Official WDW site

[sleepyone]

Does anyone else think the official WDW site is worthless (unless maybe you're booking online)? I mean, I can find more pictures and more information about WDW parks, restaurants, and resorts on this site than the official one. I think they should just have a huge link to this site on theirs. I love taking the online survey and telling them how bad their site is in comparison to this one.

 

[Disney Ella]

It definitely could be better. I know that whenever we are considering where to stay, I always end up showing DH info on resorts from other sites because they have more photos and real information.

 

[diznygirl]

It has a lot of bells and whistles - nice music and pretty pictures that take FOREVER to load - but it's sooooo hard trying to find any information on their site.

 

[jennyl772003]

UGH! It is terrible. It is hard to find the info you are looking for, and when you do find it, it tells you NOTHING!

 

[bicker]

We've got to remember that the purpose of the web site is to sell services, not placate our thirst for information, and while it doesn't satisfy the few true Disney fans like us DIS members, that flashy web site is just the eye candy today's purchase-influencers want.

 

[SeeDisney]

Hey, I remember saying that too, when we were planning on going to Disney World. I thought this website nad the laughing place and Deb's website was much much more informative.

I thought I was the only one!

 

[boomhauer]

We've got to remember that the purpose of the web site is to sell services, not placate our thirst for information, and while it doesn't satisfy the few true Disney fans like us DIS members, that flashy web site is just the eye candy today's purchase-influencers want.

I completely agree with the first part, but completely disagree with the second part.

I hear from people in my office that aren't very faimilar with Disney World quite often how bad they think their website is. Then, they come to me looking for help. They say it's slow, not at all descriptive of the rides and attractions, very difficult to navigate and difficult to understand.

 

[bicker]

We must hang with different folks. Many of the folks in my office come to understand their requirement to visit Walt Disney World as relayed to them by their children, who love the Disney web site just the way it is.

 

[boomhauer]

Personally, I like it. It gives me the info I need.

However, I can see it as being cumbersome for someone who isn't very familiar with Disney World.

For example - The calendar for each park lisst Extra Magic Hours, but doesn't say whether it's AM or PM. You have to go to a seperate page for that.

I think the biggest point showing that the website isn't as good as it could be is in the sheer number of questions that are asked on this board. Take a look at the FAQ's on a page like Allears or the main DIS board, then compare those with the official website's FAQ page.

 

[bicker]

I think the biggest point showing that the website isn't as good as it could be is in the sheer number of questions that are asked on this board.

Well, we have to be careful about that. Lots -- perhaps MOST -- of the information shared on this board is information Disney would either rather not be shared, or would be well-advised to leave to unofficial information sources. People tend to interpret anything they read on the company's official website as an iron-clad guarantee, despite their disclaimers. In many cases, the less said, the better, especially in this day-and-age of near-perfect information.

 

[boomhauer]

Well, we have to be careful about that. Lots -- perhaps MOST -- of the information shared on this board is information Disney would either rather not be shared, or would be well-advised to leave to unofficial information sources. People tend to interpret anything they read on the company's official website as an iron-clad guarantee, despite their disclaimers. In many cases, the less said, the better, especially in this day-and-age of near-perfect information.

Oh, absolutely.

Do you think Disney has ever tried to shut the DIS down? I mean, think of the amount of phone calls they get thanks to it! Personally, I think this site is the best thing that ever happened to the guests of Disney. Clearly, it's not seen to Disney that way.

 

[bicker]

Pete took effective measures several years ago to avoid any leverage Disney would have to shut him down. (The URL used to be www.disneyinfo.com.) Beyond that, there is nothing Disney can do. Everything here is well-within the parameters of Fair Use.

 

[cardaway]

I tend to believe the lack of information and difficulty in getting deeper information is inentional. The site (when it is working) is quite good at showing the basics and getting you to the parts that allow you to spend money.

I think their feeling is that the people who want more will be able to find it. The official site is to grab those who want just the basics. Same people who will go for the deal they have at the site rather than look for other codes and rates.