Land Of The Lost - The DVC Members with Resort Reservations and No Tickets Crying Room....

[Sandisw]

The other thing too, they may not want to put a date because their system is not scalable and if they post a date and EVERYONE shows up...it would just obliterate their servers.

I think they are not putting out a date because they want it to be as soon as they can and until the system went live, they really were not sure.

Can you imagine if they said it would be August 1st, and all these July people canceled trips and then Disney says, wait...we can open sales on July 1st? Guests would be even more upset.

Right now, things that are happening are looking good for a shorter timeline than originally thought.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I think they are not putting out a date because they want it to be as soon as they can and until the system went live, they really were not sure.

Can you imagine if they said it would be August 1st, and all these July people canceled trips and then Disney says, wait...we can open sales on July 1st? Guests would be even more upset.

Right now, things that are happening are looking good for a shorter timeline than originally thought.

I just don't have that level of confidence with them at this time. It will take a long time for me to trust them, if ever, again.

 

[Sandisw]

I just don't have that level of confidence with them at this time. It will take a long time for me to trust them, if ever, again.

That’s fair as the communication from both DVC and Disney has been confusing and limited since opening was announced.

But, I do think people who are upset about the ticket thing should be sure to send their frustrations to WDPR and not just DVC.

DVC has nothing to do with ticket sales...it is a different division.

 

[Mr3dfx]

DVC has nothing to do with ticket sales...it is a different division.

I'm not sure if that's 100% on ticketing though. It's also possible that while everything was dialed back that those left running the business may not have had enough experience with running DVC, and thus, we were not represented at some meeting. There are a TON of smart people at Disney, it actually surprises me their actions these last few weeks.

E.G.
1. Why STOP all ticket sales in the middle of the day without any warning!? I was in the middle of purchasing an AP, when the whole thing was yanked out from under me...it was in my cart, going through checkout and WHAM, NO SALE...
- An experienced crew, would plan, notify, and perform a process like that when the site has the least number of visitors...better yet, blue-green deploy (Maybe this was a failed Blue-Green... ), flip a switch...almost no disruption......NONE of this happened. Even CMs on the phone that day had no idea what was going on.
2. Why was the website so terrible Monday?
- Scale, scale, scale...Again, an experienced crew would, plan, notify, and perform this when the site has the least amount of traffic..

There are plenty of other examples...this leads me to believe an inexperienced crew is currently running the show...

 

[Sandisw]

I'm not sure if that's 100% on ticketing though. It's also possible that while everything was dialed back that those left running the business may not have had enough experience with running DVC, and thus, we were not represented at some meeting. There are a TON of smart people at Disney, it actually surprises me their actions these last few weeks.

E.G.
1. Why STOP all ticket sales in the middle of the day without any warning!? I was in the middle of purchasing an AP, when the whole thing was yanked out from under me...it was in my cart, going through checkout and WHAM, NO SALE...
- An experienced crew, would plan, notify, and perform a process like that when the site has the least number of visitors...better yet, blue-green deploy (Maybe this was a failed Blue-Green... ), flip a switch...almost no disruption......NONE of this happened. Even CMs on the phone that day had no idea what was going on.
2. Why was the website so terrible Monday?
- Scale, scale, scale...Again, an experienced crew would, plan, notify, and perform this when the site has the least amount of traffic..

There are plenty of other examples...this leads me to believe an inexperienced crew is currently running the show...

I can tell you that many of the divisions do not take part in what others are doing and TWDC does not share plans at all times with others...and this is from some things that have happened internally within the company since this started.

DVC owners are a small part of the bigger picture for WDW and when WDPR makes decisions, it is based on all guests, and what is good for all areas.

Again, I think they purposely stopped sales with no notice because they wanted to do that. Was it a good move from a guest perspective? No. From their point of view, it must have made some sense to risk angry guests

I do not think this is about inexperienced people, but rather people making decisions that only they know what business model they want to do. Currently, pretty much all guests...cash, day, AP holders and DVC owners are upset about something they have done. Anyone who believes their group is the most important is fooling themselves, IMO,

Communication should be better...letting people know more often, even if nothing new to report, would be better than guesses,

Disney has never been known for their IT and right now, not exactly doing things that are instilling confidence in all their stakeholders,

 

[JCMCM]

But, I do think people who are upset about the ticket thing should be sure to send their frustrations to WDPR and not just DVC.

Agreed ... which is why I emailed WDW.guest.communications@disneyworld.com instead of member services. And I got a response from .... “Member Relations, Disney Vacation Club.” I suspect that as soon as I mentioned DVC it was routed there. I was frankly surprised and pleased to receive any response at all, but I do hope it was seen by someone else because it’s tough to feel like DVC is advocating for members right now. I certainly appreciate your advice...would you suggest the email address I used or something different?

 

[Sandisw]

Agreed ... which is why I emailed WDW.guest.communications@disneyworld.com instead of member services. And I got a response from .... “Member Relations, Disney Vacation Club.” I suspect that as soon as I mentioned DVC it was routed there. I was frankly surprised and pleased to receive any response at all, but I do hope it was seen by someone else because it’s tough to feel like DVC is advocating for members right now. I certainly appreciate your advice...would you suggest the email address I used or something different?

That is the one that I use when contacting Disney for issues when not related to my DVC ownership.

I know it is hard not to feel that DVCM didn’t do enough for owners, but in this case, WDPR has many groups of guests, and as I said, DVC owners is one group who are no more or less important to the company then any other guest is.

 

[ckb_nc]

I'm not sure if that's 100% on ticketing though. It's also possible that while everything was dialed back that those left running the business may not have had enough experience with running DVC, and thus, we were not represented at some meeting. There are a TON of smart people at Disney, it actually surprises me their actions these last few weeks.

E.G.
1. Why STOP all ticket sales in the middle of the day without any warning!? I was in the middle of purchasing an AP, when the whole thing was yanked out from under me...it was in my cart, going through checkout and WHAM, NO SALE...
- An experienced crew, would plan, notify, and perform a process like that when the site has the least number of visitors...better yet, blue-green deploy (Maybe this was a failed Blue-Green... ), flip a switch...almost no disruption......NONE of this happened. Even CMs on the phone that day had no idea what was going on.
2. Why was the website so terrible Monday?
- Scale, scale, scale...Again, an experienced crew would, plan, notify, and perform this when the site has the least amount of traffic..

There are plenty of other examples...this leads me to believe an inexperienced crew is currently running the show...

I work in IT for a large bank. We put up a PPP system literally overnight with people working incredible hours. And it was far from perfect, and lets not talk about the federal government. BUT the real problem is the program is flawed IMO. Letting folks more than 60 days out book park reservations was not the best play. I know why - Disney is trying to figure out what their exposure is. They have 90 plus days of full ticket inventory to work out of the system, and a new capacity that is far from full. The literally need to drain the queue (same with DVC). Still, the expectation that that if i make a resort reservation I have priority to get park access has been true for decades. Going against that with no notice is both hard and unusual. I think when this is over some senior folks at Disney are not going to last. There was no excuse for Monday, and the communication has been very inconsistent - they have pulled the rug on people so many times in the last 90 days. Free dining? yeah know we just kidding? Opening July 11th - you better have tickets in hand even though when we announced you couldn't buy tickets. WDW is literally opening them parks that you cannot buy a ticket to enter. Let that sink in - no other park company in the world can pull that off. and maybe Disney shouldn't get away with it...

 

[Mr3dfx]

Whatever the final reason may be, the bottom line here is the absolute abysmal Customer Experience across the board. It's a crazy time, and it may get even crazier if things don't start to level off and start to trend in another direction.

 

[robinb]

So in light of all this.... What WE are doing. Your families plan may be different....


As DVC owners, we are engaging in what I will call "defensive booking".

1) DUMP current, possibly "extended" APs. No one has reported an actual AP partial Refund. These may simply be toast.

2) Reserve in 2021. There is no real park in 2020.

3) Buy a NEW AP (Gold, Silver, whatever) - GOOD ON FIRST USE. Renewals are currently a bad bet. Get Tickets good on FIRST USE, valid to 2030. We did this. We have them. Billed to our CC and listed on MDE.

4) Got a confirmed DVC Res? Got TICKETS (see number 3) - you CAN book parks for your stay. We have already done so, for APR 2021.

5) Pretend all of this goes to Hell. You have a DVC Res that can be cancelled at 30 days. You have a non-redeemed Gold Pass, good to FIRST USE, 2030. You can BAIL, obey all rules, and do it quickly.

We are still working on "defensive booking", regarding Air Fair. Initial thought? While it costs more - fully redeemable tickets.

PS - Travelex folded on everything, 2020. Consider an independant Travel Insurance Company, that actually insures your trip. We will no longer buy DVC sponsored Travelex insurance - it's worthless.

Good plan. The problem that all of the rest of us have is #3. We have no tickets.

 

[robinb]

1. Why STOP all ticket sales in the middle of the day without any warning!? I was in the middle of purchasing an AP, when the whole thing was yanked out from under me...it was in my cart, going through checkout and WHAM, NO SALE...

That happened to me too! Beyond frustrating.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Trying to find positives. I had three cruises booked this summer to celebrate cancer free. All no go. So now I have three nights at Poly in July with hubby and a week with my three teens in August. Non DVC part of the poly will not even be open when we go so I will find a chair by the pool and drown myself in Tonga toast raspberry sauce and make the most of my no ticket situation. Hopefully I’ll snag some tickets for the family in August. I’m hopeful with all the green showing on the ticket calendar that we will be ok. Sometimes gotta take a breath and go with the flow. We all just might get tickets! Fingers crossed for everyone!

well from all of us, congratulations on being cancer free! That is far more important than all of this and your positivity is what we all need.

 

[The Sasquatch]

As we sit here and wallow in our own sorrow and read through all of these great points and insight from all if us, is it crazy to ask if they have even acknowledged it internally? They have to know, right? They had to know day 1? I get that you may have made a mistake for whatever reason but it would literally be a relatively quick IT enhancement and an updated communication.
There has to be something more to this and if so whoever is in charge of writing the communication could of simply included a carefully crafted Disney smoke up your hiney DVC portion that more than likely would have satisfied us all.

How about we stop paying our dues until “Later This Summer”

 

[Linda67]

Guys, the AP purchase link is now live. I just got a Gold AP for my husband.
Off to try to make park reservations for October now.
I'll report back

ETA - I have received an email saying that my order is being processed and I'll receive an update once the order has processed. Not able to make park reservations yet but happy I have made the AP purchase

ETA part 2 - Just received another email saying that they are unable to process my order so looks like even though the link is live and you can go through the whole purchase process, the purchase is not being completed.

 

[jimim]

GREAT NEWS says the email My Magic Bands have shipped ...too bad I can't share that detail with the other family and their kids. Look kiddos you're Magic Bands are here - you can use them to open and close the villa room that you have to stay in all day for a week because you CAN'T GO TO THE PARKS.

Come on let the kids just play with the door all day! Be a good parent! Get use out of those bands kids! Wear those hinges out! But watch ur little fingers!

 

[jimim]

Guys, the AP purchase link is now live. I just got a Gold AP for my husband.
Off to try to make park reservations for October now.
I'll report back

ETA - I have received an email saying that my order is being processed and I'll receive an update once the order has processed. Not able to make park reservations yet but happy I have made the AP purchase

ETA part 2 - Just received another email saying that they are unable to process my order so looks like even though the link is live and you can go through the whole purchase process, the purchase is not being completed.

Gone. Just tried.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I may take some time out of my vacation while I'm down there to go to the DVC HQ and talk to someone, if we all do this...they may get the hint...face to face is much more difficult to just 'pass off' than 'oops we didn't get that message'.

That is a great idea! I wonder if the DVC preview center will be open at SSR. I'd definitely take the time to do that on our July trip, considering we have another DVC trip in October, and only one out of the four of us has a ticket right now. Who wants to join me?

 

[heapmaster]

It appears @Sandisw may be right, the park reservation calendar appears to have different days in yellow for AP holders vs resort guests. In which case that means they have a different allotment for APs, hotel guests and just ticket holders (off-site guests). Which would be good for us DVC and guests non ticket holders.

 

[mjlass11]

“Later this summer“ does not help people with July and august reservations, unfortunately.

No it does not! Neither does based on park availability. I don't understand the reasoning of giving people with park tickets priority over those with Disney hotel reservations

 

[The Sasquatch]

I dont know why i wake up every morning Log in and think just maybe they fixed the DVC Debacle