Will we ever see online booking for dvc resorts?

[a Really Bad Egg]

Again, if it were that easy, we'd already be using it.

Of course it's not easy. If it were, we'd all be programmers right?

But, I do reject the idea that DVC booking is so complex that an online booking system cannot be created...and that because it isn't done already that it never will be created.

So to answer the OP's question - yes, it will happen one day, when it is cost justified by the company.

And...I will go one step further and project in the future, the last scene of CoP will reflect just that...

GRANDPA: Hey Trisch, for a while we didn't even have online booking...

 

[dianeschlicht]

Of course it's not easy. If it were, we'd all be programmers right?

But, I do reject the idea that DVC booking is so complex that an online booking system cannot be created...and that because it isn't done already that it never will be created.

I don't think anyone here is saying it will NEVER be created because it is difficult. We are saying it isn't ready yet and will be expensive to do thus, even though it might be technically possible, it's not feasible for DVC AT THIS TIME. I don't recall anyone one this thread saying it would never be done.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

...it's not feasible for DVC AT THIS TIME.

With all due respect, I don't think any of us here can make that assessment as a statement of fact - unless of course we work for the company and have done the due diligence to make that decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

With all due respect, I don't think any of us here can make that assessment as a statement of fact - unless of course we work for the company and have done the due diligence to make that decision.

Maybe not, but if they could do it now, I think they would.

 

[rcchello]

Anyone who wants to speak for us all is probably wrong! What I believe is that some form of online booking will happen. It will be expensive and may require some modification to the rules since fairness is hard to build in.

What looks like easy changes to an outsider may be very hard depending on the current infrastructure. I have seen development costs of >$1million for what are seemingly trivial changes, when it breaks what was fundimental assumption of the original architects of a system like this. (ex. there will never be more than 100 simultaneous transactions or rooms per resort will never be more than 500).

I would like to see an online system, but I also see points in the system that could lead to unintended unfairness that could cause numerous complaints from the membership. One thing I know Disney does not like is a lot of complaints.

 

[jpolak]

Or that calls to MS wouldn't actually increase due to the complaints and whining (and maybe legitimate programming errors) -

* It's not fair! I had to transfer points between my contracts to make the reservation and it took too long so I lost the room.

*It's not fair! Why can't I borrow the points ahead of time, so that I have a fair shot at getting the room. People who don't have to borrow can reserve faster!

* It's not fair! I still have to get up at whatever to make my reservation. Why can't the system take reservations at 9 am my time

* It's not fair! Why can't I hold the reservation for a few minutes while I cancel something else to get the points - Ticketmaster does that!

* I couldn't read the letters in the box and so I had to refresh and then the room was gone! It's not fair!

* I made a mistake and the system won't let me undo it. Help! Or more likely, the system screwed up my reservation. Fix it!

* I can't get access to my account!

* I promise I canceled that reservation at 11:59 pm last night, but the points went into holding! Take them out! It's not fair!

* And so on and so on .....

Well said, and said, and said...

 

[tjkraz]

Actually it was a combination of using such a site for educating a potential buyer on the DVC points sytem, and also showing them availability online-also to educate. Also it was millions of dollars of revenue. At $20,000 per buy in-thats only an additional 50 new contracts per million-certainly possible.

Of course, you're assuming that realtime transactions would benefit the sales side of DVC. That may not be the case.

Salesman: And here's our brand new system which allows members to immediately see what is available at all DVC resorts.

Potential Customer: Oh, wow. I was thinking about coming back in 2 or 3 months. Can you check and see what's available then?

S: Uh, well, it looks like Old Key West has a One Bedroom available for a couple of nights in June, and the Saratoga Springs has a few more nights later in the week if you don't mind switching resorts. And there are some weekends open. SSR and AKV also have Grand Villas available.

PC: OK. Not exactly what I was looking for. We're fans of the Food and Wine fest, too. Are there any Studio villas available at the Epcot resorts for early October?

S: Sorry, nothing at the Epcot resorts.

PC: That's disappointing. How about early-December. That's a little farther off and I know it's usually a very slow time at Disney.

S: Ummm, right now the entire month of December is pretty much booked solid.

PC: The whole month? Wow! Maybe DVC isn't right for me...
​

Sure, potential customers could get the same info now by asking numerous questions of their salesperson. But clearly the primary benefit of on-line reservations in convenience. If DVC is to use the feature as a sales tool, it could very well end up backfiring.

And I still don't see how DVC has ever lost a sale based upon a lack of online bookings.

EDIT: I should add that I'm not saying that on-line bookings wouldn't be a benefit. I think we'll get it eventually and members will love it. But I don't think the "it will help sales" angle really works for two reasons: 1) It could backfire if potential customers start asking more in-depth questions regarding availability, and 2) I just don't see people using on-line bookings as a make-or-break aspect of their purchase decision.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Of course, you're assuming that realtime transactions would benefit the sales side of DVC. That may not be the case.

Salesman: And here's our brand new system which allows members to immediately see what is available at all DVC resorts.

Potential Customer: Oh, wow. I was thinking about coming back in 2 or 3 months. Can you check and see what's available then?

S: Uh, well, it looks like Old Key West has a One Bedroom available for a couple of nights in June, and the Saratoga Springs has a few more nights later in the week if you don't mind switching resorts. And there are some weekends open. SSR and AKV also have Grand Villas available.

PC: OK. Not exactly what I was looking for. We're fans of the Food and Wine fest, too. Are there any Studio villas available at the Epcot resorts for early October?

S: Sorry, nothing at the Epcot resorts.

PC: That's disappointing. How about early-December. That's a little farther off and I know it's usually a very slow time at Disney.

S: Ummm, right now the entire month of December is pretty much booked solid.

PC: The whole month? Wow! Maybe DVC isn't right for me...
​

Sure, potential customers could get the same info now by asking numerous questions of their salesperson. But clearly the primary benefit of on-line reservations in convenience. If DVC is to use the feature as a sales tool, it could very well end up backfiring.

And I still don't see how DVC has ever lost a sale based upon a lack of online bookings.

GOod point. It really isn't any different than calling MS to get that same information, but for a buyer to see that up close before purchasing definitely could be a problem.

 

[snowbunny]

I find the current situation to be primitive and barbaric. Maybe I should dust off an old rotary phone to make the nostalgic experience complete. I wonder if telegraph service is available?

Totally agree. Here's an amusing quote from Newsweek magazine, Feb. 27, 1995:

"Then there's cyberbusiness. We're promised instant catalog shopping--just point and click for great deals. We'll order airline tickets over the network, make restaurant reservations and negotiate sales contracts. Stores will become obselete. So how come my local mall does more business in an afternoon than the entire Internet handles in a month? Even if there were a trustworthy way to send money over the Internet--which there isn't--the network is missing a most essential ingredient of capitalism: salespeople."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/106554http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=24495846

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

Maybe not, but if they could do it now, I think they would.

Ah...but aren't we so grateful to history's entrepeneurs who took the exact opposite outlook on life's little problems?

Otherwise, we'd all be sitting on rocks waiting for the wheel, the light bulb, running water, telephones, computers, etc.



Who knows whether some IT guy already has approval and is banging out the DVC booking code. I don't know...can't know...don't work there.

I do have to admit, when I see footage of the 1969 moon landing I wonder how they were able to pull it off back then. Truly amazing feat to accomplish for such an overwhelming and expensive endeavor.

However, I am not lost on the fact that there are many who think we never went.



Okay...enough of me hijacking the OP's thread.

The answer is: Yes.

 

[Chuck S]

I do have to admit, when I see footage of the 1969 moon landing I wonder how they were able to pull it off back then. Truly amazing feat to accomplish for such an overwhelming and expensive endeavor.

With an unlimited budget.

 

[jade1]

Of course, you're assuming that realtime transactions would benefit the sales side of DVC. That may not be the case.

Salesman: And here's our brand new system which allows members to immediately see what is available at all DVC resorts.

Potential Customer: Oh, wow. I was thinking about coming back in 2 or 3 months. Can you check and see what's available then?

S: Uh, well, it looks like Old Key West has a One Bedroom available for a couple of nights in June, and the Saratoga Springs has a few more nights later in the week if you don't mind switching resorts. And there are some weekends open. SSR and AKV also have Grand Villas available.

PC: OK. Not exactly what I was looking for. We're fans of the Food and Wine fest, too. Are there any Studio villas available at the Epcot resorts for early October?

S: Sorry, nothing at the Epcot resorts.

PC: That's disappointing. How about early-December. That's a little farther off and I know it's usually a very slow time at Disney.

S: Ummm, right now the entire month of December is pretty much booked solid.

PC: The whole month? Wow! Maybe DVC isn't right for me...
​

Sure, potential customers could get the same info now by asking numerous questions of their salesperson. But clearly the primary benefit of on-line reservations in convenience. If DVC is to use the feature as a sales tool, it could very well end up backfiring.

And I still don't see how DVC has ever lost a sale based upon a lack of online bookings.

EDIT: I should add that I'm not saying that on-line bookings wouldn't be a benefit. I think we'll get it eventually and members will love it. But I don't think the "it will help sales" angle really works for two reasons: 1) It could backfire if potential customers start asking more in-depth questions regarding availability, and 2) I just don't see people using on-line bookings as a make-or-break aspect of their purchase decision.

It could for sure, but educating on reality and stressing the 11 month importance and 7 month importance would be necessary. Many think it is for the first week of feb for example like many time shares. If it's as bad as you present-many folks would be selling within a 2 years from disappointment-and that doesnt seem to be the case.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

With an unlimited budget.

...so they could beat their competitors.

 

[salmoneous]

...so they could beat their competitors.

Aha! And now a solution presents itself. We float a rumor that the Chinese are building an online reservation system for DVC at HK-Disneyland. That'll drive the suits in Burbank crazy. No way they'll let the pesky Reds beat us. We'll have a man reserve DVC-online and return him safely to Earth by the end of the decade.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

As was discovered deep in another thread...we may actually be getting closer?

DVC reservations are now listed online at the same location where one would find cash reservations?

Check your upcoming trips...

Go to: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index

Sign in and then click 'My Disney Vacation'

In the 'Retrieve your Reservation' section, enter your DVC reservation confirmation number and phone number.



When I do it, I see my upcoming trip. I've never seen them there before.