Well, in case it helps anyone, here is my experience --
- Multiple browsers and devices all morning, from 9:00am EST-11:00 am EST; repeated "server doesn't understand" error message, most likely because I'm not at a DVC property. And by "repeated" I mean I counted over 100 separate entries, many of which with cookies cleared between, etc
- I was "on hold" with chat for over an hour, and never heard from a CM
- Member Services phone number was busy for at least 15 minutes straight of repeated redials, but eventually I got through (to hold music, obviously)
- After a 58 minute call with MS, a supervisor manually booked and, like others, I will allegedly get an email confirmation in 10-14 days. (I guess I'll hold off on book a flight!)
It does seem that the "keep trying" messages, appreciated attempts at being helpful, are COMPLETELY irrelevant if you're staying at a non-DVC resort. The supervisor said that it literally will not book online, at least at this time, unless you're staying on points through your membership, etc. So maybe that will at least help a few of you close a few tabs?
Good luck everyone. It's days like this I get sad about the state of DVC, but - at least for now - I'm glad we joined over a decade ago, before everything went nuts.