only time we will every be able to do a GV due to pandemic procrastination.

This makes sense. Our reservation is for a standard studio at the Poly, probably when we didn’t receive the email