Bad Disney - Lost Magic

[Camping Mom]

That's what we thought, too. When we were told we could stay 4 nights in this site and then 3 in another site and so on, I knew we were in trouble!! Thing is a friend of ours works at Disney now and could get us discounts, but I think we would have to cancel everything and I am not about to do that....I am not spending a night in the parking lot in my trailer with no heat (if cold enough). Talk about your "How I Spent My Christmas Vacation!!"

[TammiMcMan]

Talk about your "How I Spent My Christmas Vacation!!"

Oh my, that brings up some priceless memories of driving the RV from Massachusetts to Disney with my family. At the time, they were horror stories, but now, they're the source of some hysterical laughter.

I just think it's so crazy that you have an existing reservation from Date A to Date B. The only thing you want to change is to remove the added package items. They can't do it because the sites are booked from Date A to Date B. Well, no kidding, you are one of the families who has it booked already .

[TheRustyScupper]

How in the world, can a multi-million dollar corporation like Disney, not have a central booking system that can simply modify an existing reservation? They're total lack of updated technology (in many area's) is just mind boggling.

1) Hard to believe, but true.
2) The Disney system was built for 60's Vegas casinos.
3) It was crudely adapted for Disney.
4) That is why it is not too convenient.
5) However, ressie packages CAN be altered.
6) But, it is VERY cumbersome and time consuming.
7) Plus, most CM's do not have clearance to do these.

[Mike Serafin]

How in the world, can a multi-million dollar corporation like Disney, not have a central booking system that can simply modify an existing reservation? They're total lack of updated technology (in many area's) is just mind boggling.

It can be easy for us who are used to quick change in our PC's and personal technology to bemoan the fact that large corporations are still using old technology. I work for a multi-billion dollar corporation that still uses a 1960's mainframe based manufacturing system. The logistics of making a world wide change is of such magnitude as to be truly mind boggling. The disruption that would be caused by needing to shutdown such a system even for a very short period of time would be extremely costly. Disney probably suffers from similar constraints and is making due the best they can. Eventually at some point a change will be made, but only when the costs of maintaining the old systems far exceed the costs to switch to a new, modern system.

[TammiMcMan]

It can be easy for us who are used to quick change in our PC's and personal technology to bemoan the fact that large corporations are still using old technology. The logistics of making a world wide change is of such magnitude as to be truly mind boggling. The disruption that would be caused by needing to shutdown such a system even for a very short period of time would be extremely costly.

Well, technically they wouldn't have to shut down for very long if the architecture for a new system were built on another platform, tested and when ready to be implemented, the pointers are simply switched over. I know it's not quite that easy, I worked in technology for 15 years before switching to education and my husband is a technology VP for a very well known investment company. He's been through a couple of modernization projects.

I just look at what Disney does with products like VMK (generates zero income I believe from users) and even their cruise website is so much more interactive. That's a much smaller scale than the WDW resort, but you're still able to make on-line reservations for excursions, spa appointments and even dining. How much money went into the Grand Gatherings software product and how many people actually use it? I just think they are funding area's of the company that, in my opinion, are a little less needy than an updated central reservation system.

[neuber]

Everything worked out. We had a wonderful time. Fort Wilderness assigned us adjoining sites for our entire stay in the 1400 loop near the campfire program. We were even able to add additional days to extended our vacation. Disney handled the cast member error to our satisfaction.

[faline]

That's great! Good to hear!

[January-2007]

Thanks so much for letting us know! I am so glad it all worked out in the end.

[Mickey91]

We made reservations for this Christmas back in early January. They made our reservation and we told them 100 loop and they would "try". The reservationist made our reservation AND added tickets to the deal making it a "package". We didn't know until we got the bill. We called to say we didn't want the tickets attached because we would be coming in two different times...a day or two apart for our group. It would mean my son and I pay for a day we aren't there to use. They said if they took the tickets off it would make it a "booking" and they would have to completely redo the entire reservation. Now this was late January by this time. Then they informed us that if we did change what we had to rebook everything, there was ONE day in the middle of our trip that was completely booked and we would spend one day in the parking lot with our trailer!!!! WE aren't the ones who screwed up the reservation....THEY did. I can tell you I was so frustrated...now we are afraid to do anything because we probably CAN'T get another 8 night stay in preferred because it WILL all be booked.

My only advice is to call back often. Sometimes it depends on the CM you get. We have had so many different experiences with reservations through Disney and I have found that calling back again and again will eventually work out. Also, use the number in one of the other responses and talk to the head guy. Since you have a while until your trip, maybe he can work it out for you. I am just not buying into the fact that they cannot adjust your reservation.

On another note. I know this is beside the point and it is the principle of it, but if you are staying more than 5 days, the extra cost of two tickets for a day or two is only about $2.00 a piece. So unless you have APs or have already bought your tickets, I would say before you let it ruin your vacation, just keep the extra days on there. It is better than switching around in the middle of the week. And way better than freezing in the parking lot.