Has anyone book ressies online?

[Deemarch]

I haven't run across 1 person who uses or has used the online booking for ressies...Does anyone do this? Why not? Is it that we want instant gratification?

 

[Rash]

I've used it. It's not really an online booking servce. It's just a request that's emailed to member services. It's still handled by a person. They were very prompt and efficient. I received an email within 24 hours confirming my reservations.

As far as why most people don't use it, I think it's still more efficient to call. For someone anxious to confirm a particular resevation, waiting 24 hours for an email response just isn't gonna cut it. With a phone call, they can confirm your request while you wait on the line.

I think an actual online booking system where your request is confirmed (with a confirmation #) or denied immediately would be utilized by many more members than the current set up.

 

[DVC-Don]

We used it once. But the time we wanted was not available, so we had to submit again. Since then we have called. Would rather have it done real time.

 

[dvc_bwv]

We have used the email to book and so far every time we've done this it has worked for us. I think it works better if you are booking at the 11 month window rather than 7 months. We haven't used it at the 7 month purely because there is more of a chance of not getting what you want depending on where you are trying to get your ressie.

I think it would be beneficial for MS to have the computers manned as the phones are to get an almost immediate response. If this were the case, I think more people would use the email and MS could gradually move people from phones to email to handle these requests. Then eventually they would have less people on the phones to answer more urgent requests. Just my opinion, but who knows!!

 

[FredS]

One, it took more than a day to get a response, and two, it required that you enter a "second choice" when there are times that I don't HAVE a second choice. I would like to make a reservation for these dates at this resort, and if that is not possible then I would need to get further info before going to plan B. I mean, just because, for example, one day is not available at the resort I particular want for that trip does not mean that I want MS to make reservations for a different resort.

I think it is less hassle to talk to a live person and get current info rather than potentially spend days emailing back and forth. If the system was "live" it would be nice, but it just isn't practical for me as is now functions.

 

[jaysue]

Ditto to FredS on the 2nd choice mandatory entry - we used the on-line request system for our Feb trip to VWL and had BWV as 2nd choice but on reflection we do not see why they forced a 2nd choice.

So for example it is useless for let's say an HH or VB request - what would your 2nd choice be in that case?

dvc_bwv your weather clock gave me a scare - I thought it was Orlando at first

 

[Dean]

Here's a link to a thread I posted recently about this. THIS THREAD There are other concerns about the system more so than the second choice. Since I didn't actually use it but only read through it, does it require the second choice to submit or just have a place for it?

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by Dean
... Since I didn't actually use it but only read through it, does it require the second choice to submit or just have a place for it?

On my two attempts to use it, I specifically noted that it required a second choice, i.e., it would not accept the request without it -- the "you failed to complete part of the form" loop until you gave a second choice.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

I have used this method the last two times I booked and had no problems. What I did with the second request, was just put in the exact same info as my first request. I have submitted these late in the evening and had a confirmation in writing usually by early afternoon the next business day.

 

[Disney Doll]

I prefer to speak to a live person, because sometimes making a reservation is more that "I want these dates in this unit in this complex". I just did one where we are actually splitting our stay between a 1 and 2 BR because there are family members joining us after a convention, so it's a little more involved and easier to talk to someone to get it straightened out rather than go back and forth with e-mail.

I do use the e-mail if I have a general question that doesn't necessarily need a prompt reply.

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by disneydisneydoo
I have used this method the last two times I booked and had no problems. What I did with the second request, was just put in the exact same info as my first request. I have submitted these late in the evening and had a confirmation in writing usually by early afternoon the next business day.

Didn't think of that -- good idea!

 

[jaysue]

disneydisneydoo, I did not think of that since I figured their programming would prevent that - should never assume

thanks
jaysue

 

[spiceycat]

I only tried in once and they told me what I wanted was not availability.

I called MS - got put on the waiting list - next day I got it.

Until the email people start putting the emails that they can't fill immediately on the wait list - forget it - by the time I would written back and forth - I got my reservation from calling MS....

I did what you did - put the second choice the same as the first -

or on the email allow if I can't have first one put me on the waitlist choice...