Testing On-Line Reservations for DVC Website

[Sammie]

I have to agree with CarolMN, there seems to be just too many variables for it to work, other than to check for available inventory which would probably cut down some calls to MS.

Also have to wonder how this would affect wait list.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm just wondering if anyone thinks that once they implement an online reservation system for booking rooms that they then might start charging you a fee for using Member Services to make your reservation by phone. Believe me, I hope that doesn't happen.

But is that even a possibility?

Not a chance. Even with all the computers around, there are still people without the internet. Then there are those who don't trust the technology.

They can cut the man hours on the MS desks, which is what this is about, but they'll never be able to do away with or charge for the phone lines all together. After all, who are we going to talk to in order to help fix it after we mess up our points? (not that I plan on doing so!)

 

[pixierella]

Yes I have one: How to get real room requests or the text box to work correctly on the online checkin screen.

Also how can we gauge the level of rooms left at any one time, I know that is pushing it.

I had the same problem. So I called MS. What they told me was that since the Onling Check in is really for "cash paying" customers it won't let DVC members access that area. But if you call MS they will gladly take your preferences themselves.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Not a chance. Even with all the computers around, there are still people without the internet. Then there are those who don't trust the technology.

They can cut the man hours on the MS desks, which is what this is about, but they'll never be able away with or charge for the phone lines all together. After all, who are we going to talk to in order to help fix it after we mess up our points \? (not that I plan on doing so!)

I hope you are right. I know some airlines charge a fee to book a flight by phonebut if you vbook online then there is no fee.

I just wonder with the new "fee-based" method of having those who use the service pay for the service if this might be possible down the line.

 

[CKDKMK]

I received a call too and plan on attending. I have several accts, this should be interesting. I know online would be easier for me with a infant at home and a child in school. It alway seems when I try to use the phone one of them needs something.

 

[Disney Princess]

We would love to be a part of this. Maybe they'll still call? Here's hoping!

 

[zulaya]

I think they should start with a real time view of inventory. No reservations. No real time account changes. Just a real time look at inventory.

Making reservations for one room at 11 months will be easy for those who have only one contract.

Figuring out how to let members bank, borrow, cancel, modify, transfer points between contracts, use holding points, reallocate points, sign up for the waitlist, etc. all without making a mess of their accounts will be tough.

Figuring out how to keep the system from crashing will be tough.

Dealing with all the members who couldn't make it work right the first time will be very tough - entitled members will all be demanding a reservation for something that is sold out because they would have gotten it if only (fill in the blanks. DVC fault, of course)

If they only allow online reservations for the very simple straight forward reservations, then dealing with the "but that's not fair" crowd will be a pain.

Perhaps my middle name should be Thomas, but I cannot believe DVC can pull off such a complicated reservation system without starting with baby steps. Whatever they do, I hope they have a good back up plan!

Everything CarolMN says is true.

System crashing will be a big hurdle.

And I totally agree that real time inventory should be the first big step. That will significantly cut down on calls to MS.

 

[pycees312]

I think they should start with a real time view of inventory. No reservations. No real time account changes. Just a real time look at inventory.

Making reservations for one room at 11 months will be easy for those who have only one contract.

Figuring out how to let members bank, borrow, cancel, modify, transfer points between contracts, use holding points, reallocate points, sign up for the waitlist, etc. all without making a mess of their accounts will be tough.

Figuring out how to keep the system from crashing will be tough.

Dealing with all the members who couldn't make it work right the first time will be very tough - entitled members will all be demanding a reservation for something that is sold out because they would have gotten it if only (fill in the blanks. DVC fault, of course)

If they only allow online reservations for the very simple straight forward reservations, then dealing with the "but that's not fair" crowd will be a pain.

Perhaps my middle name should be Thomas, but I cannot believe DVC can pull off such a complicated reservation system without starting with baby steps. Whatever they do, I hope they have a good back up plan!

this is why I cringe when the tought of an online system comes into play... DVC is different than some of the other time share systems out there. I can't wait to see the complaints that pop up after this...will most likely be from those who have beg and pleaded for an online system. If they pull it off kudos... but i highly doubt it.

 

[kapeman]

Figuring out how to let members bank, borrow, cancel, modify, transfer points between contracts, use holding points, reallocate points, sign up for the waitlist, etc. all without making a mess of their accounts will be tough.

Figuring out how to keep the system from crashing will be tough.

I disagree, there are several examples out there of online systems that have to deal with many more variables than DVC would, Airlines, Banks and many other Timeshares have robust and working online reservation systems.


It can be done and the fact that it is being outsourced gives me a little more confidence.

But I too am going to reserve judgment!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think they should start with a real time view of inventory. No reservations. No real time account changes. Just a real time look at inventory.

Making reservations for one room at 11 months will be easy for those who have only one contract.

Figuring out how to let members bank, borrow, cancel, modify, transfer points between contracts, use holding points, reallocate points, sign up for the waitlist, etc. all without making a mess of their accounts will be tough.

Figuring out how to keep the system from crashing will be tough.

Dealing with all the members who couldn't make it work right the first time will be very tough - entitled members will all be demanding a reservation for something that is sold out because they would have gotten it if only (fill in the blanks. DVC fault, of course)

If they only allow online reservations for the very simple straight forward reservations, then dealing with the "but that's not fair" crowd will be a pain.

Perhaps my middle name should be Thomas, but I cannot believe DVC can pull off such a complicated reservation system without starting with baby steps. Whatever they do, I hope they have a good back up plan!

Totally agree! Nothing they can come up with online will be "fair" in the way it might be if everyone is on the same level. For those not able to do online, it will not be "fair".

 

[hakepb]

Everything CarolMN says is true.

System crashing will be a big hurdle.

And I totally agree that real time inventory should be the first big step. That will significantly cut down on calls to MS.

System Crashing is not the biggest hurdle. That's been solved in the realm of IT. How often does NASDAQ, with a much higher transaction and monatary volume crash?

Now, how to make a cheap, piecemeal system not crash? That might be a problem. But, I'm sure if you want to design a system from the bottom up with 99.999999999% availability, you can and will get it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I disagree, there are several examples out there of online systems that have to deal with many more variables than DVC would, Airlines, Banks and many other Timeshares have robust and working online reservation systems.


It can be done and the fact that it is being outsourced gives me a little more confidence.

But I too am going to reserve judgment!

Yes, it CAN be done, but we haven't seen much to be encouraged about with any of DVC or Disney's other forays into the IT world!

 

[kapeman]

Yes, it CAN be done, but we haven't seen much to be encouraged about with any of DVC or Disney's other forays into the IT world!

Agreed.

Hence my statement about being slightly encouraged by the fact that they are outsourcing it to, hopefully, a firm they have not used before.

 

[DVCGeek]

they'll never be able to do away with or charge for the phone lines all together.

Depends on how you look at it; we already pay for MS staff & telecom costs in dues...

 

[DVCGeek]

Totally agree! Nothing they can come up with online will be "fair" in the way it might be if everyone is on the same level. For those not able to do online, it will not be "fair".

But you have to define fair. People COULD get a computer and choose to go online from almost anywhere in the world; I doubt there are DVC owners who live in an area where internet access is impossible.

One thing I think would NOT be fair is if you aren't allowed to bank or borrow points through this system or use them across contracts. THAT would but a number of people at a significant disadvantage, more so than just percluding those who don't like the internet...

And is it currently "fair" to people in many non-US timezones (or even members twoard the west) that they have to get up really early if they want to hit 9 AM EST opening of MS? Again, people CAN choose to do it, it's there perogative weather they will or not.

I'd just like to know if they do open it up for true reservations when the day's clock (i.e. 11 months) will start. 6 AM EST like most things do now?

 

[Laurabearz]

I also received a call yesterday. They said either myself or my husband could attend. Should be interesting.

Yay!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)...I'd just like to know if they do open it up for true reservations when the day's clock (i.e. 11 months) will start. 6 AM EST like most things do now?

We have no idea what DVC will decide to do. But to keep things "even" or "fair", they would start the day when MS opens, 9 am Eastern.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have no idea what DVC will decide to do. But to keep things "even" or "fair", they would start the day when MS opens, 9 am Eastern.

I agree that would seem to be fair, but who's to say they wont start it at 12:01 am?

 

[CarolMN]

I agree that would seem to be fair, but who's to say they wont start it at 12:01 am?

Well, 9 am Eastern is 12 am somewhere, right?

Seriously, no one knows what they will decide. There's lots of work to be done between now and then. I'm not holding my breath waiting, LOL.

 

[Reginak]

I got an invitation today! I am going to drive 170 miles round trip. MAYBE I should have thought this through before I shouted YES! YES! YES!
I said yes before I knew about the travel or about the $150. Oh well it will probably be a lot of fun! I just hope that I do a good job.

Regina