I Know It's Been Said Before

[PamOKW]

but the new member site is pretty much a big leap backward.

Getting the pdf versions of our Concierge options wasn't ideal, but it was a heck of a lot better than just a list. There also isn't a way to even get a listl of the World Passport Collection (except the info Dean shared). Very inconvenient.

 

[rocketriter]

It's very likely that this situation is temporary. The new website is, in the long run, intended to automate some of the services that MS now provides. That means that it will carry quite a lot more information than was posted on its first release.

By the way, there's speculation that the nice DVC-oriented website that Dean posted is really in beta test right now, and when testing is finished it could pop up as a link directly from our own website.

Look at how much trouble the new website had at first just with member passwords and ids. No project manager in his or her right mind would allow a site to be launched with lots and lots of features that could all prove buggy at the same time. There's a practice called "load testing" in which website developers try to simulate what it's like for the site to take thousands of hits from users. But load testing is always a simulation, not the real thing, so the safest practice is to follow it with a staged roll-out in which each new feature is launched and then given a few weeks to prove itself before the next is launched. That's almost certainly what's happening with our new website.

 

[PamOKW]

I appreciate that things take time. It's too bad they couldn't provide a way to access the old site during this changeover since there is now no way to access a lot of information we previously had.

 

[Disney Doll]

Gee, I like the new website!

 

[RuthnPaul]

Originally posted by PamOKW
It's too bad they couldn't provide a way to access the old site during this changeover since there is now no way to access a lot of information we previously had.

Although I understand your frustration, if Disney's IT people had to maintain the old site in addition to moving forward on the new site, the progress would probably be even slower!

RuthnPaul

 

[tiggerguy2000]

I had no problems with the new format but then im not looking for the things you have been.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I went there the other day to find the cash rates for the DVC resorts, and I couldn't find them. Spent 20 minutes hunting and never located. It seems to have the "sales pitch" geared for persons interested in buying DVC, but not much for the actual members. As I tell my kids....often...we'll see.

 

[PamOKW]

The cash rates are gone from the current set-up. You can get the DVC resorts on the regular Disney site but there's no way I know of to currently check HHI and Vero on-line.

I'm kind of surprised they have left the trade options completely off the site (not even a listing) since they seem to be trying to encourage DVC members to use these options. It's fairly frustrating to have to flip through the update booklet and go on-line to look up the sites for the different options.

I agree that the new site does look good and probably has potential. It's just in it's current state it's not very useful. Hopefully, the information that was there before will be returned prior to the 2005 dates they are hinting at for "enhancements".

 

[Tagrel]

As a professional programmer and web developer, its my opinion that DVC did NOT roll out the new site correctly.

At the VERY minimum, the new site migration should have ported all existing information so that users had everything they had previously. Individual user access and all previous information should have been step one. THEN they can start adding new features as time and resources permit.

Supplying a new system with fewer features than the previous one is a sure fire way to alienate users. Pretty only lasts so long. CONTENT wins the long term race. When you are looking for information most serious users are only distracted by Flash animations and music. You need to get in, find info easily and get out.

All good program managers know this...

 

[Peddler]

IMHO Disney/DVC being a world class organazation should have the resourses to put up a site that has the features we all want in a "NY minute", but It's a matter of priorities. I think they are focused on generating revenue as much and as fast as possible.
The site isn't a revenue generator,although i think it could be a cost saver thru reductions in MS.
I feel this is the same reason why the monarails never get extended as no extra revenue is gained from it.
We are at thier mercy.
Getting down from my soapbox now.