Stupid experiment using online reservation tool

[skylynx]

OK, so, I'm not in a big rush and decide to try out, for the first time, the online reservation request form on the DVC site for a one night AKV stay pre-cruise next February. We just wanted a savannah view studio for one night, with Jambo as first choice and Kidani as second.

I read on the request form instructions that it can take up to three days to get a response but figure that's just padding to cover delays. How could it take THREE DAYS? And again, I'm not in a rush, and don't HAVE to stay at AKV.

Two days later, there's no response about this reservation.

Of course, it is my own fault for going this route when I was warned it could take up to three days. It's evident there is no connection between this reservation request tool and actual inventory, and that some rep will eventually get around to checking on it for me and book if available. So not exactly a technological innovation.

So why on earth, then, would anyone (other than me, doing this in the interest of science) choose this option when you can call MS and get a confirmation on the spot? I did it partly out of curiosity and partly to avoid the tedious conversation where you have to read every bit of your contact details to the MS rep for identification and have it repeated all back to you before you can start talking about your reservation.

I could easily miss out on my first choice since trying to use the available technology just put me at the back of a 3 day queue. I am not complaining, since I knew there was this risk going in, but I just don't understand who this option is an advantage for?

I'm puzzled at what DVC sees as the incentive for using the online reservation request tool, when it takes days longer. Most places want you to use their online tools because they can fulfill simple requests easily, and that keeps you off the phone to a live agent. Here, using it can actually be detriment, since it puts your request days behind those calling the MS number. Most DVC'ers I know do not practice the lackadaisical approach I took to booking this reservation, so I'm just at a loss as to why anyone would use this?

Do I just need more coffee?

 

[dianeschlicht]

You've got me!! I've never figured out why anyone would make an email request when you can talk directly to an agent either. I'm not even sure I want the "real time" online booking either. I just KNOW there is no way Disney IT guys are going to get this to work correctly anyway. That means, I'll probably still be calling MS when everyone else is doing online booking.

 

[Tigger24U]

I have used the email route a couple of times for a couple of different reasons and it worked as well as calling. I used it because I wasn't available to call MS due to work hours. I also used it because I don't always like to talk to people on the phone so I just used the email process. Just because you don't like how something works for you doesn't mean it doesn't work for some.

TTFN

 

[skylynx]

I have used the email route a couple of times for a couple of different reasons and it worked as well as calling. I used it because I wasn't available to call MS due to work hours. I also used it because I don't always like to talk to people on the phone so I just used the email process. Just because you don't like how something works for you doesn't mean it doesn't work for some.

TTFN

That's why I was asking the question. It's what this forum is for.

 

[drusba]

It is essentially a useless system. DVC will "soon" be establishing a true on-line reservation system where you would actually do the reservation and have it confirmed at the same time.

However, what I just said about its coming "soon" is what DVC officials starting saying about 4 years ago. Very often in the area of computer systems and internet DVC says "soon" about making improvements that will finally bring it into the 21st century. However, when it speaks of "soon" it is speaking in terms of comparing the time needed to that of the age of the earth.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It is essentially a useless system. DVC will "soon" be establishing a true on-line reservation system where you would actually do the reservation and have it confirmed at the same time.

However, what I just said about its coming "soon" is what DVC officials starting saying about 4 years ago. Very often in the area of computer systems and internet DVC says "soon" about making improvements that will finally bring it into the 21st century. However, when it speaks of "soon" it is speaking in terms of comparing the time needed to that of the age of the earth.

Yes, and they have the same confusion about "later this year". We heard that comment regarding on line booking more than once at the annual meetings, and the last one i went to was 4 years ago!

 

[smnslc]

I made a request through the email system in January for my Dec 2011 stay 2 weeks after my 11 month window opened at Bay Lake and it only took 24 hrs for DVC to get back to me. I got what I requested.

 

[murcor]

DVC will "soon" be establishing a true on-line reservation system where you would actually do the reservation and have it confirmed at the same time.

That will be nice when it happens

 

[Sammie]

That will be nice when it happens

or our worst nightmare.

 

[RDP]

I used it once and it took the full three days to get a response, wont use it again unless it becomes a live system.

 

[Brandis]

I used the reservation form twice for not so urgent bookings and both times got a responce within 24h. Worked great for me.

 

[robertdangelo]

I'm operations director at an AM/FM News/Talk/Sports station... we don't use voice mail during business hours... only at night and weekends. Our philosophy has been it's better to talk with someone and/or leave a message. Some tried and true methods do work better!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I can see easily why someone would use it and in fact some friends of ours have used it before. If you're trying to book a resort, room and time that there is no doubt you'll be able to get and are very busy, it is very easy to just shoot off the online request and then not have to worry about it. Not sure why this puzzling .

 

[skylynx]

It's puzzling to me because in my experience, DVCers (and especially those who recount their booking endeavors on the DIS) are more likely to be dialing in the second MS opens on the first day they can book a reservation and are rarely unconcerned about where they will spend their vacation.

There's obviously a population who doesn't worry about it. I asked a question, and got some answers. I still think the existing online system is on par with mailing a request in and waiting for someone to get around to looking at yours after filling rooms with folks who call in, and that it would be great to be able to bypass calling MS entirely and do your own real-time, instantly confirmed bookings.

It's now day three since I made my online request, and no sign of a reservation yet.

 

[DMKEDM]

I've used the online reservation request form a number of times. Yes, it does take 2-3 days. But if I'm booking early for a non-busy time of year (e.g., I do a traditional trip over Labor Day, a low-use time) it works great.

It takes much more time to call MS...and you have to have the time during normal working hours. If it's a reservation where availability is unlikely to be a problem, and if I'm not looking for any kind of "special requests," and if I'm not picky about resort choice, it's a good option for me.

I'm glad it's available, for those kinds of situations. Finding time to call MS can be a problem.

I'm among those who dread Disney's online reservation system's arrival. Their internet "presence" is not very good...and it's even harder when you have any kind of "manipulating" to do (i.e., trying to coordinate multiple villas to reserve for one trip, choosing between a wait list or an alternative, accommodating flexibility on dates (i.e., moving a trip up or back in order to get availability)...as time-taking and "painful" as it can be to do this via calling MS, I truly fear having to do it online using Disney's system!

So, it sounds like for you, at least for this trip, online reservation didn't work as well as calling MS would have. But it does work under certain circumstances for some of us. Different strokes for different folks...

 

[skylynx]

So, the reservation came through at the three day mark.

Using the online request tool is not something I'd do again unless I had no other option, but I'm glad to learn others are content with it.

 

[cseca]

I've never used the member email for reservation request. But I've used it for room location request before when I was too lazy to wait on the phone
I agree that I wouldn't use it to make actual reservation though. I'm too impatient for that.

 

[snowbunny]

I have used the email route a couple of times for a couple of different reasons and it worked as well as calling.

I have used it three times with no problems at all including special category booking (ie., boardwalk view).

I also used it because I don't always like to talk to people on the phone

Same! Some people love to call, go through a phone menu, be placed on hold, then talk to a person. I'd rather just fill out the form and if I can avoid having to talk to someone on the phone, that's a bonus!

 

[RDP]

I can see easily why someone would use it and in fact some friends of ours have used it before. If you're trying to book a resort, room and time that there is no doubt you'll be able to get and are very busy, it is very easy to just shoot off the online request and then not have to worry about it. Not sure why this puzzling :confused.

Calling long distance from the UK and having to spell every word of the address, the accent not being understood etc etc ...would love a live reservation system!

 

[MiaSRN62]

For keeping up with current technology, DVC gets a "D". The other factors are lack of wireless and lack of adequate TV channels (but I digress......)

I will never use the online system even if it is off-hours. It's faster to wait till the next day and call. Even waiting to call the day after that is faster !

The only thing I have used the online tool for is to make a special request on an existing reservation that I forgot to mention on the phone. Otherwise, it's unacceptable way to make reservations or check availability for me.