Res system going down this week

[prberk]

I am making plans for my extended family to visit over Thanksgiving. Since that is a busy time, it has been tough getting all the reservations coordinated. So, I have had to call back a few times to check on availability...

Anyhow, when I called WDW Central Reservations ("Grand Gatherings" department) this morning, after adjusting my reservation, the lady told me that I should be aware that the computer was going to be taken out of service this Thursday, October 19, for "three or four days" for a major planned upgrade, which would make it difficult/impossible to adjust or access my reservations at that time.

I thought I would post that here, in case this would affect anyone else's plans, or in case some of you CMs knew any details that we would want to know about the enhancements (or problems)....

Paul

 

[natalia1681]

Is it just for the Grand Gatherings or are all of their reservation computers going down? Did anybody call today?

 

[kennygman]

Is it just for the Grand Gatherings or are all of their reservation computers going down? Did anybody call today?

All their ressie system is down until Monday. I had almost finished a ressie for a friend and right as I went to pay the system dissappeared. I called it in using the ZDN code for Nov-Dec 23 and the lady didn't know what I was talking about. She just wrote down a buch of stuff on paper or computer or something and gave me an incorrect quote. I kept telling her it was wrong, she said, "they'll straighten it out when they call you back on Monday to confirm and receive payment." So as it is you can't make payments either.

 

[Cindyrella]

I tried to make a payment today on an exsisting reservation. A message came up saying the system would be up again on 10/23.

 

[DDuckFan130]

I was planning on making reservations over the phone. I remembered this thread and called the number and got as far as "to continue in English, press 1" before I hung up. Is there a point where they tell you that they can't make reservations at this time? :lol:

And I wanted to reserve for Thanksgiving too. Darn :hammer:

 

[wjaye918]

I was planning on making reservations over the phone. I remembered this thread and called the number and got as far as "to continue in English, press 1" before I hung up. Is there a point where they tell you that they can't make reservations at this time? :lol:

And I wanted to reserve for Thanksgiving too. Darn :hammer:

I already have a reservation for Nov. 20-26. I called today at 5:00 central time to add one person to the reservation. I was told after I finally got an agent on the line that the system is down and to call back on 10/25/06.

 

[DDuckFan130]

I already have a reservation for Nov. 20-26. I called today at 5:00 central time to add one person to the reservation. I was told after I finally got an agent on the line that the system is down and to call back on 10/25/06.

This is what I read in the FAQ about the outage...I don't get it :lol: According to this we can still make reservations? :hammer:

Q. What will I be able to book if I call the Disney Reservation Center during the outage?

A. The Disney Reservation Center is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) to assist you with your vacation planning needs. Reservations will be taken during this outage; however, estimated rate quotes will be provided and confirmations for new bookings, modifications or payments will not be sent until after the upgrade is complete.
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Q. Will I be able to pay for packages and rooms during the outage?

A. The Disney Reservation Center will continue to accept payment information for your packages and rooms. However, confirmations for payments will not be sent until after the upgrade is complete.

 

[natalia1681]

I'm kicking myself. I have been putting off booking my hotel room for my Jan and Feb trips waiting (*hoping*) for some AP discounts (since it'll be my first time to get to use it) and I thought tonight that I'd go ahead and book and then just keep hoping something will come out that I can apply later.

Oh, well, I guess I'll be waiting a little bit longer. My secret hope is that this upgrade includes a mega discount for AP holders in Jan and Feb:lol::lol::lol:

 

[Rob562]

I don't get it :lol: According to this we can still make reservations? :hammer:

My guess is that the phone center is either using some sort of backup system (I mean, they've got to have SOMETHING in place in case of a catastrophic system failure, right?) or they're doing everything on paper.

Then starting on Monday when the main system comes back from its upgrade, everything will then be processed into the system in the order it was recieved, and confirmation phone calls will be made. Quotes being given by the reservation people are probably using a chart of room rates and doing the math with a calculator. That's why they say you'll only being given an estimate when you call.

-Rob

 

[JPVonDrake]

At this time the Disney Reservation Center is undergoing a planned system enhancement. The enhancement period is planned to be completed by late Monday afternoon 10/23/06 with all systems returning to normal operation.

During the enhancement period, please expect longer then normal hold times.

During this period we can:

Accept payments; please follow the prompts when calling to be connected to our deposit operations department. Your confirmation will be sent once our systems are back online.

Book new reservations; please note we have a very limited ability to check availability and price out room only and package reservations, but all prices will be estimates only. We will only be able to guarantee availability and estimate prices on standard view and water view rooms, nothing else. Any other room category we will record a reservation request but will not be able to verify availability or pricing. Package add-ons such as Airfare, car rentals, vacation insurance can also be requested but not priced. Once our systems are fully operational, a DRC Cast Member will contact you back (via email or phone) to confirm your vacation plans.

Make reservation modifications / cancellations; please note we will record your request but will NOT be able to quote your new package price. You will be contacted once our systems are fully operational of any price changes due to your requested modification.

Make dining, recreation, and golf reservations; these systems are not changing at this time and are fully operational during this period.

Note, we will not be able to sell park tickets by phone until our system upgrade has been completed. Magic Your Way Tickets and Event Tickets (MNSSHP, MVMCP) can be purchased online at www.disneyworld.com or in person at any Walt Disney World ticket location.

My guess is that the phone center is either using some sort of backup system (I mean, they've got to have SOMETHING in place in case of a catastrophic system failure, right?) or they're doing everything on paper.

Then starting on Monday when the main system comes back from its upgrade, everything will then be processed into the system in the order it was received, and confirmation phone calls will be made. Quotes being given by the reservation people are probably using a chart of room rates and doing the math with a calculator. That's why they say you'll only being given an estimate when you call.

Very close, during this enhancement period we are using a very simple Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for availability / pricing, and an internal e-mail system for new bookings, modifications, and cancellation requests. Most Guests will receive a confirmation of their reservation via e-mail once the system enhancement is complete and their request has been processed in the order they were received.

Although most of the changes will not be noticed by our Guests, they will be very much appreciated by our DRC Cast. Our systems are expected to run faster, more efficiently and will be much easier for the Cast to navigate. I for one will be a VERY happy reservationist with the new software in place next week!

 

[DDuckFan130]

At this time the Disney Reservation Center is undergoing a planned system enhancement. The enhancement period is planned to be completed by late Monday afternoon 10/23/06 with all systems returning to normal operation.

During the enhancement period, please expect longer then normal hold times.

During this period we can:

Accept payments; please follow the prompts when calling to be connected to our deposit operations department. Your confirmation will be sent once our systems are back online.

Book new reservations; please note we have a very limited ability to check availability and price out room only and package reservations, but all prices will be estimates only. We will only be able to guarantee availability and estimate prices on standard view and water view rooms, nothing else. Any other room category we will record a reservation request but will not be able to verify availability or pricing. Package add-ons such as Airfare, car rentals, vacation insurance can also be requested but not priced. Once our systems are fully operational, a DRC Cast Member will contact you back (via email or phone) to confirm your vacation plans.

Make reservation modifications / cancellations; please note we will record your request but will NOT be able to quote your new package price. You will be contacted once our systems are fully operational of any price changes due to your requested modification.

Make dining, recreation, and golf reservations; these systems are not changing at this time and are fully operational during this period.

Note, we will not be able to sell park tickets by phone until our system upgrade has been completed. Magic Your Way Tickets and Event Tickets (MNSSHP, MVMCP) can be purchased online at www.disneyworld.com or in person at any Walt Disney World ticket location.



Very close, during this enhancement period we are using a very simple Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for availability / pricing, and an internal e-mail system for new bookings, modifications, and cancellation requests. Most Guests will receive a confirmation of their reservation via e-mail once the system enhancement is complete and their request has been processed in the order they were received.

Although most of the changes will not be noticed by our Guests, they will be very much appreciated by our DRC Cast. Our systems are expected to run faster, more efficiently and will be much easier for the Cast to navigate. I for one will be a VERY happy reservationist with the new software in place next week!

Thanks for the heads up!

I did call a few hours ago and managed to get a standard at AS Sports for Thanksgiving weekend. Didn't think I'd get one on the first try :lol:

 

[tecowdw]

Although most of the changes will not be noticed by our Guests, they will be very much appreciated by our DRC Cast. Our systems are expected to run faster, more efficiently and will be much easier for the Cast to navigate. I for one will be a VERY happy reservationist with the new software in place next week!

Good luck! My expeirence with system upgrades is a slew of problems and irritations. It's difficult to test every possible thing before implementation so once it goes live, you add in the human user factor and all heck can break loose.


Please let us know how it goes!

 

[Pabgo]

I'm going during Thanksgiving too! I got reservations at the Pop Century!

 

[cloudboy]

So if none of the stuff from Thursday on is entered into the system, come Monday when it is back up, are we to expect everything is going to be booked up? I need to make resies for the week following, and the only way I can afford to stay on property is a room only or AAA discount. Bu that is starting to sound pretty far fetched, isn't it?

 

[mkt]

yay! they're finally updating that dinosaur of a CRS. Maybe they'll update their PMS soon... I haven't run across a non-Disney hotel that runs anything that old in my life

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I for one cannot wait for the new system to be in place. I have a lot of quotes that I will be catching up on Monday.:lol:

Pam

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I called last night, and after waiting a good 20 minutes, finally got to speak to a cast member.

The woman was very pleasant and polite, but could not search for any discount offers. I was trying to use the ZPG code, and she couldn't help me with it. She acknowledged it existed, and was valid, but couldn't give a quote for that price. She was able to give me the full-price quote, but said to call back Tuesday for further info.

 

[DDuckFan130]

I called last night, and after waiting a good 20 minutes, finally got to speak to a cast member.

The woman was very pleasant and polite, but could not search for any discount offers. I was trying to use the ZPG code, and she couldn't help me with it. She acknowledged it existed, and was valid, but couldn't give a quote for that price. She was able to give me the full-price quote, but said to call back Tuesday for further info.

Hmm. Well before the system went down I couldn't find discounts anyway except for CBR and CSR. I called yesterday and got a nice CM named Luis right away. I never even give codes. I just ask for passholder and/or FL resident discounts. He couldn't find any but the full price for AS Sports standard was still cheaper than a discount at a moderate. I'll probably call at some point to try and get the discount anyway.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Hmm. Well before the system went down I couldn't find discounts anyway except for CBR and CSR. I called yesterday and got a nice CM named Luis right away. I never even give codes. I just ask for passholder and/or FL resident discounts. He couldn't find any but the full price for AS Sports standard was still cheaper than a discount at a moderate. I'll probably call at some point to try and get the discount anyway.

Here is the relevant info, FYI:

"New Walt Disney World general public codes announced!

Codes ZPG (for Magic Your Way) or code ZBH (for Magic Your Way Plus Dining) are now available to the general public for minimum three night stays. Travel dates are 10/1/2006 through 12/23/2006 and are based on availability. Call your travel agent or Central Reservations Office to check availability to book."

 

[DDuckFan130]

Here is the relevant info, FYI:

"New Walt Disney World general public codes announced!

Codes ZPG (for Magic Your Way) or code ZBH (for Magic Your Way Plus Dining) are now available to the general public for minimum three night stays. Travel dates are 10/1/2006 through 12/23/2006 and are based on availability. Call your travel agent or Central Reservations Office to check availability to book."

We don't do packages :lol: I book room-only and always ask for passholder discounts or FL resident discounts.