WDW DIS Boards ?!?!?!

[Tink's Pixieduster]

I was on the WDW website checking the calendar for my visit in 12 DAYS. When I left the site, I saw I had a pop-up box asking if I wanted to take a survey. I thought, sure, its been a slow afternoon.

It appears WDW is considering establishing a website much like the DIS Boards. Here is what part of the survey said:
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“Walt Disney World is considering a web site that will allow Guests to share their vacation experiences and discuss topics related to Walt Disney World Resort. Guests will get perspectives from people like themselves who have visited Walt Disney World and know all the “do’s and don’ts” first hand. From question and answer sessions, to personal experiences detailed in blogs, to ratings and reviews of everything Walt Disney World has to offer, the web site will give Guests all the information they need to plan and book their vacations. Walt Disney World will edit responses to remove inappropriate language, but all other entries will be posted “as is” to allow Guests the chance to read real feedback from real people. Everyone can use the site to read general comments and feedback, but Guests must register in order to create their own postings.

The site may include features like:

- Personal Profiles: Your profile includes information about you, your family and your Walt Disney World vacation plans. Some information is private which means that other members can’t see it. Other information can be made public so that members can identify and connect with you. Guests will be able to choose which information they want to share.

- Search: Guests can search for a range of information within the site including other members (people with similar vacation needs, families, vacation experiences, etc.); photos and videos; and customized maps highlighting other Guests; favorite activities.

- Ratings and Reviews: Read reviews and rating of Walt Disney World resort, parks, attractions, vacation packages, golf and dining. Registered members can also post their own ratings and reviews.

- Messageboards: Read, contribute and start discussions to help you plan your Walt Disney World vacation. The most helpful and popular contributors will be given special “expert” status to celebrate their value to the site and to help other guests find them.

- Blogs: Write your own personal journals or read journals created by other members. Journals cover a range of subjects including vacation planning and capturing memories of previous vacations.

- Wiki: Read and contribute to a factual “library” of descriptions of Walt Disney World. The facts are written and maintained by members, not the Walt Disney Company.

- Live Chat: Get behind the scenes details by joining scheduled live sessions where members can talk to Disney Cast members.

- Photo sharing: Upload and share your personal Disney vacation photos with other members.

- Map sharing: Create customized maps to highlight your favorite park activities and share them for other community members. Learn how other members made their way through the parks by viewing their customized maps.

- Q and A Forum: Post Walt Disney World questions and comments to a “community certified” panel of experts. Each member will have a rating score, based on feedback from other members, qualifying them as an expert.

- Syndication: Publish your favorite Disney community content (such as photos, messageboard discussion topics or personal journals) on other community websites you use.”
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The survey wanted to know if I was:
Extremely interested
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Not very interested
Not at all interested

I think you can guess how I responded.

Has anyone else here on the DIS boards seen or completed this survey?

 

[northie]

Yes, saw it and yes, filled it out a couple weeks ago.

Frankly I wish they'd just fix the site they have now. They can't seem to keep the reservations site working, how will they run a forum and all those extras? I tried to make a payment on my November trip last night and the site was, once again, down for maintenance. It's getting to be a mantra.

 

[AmyBWV99]

I don't mind if Disney ran a site like that, but I like the idea that the DIS is independent of Disney.

 

[labattblue]

Yes, saw it and yes, filled it out a couple weeks ago.

Frankly I wish they'd just fix the site they have now. They can't seem to keep the reservations site working, how will they run a forum and all those extras? I tried to make a payment on my November trip last night and the site was, once again, down for maintenance. It's getting to be a mantra.

Maybe if we are lucky, it would be designed and maintained by someone other than the group responsible for the design of disney.com. It boggles my mind that such a large company could have such a crappy website. Whether it's a lack of hardware/horsepower, poor web programming or something else(lack of top notch web staff?), they should be embarrassed.

 

[minidreamin]

While I would love to see a message board run by Disney, I don't want to see the disboards going away. This place has a great feel to it with a lot of nice people.

 

[precious pixie]

I don't mind if Disney ran a site like that, but I like the idea that the DIS is independent of Disney.

I agree

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Aw, I don't think the DIS boards will EVER go away. I know I will not stop coming here. Just like POFQ is my "home" resort, The DIS is my "home" messageboard, and I really like it here.

I agree with the points that this site being independent of Disney can be an advantage, and that the current maintenance of the WDW website is inconsistent at best and abysmal at its worst. I also think, though, that if such a website as the one proposed by WDW eventually is up and running, it would be another resource for information, altough perhaps not the sole source. One of the questions was relative to whether I would rely on the WDW website (or something along those lines), and wanted to know why I said I would not trust the information there 100%. I had to say that until I know the sources of the information and how well the site is operated I could not use it as my only source of information. I KNOW my sources here on the DIS boards.

 

[mjy]

I don't mind if Disney ran a site like that, but I like the idea that the DIS is independent of Disney.

Independent of Disney?!

I thought the Dis WAS Disney!

Well, at least, we ought to be . . .

Okay, sorry for the off topic post. Just couldn't resist.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I thought I was the only one who thought Disney had a terrible slow website. One more thing I learned from the DIS!

 

[EnnEss]

I really like these boards, but its the community that makes it. The amount of extras on here is really zero. I would like to see it done a lot better with a lot more interactivity. The blog and the personalization would be a vast improvement. Something between facebook and here.

 

[ConcKahuna]

One thing to remember is that a forum is a lot easier to run and maintain than the reservation booking system that Disney uses. There is a LOT more involved in booking a disney reservation than just posting messages!

 

[Momto8]

I remember when Disney had their own boards back in 1996 right after we got the internet. Then they got rid of them not too long after that. After that I frequented the AOL boards for a couple of years until I found the DIS.

 

[labattblue]

One thing to remember is that a forum is a lot easier to run and maintain than the reservation booking system that Disney uses. There is a LOT more involved in booking a disney reservation than just posting messages!

Yes a reservations system is a lot more complicated, but you are also paying a staff $$$ to develop and maintain it. It is an embarrassment no matter how you look at it.

 

[Tissa]

I wouldn't trust a message board run by Disney. I could just see it now.

poster: I just heard that RNR will be closed again in Sept-Oct

Disney: that is just a rumor and not fact. We will let you know when things are going to happen. All posts will be deleted that spread rumors about things we do not want you do know about yet.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Yes a reservations system is a lot more complicated, but you are also paying a staff $$$ to develop and maintain it. It is an embarrassment no matter how you look at it.

Ahh, but the Disney reservation system also has to speak with ACCOVIA/LOGIBRO wich are the standard programs a lot of travel agents use. If those systems are having issues on a national/international level, Disney is going to have proglems as well.

 

[Bill From PA]

I would hesitate to make use of a Disney forum to the extent I use this site. Disney Corp. are control freaks. The upside to this is found in the quality product they deliver, the downside is that they WILL NOT stand for posts/threads that reflect negative opinions of anything Disney. Yes, we have moderators here, but not to police opinions, just language and civility. If this site comes to pass, I'll give it a look, but here is where I'll come for unvarnished opinion and advice without a Disney slant.

Bill From PA