New website is a waste

[SlyHubby]

What did I say last night?

So, what exactly is it that you need a personal login for? Some silly online games where they can keep track of high scores based on your login? Or so they can provide some wizbang (sarcasm intended) form where you can send some email to member services and because you logged in with your personal id, it will automatically include your name on it?

Major, major let down. What a waste of whatever resources (translation - our dues paid for it) were expended.

 

[disfountainofyouth]

I used my ID and PIN and my DW info came up. Tried to register DW
ID and PIN thinking that my info attached and it want take. Go figure.

Am I the only one to experience this?

 

[mouseclick1]

I was able to log in this afternoon. Completed the registrattion form and everything. Now I can't log in. The site wants me to complete the registration form once again. I tried, but now it says my DVC # is invalid.

 

[lenshanem]

disfountainofyouth,
I had the same problem. We already had a Disney username established and it would only let me use hubby's name. When I tried to add myself it would only come up with his info. I guess it doesn't matter...

 

[DVCDAVE]

tried to log in, but it says the username is already used !!!! I am becoming covinced that Disney has lost all Magic under Ei$ner. They cant do anything right anymore !!!

 

[Rence]

This is just the first step. The announcement of the new web site indicated that they were moving to personal logins but would not have any personal content ... YET


This is a major project and it is far better to move in phases. Look at the issues that they are having just with this first phase. How much worse would it be if folks found incorrect point balances or tried to make a reservation and the reservation got lost.

Doing it one step at a time will allow them to work out the kinds a bit at a time. They also can allow small groups to beta test new features now that they have personal logins. Its going to take a while but I think the best is yet to come.

 

[disneydom]

I REGISTERD OR I SHOULD SAY MADE MANY ATTEPTS AND FINALY GOT IN. THE SITE IS NEW AND STILL NEEDS SOME WORK WELL LOTS OF WORK , GIVE IT SOME TIME GUYS

 

[rocketriter]

The log-in database is shakey and today's load has crashed its server several times. This is not unusual during a roll-out, when more people swarm a website during the first few days than can possibly be load-tested in advance.

I've worked on projects like this. I can tell you that if one of my project managers proposed to roll out a website for thousands of users that offered a full set of lookup and reservations services on the first day, I'd make sure there was a crater where that bozo's desk was.

You get a site like this up and running very carefully, in stages, because going too fast risks corrupting your central database and screwing up the records of thousands of people.

You can be sure that Disney has carefully calculated exactly how many DVC members it takes to make running services like points management and reservations on the web more profitable than through Member Services. From the clues we've seen, it looks like that tipping point will occur about a year and a half from now at the current rate of SSR sales. As we approach that date, more online services (which are certainly already scoped and probably partly programmed by now) will "wake up."

Remember that the "new" WDW web site wasn't new at all. It was just a redressed cover for the old online reservation system and database, with a few new features thrown in. The DVC system works entirely differently and is being custom-built from scratch. There's people staying up all night right now making the log-in system bullet proof based on what they've learned through the day today. The same process will be necessary, step-by-step, as the system grows more robust. And it will. People complained that the old website would never change. But it did. Now they're acting as if it will never have all the features they'd like. But it will.

 

[nhwanderer]

I agree with Rence The structure is very nice, it's easy to navigate around in, it's really consistent, and you can get help pretty easily (Guest Services). They will be able to add new stuff quite easily without disrupting anything. This is a huge set of web pages; I think they've done a very good first cut!

On the downside for me, I am having trouble looking at the SSR virtual tour. Their error page says I need Flash MX, but when I go to their download page, it says I need Quick Time. I've downloaded them both from the Disney page, to no avail. Will work it out somehow...another day

nhw

 

[jarestel]

Bart - Are we there yet?
Homer - No!
Bart - Are we there yet?
Homer - No!
Bart - Are we there yet?
Homer - No!

Patience... the web site will come into its own. We're just not there yet.

 

[timC]

Boy this is starting to feel like a debate topic, but anyway...

They did approximately what they said they would do. Adding the personal secure log-in was a big effort. The communications plan alone probably cost a bundle, high quality flyers... first rate. But of course, we would not expect anything less from Disney.

Projects like these are very very expensive. I know we want it all, but at the same time, I'm not sure our dues are funding the IT operations adequately. Given the pace of development of the site, I can only conclude they lack the resources. With proper funding, I'm sure we'd have had on-line tools long ago.

 

[antnee]

Originally posted by rocketriter
The log-in database is shakey and today's load has crashed its server several times. This is not unusual during a roll-out, when more people swarm a website during the first few days than can possibly be load-tested in advance.

as a Programmer/Developer I have to agree with you rocketriter, anytime new technology the first few months are horrible. Working out all the bugs and stuff just wait till the next release from Microsoft and notice the first 6 months things are very buggy and then a service pack needs to be installed.

I am curious if Disney did this change in house or outsourced it?

 

[erikthewise]

The web site explicitly says they will begin offering some online services in "late 2004".

 

[Kewz1]

Originally posted by DVCDAVE
tried to log in, but it says the username is already used !!!! I am becoming covinced that Disney has lost all Magic under Ei$ner. They cant do anything right anymore !!!

I had the same experience. Very frustrating. Of course, DH had no problem getting in the site.

Kristen

 

[WolfpackFan]

Please excuse this if it is a stupid question - but are the virtual tours new? I don't remember them on the old website, but I could have missed them. They are really neat. It's a great way to show friends and relatives what your new "home" is really like. I especially love the one for VWL. It makes me want to go back really bad.

 

[dianeschlicht]

People complained that the old website would never change. But it did. Now they're acting as if it will never have all the features they'd like. But it will.

I SO agree!

Wolfpack, the tours are not new. They were on the old site. I just wish they were a bit more accurate. The OKW one has a picture of two folks rocking on a porch. That is NOT at OKW!

 

[MarkRG]

I would have to say sofar what's there is an improvment over what was. If nothing else the information on the site is organized better.

And from someone who builds, you NEVER update the entire thing at once. Take it one step at a time and make sure everything is working before doing more new things.

How would any of you like it if they had rolled out online booking and a problem with the security of the login came along after? Say, someone else could book your points? I certainly wouldn't.

Kudos to the work in progress

 

[JUDSON]

I also have worked in software development, the problems experienced so far are nothing out of the ordinary for a next-gen website enhancement.

Keep in mind... had they given this website NASA style QA treatment before being released, we'd be paying through the nose for it. For this reason, I don't mind being their guinea pig. I'd be very surprised if things did not improve in the very near future.