Member site has gone downhill!

[tvwalsh]

Has anyone noticed that the news in the member's site NEVER changes? If the person updating it has died I would like to know so I can send flowers.

 

[CarolMN]

Maybe there just isn't any "new" NEWS.

 

[KelNottAt]

I ask this because I remember noticing that the DCL had been advertising for a web site producer recently.

I manage one of my company's websites (we have about 4). It's my experience that when one site is short staffed, the staff of the other sites must share the load. Any site that offers a retail function (such as DCL or disneyworld.com) always gets priority over a site that is mainly PR or a repeat of printed material (like DVC Member).

I wouldn't be surprised if the DVC member site content management had to take a back seat while DCL was short staffed (and making major changes to itineraries, etc) and while disneyworld.com was undergoing its MAJOR makeover.

I agree, the DVC member site is not exactly cutting edge or full of fresh info. There's better info on these boards.

Here's hopin' things will improve.
Kelley

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by CarolMN
Maybe there just isn't any "new" NEWS.

I think it would be nice to post the addition of the pool slide at OKW. We shouldn't have to check on line forums to find out stuff like that.

It would also be nice to read about new awesome member benefits. Something more attractive than the Ghiradelli chocolate bar.

 

[jaysue]

Don't they still feature the content from the 2002/03 member guide as well...

Asleep at the switch I guess



thanks
jaysue

 

[PamOKW]

I think Kelley has hit the nail on the head. There seems to be a lack of staffing on the DVC site. It seems like no one consistently takes care of it. For awhile, they were posting the VM before it was mailed. Now, it gets posted weeks after most people have already received it. Think about the last Clubhouse, too. It was very late -- they blamed it on having to adapt to new government policies -- and then it had the big mistake in dates for the Member Homecoming.

The member site is always going to be tightly controlled in the information it releases. There have been little updates -- the notice about BWV undergoing maitenance and the pool hopping schedule have appeared. They are not always noticeable because they are just inserted in the middle of all the "old" news. The Carrolton offer has now expired so it'll be interesting to see how long it will take for that to be removed.

I wouldn't say it has gone downhill. It has never been very good. There was a little "flash" of potential that has since died again. Maybe they'll fan the flames and bring it up to it's potential.

The Member Guidebook info is the 2002-2003 edition. However, that is also the last time they did a Member Guidebook. We just got that "Vacation Planner" to carry us through this year. One thing they might want to do is removed George Aguel's letter from the Guidebook since he has moved on to another position at Disney.

 

[jdkdorn]

Last time I logged on to the site I was asked to complete a survey about the site. I let them have it! I think the site is very poor when you compare it to other sites for hotels and corporations. They never update info. They should have pictures of Saratoga Springs and they shoyuld have more of an interactive area for members.

On line booking
room tours
point balances
availability schedules

All this could be done if they took the time to hire a good web designer.

Hopefully they will correct problems soon

 

[jmminarik]

I gave up on the site when the images stopped loading in my browser. The DIS boards have much better information in a more useable format.

-Joe

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by KelNottAt
There's better info on these boards.

Here's hopin' things will improve.
Kelley

They should post a link to here...

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Member site is a joke.......but don't give

out the password.

 

[rocketriter]

I suspect that in the long run it would cost less to create a slam-bang web site that can take reservations and display points records than it takes to communicate that stuff to us through MS. Some bean counter is eventually going to figure that out, especially after SSR brings a zillion new members online and they all try to call MS for the first week in December.

 

[sweetp267]

Ever since they had to start using new guidelines for sending emails I have not gotten any member clubhouse emails. I went to the site and checked my preferences and made sure they had my correct email address and still nothing. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by rocketriter
I suspect that in the long run it would cost less to create a slam-bang web site that can take reservations and display points records than it takes to communicate that stuff to us through MS. Some bean counter is eventually going to figure that out, especially after SSR brings a zillion new members online and they all try to call MS for the first week in December.

At the OKW Annual Meeting the question of online reservations & account maintenance was asked. I don't remember who answered, but the answer was that that funcionality was a long way off... not 2004, probably not 2005, maybe 2006. IMHO the tone was that they are not interested in doing it at all.

The very next questioner complained about too much emphasis on the online stuff because she didn't want it. She thought telephone and snail mail were just fine.

 

[PamOKW]

Sweetp -- Some people have reported that DVC information gets blocked as spam.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by PamOKW
The Carrolton offer has now expired so it'll be interesting to see how long it will take for that to be removed.

Okay, someone is tending the site. The Carrollton offer is gone today.

 

[antnee]

Another reason I sad about my DVC membership, that and the lack of merchandise. I do not feel special that I won a piece fo the magic.

 

[poohj80]

On my most recent calls to MS, I have been randomly selected (every time!) to complete a short survey after my call. One of the questions is how would I prefer to make reservations - phone, fax, email, or online. I completed the survey every time so I could vote for online reservations as many times as possible.

 

[tvwalsh]

I was hoping that the new month of March would bring some new information or at least something new to the member site.

I think I already know, after several months, that Vero is almost sold out!

This is truly Mickey Mouse!

 

[PamOKW]

There are some minor differences in the site -- although nothing earth-shattering. It seems like Visa promos always make it to the site and there's a new one now. Something about Disney Treasure?

 

[JudithM]

After having sat through most of the Disney company annual stockholder's meeting yeterday, I find this thread interesting . At the meeting we heard the words "creativity" & "technology" over & over & over again.