Some thoughts about the buggy reservation system

[nyz2004]

As a former software developer, I can tell you this sysetm is full of glitch.

1) Error code. you have been idle for a while.
This is a pain after you filled out the forms, hit the submit button and tada, error code. I had it this morning. and I was so angry after trying for months to get the perfect time. I went back to check availabilty again, nothing. An hour later, it came back(after persistent trying). So now I am sure this system holds a reservation for somebody for an hour after your fill out the form. an hour later, it recycles back to the system.

How to avoid error code. Don't start from "Sorry...Change search options page "(your last search page) after been idle for a while. That's what happened to me, I used last night's "sorry" page. Should go to main reservation page to search. That way you won't get "you've been idle for a while, for security reason....." error message.

someone suggested if you get error code, hit back button and it will work. try it first, if not, then wait an exact hour.

2) After you submit request, the castle page stucks there, no confirmation email.
Don't worry, 100% time the reservation is in the system. Check your "my reservation" page. Open an disney web account. that's very important. Otherwise you lose your reservation. If you do lose, call disney and let them find using your phone number.

3) Big black release. We have seen coral reef and Le cellier big block release recently. Yes, you have been trying for months everyday, and suddenly it comes out, why? That's not system glitch. I'm pretty sure Disney holds reservations for their purpose. And who knows why? That's something you can't fight with, just keep trying and wasting your time.

4) Persistency is the key. Maybe oneday you'll hit jackpot.
I joked with my hubby what if Bill Gates wants to eat at disney restaurants, does he have to search everyday? What a waste of time and test of your persistence.

5) Cancel your reservation and post it on this board saves everybody's time.

6) your reservation is cancelled by the system. Don't know why. Has anybody figured out why?

 

[imLissy]

I will not complain about disney's site 'cause I think it works great compared to other companies *cough* cablevision *cough*
I didn't have any problems with their site and I got all the resies I wanted and some I never expected to get.

 

[Cafeen]

Don't get me started .

There is a lot of poor coding done on the site, as well as an abuse of Flash (or Flash-like technology). I mean, should a user REALLY get a loading popup every time they click a link? heh. There are also lots of back-end issues that appear from time to time (190 day glitch, the CRT/Dinner show with dining plan issues, the "odd number" issues, the "I see the reservation but it errors out when I select it...", and so on).

The site has just been around too long and they're trying (my guess) to integrate too many systems that were done differently. It's getting time for a total re-archetecting (erm. that's not a word, but you get the idea) of the site. Unfortunately, from a Project Management perspective, this isn't likely to happen as redevelopment of old stuff isn't what drives the money. Why fix it when it's only kind of broken .

 

[2Tiggies]

Don't get me started .

Why fix it when it's only kind of broken .

So can't they kind of fix it?

 

[Tricia1972]

I do have a theory on number 6. I've not heard of any cases where a person who solely worked with reservations online had a reservation canceled by the "system". The only time that "system" cancellations seem to occur is when the person with the canceled reservation talks to a Dining Reservation agent.

This makes me think that "system" cancellations have more to do with human error than computer error.

(I do agree with your other points - especially the Bill Gates comment. VIPs never have to worry about this, Disney always holds something back or makes something work for these guys. This has been confirmed many times over by Rusty who used to work with this system)

 

[Cafeen]

So can't they kind of fix it?

If they're anything like the developers I work with, they "fix" 1 thing and break 12... (It's been a rough summer in QA )

I do have a theory on number 6. I've not heard of any cases where a person who solely worked with reservations online had a reservation canceled by the "system". The only time that "system" cancellations seem to occur is when the person with the canceled reservation talks to a Dining Reservation agent.

This makes me think that "system" cancellations have more to do with human error than computer error.

(I do agree with your other points - especially the Bill Gates comment. VIPs never have to worry about this, Disney always holds something back or makes something work for these guys. This has been confirmed many times over by Rusty who used to work with this system)

Along these lines, there was a thread just the other day about someone's cancellations not showing properly in the system. The supervisor's system showed her as having 11 different reservations for CM on one day and none of the cancellations that they had done. That may be a part of the issue as well, especially with the ones here that do a lot of tweaking.