online reservations - a bit of a pain

[ILoveMyDVC]

Who wants to be the person that calls Member Services everyday? Sorry that I did not have all of my guests and flight schedules confirmed when I booked the room online but who does? Now I am living the dream of trying to have guests added and schedule Magical express.

I called MS a few days ago to add a set of guests. I said Kerri they heard Terri. I sent an email from the DVC website to straighten it out. It said the email was delivered but then it left them open on the screen. No reply yet.

Not really a big deal until you try to use email to add them to DME. A day later I receive a rejection notice that they cannot book the ME for Kerri "Unique last name" and Andrew (same unique last name) Because they only have a Terri and Drew (with the same unique last name) on the reservation. I have replied to this email and will wait at least another day for it the be fixed - maybe

I've already changed our Magic Bands (or whatever they are called - 5 or 6 times because WDW keeps changing them to other names and colors).

I made the correction to the MDE.

Cannot use my Windows phone because there is no app and it does not work in the Explorer browser - odd as it should work in Internet Explorer regardless of what is running it so I must be home at a PC

The reservation is split because we are on waitlists so every change requires multiple reservation numbers.

The FP+ is a nightmare - crashes constantly.

Tried to book a dining reservation - clicked on the time window (default was breakfast) and the entire screen jumped making the time field inaccessible EVERY TIME.

Perhaps in the future we can dream of a system that lets us add guests' names and make changes to their names without 3 days emails and telephone calls.

If we are really good, they could figure out a way to let us book DME without having to type the same information 2-4 times on the same form.

I'd be willing to trade the exorbitant 10% restaurant discount for something reasonable like 8% if it would pay for a functional system.

It's doesn't bode well for smooth sailing in a few weeks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When we had a GV, we originally booked it with just the three of us. When I got all our guests confirmed, I sent an e-mail to MS with names, addresses, ages, etc of each of the kids. They sent back an email with the names confirmed. When I want to add a request or change a guest on the reservation, I just email them. I've had good luck with emailing changes or additions.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

When we had a GV, we originally booked it with just the three of us. When I got all our guests confirmed, I sent an e-mail to MS with names, addresses, ages, etc of each of the kids. They sent back an email with the names confirmed. When I want to add a request or change a guest on the reservation, I just email them. I've had good luck with emailing changes or additions.

Thank you.
Trying - a bit anxious because of the new icky FP+ system. We are leaving in < 30 days with 3 newbies joining us that day. I want them to see as much as possible.

If the newbies aren't impressed, the world will run out of people willing to buy my DVC resale someday, on the other hand, maybe Disney would have to get its act together regarding attractions, cost and enhancements.

 

[disneynutz]

After dealing with DVC and MS for years here is my path to happiness.

Do online check in, if there is a mistake, you made it.

Add/change names and requests using the contact form on the member website, that way you have a record of your transaction.

Use the website to order DME, again you get a record response. I always call DME 30 days prior to our vacation to re-verify the reservation.

Buy where you love to stay, book at 11 months and don't do waitlists.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

You need to get all of the guest names correct. Either call MS and patiently walk through it or send the email and wait for reply.

DME, MDE, MagicBands, FP+....everything else is dependent upon the names listed on your reservation. It's not even worth trying to set-up those other options until your travel party is properly configured.

Good luck.

 

[drusba]

Ten years ago, it was real torture. I had to call, God forbid, MS to make a resort reservation and on average it took an excruciating two to three minutes to complete the process. They started asking for the names of all the guests and if they got the names wrong, it did not make a difference because names were not added to room key cards until you arrived and checked in. Also torture was making dining reservations since it often took almost three to five long minutes on the phone to make 7 dinner reservations.

Today, with computers, online reservations, MyDisneyExperience, and other fantastic improvements, it now takes me only 15 to 20 minutes to make a room reservation online and if I have to change anything, I can easily do it in a ten minute phone call preceded by a 20 minute wait listening to wonderful music. Making seven dining reservations online is a snap with the range of time needed to do so being only between one hour and three days depending on whether and how often the system crashes while doing so. Moreover, now with FP+, I get to memorize my 12 digit ticket numbers or ticket receipt numbers so I can insert them when needed and I get to spend many hours, days and even weeks planning out each park we will go to each day, the time of day we will be there, and exact time of day we will ride key rides. Moreover, while doing FP+.online the system never crashes more than three times per session. I look back and realize that my Disney trips from ten years ago were just pure hell with regular FP and the inability to spend all those countless hours preparing. Finally, when I get to Disney I get the pleasure of meeting hundreds of other guests who have had the same new and wonderful experiences as me, which I learn about while waiting in line with them for 45 minutes or more at Guest Services at the parks because our magic bands are not working right.

 

[Sur]

Wow, I'm glad my experience has been nothing like that!'it doesn't sound good at all!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Sorry you are having such a hard time, I agree with others this has not been my experience. Usually if there is an issue I call and it is taken care of.

Good Luck!

.

 

[CarolMN]

After dealing with DVC and MS for years here is my path to happiness.

Do online check in, if there is a mistake, you made it.

Add/change names and requests using the contact form on the member website, that way you have a record of your transaction.

Use the website to order DME, again you get a record response. I always call DME 30 days prior to our vacation to re-verify the reservation.

Buy where you love to stay, book at 11 months and don't do waitlists.

Bill

Using email for non-urgent requests has worked for us as well and I agree about online check-in, website ME reservations and based on our recent experience, I now agree about using waitlists, too.

The only stressful issues I had for this last trip (including making and using FP+) happened during the waitlist process. When our waitlist came through, MS made several assumptions and mistakes. (I did not want/ask them to cancel any nights at BWV when BLT came through, but the CM did anyway, in spite of how I set up the waitlist). Fortunately, I was able to get it all worked out - via email. I "over explained" and made it as clear as I could on how I wanted to end up. Once MS fixed the reservations, MDE worked perfectly. (Fortunately, the mistakes the CM made did not result in the loss of any nights at the BWV).

The trip ended up to be 2 nights at BLT and 5 nights at BWV (our home). In the future, I think I will stay "home" if I have to waitlist to stay elsewhere. As nice as it was to walk to and from the MK, it wasn't worth the time and effort to deal with the waitlist/MDE/MB issues.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Ten years ago, it was real torture. I had to call, God forbid, MS to make a resort reservation and on average it took an excruciating two to three minutes to complete the process. They started asking for the names of all the guests and if they got the names wrong, it did not make a difference because names were not added to room key cards until you arrived and checked in. Also torture was making dining reservations since it often took almost three to five long minutes on the phone to make 7 dinner reservations.

Today, with computers, online reservations, MyDisneyExperience, and other fantastic improvements, it now takes me only 15 to 20 minutes to make a room reservation online and if I have to change anything, I can easily do it in a ten minute phone call preceded by a 20 minute wait listening to wonderful music. Making seven dining reservations online is a snap with the range of time needed to do so being only between one hour and three days depending on whether and how often the system crashes while doing so. Moreover, now with FP+, I get to memorize my 12 digit ticket numbers or ticket receipt numbers so I can insert them when needed and I get to spend many hours, days and even weeks planning out each park we will go to each day, the time of day we will be there, and exact time of day we will ride key rides. Moreover, while doing FP+.online the system never crashes more than three times per session. I look back and realize that my Disney trips from ten years ago were just pure hell with regular FP and the inability to spend all those countless hours preparing. Finally, when I get to Disney I get the pleasure of meeting hundreds of other guests who have had the same new and wonderful experiences as me, which I learn about while waiting in line with them for 45 minutes or more at Guest Services at the parks because our magic bands are not working right.

Love it - thank you

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

After dealing with DVC and MS for years here is my path to happiness.

Do online check in, if there is a mistake, you made it.

Add/change names and requests using the contact form on the member website, that way you have a record of your transaction.

Use the website to order DME, again you get a record response. I always call DME 30 days prior to our vacation to re-verify the reservation.

Buy where you love to stay, book at 11 months and don't do waitlists.

Bill

Wishing there was a Zen Smilie to add here.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Ten years ago, it was real torture. I had to call, God forbid, MS to make a resort reservation and on average it took an excruciating two to three minutes to complete the process. They started asking for the names of all the guests and if they got the names wrong, it did not make a difference because names were not added to room key cards until you arrived and checked in. Also torture was making dining reservations since it often took almost three to five long minutes on the phone to make 7 dinner reservations.

Today, with computers, online reservations, MyDisneyExperience, and other fantastic improvements, it now takes me only 15 to 20 minutes to make a room reservation online and if I have to change anything, I can easily do it in a ten minute phone call preceded by a 20 minute wait listening to wonderful music. Making seven dining reservations online is a snap with the range of time needed to do so being only between one hour and three days depending on whether and how often the system crashes while doing so. Moreover, now with FP+, I get to memorize my 12 digit ticket numbers or ticket receipt numbers so I can insert them when needed and I get to spend many hours, days and even weeks planning out each park we will go to each day, the time of day we will be there, and exact time of day we will ride key rides. Moreover, while doing FP+.online the system never crashes more than three times per session. I look back and realize that my Disney trips from ten years ago were just pure hell with regular FP and the inability to spend all those countless hours preparing. Finally, when I get to Disney I get the pleasure of meeting hundreds of other guests who have had the same new and wonderful experiences as me, which I learn about while waiting in line with them for 45 minutes or more at Guest Services at the parks because our magic bands are not working right.

And 20 years ago,
Back in the days of yore, I remember when Disney *courted* us and gave us free passes to the parks (= to half the number of occupants) for every trip. We were important to them and they loved us

 

[Jennyvelaz]

I agree with the pain of it all! I was excited to use bands but when you have a last minute trip with a wait list it is a problem.
I cannot plan that far ahead with airfare for five so I go when it is on sale. I have been burned this time with waitlist for "near hospitality does not include the rest of the resort." We'll I wish someone would have said that. I am only waiting for one night which most likely would've come through since October. I do not necessarily need to be by Hospitality house because I love everything about OKW. I just chose it because it was the same amount of points when I made the reservation online. Now I feel like I'm treading water without an evening stay,(mid trip )but yeah I have linked ressies, FP+, and ADRs. Just laugh when we are sleeping in our rental car.
Our DVC sign in did not mesh with our old MDE and created multiple bands and neither talked your PHs. I understand new glitches and I am patient but did I miss something to DVC to explain how it was going to effect our system of planning? They spend awful amounts with shipping elaborate invitations but left out informing members important glitches. I am not even going to pay a cash night because the past three trips were scarred with checkout/checkin mouse keeping, etc. If I waitlist a OKW non hospitality room for one night we'd still have to move. We tried to entertain people with different names. I feel your pain. They also worked in Hospitality and we were embarrassed multiple times.
Maybe our bands will guide us through....