Resort Availability on DVC.com...when?

[eporter66]

Does it seem reasonable that at some point in the future dvc.com would have the capability to allow you to make a reservation AND be able to see what the availability is?

Nothing against member svcs, but it seems that the technology is available at this point. Right now if you make an online ressie, I think you have to wait a few days(?) for dvc to confirm?

Seems like this would be a great member perk

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Just being able to see availability based on yesterdays numbers would be great. It would let members tailor their requests into timeframes that are more likely to get satisfied.

 

[icydog]

Does it seem reasonable that at some point in the future dvc.com would have the capability to allow you to make a reservation AND be able to see what the availability is?

Nothing against member svcs, but it seems that the technology is available at this point. Right now if you make an online ressie, I think you have to wait a few days(?) for dvc to confirm?

Seems like this would be a great member perk

Every time I take a member survey on the phone I always say I want to make my reservations on line. So far it hasn't meant a thing.

 

[Pennyguy23]

I do understand were you are coming from. It would be alot easier and might even free up some dues. But I somewhat like having to call because if and when busy times come around it will probably Jam the computer system. Kind of like ticketmaster when people are trying to buy World Series Tickets. And some who just tries once can get luck and get what you want even though you have been trying for 10 minutes already. Atleast this way you are inline at a first come first serve basis. Even if it take 15 20 Minutes to talk to someone. I know sometimes you get the busy signal but I still think its better. Could you imagine the day AKV opened up. The computer would have been jammed for HOURS. Unlike the phones for about 1/2 hour(some got right through) JMO

 

[CarolMN]

Does it seem reasonable that at some point in the future dvc.com would have the capability to allow you to make a reservation AND be able to see what the availability is?

Nothing against member svcs, but it seems that the technology is available at this point. Right now if you make an online ressie, I think you have to wait a few days(?) for dvc to confirm?

Seems like this would be a great member perk

You cannot actually make an online reservation for points. All you are doing is sending an email request. MS works those email reservation requests as they have time - if you want something that is in high demand or in short supply, it's much better to call.

I do not think we will ever see the ability to make reservations online. Based on the recent "simplification" of banking rules and fee structure that DVC felt necessary to implement, I can't imagine they would ever think the average member could cope with the complexities of online reservations. (Actually, I tend to agree).

I'd love to see availability online, though. It needn't be dynamic - just a snapshot of how things looked at close of business each day. That shouldn't be too difficult and would assist members with their planning. It could even decrease the number of calls to Member Services.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't know if I'm old fashioned or just strange, but I still like talking to MS to make a reservation, so I always vote "no" when they ask about on-line reservations.

 

[eporter66]

I'd love to see availability online, though. It needn't be dynamic - just a snapshot of how things looked at close of business each day. That shouldn't be too difficult and would assist members with their planning. It could even decrease the number of calls to Member Services.

This would be perfect. I dont mind calling member services, but this would help members a lot

 

[teras75]

I would LOVE online ressies! Nothing against talking to MS, but their hours aren't the most convenient! I work the same hours they do, so I have to do it on my short lunch break. I know they are open later one day a week, but I tend to be a bit impulsive, and when I want a ressie, I want it now!

 

[DebbieB]

Every time I take a member survey on the phone I always say I want to make my reservations on line. So far it hasn't meant a thing.

I don't think it's that easy. It would be complex programming, considering there's banking and borrowing and many people have multiple contracts. But it would have to be simple enough for the members to use without making mistakes involving which points to use. How many posts do you see where members think they have to borrow points based on the date they make the reservation, not the date of stay. Plus the programming would cost money, who would pay that? It would probably come out of dues.

 

[Granny]

I don't think it's that easy. It would be complex programming, considering there's banking and borrowing and many people have multiple contracts. But it would have to be simple enough for the members to use without making mistakes involving which points to use. How many posts do you see where members think they have to borrow points based on the date they make the reservation, not the date of stay. Plus the programming would cost money, who would pay that? It would probably come out of dues.

I agree with Debbie. Caskbill has provided an excellent response to this topic, which comes up quite often here. He explains the various intricacies of the programming requirements. Unfortunately, I don't have that thread bookmarked on this computer.

The programming is just one hurdle, though a huge one.

More important to me would be things like what are the new rules of booking?

Can I book a room right at midnight under an on-line booking capability? Would I have to wait up until then to make my reservations during challenging booking times?

Will the system "hold" my reservation at the 7 month window while I go and cancel my previous reservation at my home resort? If so, for how long?


What if I have a slow connection and can't book as quickly as those with broadband? Or if I don't have access to the internet, I end up giving everyone else a 9 hour headstart on booking that day?


Personally, I am NOT in favor of on-line booking until they can ensure that it is fair. Right now, I'm not sure I've heard a scenario that would make it fair for everyone.


What I do think is feasible, and appropriate, is a snapshot of availability taken during the off hours each night and made available on line. It would obviously change throughout the day, but at least it could provide some information about general availability.

On line booking? Here's a vote for no, unless they can make it fair.

 

[tjkraz]

Upon asking a Member Services CM what she thought of on-line reservations, the response received was that it would be a nightmare. That's based upon first-hand experience dealing with the types of scenarios members throw at them on a daily basis, as well as the reality of the computer system they are dealing with.

Granted, a MS CM has every reason to want to continue performing those functions, but I'm still willing to take the answer at face value.

The convenient response is to tell DVC to throw a pile of money at the problem and get it worked out somehow. Probably not the most pratical response, though.

I agree with the others...I think it would be a tremendous step forward just to be able to plug in dates, resort and room class and receive a "yes" or "no" response on-line indicating whether anything is available. That will allow for a lot of late night / weekend strategizing before placing that call to MS.

 

[rsinj]

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[bobbiwoz]

I think there are people with more computer knowledge who would take advantage of on line booking. I am not in favor of it. Granny mentioned the one minute after midnight scenerio. Would all GV's for instance be gone by the time a person awoke? Midnight in what time zone?

Bobbi

 

[rsinj]

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[Granny]

I found the post by Caskbill explaining some of the intricacies of programming on-line reservations. Please check Caskbill's Post to see some of the issues.

As mentioned, I'm not in favor of on-line reservations at this point. I'm not convinced that a commercial renter couldn't use a savvy program go out and start making multiple auto-reservations during key holiday times.

The convenient response is to tell DVC to throw a pile of money at the problem and get it worked out somehow. Probably not the most pratical response, though.

The bottom line is if they wanted to provide for member on-line booking they could/would do it. The "intricacies" of programming is a non-issue. You throw a little money at the problem, 3 to 6 months, send your requirements to India or Russia, and at the end you have a system. We do this all the time and so do most corporations in the US (Disney as well).

I have no doubt that the programming could be done. I'm not sure it would be a good use of Disney's, or eventually our, resources.

 

[Granny]

I personally don't think that is an issue. In Granny's example, is it any different than dialing member services 30 minutes before they open, waiting on hold to be the first to get through?

I don't believe that would work. If you call MS too early, you can't even get into MS and get a message about their operating hours. You can't get on hold and wait as you suggest.

You are talking about a very small number of people to begin with, and an even smaller number who would be effected by your scenario.

Right now it's fair. What might be a small number would eventually grow, I'm sure. Even if a system is built where only a relative few can exploit it, why build it?

 

[CarolA]

You would THINK the technology is available, but Disney seems behind. Have you ever tried to make a reservation on their website????? They can't even do that right so I have no faith in their ablity to do this! LOL!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Of course, I would adjust. I prefer a personal DVC,and booking on line doesn't "Do it" for me. I vote for telephone reservations every time I am asked to do the survey.

Yes, to seeing availability on line, if they could do that.

Bobbi

 

[rsinj]

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[salmoneous]

The "intricacies" of programming is a non-issue. You throw a little money at the problem, 3 to 6 months, send your requirements to India or Russia, and at the end you have a system.

There may be companies out there that can handle things this easily. I've never seen or worked with one, but I guess they might exist.

However, we know that Disney is not one of those companies. For whatever reason, Disney's customer websites are horrendous. They can't do restaurant reservations on line. Their hotel room reservations are a nightmare to navigate and not all that accurate. On the DIS Resorts board you will see people told time and again to not trust what the see online; call and ask if the website says things are sold out.

I would be in favor of DVC coming up with a great online information and reservation system. I'm not in favor of having the folks in charge of Disney's other systems putting something online for DVC.