Website Madness

[mgilchr]

This is kind of a rant, but I want to see who else is with me on this. I am a HUGE Disney fan, having travelled there many times, then actually living in Orlando for several years, and now still getting there several times a year.

Here's my issue. Their web site is HORRIBLE!!!! I can book a week long trip to Vegas, including airlines, hotel, and dinner reservations easier than I can book a two night stay at The All Star Resort! How is it that this company, that is supposed to be the PIONEER in the field of hospitality and leisure, can possibly be so behind the times???

Half the time, I go to check room availability or rates and the website doesn't even work! When it does, it is so poorly designed I waste a TON of time trying to find what I am after.

Heck, even when I finally give up and call, I spend five minutes answering automated questions, only to be connected to someone who needs every detail of my life before they can tell me if there are any rooms!

How can this system POSSIBLY benefit Disney??

Anyone else want to share their thoughts.

 

[shoppingnut]

The one thing that really annoys me is all the questions before I get to a live person. Since it isn't a toll free number you call, you're paying for them to collect research information.

And, yes, the website is horrible and slow a turtle moves faster.

 

[wannab@dis]

hmm... I've never really had a problem with the website. :veryconfu

Seems to work great for me and I just drop in every once in a while to do a "dream" reservation. :lol:

Just an FYI... many sites are using a lot of client coding now (I'm a web developer and we do also) and that coding can be a strain on older browsers on older computers without a broadband connection. Firefox is much faster than Internet Explorer when handling client coding. Just a thought.

 

[goofy101]

Yep, you're exactly right and I agree wholeheartedly.

How can this system possibly benefit Disney, you ask? It doesn't, but then again they don't need those kind of benefits. They pack their resorts and their parks with people day in and day out. They don't need to spend the money to provide a good web site, nor do they need to provide a toll free reservation line or discounts or any of that stuff - because they already make maximum profit without those expenses.

It stinks, but they know full well that millions of people will come to WDW no matter how inconvenient it is to book reservations or how expensive it is to be there.

 

[shoppingnut]

Just an FYI... many sites are using a lot of client coding now (I'm a web developer and we do also) and that coding can be a strain on older browsers on older computers without a broadband connection. Firefox is much faster than Internet Explorer when handling client coding. Just a thought.

I have a new computer and even with my connection here in the office, it's still sometimes slow. It's Gremlins, I tell you:lol: :lol: .

 

[shoppingnut]

Yep, you're exactly right and I agree wholeheartedly.

How can this system possibly benefit Disney, you ask? It doesn't, but then again they don't need those kind of benefits. They pack their resorts and their parks with people day in and day out. They don't need to spend the money to provide a good web site, nor do they need to provide a toll free reservation line or discounts or any of that stuff - because they already make maximum profit without those expenses.

It stinks, but they know full well that millions of people will come to WDW no matter how inconvenient it is to book reservations or how expensive it is to be there.

This is why I now use a travel agent (Kingdom Konsultants) exclusively to book my reservations with them, so I don't have to deal with any of this stuff.

 

[JimboJones123]

The one thing I HATE about the site is that it won't give you all the room options. They just give you Premium or Lagoon view prices, but not the lowest prices avaliable. Then you call Disney and can get whatever you want. They don't want you to know there are cheaper rooms to get. I've been on several times where they would only offer CONCERIEGE (sp?) only. I don't want to pay an extra 70 bucks for muffins in the morning if I am already buying the dining plan????

 

[Floridasunshine]

I hate the website search functions,,,,they are horrible..... if you are trying to find something specific (like restaurants covered under the DDE card) it is a nightmare! And trying to book a room, or package, it always seems to give me wrong information. Definitely an awful website....

 

[Master Yoda]

This is why I now use a travel agent (Kingdom Konsultants) exclusively to book my reservations with them, so I don't have to deal with any of this stuff.

I second that. I really like talking directly to a person that is as much of a Disney freak as myself. You will never spend a dime more with KK than you would going directly through Disney and in may cases will spend less. Reservations are effortless and the quality of service KK provides is beyond compare.

Besides Marie at KK thinks short green guys are hot so she is extra nice to me.:lol:

 

[Peacefrog]

My problem with the website is it's very hard to navigate. With calling, the other day I changed my reservation from Movies to Music for a suite. The weekend I wanted was booked. So I ask, "Well what dates are available? I'm not totally comitted to the same dates." He couldn't tell me. You have to give dates and see if it's available. It's a good thing there was availability on my first try, or i could still be on the phone. Friggin ridiculous:brick: