Online availabilty and Reservations

[jshuff1]

Does anyone know if they started the online availabilty yet?

 

[DebbieB]

Does anyone know if they started the online availabilty yet?

No. Don't hold your breath, the recent issues with segmentation shows the system is a disaster.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

No. Don't hold your breath, the recent issues with segmentation shows the system is a disaster.

Do you mean with the resale changes? I didn't realize Dis was having trouble with their systems over this. Please do tell!

 

[Lynne M]

They've been telling us that online reservations are coming 'soon' for many years now. I've given up hope that they'll ever do it. Disney's IT is an embarrassment, and i say that as an IT professional.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you mean with the resale changes? I didn't realize Dis was having trouble with their systems over this. Please do tell!

No, not the resale changes. There was a system change about a year ago and DVC has had problems with it. They were allowing members to split up their reservations so that you could have the dining plan for part of your stay or switch plans during your stay. Problems came up where people's keys didn't work, credits were not on the keys properly, people were spending alot of time at the front desk. Finally DVC ended it. I don't think this system is ready to be put in the hands of members.

 

[Lynne M]

Do you mean with the resale changes? I didn't realize Dis was having trouble with their systems over this. Please do tell!

Nope, nothing to do with resale. They tried allowing members to segment their reservations so they could get the DDP for part of their stay. That didn't last long.

I don't think that was an IT issue. I think they just didn't want to do it, and used the software as an excuse.

 

[DebbieB]

Nope, nothing to do with resale. They tried allowing members to segment their reservations so they could get the DDP for part of their stay. That didn't last long.

I don't think that was an IT issue. I think they just didn't want to do it, and used the software as an excuse.

I think it was some of both. The stories of members going back to the front desk numerous times because of issues with keys was part of it.

 

[Disbroads]

They've been telling us that online reservations are coming 'soon' for many years now. I've given up hope that they'll ever do it. Disney's IT is an embarrassment, and i say that as an IT professional.

As an IT professional, would you recommend investing our dues money in a web application to front end a core system being replaced?
They replaced their entire reservation system and front desk system a year ago. Who knows how long it took to build or buy that and install it. Who also knows how long the replacement was on the horizon.
The mistake was to tell us "coming soon" with all that going on.

I recall some posts out here about a year ago about some usability testing (Dallas maybe?). They reported seeing some sort of prototype, which tells me they were actively working on it.

As simple as a typical reservation system is, for us it's not. Points and all the rules about when and how to use them? If they pull that off, I'll be impressed.

My main concern is this... With however many hundred CMs grabbing rooms for us, that puts a certain load on the system. What about 10,000 members at the same time? Will people "wanting to try it" make rooms unavailable for those wanting to make an important reservation?

We'll see. I'd expect some issues when it first comes online. Isn't there always?

 

[howardlee2]

online reservations would make life a whole lot easier in checking availability instead of going through the member services queue each time!

 

[disneynutz]

As far as DVC software goes, Disney tries to do it on the cheap. Most of the changes are products made for Disney and they try to use it for the DVC even though it isn't 100%.

Online check in and the ability to display reservations that are segmented don't work well because they we not made for DVC.

It's a cost benefit issue, what will it cost and how will it save money. If the software and the cost to maintain it is more than the cost of the present process then it will never change. Besides if members make their own reservations, that means less MS CM's and the DVC built that big new building for them in Celebration a couple of years ago.

Bill

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Does anyone know if they started the online availabilty yet?

No. Don't hold your breath, the recent issues with segmentation shows the system is a disaster.

You folks amaze me... We really want Disney to do "online reservations" REALLY!

Just try to make a hotel reservation on thier website and see what you think! Watch Tink FLY and FLY and FLY and then..... even though you asked for a Pop Century, it gives you Grand Floridian and makes you start all over again to get All Stars which had rooms!

Sorry, but there's no way I believe Disney bought that system from someone else. I make lots and lots of hotel reservations! Never seen that useless system anyplace else! Anyone else would be to put that out there for thier guests!