In What Century Is Dvc Tech Operating?!?! UPDATE (post #1) 10/20/07

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, Chuck. You are right that the activity statement is detailed. Since I have 7 contracts under one membership, sorting it all out is a challenge. I am also concerned that the reservations are linked properly. I was adding days one at a time for 2 of the rooms and that is part of why I am a bit nervous. I know some folks aren't bothered much by moving between rooms, but I really dislike doing it. Also, if we are lucky enough to have our request for rooms near each other met, it would be a bummer to then be split up because a linking was inadvertently missed. Thanks again for your help on this!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

It has nothing to do with the website running correctly. The issue is modifying it to the degree that DVC members want.

I disagree,

yes members want different/more functionality, but what is there is not working properly half of the time

I couldnt care less how complex it is or time consuimg it is. The fact is, they have a website, they have built certain functionality into it, and there has to be someone or more likely a team overseeing this website. So the question is can they or cant they do the job correctly? If not there are PLENTY of people who can.


fix it, you are not the front runners here figuring this stuff out on the fly, as a matter of fact your probably not even in the middle of the pack, IMO they are bringing up the rear.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If Diane can see hers and we can't see ours, is the problem on our end? Mine has been saying that the information is currently unavailable for at least 3-4 days now.

Bobbi

That's interesting, but why should mine work and yours not? I can see both vacation and contract details, and always have been able to. Sometimes it's difficult to decipher, because they tend to take equal points from each contract at the same resort, and it gets confusing.

 

[dwelty]

I am speaking in defense of Disney Technology............as a current Computer Support Technician, the average user has no idea what is involved in incorporating many appliciations simultaneously. Until someone with in depth computer application knowledge steps forth to comment, I would refrain about speaking about something you know nothing about. Let give Disney techs a little bit more credit than whats been posted here.

Other sites face the same problems, yet they work consistently day in day out. If they need more technicians to help with the work load they should hire them. If we have to pay a little more, fine by me. We all paid a heck of alot of money for our points, we should have a web site that works, PERIOD.

 

[jekjones1558]

If Diane can see hers and we can't see ours, is the problem on our end? Mine has been saying that the information is currently unavailable for at least 3-4 days now.

And previously when others posted problems, I was not having them, but now I am. Very bizarre.

 

[Dictator]

When I was in WDW in sept, I was called to do a website survey for them (DVC). I went to a conference room in the BVW, they wanted opinions on a redesign of the website they were working on. I gave them my feed back but then let them know the numerous problems with the current website. Especially when it won't let you view vacation details.
They said the other people they had surveyed said the same thing and they were "working" on it.

 

[kapeman]

I think the problem is with more than just the DVC members site.

I have experienced seriously long page load times on the main WDW site.

My first guess would be that the database queries are far from optimal or the database itself is under too much load.

From a graphics/presentation standpoint their sites are awesome, but from a performance standpoint they leave a lot to be desired.

 

[DVC Mike]

Thanks for your comments, but Technology manager is not the same as an applications software engineer. Its a bit more complicated than a bank website. Oh, did I mention you also need to have experience in programming?

Yes, I have been a software engineer. Today, I manage groups of software engineers.

I have held a diverse set of information technology positions, including application development involving web, client-server, mid-range, and mainframe platforms and technologies, system/application architecture and technology infrastructure design, and various project management and leadership positions.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

When I was in WDW in sept, I was called to do a website survey for them (DVC). I went to a conference room in the BVW, they wanted opinions on a redesign of the website they were working on. I gave them my feed back but then let them know the numerous problems with the current website. Especially when it won't let you view vacation details.
They said the other people they had surveyed said the same thing and they were "working" on it.

So glad to hear from someone that actually has first hand knowledge. Were you there from a technical perspective or simply from the user end?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I think the problem is with more than just the DVC members site.

I have experienced seriously long page load times on the main WDW site.

My first guess would be that the database queries are far from optimal or the database itself is under too much load.

From a graphics/presentation standpoint their sites are awesome, but from a performance standpoint they leave a lot to be desired.

This is a good example. At any given time, many things can impact the performance of the site. Its not so cut and dry.

 

[Inkmahm]

It has nothing to do with the website running correctly. The issue is modifying it to the degree that DVC members want.

I don't think being able to see vacation details is a modification, it's a basic requirement. And it WAS working until last week.

Same for being able to look up the status of my annual dues. I know I paid the AKV dues when I saw them online. Just now I got a paper invoice and I went to check the information in my account online but it isn'tworking either. I get the same message as when trying to see my vacation detail. Again, the account detail WAS working.

It seems to me that Disney makes changes or something in their system without testing them to make sure they aren't screwing up something else that already works.

 

[RachelTori]

That's interesting, but why should mine work and yours not? I can see both vacation and contract details, and always have been able to. Sometimes it's difficult to decipher, because they tend to take equal points from each contract at the same resort, and it gets confusing.

Diane, if you click on the link "View Vacation Details" do you really get that information? Many of us are getting a page that says: "We're sorry. The page you are trying to access is currently not available." I've gotten that message for at least 6 days now. I've been viewing my reservations under "View Activity Statement" but when you have more than one contract, or modifications, it gets tricky to read!

 

[LisaS]

It has nothing to do with the website running correctly. The issue is modifying it to the degree that DVC members want.

I think this thread is about wanting the website to run correctly. When things like the Vacation Details page works some days and not others, that is a problem. When the Resort Name for AKV contracts has been displayed as "null" for eight months, causing many confused members to call MS to ask whether something is wrong with their contract, that is a problem. When the online points banking function suddenly started corrupting some users' points balances, that was a huge problem. (Supposedly this is fixed but I do not plan to be a test subject. I will be calling MS to bank my points.)

Another problem is that there is no way to report problems directly to the people who could understand and address them. All messages sent via the "Contact Us" link go to MS who often miss the point that a user is trying to report a website bug. They reply with suggestions that have nothing to do with the issue and I do not know if the problems ever get forwarded to the people in charge of maintaining the website.

 

[jekjones1558]

As usual, Lisa is spot on. I looked all over the site for a link to report website problems. Many, many websites have such a link. Not DVC. Some sites even have a phone number to contact tech support about website problems!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I don't think being able to see vacation details is a modification, it's a basic requirement. And it WAS working until last week.

Same for being able to look up the status of my annual dues. I know I paid the AKV dues when I saw them online. Just now I got a paper invoice and I went to check the information in my account online but it isn'tworking either. I get the same message as when trying to see my vacation detail. Again, the account detail WAS working.

It seems to me that Disney makes changes or something in their system without testing them to make sure they aren't screwing up something else that already works.

Complaining about the current website not being functional is one thing. Critisizing the competency of the Disney techs is another. As I have already stated, many factors come into play whenever an application is working or not : network issues, software issues, USER issues. Complain away about your inconviences, but lets put the comments about the techs to bed. Unless you are someone of expertise...... ...still waiting on that one.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Mine doesn't work right either... in case anyone cares..

Than again, I consistently wad up any computer that I come within 50 feet of.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane, if you click on the link "View Vacation Details" do you really get that information? Many of us are getting a page that says: "We're sorry. The page you are trying to access is currently not available." I've gotten that message for at least 6 days now. I've been viewing my reservations under "View Activity Statement" but when you have more than one contract, or modifications, it gets tricky to read!

Okay, I see what the beef is. I can't get that to open, but the point usage details are there, and all the trips and points used for them are there with the dates they were booked for etc. I don't really see what isn't able to be recreated with the portion that is working. I have 3 contracts as well, but I can click on the activity statement and get all the pertinent information.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Complaining about the current website not being functional is one thing. Critisizing the competency of the Disney techs is another. As I have already stated, many factors come into play whenever an application is working or not : network issues, software issues, USER issues. Complain away about your inconviences, but lets put the comments about the techs to bed. Unless you are someone of expertise...... ...still waiting on that one.

if the current website is not functional then whose incompetance does that come from if not the techs? member services? housekeeping?


doenst matter how many issues or factors are at play, they are the same factors for every other company and most of them seem to be able to handle it

 

[jarestel]

I am speaking in defense of Disney Technology............as a current Computer Support Technician, the average user has no idea what is involved in incorporating many appliciations simultaneously. Until someone with in depth computer application knowledge steps forth to comment, I would refrain about speaking about something you know nothing about. Let give Disney techs a little bit more credit than whats been posted here.

As an "expert" I'm sure you are aware of one basic fact that applies to all technical disciplines... stuff needs to work. Users don't care what goes under the hood, they just want the dag thing to function reliably.

 

[RachelTori]

Okay, I see what the beef is. I can't get that to open, but the point usage details are there, and all the trips and points used for them are there with the dates they were booked for etc. I don't really see what isn't able to be recreated with the portion that is working. I have 3 contracts as well, but I can click on the activity statement and get all the pertinent information.

I'm just relieved that we're all having the same issue. I have a terrible problem when it comes to computers -- I think I'm what is referred to as computer-illiterate! (plus I panic easily!) So although I'm not happy to hear anyone is having a problem with the site, I'm just glad to know I'm not alone!